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Today’s newsletter is 1,089 words — a 4-minute read.

Election Day is here, and voters across Tampa Bay have plenty to decide.

Why it matters: Control of Congress and the governor's mansion is at stake — along with who leads Pinellas County's largest city, St. Petersburg, and the makeup of the Hillsborough County Commission.

• Here are the races we're watching.

Tampa Bay's marquee showdown is a grudge match between incumbent Mayor Ken Welch and Charlie Crist, whose long political career includes stints as state senator, attorney general, governor and congressman.

• Crist enters Election Day having outraised Welch by over $2 million as he seeks to add another title to his résumé: St. Petersburg mayor.
• The race has taken a bitter turn as Welch and Crist, once political allies, have traded barbs, with Welch questioning Crist's commitment to the city and Crist accusing Welch of being an absent, ineffective leader.

St. Petersburg voters will also decide two City Council races, with Gabriel Hament facing Courtney Bermudez in District 2 and Linsey Grove competing against Trevor Mallory in District 6.

• All city residents can vote in both races, which will fill seats vacated by term-limited council members Brandi Gabbard and Gina Driscoll.

Hillsborough voters will decide whether Republicans retain their supermajority on the County Commission. Most of the races pit political newcomers against comfortable incumbents.

• But one commission race has a bit more intrigue: It's the only contest without an incumbent on the ballot.

County Commission, District 5: Republican Stacy Hahn, a member of the Hillsborough County School Board, primaried Commissioner Donna Cameron Cepeda in August to face Democrat Neil Manimala.

• Hahn has said that if elected to the County Commission she would "eliminate waste" in the budget, support law enforcement and improve transportation infrastructure.
• Manimala, a board-certified urologist and University of South Florida graduate, lists investing in transportation, particularly road repairs, among his priorities.

Another race to watch is Senate District 14, where Democrat Brian Nathan faces former GOP state Rep. Josie Tomkow in a rematch. Nathan won their first contest in March by just 405 votes.

• Nathan is leaning on his background as a union leader to position himself as a proven champion of working families. Among his priorities are affordable housing and accessible healthcare.
• Tomkow is campaigning on her record of supporting tax cuts, law enforcement and insurance reforms in the state House. She has eclipsed Nathan in fundraising, with nearly $2 million on hand.

Go deeper: Read our voter guides for more on the races in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.

The races for Congress and governor may draw the most attention on Election Day, but voters across Tampa Bay will also weigh in on ballot measures that could reshape local government.

• Statewide, there are three constitutional amendments.

Amendment 1 would let Florida save up to 25% of its annual tax revenue for emergencies, up from 10%.

Amendment 2 would eliminate property taxes on farm equipment and other property used for farming or agricultural tourism.

Amendment 3 asks voters whether the state should increase its homestead exemption — a tax break for Floridians living in their primary residences — from $50,000 to $150,000 by 2027, then to $250,000 by 2028.

• The increased exemption would amount to a sweeping overhaul of the state's property tax system that could leave local governments starved for revenue — and may lead to discontinued services and new taxes.
• Local governments would also face new restrictions on how they can spend the remaining property tax revenue.

Also on the ballot in Hillsborough County are three local referenda.

• The first asks voters whether the superintendent should be elected in partisan elections instead of appointed by the school board.
• The second, if approved, would expand the County Commission from seven members — four elected by district and three countywide — to nine members, all elected from single-member districts.
• The third asks voters to renew a half-cent sales tax to help maintain Hillsborough County Public Schools.

St. Petersburg ballot questions: The first asks whether to authorize the city to levy an additional property tax to accelerate upgrades to the city's drainage, sewer and water systems.

• Another asks whether the city can sell vacant city-owned parkland for affordable housing. The land is being used as a buffer around the Jamestown apartments on Burlington Avenue.
• Two questions pertain to waterfront property. The first asks to extend the lease at Harborage Marina in Bayboro Harbor, which marina reps say would help secure funds for upgrades.
• The other would lengthen the lease period at Port St. Pete, which city officials say would help attract more businesses.

🏛️ Applications open tomorrow for Tampa City Council's vacant District 7 seat, previously held by Luis Viera, who resigned to run for the state Legislature. (Tampa Bay Times)

🍣 Nagi by Soho Sushi opened yesterday in Downtown Tampa, taking over the former GenX Tavern space. The new restaurant has seating for 180 guests and spans 5,200 square feet. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

📉 Insurance rates are set to decrease for more than 800,000 Florida homeowners, state officials said. (WFLA)

Whether it's your first time voting or your first in a while, we've gathered a list of do's and don'ts you should remember.

• Do know what precinct you're assigned to; your vote won't be counted if you try to vote at the wrong one. (Find your precinct here for Hillsborough voters and here for Pinellas.)
• Don't forget a valid ID, like a driver's license.
• Do fill in the ovals on your ballot completely.
• Don't fill in multiple choices for one race.
• Do request a new ballot if you made a mistake.
• Don't worry about leaving some races blank.
• Do rep your favorite candidates or causes with a shirt, hat or button, if you want to.
• Don't bring a sign or try to distribute political material within 150 feet of the polls.
• Do post a photo of your "I voted" sticker.
• Don't post a photo of your ballot online.

Tell a friend

Yacob and Kathryn are covering races across Tampa Bay today. We'll keep an eye on the results and catch you up on everything tomorrow.

This newsletter was edited by Jeff Weiner.