Duval County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
18 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 10 Duval County races, led by the Duval County Court Judge Group 13 contest; 1 more race was decided at the primary.
School board
School Board District 2Nonpartisan race · Donovan Bradley · Donna Mae Westrich
Donovan Bradley and Donna Mae Westrich are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Duval County School Board District 2.
Donovan Bradley Nonpartisan
- School safety, including fixing crossing guard shortages
- Expanding school choice options
- Paid, credit-bearing internships for high schoolers
Per the campaign site.
About Donovan Bradley
Donovan Bradley is a lifelong resident of Duval County who attended local schools and is the son of a 30-year schoolteacher, running for Duval County School Board, per the campaign site.
$53,101 raised, per Supervisor of Elections filings.
Donna Mae Westrich Nonpartisan
- Competitive pay and sustainable workloads for educators
- Making Duval schools an attractive choice through parent engagement
- Transparent, classroom-first budgeting
Per the campaign site.
About Donna Mae Westrich
Donna Mae Westrich is an educator with more than 20 years of classroom teaching experience, including at Seaside Charter at the Beach, running for Duval County School Board District 2, per the campaign site.
$9,936.02 raised, per Supervisor of Elections filings.
August 18 result: Donovan Bradley led with 49 percent but fell short of a majority, so he and Donna Mae Westrich (39 percent) advance to a November 3 runoff, per News4JAX.
Full race pageSchool Board District 4Rhodesia "Rho" Butler · James "Coach" Jacobs · Gracie Bell Kearse-McCastler (Write-In)
Rhodesia "Rho" Butler, James "Coach" Jacobs and Gracie Bell Kearse-McCastler (Write-In) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Duval County School Board District 4.
Rhodesia "Rho" Butler Nonpartisan
- School safety
- Teacher retention
- Career and workforce education expansion
Per the News4Jax.
About Rhodesia "Rho" Butler
Rhodesia Butler is a retired Duval County Public Schools educator and 35-year business owner who has worked with the Boys and Girls Club, per News4Jax.
$12,071.08 raised, per Supervisor of Elections filings.
James "Coach" Jacobs Nonpartisan
- Teacher retention
- Student retention
- Higher pay for educators and coaches
Per the News4Jax.
About James "Coach" Jacobs
Jacobs has worked in education since 2001 across public, private, and charter schools and currently serves as a Dean of Students, per the campaign site. Jacobs holds a master's degree in educational management and administration and is pursuing a doctorate in organizational leadership, per the campaign site.
$8,203 raised, per Supervisor of Elections filings.
Gracie Bell Kearse-McCastler Write-In
- Addressing the school-to-prison pipeline
- Reducing disciplinary referrals among minority students
Per the News4Jax.
About Gracie Bell Kearse-McCastler
Gracie Bell Kearse-McCastler is a 33-year Duval County educator, a former teacher and assistant principal, per News4Jax. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
$500 raised, per Supervisor of Elections filings.
August 18 result: James Jacobs (39 percent) and Rhodesia Butler (35 percent) advance to a November 3 runoff, per News4JAX. Results are unofficial until the county canvass.
Full race pageSchool Board District 6Nonpartisan race · Clarence "CJ" James · Lindsey Denmark
Clarence "CJ" James and Lindsey Denmark are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Duval County School Board District 6.
Clarence "CJ" James Nonpartisan
- Budget transparency and contract reviews
- Fully fund the district police department
- Improve literacy and graduation rates
Per the campaign site.
About Clarence "CJ" James
James is a retired lieutenant from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office with more than 20 years of service and currently works as a police sergeant with the Duval County School Police, per the campaign site. James previously served as a legislative staff member for the Florida House of Representatives, per the campaign site.
$100,637.43 raised, per Supervisor of Elections filings.
Lindsey Denmark Nonpartisan
- Safe and orderly schools
- Early literacy intervention and strong academics
- A fiscal audit and responsible stewardship
Per the campaign site.
About Lindsey Denmark
Denmark is a state-licensed Florida Realtor with 15 years in real estate and a former grant consultant for municipal infrastructure projects, per the campaign site. She leads a public school literacy program and serves as a Children's Ministry Director, per the campaign site. She is running for Duval County School Board, District 6, per the campaign site.
$86,688 raised, per Supervisor of Elections filings.
August 18 result: Lindsey Denmark (33 percent) and Clarence James (21 percent) advance to a November 3 runoff, per News4JAX. Results are unofficial until the county canvass.
