2026 Florida midterm election results roll in as key races take shape

Voters in Miami-Dade and Broward counties have decided to renew an existing property tax for another four years to continue funding teacher salary supplements, school security and other educational resources.

Republican Byron Donalds has won the Florida governor’s race and is set to become the state’s first Black governor, CBS News projects.

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Miami voters have rejected to approve a $80 million privately funded redevelopment of the Rickenbacker and Marine Stadium marinas on Virginia Key, which would have allowed a private developer to lease nearly 28 acres of city-owned waterfront property for up to 75 years.

Preserve & Protect Miami, the campaign opposing the referendum, celebrated that announcement.

“Tonight, Miami voters stood up for our community and sent a clear message: our public waterfront should benefit the people of Miami, not out-of-state private equity interests looking to cash in on it.

By rejecting Miami Referendum 3, voters said NO to a bad deal for taxpayers, NO to increased commercial development that threatens our environment, and NO to handing over 27 acres of valuable public waterfront for 75 years under financial terms negotiated a decade ago. At a time when Miami families are paying more for just about everything, our city deserves better than a sweetheart deal for a private developer.

This victory belongs to the Miamians who are tired of watching the places that make our city special become increasingly commercialized, expensive, and inaccessible to the families who have enjoyed them for generations. From environmental advocates and local business owners to recreational boaters and residents across the political spectrum, this campaign brought people together to protect something we all share.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who stood with us. Tonight, Miami chose to protect Virginia Key, our environment, and the character of our community. That’s a victory worth celebrating.”

Miami voters have approved to authorize $450 million in bonds to build a new police and public safety headquarters and renovate or replace aging fire-rescue facilities, without increasing the city’s current property tax rate dedicated to capital project debt.

Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins celebrated the passage.

“Tonight is a major victory for the people of Miami and the future of our city. By passing Referendum 1, voters have made an investment in the health and safety of our residents and in the firefighters, police officers, and emergency responders who protect us every day.

“For decades, critical public safety infrastructure needs have gone unaddressed, even as our city has grown. With the Safe and Ready bond, we have an opportunity to finally tackle these long-overdue challenges. By improving aging facilities and building new fire stations where they are needed most, we can reduce emergency response times and help our firefighters and paramedics reach residents faster when every second counts. Those minutes can mean the difference between life and death. This is about saving lives, supporting our first responders, and making sure every Miami neighborhood has the emergency services it deserves.

“I’m grateful to my colleagues Commissioners Escalona, Rosado, and Gabela for their support in bringing this important measure before voters, and to the Miami residents who placed their trust in us. Now it’s my job to make sure we deliver. That means getting these projects moving, spending taxpayer dollars responsibly, and holding ourselves accountable to deliver results. Miami has waited long enough for these improvements, and as Mayor, I’m going to make sure they get done.”

Florida Republican Sen. Ashley Moody has secured a victory over Angie Nixon, CBS News projects.

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Democrat Pia Dandiya has pulled off a win in Florida’s newly redrawn 22nd Congressional District, CBS News projects.

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Florida Democrat Rep. Jared Moskowitz has won Florida’s 25th Congressional District race, CBS News projects.

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Republican Rep. Carlos Gimenez has won Florida’s Congressional District 28, CBS News projects.

Polls have closed across most of Florida in the 2026 midterm elections, but voters will have to wait until 8 p.m. Eastern to see the first statewide results.

That’s because Florida spans two time zones.

While polls close at 7 p.m. Eastern across most of the state, voting continues until 7 p.m. Central, or 8 p.m. Eastern, in parts of the Florida Panhandle.

Under Florida’s election reporting schedule, preliminary results cannot be released statewide until voting has ended in both time zones.

Once results begin coming in, the first numbers are expected to include early voting and mail ballots processed before Election Day. Votes cast Tuesday will be added as counties continue reporting throughout the evening.

An early lead does not necessarily indicate who will win, and some closely contested races could take longer to decide.

CBS News Miami will be tracking results as they come in, including the races for governor, U.S. Senate, attorney general and key congressional seats across South Florida.

Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released a statement after winning Florida Congressional District 20 on Tuesday night:

Tonight, District 20 voters overwhelmingly voted for Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz to lead Florida’s fight to lower costs, end Trump’s corruption and dismantling of our democracy, and continue to deliver the resources and job opportunities that Broward County residents have seen her deliver. 

“It has been a joy to meet and talk with thousands of people across months of campaigning. During this journey, Broward County residents told me they want a fighter in Washington who will work non-stop to bring down gas, grocery, housing, healthcare and utility costs for every family, and who can protect our democracy and deliver significant resources back to our community. They also want someone who’ll confront the costly, corrupt, cruel MAGA agenda. That’s exactly what I’ve done in Congress, and these election results show that Broward’s voters resoundingly trust me to continue that fight,” said Wasserman Schultz. “Tonight, our winning campaign stands on the shoulders of hardworking families, devout congregations, unyielding unions, brave LGBTQ+ advocates and the proud Black, Caribbean and Hispanic families that make up our wonderful South Florida community. And I’m so proud to have earned their overwhelming confidence to go to battle for each one of their families. I’m so honored to continue to represent this community, and to work alongside future Speaker Hakeem Jeffries and an amazing group of Democrats as we relentlessly find ways to make life in Broward County and the United States safer and more affordable for all of us.”

