Lady Lake Sets Election Date, Withholds Candidate Names | The Locally Times
Three candidates have qualified for the March 24 special election to fill the vacant Ward 2 seat, but town records do not yet name them or list polling places.
The Town of Lady Lake will hold a special election on March 24, 2026, to fill the Ward 2 Town Commission seat left vacant by the passing of Commissioner John Gourlie. A public notice confirms three candidates have qualified to run for the remainder of Gourlie’s unexpired term. However, while the date is set, official town records omit critical information required for voters to participate. ## Key Voter Information Unpublished While a meeting record confirms the election date, the town’s public notices do not identify the three individuals who have qualified to appear on the ballot. This information gap prevents voters from researching the candidates’ backgrounds or platforms. The duration of the unexpired term the winner will serve is also not specified in the announcement, leaving the length of the commitment unclear. Furthermore, the town has not released a comprehensive election notice detailing polling locations, voting hours, or procedures for requesting mail-in ballots. Without these logistical details, Ward 2 residents lack the basic information required to participate in the March 24 election. ## Administrative and Governance Questions Unanswered Beyond the missing voter information, key details regarding the context of the special election have not been made public. The town has not published the estimated cost to taxpayers for holding the election or provided a breakdown of how the expense will be funded. Public records also do not specify the date of Commissioner Gourlie’s passing or detail the effect of the vacancy on Town Commission business and policy discussions. Because no official documents outlining candidate platforms have been released by the town, the issues central to the campaign remain unknown. ## What Voters Need to Know The outcome of this election is directly consequential for Ward 2 residents, as the Town Commission holds authority over local ordinances, land use, and the municipal budget. As the March 24 election approaches, the Town of Lady Lake is expected to release further information. Residents should watch for an official notice that includes the names of the three qualified candidates, the specific length of the unexpired term, and a list of polling places with hours of operation. Until these documents are made public, voters in Ward 2 remain without the necessary information to make a fully informed decision.