Marion County Turnout Hits 60.8% as Voters Back $140M Conservation Plan
Residents also extended a one-mill school tax and elected new school board members in a Tuesday general election.
By David Marshall ·
Marion County voters turned out at a rate of 60.8% on Tuesday, casting approximately 164,944 ballots to resolve school board runoffs, approve two major financial measures, and select candidates for statewide offices.
The Marion County Supervisor of Elections office reported that 73,358 residents voted in person on Election Day. This figure combined with 91,586 ballots cast during the early voting period and through the mail to reach the total count.
The electorate included 271,268 registered eligible voters in the county.
Residents approved a measure authorizing up to $140 million in general obligation bonds over a 20-year period. The funds are designated for the purchase, preservation, and protection of natural conservation lands, forests, springs, drinking water resources, and agricultural farmland. The proposal received 116,797 affirmative votes, or 74.67%, against 39,622 negative votes, or 25.33%.
Voters also sustained the Marion County School District’s optional one-mill operating property tax. This measure, which funds art, music, reading programs, school security, certified teachers, and vocational coursework, passed with 105,045 votes in favor, or 67.71%. The tax will remain in effect through June 2031. Fifty thousand one hundred four residents, or 32.29%, voted against the continuation.
In the runoff for the District 4 school board seat, Mike Mills defeated Brigitte Smith. Mills, a small business owner and Navy veteran, received 78,999 votes, or 56.76%. Smith received 60,171 votes, or 43.24%. Mills will succeed outgoing board member Nancy Thrower.
Sarah James retained her seat on the District 5 school board. She collected 76,999 votes, or 55.27%, to defeat Donald “Donny” Barber, who received 62,311 votes, or 44.73%.
Republicans secured victories in the state executive and congressional races within the county. Byron Donalds won the gubernatorial vote with 100,468 votes, or 61.34%, defeating Democrat David Jolly, who earned 60,951 votes, or 37.21%. In the U.S. Senate race, Ashley Moody received 102,149 votes, or 62.34%, ahead of Democrat Angie Nixon, who received 59,813 votes, or 36.50%.
Incumbent Republican Kat Cammack held the U.S. House District 3 seat with 55,171 votes, or 58.38%. Republican Randy Fine won U.S. House District 6 with 43,483 votes, or 64.23%. Republicans also swept all three Florida House of Representatives districts with portions in Marion County, with margins ranging from 34.66% to 30.08% for the Democratic challengers.
Jeff Bairstow won the Republican nomination for the District 4 seat on the Board of County Commissioners, receiving 121,697 votes, or 91.85%. Deborah A. Edwards won the nonpartisan race for the Soil and Water Conservation District 5 seat with 99,165 votes, or 74.09%. County voters also supported Amendment 3 with 110,061 votes, or 69.06%. The figures remain unofficial until the Marion County Canvassing Board certifies the final counts.
