Overview

The Board of County Commissioners is the legislative and the chief governing body of the county. See Fla. Stat. § 125.01(1). The Chair of the Board of County ****Commissioners has a role in canvassing. Crucially, the Chair can appoint a substitute member to the County Canvassing Board if the Supervisor of Elections is ineligible to serve. Since one criterion for ineligibility is running in a contested election, and Supervisors are up for election this year, this power can potentially be important. See Supervisor of Elections.

Election-Related Duties

The key duties of the Chair of the Board of County Commissioners are:

1. Serving on the County Canvassing Board. Fla. Stat. § 102.141(1).
2. Appointing a substitute member of the County Canvassing Board if the Supervisor of Elections is unable to serve on the County Canvassing Board. Fla. Stat. § 102.141(1)(b).

Selection and Vacancy Information

Florida allows counties to adopt charters with their own governing structures, as long as they are not inconsistent with state law. Fla. Stat. § 125.81(1). As a result, some counties do not have a Chair but have another executive. Fla. Stat. § 125.84.

• **Elected: ****The Board of County Commissioners is an elected office. Fla. Stat. § 101.041(2)(a). The Chair is selected by the Board of County Commissioners. Fla. Stat. § 125.84(3). See, e.g., “Polk County Charter” at 3.
• Term of Office: Members of the Board of County Commissioners serve four-year terms. Fla. Stat. § 101.041(2)(a).
• Next Election/Appointment: The next election for members of the Board of County Commissioners will happen on November 5, 2024, for odd-numbered districts. Members from even-numbered districts will be elected in 2026. Fla. Stat. § 101.041(2)(a).
• Qualifications: Members of a ****Board of County Commissioners must live in their district. Fla. Stat. § 125.83(2).