Metro | City County Commission - The Independent Florida Alligator

Nestor Garcia, a 21-year-old industrial engineer major, attends the early voting session on Oct. 22, 2018, at the J. Wayne Reitz Union to vote for the first time.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

First day of early voting in local races sees three-year low

By Karina Elwood | Mar. 10, 2019

Only 324 residents voted

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Letter to the Editor: Make your voice heard in the upcoming city election

Mar. 10, 2019

On Nov. 8, 2016, I watched my friends and family vote at the polls. I was stuck not doing my part as an American citizen because of my age. I was five months away from turning 18, but it would be five months too late. I vowed to vote in every election after that.

Nicholas Moore-Lefauve, a 20-year-old information systems and operations management major, puts on his "I Voted" sticker during the first day of early voting at the J. Wayne Reitz Union Monday morning. This is the third time Moore-Lefauve has voted in his life.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Meet the Gainesville general election candidates

By Karina Elwood | Feb. 28, 2019

Early voting begins March 9

Robert Mounts, 77, of Gainesville, filed to run for the District 4 Gainesville City Commissioner position Friday morning, the last day to qualify to run for commission.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Meet the City Commission candidates: Robert Mounts

By Karina Elwood | Feb. 28, 2019

The inside of Robert Mounts’ historic log cabin looks like a museum.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Meet the mayoral candidates: Marlon Bruce

By Karina Elwood | Feb. 28, 2019

Marlon Bruce loves to sing.

Jennifer Reid, 31, of Gainesville, announced on Jan. 5 that she will run for mayor against incumbent Mayor Lauren Poe and Jenn Powell. Courtesy to The Alligator.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Meet the mayoral candidates: Jennifer Reid

By Karina Elwood | Feb. 28, 2019

Superheros are important in Jennifer Reid’s house.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Meet the mayoral candidates: Jenn Powell

By Karina Elwood | Feb. 28, 2019

Jenn Powell wasn’t thinking about politics four years ago. She wanted to travel the country after raising her three children.

Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe takes a selfie with city workers in front of Gainesville City Hall, located at 200 E. University Ave., on Thursday. Poe and city commissioners gave flowers to thank workers for helping after Hurricane Irma.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Meet the mayoral candidates: Lauren Poe

By Karina Elwood | Feb. 28, 2019

Mayor Lauren Poe first ran for office in sixth grade for student government. He lost.

Adrian Hayes-Santos, 30, is running for the Gainesville City Commission At-Large Seat 1 in Tuesday’s elections

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Meet the City Commission candidates: Adrian Hayes-Santos

By Karina Elwood | Feb. 28, 2019

He is the District 4 Incumbent

Gainesville residents gathered to share their affordable housing perspectives with city commissioners and officials.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Community gathers to offer affordable housing solutions

By Taylor Girtman | Feb. 21, 2019

About 120 residents met and offered about 100 ideas

Desiree Heyliger, 39, a former RTS bus driver, might get her job back with three years' worth of back pay after she claimed she was unfairly fired in 2015.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Former RTS bus driver will get her job back after three years

By Karina Elwood | Feb. 21, 2019

The decision came after a district court judge’s ruling

Emma Hennessey, a 19-year-old UF business sophomore, rides the “Rock and Roll” with 19-year-old Demarco Reaves Saturday evening at the Alachua County Fair. Reaves was happy to experience a local event because he was visiting Hennessey from North Carolina. Look at the gallery here.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Pig race causes Alachua County Commission to end fair contract

By Josephine Fuller | Feb. 19, 2019

A new partner will take over for coming fair

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

A former bus driver lost her job but won the lawsuit. Will she get her job back?

By Karina Elwood | Feb. 19, 2019

City has yet to make a decision on rehiring her

The bridge over 13th Street, nicknamed the DNA bridge, is empty early Thursday morning.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Redevelopment agency will discuss projects coming to Gainesville

By Karina Elwood | Feb. 17, 2019

After overhauling how it affects change in Gainesville, the Gainesville Community Redevelopment Agency will meet to talk about what it will do in the community.