Candidates for mayor and the District 2 and 4 commission seats can qualify from noon Nov. 3 to noon Nov. 17. The city election is Tuesday, March 9, 2027.
West Palm Beach will elect a mayor and two city commissioners on Tuesday, March 9, 2027. The window for candidates to sign up opens at noon Tuesday, Nov. 3, the same day as this year’s general election.
The City Commission formally called the election Monday night. The city charter puts it on the second Tuesday in March. Commissioners approved Resolution No. 246-26, which calls the election and a runoff on Tuesday, March 23, 2027, if one is needed. The vote is listed in the city’s approvals and decisions from the Oct. 26 meeting.
Which seats are on the ballot
The meeting agenda (PDF) says the seats are:
- Mayor
- City Commission, District 2: a commissioner who lives in District 2
- City Commission, District 4: a commissioner who lives in District 4
The mayor and commissioners are elected at large on a nonpartisan basis, according to the city clerk’s election page. That means every city voter can vote in all three races, not only those living in Districts 2 and 4.
Key dates
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Noon Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026 | Qualifying opens at the city clerk’s office |
| Noon Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2026 | Qualifying closes |
| Monday, Feb. 8, 2027 | Deadline to register to vote in the city election |
| Tuesday, March 9, 2027 | Election Day, polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| Tuesday, March 23, 2027 | Runoff, if needed |
How to qualify
Candidates qualify with the city clerk at City Hall, 401 Clematis St. The clerk’s page lists two fees for both mayor and commissioner, paid by check from the campaign account:
- a state assessment fee of 1% of the office’s annual salary
- an election filing fee of 5% of the office’s annual salary
The clerk’s page lists no candidates yet. Candidates become official only once they qualify.
Who runs the election
The commission also approved Resolution No. 247-26. It asks the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections, Wendy Sartory Link, to run the March election and any runoff. The city’s canvassing board will be City Clerk Shaquita Edwards, City Administrator Faye Johnson and City Attorney Kimberly Rothenburg, with Link as the emergency substitute.
Also decided Monday
The same meeting:
- accepted up to $150,000 from the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority for city homeless outreach downtown in the 2026-27 budget year, under Resolution No. 234-26. The authority has also agreed to up to $150,000 for 2027-28, subject to its budget.
- approved on first reading Ordinance No. 5185-26, updating the Downtown Master Plan and adding three parcels at 420 Okeechobee Blvd. and 915 S. Dixie Highway to the downtown plan area. The agenda says the state’s review comes next, with zoning changes tentatively due back in February 2027.
- approved a sponsorship agreement for the Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 8, waiving city fees estimated at $17,399.32.
- continued two CityPlace hearings to Monday, Nov. 9. One would change the development’s Small Business Enterprise rules. The other would also add provisions for a “Helipad/Veristop use” in the Hibiscus Garage area.
What it means for you
- Thinking of running? Call the city clerk’s office at 561-822-1210 or email cityclerk@wpb.org before qualifying opens at noon Tuesday.
- Not registered at your current address? You have until Feb. 8, 2027, for the city election. For this year’s Nov. 3 general election, see our voting guide.
- The CityPlace helipad item returns to the commission Monday, Nov. 9. It is a public hearing.
Related: who to call at City Hall and building permits and zoning.
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