Florida to Elect New Governor on November 3, 2026
Governor Ron DeSantis will conclude his second term on January 5, 2027, as the state moves toward a general election.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Elections
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Florida voters will head to the polls on November 3, 2026, to elect a new governor. The state's current executive, Ron DeSantis, is term-limited and will vacate the governor's mansion on January 5, 2027.
Why it matters
Under Article IV of the Florida Constitution, governors are restricted to serving no more than two consecutive terms. Consequently, DeSantis is ineligible to seek reelection in the upcoming cycle.
Current polling indicates Republican candidate Byron Donalds leads with an average of 49.4%, while Democratic candidate David Jolly holds an average of 44.4%.
The players
Ron DeSantis
He is the current Governor of Florida who previously campaigned for the office of President of the United States in 2024.
Byron Donalds
He is the Republican candidate seeking to succeed the current governor in the 2026 gubernatorial election.
David Jolly
He is the Democratic candidate running for the Florida governorship in the 2026 cycle.
Donald Trump
He is the current President of the United States who met with the Florida governor at his golf club in April.
The details
The upcoming transition follows the end of the current administration's six-year tenure, as dictated by state constitutional term limits. Registered voters in the state are permitted to cast their ballots at any designated county early-voting site during the mandatory period.
Timeline
Oct. 24-31, 2026: Mandatory early voting period for the Florida election.
Nov. 3, 2026: Florida general election day.
Jan. 5, 2027: Ron DeSantis officially leaves the governor's mansion.
Political Context
The gubernatorial transition is required by the term limits established in Article IV of the Florida Constitution. Opposition groups have pointed to these constraints as a necessary check on executive power, ensuring that leadership changes occur regularly within the state government.
Registered voters across the state should prepare to head to the polls or utilize early-voting sites between October 24 and October 31, 2026. This election will determine the next chief executive responsible for state administrative policy and legislative oversight.
The takeaway
Voters should confirm their registration status and check county-specific locations to participate in early voting. The upcoming election represents a pivotal shift in state leadership as Florida prepares for the end of the current gubernatorial term.
Further reading
For more information on the upcoming vote, visit the Florida Elections page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Commercial.
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Do you prefer that former governors transition into the private sector rather than seeking further office?
