FloridaMarco Island voters would decide how council vacancies are filled
Marco Island voters would decide on November 3, 2026, whether rules requiring special elections for most vacant council seats take effect.
What it does
A special election would fill most vacant Marco Island council seats, but the Council would appoint a qualified citizen when a vacancy occurs within one year before a general election.
Marco Island voters would decide the procedures on November 3, 2026; the vacancy rules would take effect only if a majority votes yes.
Argument forIf approved, residents could choose council replacements in special elections instead of relying on appointments in most vacancy situations.
Argument againstThe rules could require election officials to organize a special election within 130 days after a vacancy, creating a short administrative timetable.
More detail
Marco Island would use a special election to fill a vacant council seat, unless the vacancy occurs within one year before a general election. The rules cover vacancies on the City of Marco Island Council and require the elected replacement to serve the unexpired term. The city clerk would call the special election after the Council adopts a resolution. If the vacancy occurs within one year before a general election, the Council would appoint a qualified citizen instead. The Governor would fill four or more vacancies occurring at one time until successors are chosen at the next regular election. The Governor would call a special election if the Council fails to adopt the required resolution within 30 days. A special election would be held within 130 days after the vacancy. For a vacancy within one year before a general election, the Council would appoint a qualified citizen within 60 days to serve until that election; the Governor would call a required special election within 10 days after the Council's 30-day deadline.
Marco Island voters would vote on whether the council vacancy procedures take effect. The referendum would be open to qualified electors who reside in Marco Island. The procedures would take effect only if a majority of participating Marco Island voters vote yes. The referendum would be conducted under the Florida Election Code by the Collier County Supervisor of Elections. The referendum and effective-date sections would take effect when the act becomes law, even though the vacancy procedures depend on voter approval. The referendum would be held on November 3, 2026, at the same time as the 2026 general election.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 1Chapter No. 2026-188Latest
- Jun 25Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- Jun 12Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 11Ordered enrolledMinor
- Vote recorded Local Bills, Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 11In Messages
- Mar 11CS passed; 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 11CS passed; YEAS 114, NAYS 0Passed 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)
- Jan 22Added to Second Reading Calendar
- Vote recorded Favorable (State Affairs Committee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 22Bill released to House Calendar
- Jan 22Reported out of State Affairs Committee
- Jan 22Favorable by State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Jan 20Added to State Affairs Committee agenda
- Jan 131st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)Minor
- Jan 131st Reading (Original Filed Version)Minor
- 2025
- Dec 10Now in State Affairs Committee
- Vote recorded Favorable (Government Operations Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Dec 10Reported out of Government Operations Subcommittee
- Dec 10Favorable by Government Operations SubcommitteeMinor
- Dec 3Added to Government Operations Subcommittee agenda
- Nov 20Now in Government Operations Subcommittee
- Nov 20Referred to State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Nov 20Referred to Government Operations SubcommitteeMinor
- Nov 19CS FiledMinor
- Nov 19Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)Minor
- Nov 19Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Nov 18Favorable with CS by Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded Favorable With Committee Substitute (Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Nov 10Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
- Oct 21Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Oct 21Referred to State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Oct 21Referred to Government Operations SubcommitteeMinor
- Oct 21Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Oct 16FiledIntroduced
- Dec 10Now in State Affairs Committee
Civil Rights & VotingGovernment & EthicsAI & Privacy