Full race pagePublic School Board - District 6Nonpartisan race · Charlotte Joyce
Charlotte Joyce is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Duval County Public School Board - District 6.
Charlotte Joyce Nonpartisan
Charlotte Joyce is a Board Member for District 6 on the Duval County Public School Board, first elected in 2018. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of North Florida and previously worked as a Magnet Coordinator at Joseph Stilwell Jr. High School, bringing an educator's perspective to the board. In her first term, she advocated for fiscal accountability and transparency.
Public School Board - District 4Nonpartisan race · Darryl Willie
Darryl Willie is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Duval County Public School Board - District 4.
Darryl Willie Nonpartisan
- Holding himself accountable for the success of every student
- Creating clear and consistent communication structures that inform and engage students, parents, and families
- Providing more innovation and preparation
Per the campaign site.
About Darryl Willie
Darryl Willie is a member of the Duval County Public School Board, representing District 4 in Florida, a position he assumed in 2019. He earned a B.S. from North Carolina State University and an M.Ed. from the University of Georgia, and has worked as a director of district and community partnerships with Teach for America since 2011.
Judges
County Court Judge Group 13Nonpartisan race · Octavius A. Holliday, Jr. · Melina Buncome
Octavius A. Holliday, Jr. and Melina Buncome are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Duval County Court Judge Group 13.
Octavius A. Holliday, Jr. Nonpartisan
- Balanced, fair judicial decision-making
- Building public trust in the courts
- Community safety and equity in the justice system
Per the campaign site.
About Octavius A. Holliday, Jr.
Holliday earned a J.D. from the University of Florida College of Law and has served since 2003 in the State Attorney's Office for the 4th Judicial Circuit, per the campaign site. Holliday has led the office's Human Rights Division and Community Crime Strategies Unit, per the campaign site.
$17,916.96 raised, per Supervisor of Elections filings.
Melina Buncome Nonpartisan
- Fair and impartial application of the law
- Treatment-focused specialty courts for veterans, mental health, and drug cases
- Access to justice through legal aid and youth mentorship
Per the campaign site.
About Melina Buncome
Buncome has nearly 30 years of courtroom experience as a public defender in the Fourth Judicial Circuit, per the campaign site. Buncome previously served as Felony Division Chief, supervising attorneys handling the most serious and complex cases, per the campaign site.
$12,350 raised, per Supervisor of Elections filings.
August 18 result: no candidate won a majority, so Octavius A. Holliday Jr. (37 percent) and Melina Buncome (33 percent) advance to a November 3 runoff, per News4JAX. Results are unofficial until the county canvass.
Full race pageBy address
These seats are elected by district; only the district covering your address is on your ballot.
Duval County is split across 4 Florida House districts.
Find your districts by addressFlorida House: 4 districtsDistricts 12, 13, 15, 17
Florida House District 12Terrance Freeman (R) · Benjamin Sandlin (D)
Terrance Freeman Republican
- Cutting property taxes further and eliminating wasteful fees and regulations
- Supporting first responders, including the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and Fire and Rescue
- Expanding workforce development and apprenticeship programs
Per the campaign site.
About Terrance Freeman
Terrance Freeman is the at-large Group 1 Jacksonville City Councilman, leaving office early to run for Florida House District 12, per News4Jax. He is principal and head baseball coach at Eagle's View Academy and formerly played professional baseball for the Oakland A's, Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers organizations, per Florida Politics.
Benjamin Sandlin Democratic
Benjamin Sandlin was born in Jacksonville and graduated from the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts before attending the University of North Florida and the University of Central Florida. He is the Democratic candidate for the open Florida House District 12 seat, left vacant by term-limited Rep. Wyman Duggan, and faces Republican Terrance Freeman in November, per News4Jax. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
Terrance Freeman (Republican), Benjamin Sandlin (Democratic) are on the November 3 ballot for Florida House District 12. Not on the November ballot: Wyman Duggan, the sitting member per the roster. Major-party nominees were chosen at the August 18 primary or advanced unopposed; minor-party and no-party-affiliation candidates qualify directly for the November ballot. The field is the Florida Division of Elections' certified 2026 General Election candidate list. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageFlorida House District 13Audrey Gibson (D)
Audrey Gibson Democratic
Audrey Gibson is a former Florida Senate Minority Leader who represented Senate District 6 from 2016 to 2022 and previously represented House District 15 from 2002 to 2010. She is the Democratic candidate for the open Florida House District 13 seat, left by term-limited Rep. Angie Nixon, according to Florida Politics. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
Audrey Gibson (Democratic) is on the November 3 ballot for Florida House District 13. Not on the November ballot: Angela "Angie" Nixon, the sitting member per the roster. A qualified write-in line also prints in November without the candidate's name, per Brice Gaillard's filing on the Florida Division of Elections' certified candidate list. Major-party nominees were chosen at the August 18 primary or advanced unopposed; minor-party and no-party-affiliation candidates qualify directly for the November ballot. The field is the Florida Division of Elections' certified 2026 General Election candidate list. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageFlorida House District 15Dean Black (R) · Chadd Charland (No Party Affiliation)
Dean Black Republican Incumbent
- Property tax reform
- Agriculture and natural resources policy
Per the campaign site.
