Joseph McMullen wins another term on Oakland Town Commission

Oakland voters re-elected Town Commissioner Joseph McMullen to another term.

According to unofficial election results, McMullen won with 58% of the vote over challenger Anne Fulton to hold Seat 4 in Oakland, a town of around 2,000 people in western Orange County.

McMullen, who has served since 2006, argued his experience and history of public service made him worthy of another term.

McMullen was recently appointed as the Florida League of Cities Vice Chair of Land Use & Economic Development, according to his bio on the town website.

In addition to the race for Seat 4, Oakland voters also approved several charter amendments.

Voters supported getting rid of runoff elections in future races where a Mayor or Town Commission candidate fails to clear 50% of the vote. The No. 3 ballot question passed with 72% of the vote, according to unofficial election results.

“The intent of this proposed amendment is to simplify the election process and save the Town considerable time and expense related to run-off elections,” the town said.

Voters also approved ballot question No. 4 to eliminate the option for candidates to qualify for the ballot by collecting signature cards. The ballot initiative passed with 57% of the vote, according to unofficial election results.

Currently, a candidate must collect signatures from 10% of the town’s registered voters or 100 voters, whichever is less. If No. 4 passes Tuesday, candidates going forward would have to qualify by giving a written notice of candidacy and paying a $100 qualifying fee.

“The intent of this proposed amendment is to create a more uniform qualification period,” the town said. “Residents who can demonstrate financial hardship may qualify without being required to pay the qualification fee.”

Across Orange County, elections were also held in the communities Maitland and Apopka that decided everything from the next Mayor, the local Council and ballot initiatives reshaping local government.