Sebastian, Florida Public Records

Additionally, Sebastian's growing population and popularity as a retirement destination have fueled demand in the real estate and construction fields. Overall, the city's business-friendly environment and natural assets continue to attract new investment and economic opportunities for local residents.

The Sebastian Police Department serves as the primary law enforcement agency for the city, working to ensure the safety and security of local residents. The department's website provides information on reporting crimes, obtaining police reports, and accessing the city's most wanted list and sex offender registry. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement also maintains a comprehensive criminal history records system, allowing individuals to conduct background checks and access statewide crime data. For those concerned about missing persons or active investigations, the FDLE's Missing Child Information Clearinghouse and Most Wanted program can be valuable resources.

Sebastian voters are served by the Indian River County Supervisor of Elections, located at 4375 43rd Avenue, Vero Beach, FL 32967, phone (772) 226-3440, website www.voteindianriver.gov. This office administers all federal, state, county, and municipal elections for Sebastian residents, maintains voter registration records, provides early voting sites, manages mail-in ballot requests, and certifies election results. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, with extended hours during early voting periods typically beginning 10 days before Election Day.

Sebastian residents may register to vote online at www.registertovoteflorida.gov, the state's official voter registration portal, or by submitting a paper Florida Voter Registration Application available at the Supervisor of Elections office, public libraries, driver license offices, and City Hall. The registration deadline is 29 days before any election. Florida requires photo and signature identification; acceptable forms include a Florida driver license, Florida ID card, U.S. passport, debit/credit card, military ID, student ID, retirement center ID, neighborhood association ID, or public assistance ID. First-time voters who registered by mail and did not provide ID must bring identification to their polling place. Voters can verify their registration status, check sample ballots, and update their address at www.voteindianriver.gov.

The City of Sebastian holds municipal elections for Mayor and City Council on a staggered schedule. Sebastian's mayor and four council members serve three-year terms, with elections held in November of odd-numbered years (2025, 2027, etc.). The next Sebastian municipal election is scheduled for November 2025, when voters will decide mayoral and council seats. Candidate qualifying typically occurs in July-August, and the Supervisor of Elections provides candidate lists, campaign finance reports, and local ballot measures on their website. Sebastian does not have partisan municipal elections; all city races are nonpartisan.

Sebastian residents find their assigned polling place by visiting www.voteindianriver.gov and using the "Find My Precinct" tool, which requires entering name and date of birth or street address. The Supervisor of Elections mails a voter information card to all registered voters before each election showing the assigned precinct location. Sebastian has several regular polling locations including Sebastian River High School, Riverview Park Recreation Center, and Pelican Island Elementary School, though assignments vary by residential address. Early voting is available at multiple sites countywide, typically including the main Supervisor of Elections office and designated libraries or community centers, for 10-14 days before Election Day with extended weekday and weekend hours.

Under Florida Statutes Chapter 97 and Chapter 119, most election records are public. The voter registration database is accessible to political parties, candidates, and committees for electoral purposes, showing registered voter names, addresses, party affiliation, voting history (which elections participated in, not how they voted), and registration date. Campaign finance reports are filed with the Supervisor of Elections for county and municipal races and are available online showing contributions and expenditures. State-level campaign finance is searchable at dos.fl.gov/elections. Candidate qualifying documents, ballot language, and precinct-level election results are all public records available from the Supervisor of Elections.

In the November 2024 presidential election, Indian River County recorded approximately 82,000 total votes cast with turnout around 74% of registered voters, reflecting high participation typical of presidential election years. The county has historically leaned Republican in federal and state races.

On November 3, 2026, Sebastian and Indian River County voters will decide several key races. While no U.S. Senate seat from Florida is up in 2026 (next Senate race is 2028), voters will elect Florida's Governor and Cabinet officers (Governor, Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer, Commissioner of Agriculture), all members of the Florida House of Representatives (District 54 serves Sebastian), and one Florida State Senate seat if District 17 or 25 is up in the rotation. County offices on the 2026 ballot include Indian River County Sheriff, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, Supervisor of Elections, and County Commission seats in Districts 1, 3, and 5 (Sebastian falls in District 1). School Board seats for Districts 2 and 4 will also be decided. No municipal Sebastian elections occur in 2026 due to the city's odd-year election schedule. Judicial retention for Circuit and County Court judges may also appear on the ballot.

Florida voters may request a vote-by-mail ballot (absentee ballot) online at www.voteindianriver.gov, by phone at (772) 226-3440, by mail, or in person at the Supervisor of Elections office. Requests are valid for two general election cycles. Vote-by-mail ballots are mailed beginning 40 days before Election Day and must be returned by 7:00 PM on Election Day either by mail (postmark does not count; must be received by 7:00 PM), at a secure drop box at the Supervisor of Elections office or early voting sites, or at any polling place on Election Day. Florida requires voters to provide photo ID when requesting a mail ballot for the first time and requires signature verification on the return envelope, which is matched against the voter's registration signature.