Pinellas voters weigh governor race and national economic stakes

Polls across Pinellas County opened at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, with voters in Tarpon Springs, Clearwater, and Largo beginning to cast ballots in a midterm election that will shape the final two years of President Donald Trump's term. According to Ballotpedia, Florida is divided between the Eastern and Central time zones, but all polls in the state operate on a unified schedule from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. Residents can confirm their specific polling location through vote.gov or their local election office. Anyone in line when polls close is entitled to vote, a rule that has drawn long lines in some jurisdictions as early voting surged in the days prior to the election.

The ballot in Florida is particularly dense this cycle. While there is no regular U.S. Senate election in the state this year, voters are selecting a successor for the rest of the term held by Marco Rubio, who was elected to the Senate in 2022. Ballotpedia lists Ashley B. Moody, a Republican incumbent, on the ballot for this special election. Additionally, every U.S. House seat in the state is up for grabs, with the state using a new congressional map following mid-decade redistricting. This redistricting is one of six states, including California, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, that have adopted new maps for this election cycle, which analysts say may not vote as the lines were drawn.

A major focus for Florida voters is the governor's race, which is an open seat with no incumbent running. The AP notes that the governor's race in Florida is considered competitive. Candidates from the Democratic, Libertarian, No Party Affiliation, and Republican parties are on the ballot. The outcome of this race is significant because Republicans currently hold a nationwide majority of governorships, a status they have maintained since 2010. Democrats would need to gain two governorships nationwide to achieve a majority, a goal that has eluded them for two decades. The winner in Florida will take office as part of a new class of state leaders who will oversee state budgets and policies in the near future.

Beyond the state executive office, Florida voters are also deciding on three statewide ballot measures. Amendment 1 proposes increasing the amount of funds that may be retained in the budget stabilization fund from 10% to 25% of net general revenue. Amendment 2 seeks to exempt agricultural-related tangible personal property, such as farm equipment, from property taxes. Amendment 3 addresses local government property taxes, proposing to increase the homestead tax exemption and limit how municipalities can spend property tax revenue. These measures reflect the state's focus on fiscal policy and local government oversight, issues that resonate with the broader national conversation on the cost of living.

The national picture is equally intense, with all 435 U.S. House seats up for election. According to Ballotpedia, Republicans currently hold 218 seats and Democrats 214, with one independent and some vacancies. Democrats need a net gain of three districts to secure a majority in the House, a threshold that places the election in the category of a high-stakes referendum on the current administration. The AP describes the election as a vote on the president's second term, with voters expressing anger over high prices and an unpopular war with Iran. Recent AP-NORC polling indicates that 35% of U.S. adults approve of Trump's job performance, while about 7 in 10 say the country is heading in the wrong direction.

In the Senate, 35 seats are up for election, including 33 regular races and two special elections. Republicans hold 53 seats and Democrats 45, plus two independents who caucus with Democrats. For Democrats to gain control of the Senate, they must win a net gain of four seats. The AP reports that one or two seats could tip either chamber, making the outcome uncertain until the final votes are counted. Key battlegrounds include states like Kansas, which has become central to the fight for Senate control despite its reliable Republican history. In Kansas, the race is seen as a critical test for the Republican Party's ability to retain its majority in the upper chamber of Congress.

Economic issues are dominating the campaign trail, with both parties focusing on the impact of inflation and tariffs on everyday families. The AP notes that many voters are struggling with high prices, a sentiment that has driven increased turnout in early voting. More than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing the early vote totals from four years ago in many closely watched states. This surge in early participation suggests a highly motivated electorate that is closely following the debates over the economy and the direction of the country. Wall Street is also watching the results closely, with Reuters noting that the outcome could influence investor concerns about AI spending and debt ceiling negotiations.

The administration has been actively involved in the election process, with President Trump holding dozens of rallies in recent weeks. His schedule included stops in Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas, ending Sunday in Salina, Kansas, where he told supporters to pretend he is on the ballot. The AP reports that many Republican candidates kept their distance from the president during this period, a strategy that reflects the complex dynamics of the midterm elections. Trump has also continued to make claims about voting fraud, including allegations that noncitizens vote in large numbers, which has led to legal challenges in states like Alaska and California.