Election - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

‘Dark Brandon’ delusions: Biden’s narcissism places his feelings over country

By Rey Arcenas | July 15, 2024

“Dark Brandon is coming back,” President Biden told one voter earlier this month. Dark Brandon, to review, is the internet meme that satirizes the president’s low energy persona by depicting him as a laser-eyed figure cloaked in darkness obliterating malarkey. Its inversion of reality is the punchline. Biden, too, has increasingly inverted reality as he desperately clings to his party’s nomination after a devastating debate performance.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commission approves second reading of GRU oversight referendum

By Morgan Vanderlaan | May 24, 2024

In its Thursday Special Meeting, the Gainesville City Commission approved the second reading of ordinance 2024-23 for a proposed Gainesville Regional Utilities oversight charter amendment.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commission approves first reading to put GRU board control on the ballot

By Morgan Vanderlaan | May 16, 2024

Gainesville City Commission passed its first reading to potentially let voters change how the Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority operates in the November election.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Alachua County Commission continues process to put at-large elections on the ballot

By Morgan Vanderlaan | May 14, 2024

In its meeting Tuesday, The Alachua County Commission authorized the advertisement of a Charter Amendment to make county commission elections at-large unanimously.

SPANISH

‘Los Republicanos han tenido la ventaja’: los votantes latinos de Florida no responden a las apelaciones de los demócratas

By Eluney Gonzalez | Apr. 15, 2024

Señalado por la elección de Jair Bolsonaro de Brasil en 2018, una serie de populistas de derecha han asumido la presidencia en América Latina. Javier Milei en Argentina en 2023 y Nayib Bukele en El Salvador son las incorporaciones más recientes a esta tendencia, mientras que la popularidad de José Antonio Kasta en Chile solo aumenta para las elecciones en 2025. En toda Latinoamérica, parece que los partidos de izquierda han sido incapaces de captar la atención popular en la manera que Milei, Bukele y Bolsonaro han hecho.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Alachua County Commission moves to put single-member districts back on ballot

By Bailey Diem | Apr. 10, 2024

At its meeting Tuesday, the Alachua County Commission moved to draft a ballot measure about single-member districts in the county.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Florida to vote on reinstating partisan school board elections

By Gabriel Velasquez Neira | July 31, 2023

In the 2024 general election, voters will decide whether district school board candidates should run under a political affiliation. House Bill 31 proposes to amend Florida’s constitution. If passed, voters can expect to see party affiliation next to the names of candidates running for district school board positions.

METRO | POLITICS

Republicans file for Florida House of Representatives District 22 seat

By Claire Grunewald | Feb. 13, 2023

The Florida House of Representatives District 22 seat is likely to remain red as two Gainesville Republicans announced their candidacies and aren’t yet facing Democratic opposition.

Harvey Ward (left) and Rev. Fletcher of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (right) clapping after a speech delivered at the swearing-in ceremony for Gainesville Mayor Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville swears-in Mayor Harvey Ward, commissioners

By Aubrey Bocalan | Jan. 5, 2023

The city of Gainesville held its swearing-in ceremony Thursday morning, officially inducting Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward and three commissioners into office.

Kat Cammack, House of Representatives District 3 candidate, celebrates a win against Danielle Hawk Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022.

METRO | POLITICS

‘Red wave’ washes Florida, Alachua County stays true to blue in general election

By Heather Bushman | Nov. 14, 2022

The Alligator analyzed general trends and takeaways from the midterm election and compiled the biggest storylines in the aftermath of Nov. 8.

Senator Keith Perry speaks to rally attendees Tuesday afternoon at the Red Wave Rally in Turlington Plaza. Perry said, “Give me a call and we’ll discuss issues.” State Rep. Chuck Clemons and Congressman Ted Yoho also attended the event to interact with students and get them to vote.

METRO | POLITICS

Republican Keith Perry beats Rodney Long, taking the District 9 Florida Senate seat

By Jackson Reyes and Kyle Bumpers | Nov. 8, 2022

Republican Keith Perry defeated Democrat Rodney Long winning the District 9 Florida Senate seat with 65.6% of the vote, as of 10 p.m.

METRO | POLITICS

Alachua County Commission round-up: Alford wins District 1, Wheeler wins District 2 and Cornell wins District 4

By Alligator Staff report | Nov. 8, 2022

Candidates Mary Alford, Marihelen Wheeler and Ken Cornell won the District 1, District 2 and DIstrict 4 County Commission races, respectively.

Chuck Clemons, Santa Fe’s Vice President for Advancement, shows off a water-damaged compact VHS tape from a 25-year-old time capsule during Santa Fe College's Convocation on Monday. Baseball cards, photos and other memorabilia were recovered from the container as well.

METRO | POLITICS

Republican Chuck Clemons defeats Brandon Peters, keeping seat in Florida House

By Lily Kino and Alexa Herrera | Nov. 8, 2022

Chuck Clemons will enter his fourth term as a Florida representative after defeating Democratic opponent Brandon Peters with 56.7% of the vote as of 9:23 p.m. Tuesday.

Gainesville mayor-elect Harvey Ward delivers a victory speech to a crowd of about 70 at the Heartwood Soundstage, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022.

METRO | POLITICS

Harvey Ward defeats Ed Bielarski for Gainesville mayor

By Omar Ateyah and Melanie Pena | Nov. 8, 2022

Ward will replace Lauren Poe, who previously held the seat since 2018 but reached his term limit this year.

METRO | POLITICS

Voters cast Election Day votes for local, statewide candidates

By Alligator Staff report | Nov. 8, 2022

STRING: Voters take to the polls to cast their vote in the 2022 midterm elections. Local and statewide candidates brought voters out on Election Day.

SPANISH

La difícil situación del trabajador electoral

By Heather Bushman and Maria Victoria Camacho | Nov. 8, 2022

En medio de la desconfianza electoral y los nuevos criterios de distribución de distritos, los trabajadores electorales y los funcionarios electorales alientan a los votantes a verificar la información de su precinto y tener confianza en el proceso electoral del condado de Alachua.

Voters listen to local candidates speak at the Souls to the Polls event held outside of the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Office Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022.

METRO | POLITICS

Residents rally at Soul to the Polls on final day of early voting

By Mickenzie Hannon | Nov. 7, 2022

The event, which originated during the civil rights movements in an attempt to mobilize churchgoers to vote after church, included free food, giveaways, entertainment and church involvement. Attendees also heard from elected officials and candidates.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Where’s the outrage?

By Stuart Floyd | Nov. 5, 2022

OPINION: The rights and benefits most important to your generation are just a vote away. If you don’t vote, don’t complain about the outcome.

Attendees watch the mayoral debate between Harvey Ward and Ed Bielarski at UF Levin College of Law Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022.

METRO | POLITICS

Ward, Bielarski face off in mayoral debate hosted at UF

By Mickenzie Hannon | Oct. 26, 2022

Because neither Ward nor Bielarski secured a majority of votes cast in the Aug. 23 primary election, both candidates will compete in a run-off for the seat in the Nov. 8 general election.

Voting booths are seen in the Career Connections Center at the Reitz Union on Tuesday, Nov.16, 2021.

METRO | POLITICS

Follow the money: Ward leads Bielarski, Cammack clears $2 million in campaign contributions

By Heather Bushman | Oct. 25, 2022

With data from the Federal Election Commission, the Florida Division of Elections and the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections, The Alligator looked at where candidates stand financially ahead of the Nov. 8 election.