Local Election for Town Council

Elections for the office of Councilmember for Town of Orchid are held every two years. The Code of Ordinances prescribes local regulations regarding the process of running for election and the Town Clerk is the designated official to offer assistance to any resident interested in candidacy. For each election, the Town Clerk creates a "candidate information packet", which is made available in advance of the qualifying period. The packet serves as a starting point for any candidate, but it is the candidate's responsibility to make sure his/her campaign complies with local and state law.

The qualifying period begins at 8 a.m. on April 1 in the same year as the election is to be held, or on the first business day preceding that date if it falls on a Saturday, Sunday or a holiday observed by the Town, and ends at 4 p.m. on the following April 30, or on the first business day following that date if it falls on a Saturday, Sunday or a holiday observed by the Town.

The qualifying office of the Town of Orchid is Town Hall located at 9301 Hwy A1A, Suite 201, Vero Beach, Florida 32963.

All elections for the office of Councilmember are conducted on a nonpartisan basis without any designation of political party affiliation. Any resident of the Town, who is also a local registered voter, is eligible to run for a seat on the Council.

The Town Council consists of five Councilmembers, who each serve four-year terms without compensation. Terms begin at the first Town meeting following the election (as long as results are certified or all candidates are unopposed). The Town Clerk swears in new Councilmembers with the oath prescribed by the Town's Charter. The Mayor and Vice-Mayor are selected from among the Councilmembers each year at the first Town Council meeting following the second Tuesday in November.

If a Councilmember vacates a council seat prematurely, the remaining Councilmembers appoint an eligible resident to fulfill the remainder of the term until the next election, at which time the appointed Councilmember may run for the remainder of the term.

To see who is currently representing the Town of Orchid in government on local, state and federal levels, please visit the Elected Officials page.

2024 Orchid Election

The qualifying period for the 2024 election cycle in Orchid began on Monday, April 1 at 8 a.m. and will close on Tuesday, April 30 at 4 p.m. Two seats are up for election in this cycle. If you are interested in running, please contact the Town Clerk's office for a copy of the candidate information packet to help get you started. The Town Clerk serves as the Town' s Qualifying Officer at Town Hall located at 9301 Hwy A1A, Suite 201, Vero Beach, FL 32963.

We are pleased to announce that the first week has generated two residents who have officially declared their candidacy by filing appropriate forms. Daniel McEvoy, who currently serves on the Town's Local Planning Agency and Paul Knapp, who is presently your Vice-Mayor, have hereby started the qualifying process.

If you have questions about the local election please reach out at townclerk@townoforchid.com or (772) 581-2770 ext. 2.

Indian River County Supervisor of Elections

For information about registering to vote, updating your signature, obtaining a Vote-by-Mail ballot, or about elections beyond Orchid, please contact the Indian River County Supervisor of Elections office. The website of Indian River County Supervisor of Elections is included in the External Links section at the bottom of this page and offers a wealth of information. The phone number for the Indian River County Supervisor of Elections office is (772) 226-3440.