Florida carries two top-of-ticket races in 2026, a U.S. Senate special election and an open governorship, on the ballot November 3, 2026, in the nation's third-largest state. Here's a nonpartisan guide.
What's on the 2026 ballot in Florida?
The U.S. Senate special election is one of two Senate specials nationally this cycle. The governorship is open, with Republican incumbent Ron DeSantis term-limited, drawing competitive fields. Below them: all of Florida's large U.S. House delegation, the state cabinet offices, legislative races, and county and municipal contests across a sprawling state.
What makes Florida's races matter?
Florida has trended Republican over recent cycles after years as the nation's premier swing state, but its size, diversity, and expensive, fragmented media markets keep it consequential, and open or special races without a long incumbency remain live. Reaching Florida's huge, multilingual electorate, heavy with senior voters and spread across a dozen media markets, is one of the biggest voter-contact challenges in the country.
Why turnout decides Florida
Because a midterm lowers turnout and both marquee races lack a long-serving incumbent, mobilization matters. Florida's early and mail voting is heavily used, so turnout runs for weeks, and reaching a vast, diverse, multilingual electorate at scale is the central task, one where a direct channel like text earns its place.
Frequently asked questions
What are the big races in Florida in 2026?
A U.S. Senate special election, one of two nationally, and an open governorship, Republican incumbent Ron DeSantis is term-limited, plus Florida's large U.S. House delegation and state cabinet offices.
Why do Florida's races matter?
Florida has leaned Republican recently but its size, diversity, and expensive media markets keep it consequential, and open or special races without a long incumbency remain live.
Why does turnout matter in Florida?
Because midterm turnout falls and neither top race has a long-serving incumbent. Reaching a vast, diverse, multilingual electorate across weeks of early and mail voting is the central challenge.
This reflects the cycle as of the date above. Facts drawn from nonpartisan sources including Ballotpedia. Confirm voting details at Vote.org.
Keep reading: Texting senior voters and multilingual texting.