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The Decent Ballot  /  Florida  /  Lee County  /  Fort Myers  /  Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Fort Myers, FL

Who on your ballot seems like good people, in a sentence or two each, with sources. Fill out your ballot in ten minutes.

best choice in the race Seems like good people Compromised Not good people Not enough info

Who is running in Fort Myers, Florida in 2026

Fort Myers Mayor
Kevin B. Anderson and Amber Ware
Fort Myers Council, Ward 3
Terolyn P. Watson and Chantel "Telly" Rhodes

Fort Myers elections

City races are nonpartisan. In March 2025 the council first voted 3-3 against a police partnership with ICE under the 287(g) program, then approved it 7-0 days later after Attorney General James Uthmeier threatened members with removal.

Fort Myers Mayor

Vote for one

No pick. We found almost nothing on Amber Ware.

Kevin B. Anderson

Compromised Nonpartisan

Incumbent since 2020

Voted for the police department's 287(g) agreement with ICE, saying it was "not a memorandum to create a group of officers out there and kick in doors and actively seek out immigrants." Won his first full term in 2022 with 79%.

Sources: WGCU, WGCU (2020)

Amber Ware

Not enough info Nonpartisan

City employee; Fort Myers native

Our research turned up almost nothing on her positions.

Sources: Lee County sample ballot (PDF)

Fort Myers Council, Ward 3

Vote for one

A rematch of 2022, when Watson won the runoff with 56%.

Terolyn P. Watson

Seems like good people (best choice in this race) Nonpartisan

Incumbent since 2015

One of three members who first voted against the ICE partnership, saying she lacked information from the city attorney; she voted for it at the emergency meeting after the attorney general's threat.

Sources: WGCU, WGCU

Chantel "Telly" Rhodes

Not enough info Nonpartisan

Mental health navigator, Lee Health

Ran for this seat in 2022. We found nothing on her 2026 platform.

Sources: Lee County sample ballot (PDF)

Also on your ballot

Every Lee County voter also picks in these races. Full write-ups on the Lee County page.

When and where to vote

Register by
Monday, October 5, 2026. That is the deadline for this election. Check your registration at registertovoteflorida.gov.
Early voting
Monday, October 19 to Saturday, October 31, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, at any of 12 sites, including the elections offices in Bonita Springs, Cape Coral and South Fort Myers, libraries in Cape Coral, Fort Myers and Lehigh Acres, and recreation centers in Estero, North Fort Myers and Lehigh Acres. There is no early voting on Sunday, November 1. Locations.
Election Day
Tuesday, November 3, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., at your assigned polling place. Find yours. About 45,500 voters had their polling place changed this year.
Mail ballot
Request one by 5 p.m. Thursday, October 22 (online, 239-533-8683 or votebymail@lee.vote). The office must receive your ballot by 7 p.m. on Election Day; if you mail it, the office suggests mailing by Tuesday, October 20. Track it through your voter record.
Drop-off
Drop your mail ballot at the secure intake station at any early voting site during early voting hours, or at any Supervisor of Elections office during business hours. On Election Day, the Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, South Fort Myers (Elections Center) and main Fort Myers offices take ballots until 7 p.m. Details.
Bring
A current photo ID, such as a Florida driver license or ID card, U.S. passport, debit or credit card, military ID, student ID, veteran health ID or concealed weapon license. If it has no signature, bring a second ID with your signature (it doesn't have to be current). No ID? You can still vote a provisional ballot. ID rules.
Your ballot
See the all-inclusive sample ballot (PDF) or get your own from your voter record. Florida leaves unopposed races off the ballot. Lee County is split between Congressional Districts 17 and 19 under the new 2026 map, and about 109,000 voters were moved from one to the other, so check yours.

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Last updated October 11, 2026.