Oliver, who was elected in 2018 as Ocoee’s first Black city commissioner, won his third term — even after refusing to commit to serving out the full term — with 53.4 percent of the 751 votes cast, earning 401 votes to Hart’s 350 votes and 46.6 percent of the vote. The vast majority of constituents voted on Election Day — only 19 voters voted early and 287 voted by mail.

At the Jim Beech Recreation Center earlier today, Sandra Esteban, 43, told VoxPopuli that she cast her ballot for Oliver because “he comes out and he knocks on the door.” She said that this is her first municipal election. She’s only been in Ocoee for two years and only learned what district she was when Oliver knocked on her door and told her. She thinks Oliver has “been doing a good job.”

Also on the ballot, city-wide, were three charter amendments intended to give the city commission more authority to interpret its city charter (Question 1); judge the qualifications of candidates (Question 2); and prevent candidates who have resigned to run for another office from running to fill any part of the term they quit (Question 3).

All three passed with comfortable majorities: Question 1, with 55.65 percent of the vote; Question 2, with nearly 54 percent of the vote; and Question 3, with more than 63 percent of the vote.

An Ocoee resident voting at the Lakeshore Center who did not want to give his name, told VoxPopuli he voted yes on all of the amendments because he believed they were “necessary” as a protective mechanism for the city.  

“We have folks coming in trying to get full-time pay for part time work, exploiting the expense system," he said. "I just feel like the city has to protect itself because I think it’s just an exploration of what they could take advantage of.”

A voter at the Jim Beech Recreation Center who declined to share her name, also voted yes on all three amendments because, she believed the city commission is “gonna better the city.”

Others, like Chuck Weatherly, 72, said he believed it was a “power grab” by “the folks who are on the commission.”

“I didn’t like them, so I voted no for everything,” he said.

And some voters split the difference. Robert Schafer, 66, retired, told VoxPopuli that he voted yes on Question 1, but no on Questions 2 and 3.

“They want the commission to make decisions about who can be put on the ballot, that sort of thing,” he said. “I didn’t like that. I like the voters to decide that.”

In Windermere, five candidates were vying for three seats on the town council in the first contested election the town has held since 2021. And as in Ocoee, the incumbent council members kept their seats.

"I think the town is well run and I thought the people who were already in charge deserved another [term],” Paul Kaufman, told VoxPopuli after voting. He said he and his wife moved to Windermere about 18 months ago. “I think the incumbents have done a good job, and that's mostly how I voted. I didn't hear anybody saying the people who were on the [council] are working to change the way the town feels. I haven't heard a lot of complaints. I didn't see a reason to make a change.”

"I voted for the three incumbents,” Dena O’Malley who chairs the Parks and Recreation Committee, told VoxPopuli outside Town Hall. “I work with them very closely and have for many years and know they do a fantastic job, and I’m hoping we can continue because we have a lot of great projects coming down the road.”

Mandy David and Anthony Davit each won third terms with 24.48 percent and 22.52 percent of the vote respectively. Tom Stroup earned a second term with 30.34 percent of the vote. Stroup was the top vote-getter of the day, netting 450 of the 1,483 votes cast, followed by David with 363 votes and Davit with 334 votes.

Most people in Windermere voted Tuesday; just 10 ballots were voted early while 49 were mailed.

“I’m just happy that the residents of Windermere continue to place their confidence in me for another term on Town Council,” Davit told VoxPopuli by text after the results were in.

In a statement texted to VoxPopuli Stroup said: “I would like to thank all of residents of Windermere for their support. Congratulations to Tony Davit and Mandy David on the election results. I would also like to extend my appreciation to Jessica Lee and Frank Krens for their willingness to serve our community.”

Challenger Frank Krens scooped up 200 votes and 13.49 percent of the vote while Jessica Lee who had campaigned largely on the issue of the historic boathouses lawsuit, which is headed to trial in August, received 136 votes or just over 9 percent of the vote.

“I ran with three strong incumbents and I knew it would be hard,” Krens texted VoxPopuli about an hour after the results were known. “They’re great people, and I’m sure they will continue to do a good job for the town. I will continue to serve in other ways as I have done on the various committees.”

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Andrea Charur and Kathryn Brudzinski contributed reporting.