FloridaHillsborough voters would decide on single-member districts and more commissioners
Hillsborough County voters are scheduled to decide whether the county will use single-member commission districts and increase the board to nine members, subject to referendum approval.
What it does
If Hillsborough voters approve the November 3, 2026 referendum, the county charter would provide nine commissioners elected from single-member districts, with 11 commissioners once the county reaches 2.5 million people.
After voter approval, county officials would draw single-member districts by October 1, 2027 and use two-year and four-year terms to keep elections staggered; a qualifying population census would trigger the 11-member transition.
Argument forSingle-member districts could give residents a clearer choice of which commissioner represents their local area.
Argument againstThe transition could require county officials and voters to adjust to new district boundaries and different term lengths over several elections.
More detail
Hillsborough County voters would decide whether to require commissioners to be elected from single-member districts and increase the board to nine members. The proposal covers all Hillsborough County commission districts and the Board of County Commissioners. The charter provisions would take effect only if a majority of qualified Hillsborough County voters voting in the referendum approve them. The proposal would allow the board to have 11 members once a federal decennial census certifies a county population of at least 2,500,000. The referendum is scheduled for November 3, 2026. The charter provisions would take effect after voter approval.
The county commission would establish single-member district boundaries and use staggered election terms during the transition. The transition covers the county commission districts and commissioners elected in Hillsborough County. The board would use the district and public-notice procedures described in the charter. If a census certifies a population of at least 2,500,000, the board would establish districts within 120 days after that certification. Odd-numbered districts would receive two-year terms during the specified transition elections, while even-numbered districts would receive four-year terms. For the transition to single-member districts, districts would be established by October 1, 2027, with the first specified terms beginning after the 2028 general election. For an 11-member board, the process would begin within 120 days after the qualifying census certification and apply at the first general election afterward.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 1Chapter No. 2026-197Latest
- Jun 8Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- May 27Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 11Ordered enrolledMinor
- Vote recorded Local Bills, Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 11In Messages
- Mar 11Passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 0Passed Senate
- Mar 11Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 11Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 11Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Mar 11Withdrawn from RulesMajor
- Mar 9Placed on Local Calendar, 03/11/26
- Feb 18ReceivedMinor
- Feb 12Referred to RulesMinor
- Feb 12In Messages
- Feb 11Passed; YEAS 87, NAYS 26Passed House
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 11Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 11Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Feb 11Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 5Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/11/2026)
- Feb 3Added to Second Reading Calendar
- Vote recorded Favorable (State Affairs Committee). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 3Bill released to House Calendar
- Feb 3Reported out of State Affairs Committee
- Feb 3Favorable by State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Jan 30Added to State Affairs Committee agenda
- Jan 29Now in State Affairs Committee
- Vote recorded Favorable (Government Operations Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 29Reported out of Government Operations Subcommittee
- Jan 29Favorable by Government Operations SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 27Added to Government Operations Subcommittee agenda
- Jan 14Now in Government Operations Subcommittee
- Vote recorded Favorable (Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 14Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Jan 14Favorable by Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 131st Reading (Original Filed Version)Minor
- Jan 12Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
- 2025
- Dec 12Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Dec 12Referred to State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Dec 12Referred to Government Operations SubcommitteeMinor
- Dec 12Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Dec 2FiledIntroduced
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