Seminole County, Florida

Election officials in several Florida counties, including Seminole, Broward, and Monroe, are investigating delays in vote-by-mail ballots moving through the U.S. Postal Service. Seminole County has issued more than 500 replacement ballots, with one local delivery taking seven days; a Broward official's son waited 12 days for a ballot sent from Orlando. USPS says it has found no delivery issues in Broward or Monroe. Central Florida counties outside Seminole report no similar problems. With Florida's 7 p.m. Nov. 3 return deadline approaching, officials are urging voters who haven't mailed ballots to instead vote early in person or drop ballots at secure intake stations.

Early voting for the November election opened in Travis County, Texas, running Oct. 19-30 ahead of Election Day on Nov. 3. Election officials are preparing polling sites as local party leaders and advocacy groups report strong voter interest. The League of Women Voters emphasized the impact of local races, while the Travis County Democratic Party cited record voter registration and primary turnout. State Rep. Vikki Goodwin, a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, said voters appear more engaged than in recent cycles, while the Travis County GOP said it sees no major shift in Texan voter sentiment. Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ken Paxton also received an endorsement from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Elsewhere, early voting also began this week in Florida counties like Seminole, where officials expect strong turnout ahead of races for governor, U.S. Senate, and congressional seats, along with statewide ballot measures.

A Winter Springs, Florida, commissioner has asked city staff to prepare a cost comparison examining what the municipal budget would look like without directly funded police and parks services, as local governments brace for possible revenue losses tied to Amendment 3. Commissioner Paul Diaz requested the analysis, noting police and parks together account for roughly $13.5 million, about half the city's budget, and said comparing that spending against alternatives, such as contracting police services through Seminole County, could reveal cost-saving options if the amendment passes.

The request prompted pushback from Winter Springs Mayor Kevin McCann, who questioned whether the city was considering eliminating the police department and parks outright; officials clarified the intent was exploratory. Seminole County officials have estimated the county could lose up to 20% of tax revenue under Amendment 3. Policy analysts caution the full fiscal impact remains uncertain even among property appraisers. Voters decide on Amendment 3 in less than a month, and Winter Springs officials expect the cost comparison to resurface at upcoming city meetings.

A Winter Springs, Florida man, Bruce Gittleman, faces a felony assault charge after police said he tried to run over a neighbor with a golf cart in the Hacienda Village neighborhood in June. Body camera video obtained from the Winter Springs Police Department shows Gittleman's arrest following a 911 call in which the neighbor said Gittleman had been harassing him for about a decade and had come close to hitting him with the cart, though contact was not made. Gittleman told officers the incident followed a roadside argument and denied trying to hurt anyone.

Police also said Gittleman should not have been driving the golf cart at all, since his driver's license had been cancelled and the area required a valid license to operate one. Officers noted Gittleman has a history of disturbances in the neighborhood, including prior arrests for battery and trespassing. The case is now headed to trial, with a scheduling appearance expected later this week.

Orange County, Florida commissioners voted 6-1 to approve a roughly $9 billion budget prioritizing public safety, affordable housing and homelessness services, even as county leaders warn that a statewide ballot measure could upend future budgets. Amendment 3, which would increase the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes, could cut $275 million from county revenue by 2028, officials say. Mayor Jerry Demings noted the measure lacks a public safety exemption, meaning optional services like social programs would likely face cuts first if it passes in November.

Other Central Florida law enforcement leaders share the concern: Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood says his agency could lose $37 million next year alone, while Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma has warned of a 20 percent budget cut leading to layoffs and hundreds fewer patrol officers. Commissioner Mayra Uribe suggested the county should first seek internal efficiencies before residents feel the impact. The approved budget also includes $19.5 million for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, part of a goal to add or preserve 10,000 housing units by 2028.

Seminole County, Florida officials are warning that Amendment 3, a homestead exemption measure on the Nov. 3 ballot, could cut property tax revenue by roughly 20%, straining budgets for services including animal control. County emergency management director Alan Harris said tighter budgets could force staffing cuts and end the county's no-kill animal shelter status, with roughly $200,000 in reductions potentially eliminating funding for food, vaccinations, and veterinary care for shelter animals.

Local resident Sabrena Oldakowski, who fosters cats and shelter dogs, said she supports tax relief for homeowners but not at the expense of animal welfare and public health, citing risks like rabies spread and feral cat overpopulation if vaccination programs are cut. Supporters of the amendment argue it lets homeowners keep more of their own money. The measure's ultimate fiscal impact depends on the outcome of the statewide vote.

Schools in Seminole County, Florida, are piloting CENTEGIX's CrisisAlert system, a wearable panic-button technology designed to speed emergency response on campus. Choices in Learning Elementary Charter School recently ran a code red drill to demonstrate the system, which lets staff trigger an alert or lockdown from anywhere on campus by pressing a badge multiple times.

Once activated, the alarm sets off a visual strobe indicator, automatically notifies law enforcement, and gives authorized responders access to the badge's GPS location and nearby security cameras. CENTEGIX says its technology is already used across nearly 400 school districts nationwide, protecting an estimated 53% of public schools and more than 1.5 million students. School leaders in Seminole County say they hope the pilot leads to full implementation, citing the importance of rapid response during medical emergencies or active-shooter situations.

Seminole County officials say a proposed Florida constitutional amendment raising the homestead exemption could severely reduce public safety funding. Amendment 3 would raise the exemption for primary residences from about $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, and requires 60% voter approval in November.

County leaders told commissioners that property taxes currently generate about $562 million, with roughly 72% funding public safety. Officials estimate the amendment could cause a $119 million revenue loss. Sheriff Dennis Lemma said his agency could see a 20% funding cut, about $41 million, potentially triggering a hiring freeze, the loss of up to 300 patrol positions, delayed equipment repairs and fewer salary adjustments. Fire Chief Matt Kinley said his department could face a 23% reduction, more than $33 million, forcing use of reserve funds, delayed capital projects and a multi-year hiring freeze losing 20-24 positions annually through attrition.

Supporters argue the measure delivers meaningful tax relief to homeowners. County officials say they will keep assessing impacts before the vote.