CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – Before Florida voters cast their ballots for high-profile 2026 elections in a few months, some Clay County voters have already completed the process on matters that will directly impact them.
The City of Green Cove Springs and the Town of Orange Park held local elections on April 14, on what the Clay County Supervisor of Elections calls “Municipal Super Tuesday.”
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For both municipalities, voters were required to live within the city/town limits and be registered to vote by March 16 in order to be eligible to cast a ballot.
Orange Park
In Orange Park, there was only one race on the ballot.
Councilman Doug Benefield, who was seeking re-election, defeated his opponent, Chuck Lindholm, in a non-partisan election for Town Council Seat 1.
Benefield received 394 votes, while Lindhold received 352.
Susan Winnette Sandlin was up for re-election for Seat 2, but was unopposed, so the race did not appear on the ballot.
Green Cove Springs
In Green Cove Springs, voters saw one race plus three proposed charter amendments on their ballots.
Ed Gaw lost his City Council seat to Tom Centracchio in a non-partisan race.
Centracchio received 559 votes, while Gaw received 322.
Seat 2 councilmember Matt Johnson was unopposed for re-election, so that race will not appear on the ballot.
Additionally, the Green Cove Springs City Council passed an ordinance authorizing a referendum on the following proposed charter amendments earlier this year:
- Charter Amendment 1: Allow a Notary Public to administer the Oath of Office to a City Council Member
- “Shall City Charter Section 2.03 be amended to allow a notary public to administer the Oath of Office to a Council Member in addition to a judicial officer which the Charter already allows?”
Voters approved the measure, with the “yes” votes totaling 558 and the “no” votes totaling 334.
- Charter Amendment 2: May City Council waive requirement that City Manager’s dwelling be within City utility service area
- “Shall the City Charter Section 3.012 be amended to allow the City Council to waive the residency requirement for the City Manager so they may hire an otherwise qualified candidate whose dwelling is outside the City’s utility service area?”
Voters rejected the measure, with the “no” votes totaling 578, and the yes votes totaling 332.
- Charter Amendment 3: May City Council waive requirement for City Attorney’s residence or office to be within City
- “Shall the City Charter Section 4.03 be amended to allow the City Council to waive the requirement that the City Attorney reside or have an office within the City of Green Cove Springs so that they may hire an otherwise qualified attorney or firm that does not live or have an office within the City limits?”
Voters rejected the measure, with the “no” votes totaling 506 and the “yes” votes totaling 406.