About Dean Black
Dean Black is the Republican incumbent representing Florida House District 15, according to his campaign website. He is a business owner and cattle rancher, an Air Force veteran, and a former chairman of the Republican Party of Duval County.
Chadd Charland No Party Affiliation
- Directing public money to public schools only
- Protecting northeast Florida's natural habitat, including Florida Forever and springs restoration funding
- Supporting public education, environmental conservation and equal rights
Per the campaign site.
About Chadd Charland
Chadd Charland is a Fernandina Beach resident running with no party affiliation for House District 15, per News4Jax. He helped lead a Nassau County data center moratorium effort and serves as conservation chair for his local Florida Native Plant Society chapter, per News4Jax and his campaign site.
Dean Black (Republican), Chadd Charland (No Party Affiliation) are on the November 3 ballot for Florida House District 15; Dean Black is the sitting member, per the Florida House of Representatives' official roster. A qualified write-in line also prints in November without the candidate's name, per Lloyd Caulker's filing on the Florida Division of Elections' certified candidate list. Major-party nominees were chosen at the August 18 primary or advanced unopposed; minor-party and no-party-affiliation candidates qualify directly for the November ballot. The field is the Florida Division of Elections' certified 2026 General Election candidate list. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageFlorida House District 17Jessica Baker (R) · Jacob Guerrero (D)
Jessica Baker Republican Incumbent
- Reducing taxes
- Increasing teacher pay
- Child protection legislation
Per the campaign site.
About Jessica Baker
Jessica Baker is the Republican incumbent representing Florida House District 17, according to the Florida House of Representatives. Her campaign has focused on reducing taxes, increasing teacher pay, and child protection legislation, according to her campaign website.
Jacob Guerrero Democratic
Jacob Guerrero is the Democratic candidate for Florida House District 17 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Florida Division of Elections' certified 2026 General Election candidate list. Guerrero did not respond to email and telephone invitations to complete the News4JAX 2026 voter guide questionnaire, per News4JAX. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
Jessica Baker (Republican), Jacob Guerrero (Democratic) are on the November 3 ballot for Florida House District 17; Jessica Baker is the sitting member, per the Florida House of Representatives' official roster. Major-party nominees were chosen at the August 18 primary or advanced unopposed; minor-party and no-party-affiliation candidates qualify directly for the November ballot. The field is the Florida Division of Elections' certified 2026 General Election candidate list. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageAlready decided at the primary
Already decided at the primary1 seat settled at the 2026 primary; not on the November 3 ballot
These seats were settled at the 2026 primary and will not appear on the November 3 ballot. Full fields and profiles stay on each race page.
County Court Judge Group 1: Matt Lufrano won the seat.
DECIDED August 18: Matt Lufrano won outright with 57 percent (79,154 votes) over Latoya Williams Shelton, per News4JAX with over 99 percent of precincts reporting. This race will not appear on the November 3 ballot.
1 other ran; see the full raceSee your full ballot
Voting info and more
Voting info and more
Verify your ballot with the official election office.
Cross-check every race and candidate with the official election office. Official sources are the final word.
Who is on the ballot in Duval County, Florida on November 3, 2026?
Duval County sample ballot 2026: see where the school board, court judge and florida house candidates stand on schools, the budget and taxes. Every candidate profile on this page names the official filing or campaign source it came from.
When is the 2026 general election in Florida?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Florida are listed on the Florida election hub. Florida election hub →
Which Duval County races were already decided at the primary?
1 race was settled at the 2026 primary and will not appear on the November 3 ballot. The results and full candidate fields stay on each race page in the section above.
How do I see my exact Duval County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup for the statewide and congressional races on every ballot in the county, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location. Look up your ballot →
Sample ballot by ZIP code in Duval County36 ZIP codes
Candidate roster last updated Sep 25, 2026 from official election sources.