Florida voters are making decisions that could reshape the state’s political leadership and help determine which party controls Congress.

At the top of the ballot are races for governor, U.S. Senate and attorney general, along with congressional contests across the state.

Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly are competing to replace Gov. Ron DeSantis, while Republican Sen. Ashley Moody faces Democratic challenger Angie Nixon in a special election to serve the remainder of Marco Rubio’s Senate term.

Voters are also deciding three proposed constitutional amendments, including Amendment 3, which would change how certain property taxes are assessed.

Nationally, Florida’s congressional races could play a role in determining control of the U.S. House of Representatives, where Republicans are defending their majority.

Oliver Gilbert is projected to win Florida’s 24th District, succeeding longtime Rep. Frederica Wilson.

Read more here.

Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz is the projected winner in Florida Congressional District 20.

Read more here.

Polls are closing at 7 p.m. Tuesday across most of Florida as voters finish casting their ballots in the 2026 midterm elections.

However, voting continues for another hour in parts of the Florida Panhandle that operate on Central time, where polls close at 8 p.m. Eastern.

Voters who were already in line when their polling locations closed are still allowed to cast their ballots.

Because Florida spans two time zones, statewide election results will not be released until 8 p.m. Eastern, when all polls have closed.

CBS News Miami will be following the results throughout the evening, including the races for governor, U.S. Senate, attorney general and several closely watched congressional seats across South Florida.

Nearly 40% of Florida’s registered voters had already cast their ballots before polls opened Tuesday for the 2026 midterm elections, according to the latest figures from the Florida Division of Elections.

As of Monday, more than 5.4 million Floridians had voted, including approximately 3.46 million who voted early in person and 1.94 million who returned mail ballots.

Registered Republicans held a narrow lead in total ballots cast, with approximately 2.18 million votes compared with 2.04 million from registered Democrats. Another 1.05 million ballots came from voters with no party affiliation.

However, Democrats had a higher participation rate among their registered voters, with approximately 49% having already cast ballots compared with 38% of registered Republicans.

The figures reflect voters’ party registration, not which candidates they supported.

The early turnout represents about 69% of the total votes cast in Florida’s 2022 midterm elections, when approximately 7.8 million people voted.

Election Day voting continues Tuesday, with polls closing at 7 p.m. local time.

Several major races are drawing attention in Florida’s 2026 midterm elections, including contests that could reshape state leadership and influence the balance of power in Washington.

Here’s a look at some of the key races CBS News Miami is following:

• Governor: Republican Byron Donalds faces Democrat David Jolly in the race to replace term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis.
• U.S. Senate: Republican incumbent Ashley Moody faces Democrat Angie Nixon in a special election for the seat previously held by Marco Rubio.
• Attorney general: Republican incumbent James Uthmeier faces Democrat Jose Javier Rodriguez.
• U.S. House District 27: Republican incumbent Maria Elvira Salazar faces Democratic challenger Eliott Rodriguez in a closely watched South Florida congressional race.
• U.S. House District 22: Republican Casey Askar faces Democrat Pia Dandiya.

Other congressional contests across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties are also being closely watched as Republicans and Democrats compete for control of the U.S. House.

Florida voters are additionally deciding three constitutional amendments, including a proposal addressing property taxes.

With less than an hour before polls close across most of Florida, voters who received mail-in ballots are approaching an important deadline.

Unlike in some other states, simply having a ballot postmarked by Election Day is not enough. Different deadlines apply to certain overseas voters.

Voters cannot drop off completed mail-in ballots at regular Election Day polling places. Instead, they must deliver them to their county Supervisor of Elections’ main or branch offices by 7 p.m. local time Tuesday.

Voters can also surrender their mail-in ballot at their assigned polling place and vote in person instead.

Florida voters can also check whether their mail-in ballots have been received and counted through their county’s online ballot tracking system.

With polls set to close in most of Florida at 7 p.m. Eastern time Tuesday, voters are approaching the first results in several closely watched midterm election races.

While polls close at 7 p.m. Eastern across most of the state, voting will continue until 7 p.m. Central time, or 8 p.m. Eastern, in parts of the Panhandle.

According to the Florida Department of State, preliminary statewide election results will begin appearing on the state’s official Election Watch website at 8 p.m. Eastern, after all polls have closed.

Counties are required to begin reporting results within 30 minutes of their local polls closing, with additional updates every 45 minutes until reporting is complete.

Some races could be decided Tuesday night, while others may take longer if margins are close or additional ballots remain outstanding.

CBS News Miami will provide live election results, updates and analysis throughout the evening as voters decide key races for governor, U.S. Senate, Congress and other offices.

Polls across most of Florida are scheduled to close at 7 p.m. local time Tuesday, giving South Florida voters just one more hour to cast their ballots in the 2026 midterm elections.

However, Florida spans two time zones, meaning polls in parts of the Panhandle will remain open until 7 p.m. Central time, or 8 p.m. Eastern.

If you’re still planning to vote, you can cast your ballot as long as you’re in line by 7 p.m. local time. Voters who are already waiting when polls close must be allowed to vote, even if they don’t reach the voting booth until after 7 p.m.

On Election Day, Florida voters must cast their ballots at their assigned precinct polling location, which may differ from the early voting sites they used in previous elections.

Voters can confirm their polling location through their county Supervisor of Elections website or the Florida Division of Elections.