The Orange County Supervisor of Elections is attempting to clarify resign-to-run timelines currently making a local impact. She is also seeking guidance from the state of Florida on what happens next locally – including a possible special election.
Orange County Supervisor of Elections Karen Castor Dentel’s office is providing more transparency and information to explain the situation, which has confused candidates, voters, elected officials, media and even the Supervisor of Elections.
In her May 27th letter to Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd, Karen Castor Dentel wrote: “As a result, we are uncertain how to proceed.” The full letter can be viewed below.
The issue on the local level involves District 3 Commissioner Mayra Uribe submitting her resignation letter as required by law in order to qualify as a candidate for Mayor. Florida’s “Resign-to-Run” law (F.S. 99.012) requires certain elected officials who seek another elected office to submit a resignation, if the terms or parts of the terms of both offices run concurrently with each other. The SOE also noted that Florida law (F.S. 100.111) separately outlines the mechanisms to determine how vacancies are filled:
- If a vacancy occurs with 28 months or more remaining in the term, an election to fill the vacancy is held at the next scheduled general election.
- If a vacancy occurs with fewer than 28 months remaining in the term, the Governor has the authority to either:Â appoint a replacement to fill the remainder of the term; or call for a Special Election to fill the remainder of the term.
Karen Castor Dentel is making it clear that it is her opinion that local Supervisors of Elections do not have the authority to call for a special election when a vacancy occurs with fewer than 28 months remaining in the term. While Orange County Charter contains provisions related to vacancies, the Supervisor of Elections says they are preempted by Florida’s Election Code to the extent that they are inconsistent with the Florida Statutes.
Orange County District 3 Commissioner Mayra Uribe’s resignation letter was received by Supervisor of Elections Karen Castor Dentel’s office on May 27, 2026, with an effective date of December 7, 2026.
In her response to Commissioner Uribe’s resignation, the SOE Karen Castor Dentel acknowledged Uribe’s request that the vacancy be the subject of a special election in 2026, but made it clear she could not move forward with an election, writing: “because your effective date of resignation would occur with fewer than 28 months remaining in your term, pursuant to Section 100.111, Florida Statutes, this office cannot proceed with an election absent direction from either the Governor’s Office or a court of competent jurisdiction.”
A posted “fact sheet” from the Orange County Supervisor of Elections on the resign-to-run law and vacancy timelines states:
“If the vacancy is determined as occurring with fewer than 28 months remaining in the term, the District 3 Commission race remains a part of the 2028 election cycle. Under that circumstance, State law gives the Governor the authority to either appoint a replacement or call for a special election to fill the remainder of the term. Should the Governor’s Office direct the Orange County Supervisor to hold a special election in lieu of appointment and should that instruction be received prior to the commencement of qualifying on June 8, 2026, the special election for that office would also run concurrently with the August 18 Primary and November 3 General Elections. If such a direction is not received, the office will be filled per the Governor’s subsequent appointment or later call for a separate special election.”
Because of the timeline question, Democratic Supervisor of Elections Karen Castor Dentel’s office admitted it is not sure how to proceed and it is seeking guidance from the Republican Governor Ron DeSantis’ Secretary of State to determine what happens next – including a possible special election.
In her letter, the Supervisor of Elections wrote: “If the Governor’s office or your office provides direction that an election is to be held, we will promptly notice the race for the purposes of qualifying beginning June 8, 2026, for this year’s primary and general elections. Because the qualifying period begins in less than two weeks, we would appreciate your earliest consideration and will proceed as directed.”
The SOE office admits this is not to be deemed a legal opinion and is encouraging candidates or officeholders to obtain independent counsel regarding these provisions.
Here is the letter from Orange County Supervisor of Elections Karen Castor Dentel to Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd:
The Orange County Supervisor of Elections clarified the Uribe resignation is different than another resign-to-run vacancy and timeline involving the Orange County Clerk of Courts, who is also running for Mayor.
Orange County Clerk of Courts Tiffany Moore Russell submitted her official resignation to qualify to run for Mayor. But because of the Clerk’s effective date, there will definitely be a special election for this office according to the Supervisor of Elections.
Orange County Clerk of Courts Tiffany Moore Russell’s letter was received on May 26, 2026 with effective resignation date of August 31, 2026. Because this vacancy will occur with 28 months or more remaining in the term, a special election will be held to fill the remainder of the term. The special election will run concurrently with the August 18th primary and November 3rd general elections.
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