2026 COMMUNITY VOTER INFORMATION
YOUR VOICE. YOUR COMMUNITY. YOUR DECISION.
Take a few minutes to meet local candidates, review their priorities and visit their websites before casting your ballot.
“Ask questions. Verify facts. Decide for yourself.”
Local elections directly affect roads, growth, public safety, utilities, schools, taxes and neighborhood quality of life. Use the links below to review each candidate in their own words. Candidate statements are summarized for convenience; voters should independently confirm positions and qualifications.
Mike Poniatowski
Volusia County Council — At Large
Mike Poniatowski presents himself as a longtime Volusia County resident with decades of experience in emergency response, disaster operations and community service. His campaign emphasizes preparedness, responsible growth, flooding and infrastructure concerns, fiscal accountability, and a county government that listens closely to residents.
Melissa Thorne
Volusia County Council — District 1
Melissa Thorne’s campaign focuses on community engagement, environmental protection and greater public accountability in county decisions. Her stated priorities include questioning rapid development, protecting water resources, examining infrastructure impacts and giving residents a stronger voice before major decisions are made.
Anthony Gorham
Volusia County Council — District 3
Anthony Gorham says his campaign is centered on integrity, professionalism and citizen-first leadership. He highlights transparent government, accountability, practical problem-solving and stronger communication between residents and county officials, with particular attention to the needs of Southeast Volusia communities.
Jason Voelz
Mayor of Deltona
Jason Voelz highlights experience in military service, law enforcement and small-business ownership. His campaign presents that background as preparation for public leadership, with an emphasis on public safety, responsive city government, practical management and ensuring that Deltona residents have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their neighborhoods.
Diezel Depew
Mayor of Edgewater — Re-election
Diezel Depew is seeking re-election as Mayor of Edgewater. His campaign points to work involving outside funding, community advocacy and opposition to policies he believes could worsen overdevelopment, flooding or utility costs. Voters can review his record, stated accomplishments and plans for another term directly on his campaign website.
Coleen McMahon
Ormond Beach City Commission — Zone 1
Coleen McMahon is a registered nurse with experience in patient care and healthcare management. Her campaign emphasizes government transparency, careful budgeting, listening to residents and reducing the influence of special interests. She says her professional experience managing people and resources would guide her approach to city decisions.
Brenda Beery
Volusia County School Board — District 1
Brenda Beery is a lifelong DeLand resident, Stetson University alumna and former Volusia County Schools teacher and administrator. Her campaign highlights classroom experience, business leadership and community service, with priorities that include foundational learning, teacher retention, financial accountability and effective student discipline and support.
Be informed. Be heard. Participate.
Confirm your registration, polling location, vote-by-mail status and official election dates with the Volusia County Supervisor of Elections.
This is a community information guide and is not an official sample ballot. Inclusion does not constitute an endorsement. Candidate information should be reviewed directly with each campaign and official election authorities. QR codes currently link to the listed campaign websites and may be replaced with your final barcode artwork.