Palm Bay 2024 Election Results Overview

Key Outcomes and Local Impact of Brevard County and Statewide Measures

Palm Bay, FL — The 2024 General Election concluded on November 5th, and voter turnout in Brevard County was notably high at 82.32%, reflecting strong civic engagement across the region. Below is a summary of election outcomes, with a focus on the local races and key statewide amendments impacting Palm Bay residents.

Voter Turnout and Participation

This year's voter turnout was robust, with 364,911 ballots cast from 443,257 registered voters in Brevard County, resulting in a voter turnout percentage of 82.32%. All 163 precincts were fully reported, encompassing Election Day, early voting, and vote-by-mail options. It's important to note that the results reported here are unofficial, as they do not include provisional ballots, signature cures, or 10-day overseas ballots.

Key Local Races

The Palm Bay City Council races are crucial as they determine the leadership that directly impacts local policies, community services, and development efforts.

1. Palm Bay City Council

   • Seat 2: Richard Mike Hammer won the seat against Donny J. Felix, securing 52.99% of the vote (29,852 votes), compared to Felix's 47.01% (26,483 votes).

   • Seat 3: Chandler Langevin narrowly defeated Alfy Ramsay Agarie, with 50.58% of the vote (27,961 votes) to Agarie's 49.42% (27,322 votes).

   • Seat 5: In a crowded field, Mike Jaffe emerged victorious with 44.24% of the vote (24,570 votes), followed by Paul D. Galbreath II and other candidates.

County-Level Races

• Brevard County Sheriff: Incumbent Wayne Ivey (REP) was re-elected with a commanding 86.7% of the vote (265,093 votes), with a write-in receiving the remaining 13.3% (40,652 votes).

• County Commission, District 5: Thad Altman (REP) won with 58.13% of the vote, defeating Vinnie Taranto Jr. (DEM), who received 41.87%.

Statewide Races

• United States Senator: Rick Scott (REP) retained his seat with 58.45% of the vote, defeating Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (DEM), who garnered 39.20%. Independent and third-party candidates collectively received the remaining votes.

• Representative in Congress, District 8: Mike Haridopolos (REP) secured the seat with 61.51% of the vote against Sandy Kennedy (DEM), who received 38.49%.

Amendments and Referenda That Passed

Palm Bay residents voted on several statewide amendments. Below are those that passed, including Brevard County measures:

1. Right to Fish and Hunt: The amendment affirming the right to fish and hunt was approved with a 67.37% majority, comfortably surpassing the required threshold.

2. Annual Adjustments to Homestead Exemptions: This amendment, allowing annual adjustments to the value of certain homestead exemptions, passed with 66.03% approval.

3. Brevard County Charter Amendment, Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemptions: This amendment passed with 71.72% of voters in favor, authorizing the county to grant tax exemptions to promote economic development.

4. Palm Bay Charter Amendment Governing the Employment of Assistant City Attorneys: The measure passed with 59.89% of voters approving the change, which is expected to streamline the process for managing city legal affairs.

Amendments and Referenda That Failed

Below are the amendments and referenda that failed to pass, including Brevard County measures:

1. Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion: This amendment, which aimed to limit government interference in abortion decisions, received 57.14% of votes in favor statewide but did not meet the 60% threshold required for passage.

2. Adult Personal Use of Marijuana: With 55.88% voting 'Yes,' this amendment also failed to pass as it needed a supermajority of 60%.

3. Partisan Election of Members of District School Boards: This amendment, which aimed to introduce partisan elections for school board members, received 54.92% of votes in favor statewide but did not meet the 60% threshold required for passage.

4. Repeal of Public Campaign Financing Requirement: This amendment narrowly failed to pass, with 49.58% voting 'Yes' and 50.42% voting 'No'.

5. Brevard County Charter Amendment, Article 2, Salary: This amendment failed with 51.43% of voters rejecting it, indicating concerns over adjustments to the salaries of county officials.

Why should Palm Bay residents care about these election results? 

The 2024 General Election results for Palm Bay reflect the city's diverse political landscape and strong community engagement. Incumbents such as Sheriff Wayne Ivey retained their positions with significant support, while City Council races showed highly competitive dynamics. The failure of several statewide amendments, despite gaining a majority, underscores the challenge of reaching the 60% supermajority required for constitutional changes in Florida.

For Palm Bay, the local races and passed amendments have direct implications for the community. The re-election of Wayne Ivey means continuity in the sheriff's office, while new council members like Richard Mike Hammer and Chandler Langevin are expected to bring fresh perspectives to city governance. Amendments like the Right to Fish and Hunt and Annual Adjustments to Homestead Exemptions indicate community values around property rights and environmental access. The Brevard County Economic Development Tax Exemption also shows a commitment to economic growth, potentially attracting new businesses and job opportunities to the area.

Get Involved and Stay Informed

These results not only highlight the preferences of Palm Bay residents but also demonstrate their engagement with both local governance and broader statewide issues. As Palm Bay continues to grow, these electoral outcomes will shape its governance, services, and community priorities.

For more details and to explore the complete results, visit Florida Election Watch.

Call to Action: Have Your Voice Heard!

Stay informed and engaged with your community by attending city council meetings, participating in local events, and making your voice heard on issues that impact Palm Bay. For the latest Palm Bay news and information, visit The Palm Bayer—where news is free, like water should be.