2-minute voter guide: Fort Lauderdale's key races and ballot measures

Zoom out: They'll also choose Florida's next governor, agriculture commissioner, chief financial officer, attorney general and U.S. senator.

• Voters will decide the fate of Amendment 3, which, if passed, would raise the homestead exemption and overhaul the property tax system.

Zoom in: Broward residents will also decide a separate property tax issue: whether to renew an existing property tax that funds teacher pay, mental health professionals and school safety services.

• Proponents of that tax have expressed concern that voters may be hesitant to approve it while also considering property tax cuts in Amendment 3, Axios previously reported — or that they could mix up the two ballot items.

Here's a look at key races and local ballot questions:

City Commission District 1

Attorney and community advocate John Rodstrom III and former commissioner Heather Moraitis are vying to replace John Herbst, who's resigning two years into his four-year term.

• Herbst endorsed Rodstrom, the son of former commissioners Charlotte Rodstrom and John Rodstrom Jr. Rodstrom also runs the blog FTL Politics.
• Moraitis, the wife of former state Rep. George Moraitis, served as District 1 commissioner from 2018 to 2022 before stepping down to spend more time with her family.
• Garry Smyth, a third candidate who dropped out of the race, will still appear on the ballot. His votes will not count.

Charter Amendments

Charter Amendment 1: Increases the residency requirement for candidates from six months to one year and requires candidates to be registered city voters. Changes when the vice mayor is selected and when elected officials take office.

Charter Amendment 2: Requires candidates to file compliance documentation with the city clerk.

Charter Amendment 3: Removes the city commission's authority to receive affidavits challenging candidates' qualifications or alleging city charter violations.

Charter Amendment 4: Increases notice for special meetings from six to 72 hours, except emergency meetings.

Charter Amendment 5: Changes how classified employees select their representative on the Civil Service Board.

Charter Amendment 6: Distinguishes between interim and acting city managers and removes outdated references to primary elections and newspaper public notice requirements.

Charter Amendment 7: Changes rules for city property sales and leases, including the passage of a resolution that explains why a sale to a private entity would be in the city's best interest.

Charter Amendment 8: Requires a unanimous vote to sell, transfer or lease park land for more than one year.

Charter Amendment 9: Makes the police chief a charter position appointed by the city commission. The chief would report to the commission instead of the city manager.

Charter Amendment 10: Makes the fire chief a charter position appointed by the city commission. The chief would report to the commission instead of the city manager.

What we're watching: As residents have accused the city of giving away public land for little in return, Charter Amendment 7 could have major implications for how the city handles zoned park land going forward.

State Legislature

House District 100: Republican Yoni Anijar, a lawyer and judge advocate general in the U.S. Army Reserve, faces Democrat Michael Ferguson, a lawyer and Air Force veteran looking to flip Broward's longtime Republican seat previously held by Chip LaMarca.

Congress

Congressional District 25: Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz and Republican former Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer are running in the redrawn district stretching from Miami-Dade to Palm Beach counties.

Congressional District 20: Democratic U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz is facing Republican insurance broker Brent Andersen in the redrawn historically Black district.

🗳️ Review your sample ballot here.

What's next: Early voting runs through Nov. 1 (7am–7pm).

• The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is Thursday, Oct. 22, at 5pm.