Lake Placid, Florida Public Records

Major employers in the city include the Highlands County School District, AdventHealth Lake Placid, and various retail and service businesses that cater to both residents and tourists. The community's economic prosperity is further supported by its reputation as a hub for small businesses and entrepreneurship, building a thriving local economy.

Applicants must be U.S. Citizens, Florida residents, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and provide a Florida driver license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number. The town holds municipal elections for Town Council seats, with the mayor selected from among council members. Municipal elections are typically held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November during even-numbered years, coinciding with general elections. The next Lake Placid Town Council elections will be held in November 2026, with three council seats potentially on the ballot depending on term expirations. Residents can find information about local candidates, sample ballots, and municipal issues through the Supervisor of Elections website and the Town of Lake Placid at lakeplacidfl.net. To locate their assigned polling place, voters can use the precinct finder tool at votehighlands.com or call the Supervisor of Elections office. Early voting is available at designated locations in Highlands County, typically beginning 10 days before Election Day and running through the Sunday before the election, with extended hours including evenings and weekends. Florida's public records law makes extensive election information publicly accessible. Voter registration lists (excluding Social Security numbers and driver license numbers) are public records available for inspection. Campaign finance reports for all candidates and political committees are searchable through the Florida Division of Elections website at dos.myflorida.com/elections. Candidate filings, ballot measure text, and precinct-by-precinct election results are all public information available through the Supervisor of Elections office. In the November 2024 presidential election, Highlands County reported approximately 62% voter turnout, with about 37,500 ballots cast from roughly 60,500 registered voters. The November 3, 2026 general election will be significant for local voters. While U.S. Senate seats in Florida are not up in 2026 (Senator Rick Scott and Senator Marco Rubio have terms expiring in 2024 and 2028 respectively), voters will decide races for statewide offices including Governor, Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer, and Commissioner of Agriculture (all four-year terms). State legislative races include Florida Senate District 27 and Florida House District 39, which serve portions of Highlands County. County-level races on the 2026 ballot will include Highlands County Sheriff, Clerk of Courts & Comptroller, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, and Supervisor of Elections, as well as County Commission seats in Districts 2 and 4. Lake Placid Town Council seats will also be decided. Florida voters can request mail-in ballots (called vote-by-mail in Florida) through the Supervisor of Elections website, by phone, in writing, or in person. Vote-by-mail ballot requests are valid through the end of the calendar year of the second subsequent general election, meaning a request made in 2025 would be valid through December 31, 2026. Ballots are mailed approximately 40 days before the election and must be returned by 7:00 PM on Election Day either by mail (postmark does not count; must be received by 7 PM), by dropping off at the Supervisor of Elections office, or at secure ballot drop boxes at early voting locations.