Okaloosa Election Results: Sales Tax Renewed, New School Board Member, City Councils Set

Of Okaloosa County’s 147,989 registered voters, 77,922 cast ballots in the Nov. 3 general election, a turnout of 52.65%, according to unofficial results from the Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections. All 52 precincts reported, along with all early and vote-by-mail ballots, as of 9:58 p.m. Tuesday.

Countywide, voters renewed the half-cent sales surtax for 10 years with 68.84% of the vote, and Jerry Buckman won the School Board District 1 seat over JD Peacock, 51.74% to 48.26%.

In the cities, Tyler Capelotti, Denise Dierker, Schuyler Black and Matthew Turpin won the four Fort Walton Beach City Council seats. Chatham Morgan, John Stephens III and Rodney Braden won three Destin City Council seats. In Crestview, Dusty B. Allison won the Precinct 1 council seat and Sylvester L. Echols won Precinct 2.

Mary Esther voters approved moving city elections to November, Holt Fire District voters approved revised fire impact fee rates, and Valparaiso voters rejected a charter change to residency requirements for appointed officials.

Statewide, Republican Byron Donalds was elected governor. Amendment 3, the homestead exemption measure, passed, while Amendments 1 and 2 fell short of the 60% required to amend the Florida Constitution. Okaloosa’s congressional and legislative races and judicial retention results are also available.

All results are unofficial until certified by the county canvassing board.

Election 2026: Okaloosa County Results

• Roundup: All the results

• Half-cent sales tax renewed

• School Board District 1

• Fort Walton Beach City Council

• Destin City Council

• Crestview City Council

• Mary Esther, Valparaiso and Holt Fire measures

• Governor and statewide races

• Constitutional amendments

• Congress, Legislature and judges