ORLANDO, Fla. — The city of Orlando will hold a special election May 21 to temporarily fill the District 5 commissioner's seat vacated last week following Regina Hill’s suspension from the position by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis because of criminal charges filed against her, Mayor Buddy Dyer announced Monday.

What You Need To Know

  • Orlando will hold a special election May 21 to temporarily fill the District 5 city commission seat

  • The seat was vacated when Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Regina Hill and will remain empty until the special election

  • Hill has been charged with elderly exploitation and fraud

  • She could regain her position as commissioner if she is cleared of all charges before her term ends in 2026

If necessary, a runoff will be held June 18, Dyer said. The seat will remain vacant until after the special election.

The city clerk's office started accepting candidate forms at noon Monday.

Hill, who has served in the position for more than a decade, was arrested last month and faces seven elder exploitation and fraud charges. She’s accused of manipulating a 96-year-old woman to gain power of attorney over her, and using more than $100,000 of the alleged victim’s money on Hill's expenses.

The person elected will hold the seat until the case involving Hill is resolved or the terms ends in 2026.

City leaders met Monday to set up the special election.

Candidates must pay the $2,288 qualifying fee or qualify by the alternate method of gathering 627 verified signed petitions of registered voters in District 5. Petitions are due to the city clerk's office by noon April 15.

The qualifying period is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 16.

Orange County Supervisor of Elections Glen Gilzean said his team will meet with the city clerk to map out election locations. Voters' municipal election polling places may not be the same as where they have cast their ballots previously because of redistricting changes and because municipal precincts are different from Orange County precincts.

Last week Gilzean said that about 21,000 registered voters in District 5 would be eligible to participate in the election.

The city is responsible for hosting the election, as well as the candidate registration process.

“Our job is to ensure elections are fair and transparent ... and we're going to administer the elections as it relates to the candidates and things of that nature," Gilzean said. "That’s all on the city of Orlando’s side. Our goal is just to make sure District 5's citizens' voices are heard.”

The estimated cost for the special election is $32,000, and if a runoff is needed, it would cost another $32,000, officials said

Members of District 5 who want to cast their ballots or vote by mail should go online and register as quickly as possible, Gilzean said. The deadline to register to vote is 29 days before each election. Prospective voters also can register to vote at a driver's license office in Orange County, at a public library, at the Center for Independent Living, at WIC and Department of Children and Families offices, or at the Elections Office at 119 W. Kaley Street in Orlando.

Here are some important dates moving forward:

  • May 13, 2024: Early voting begins in the District 5 special election
  • May 21, 2024: Date of special election 
  • June 10, 2024: Early voting begins in runoff for special election, if necessary 
  • June 18, 2024: Date of special election runoff