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 off 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. Importantly, you may establish candicacy for the next election at any time - this does trigger the requirement to quarterly file campaign finance reports.
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. Councilmembers are elected at large by the electors of the Town; the candidates receiving the greatest number of votes corresponding to the number of seats voted upon are elected.
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 Town of Orchid in government on local, state and federal levels, please visit the Elected Officials page.
2026 Orchid Election
During the qualifying period that run for the complete month of April in 2026, three Orchid residents submitted paperwork to run as candidates for the office of Councilmember. By the end of the period, they were unopposed for the three seats opening up in November.
Congratulations to Mr. Paul Stach, Mr. Bill James, and Mrs. Tracy Cornwell!
As of May 1, these residents are your Councilmembers-elect, who will take up the reins from current Mayor Bob Gibbons, and Councilmembers John Heanue and Jim Raphalian. This means that the local election for Town Council will not appear on the ballot in November.
If you have any questions about the election process, please reach reach out at townclerk [at] townoforchid.com (townclerk[at]townoforchid[dot]com) or (772) 581-2770 ext. 2. The Town Clerk serves as the Town' s Qualifying Officer at Town Hall located at 9301 Highway A1A, Suite 201, Vero Beach, FL 32963.
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.
Polling Place for Orchid Residents
Registered voters for Town of Orchid cast their votes in Precinct 30: Indian River Shores Community Center located at 6001 A1A Highway. Vote-By-Mail and Early Voting is also available to Orchid voters.