Hillsborough voters approve a nine-member County Commission elected only by district
The charter change passed with 51.72% in unofficial results; Democratic candidates won all four commission seats on Tuesday's ballot.
TAMPA - Hillsborough County voters on Tuesday, Nov. 3, approved a charter change that grows the County Commission from seven to nine members, each elected only by the voters of one district, according to unofficial results from the county Supervisor of Elections.
Referendum 2 passed with 253,488 votes (51.72%) to 236,601 (48.28%), the closest of the three county questions on the ballot.
The change comes from HB 4029, a 2026 local bill state lawmakers sent to county voters. The commission must draw the new districts by Oct. 1, 2027, using the latest census figures. In 2028, odd-numbered districts will elect commissioners to two-year terms and even-numbered districts to four-year terms, so future terms are staggered. The board grows to 11 members once a census counts at least 2.5 million residents.
Democratic candidates won all four County Commission races on the ballot: Harry Cohen over Jackie Toledo in District 1 (55.67%), Gwen Myers over Luiz F. F. Garcia in District 3 (72.44%), Neil Manimala over Stacy Hahn in District 5 (54.86%) and Aileen Rodriguez over Joshua Wostal in District 7 (56.21%).
The results do not yet include provisional ballots, mail ballots awaiting a signature fix or overseas ballots, the elections office says. Turnout was 63.11%.
Voters also approved two school questions; that story is in Education.
Source: Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections, 2026 General Election unofficial results (page last updated 10:14 p.m. Nov. 3, read 4:15 p.m. EST Nov. 4); HB 4029, enrolled, Florida Legislature.