As part of our commitment to providing you with what you need to make an informed decision in the 2026 elections, News 6 joined with the News Collaborative of Central Florida to present the Voting Central Florida 2026 Voter’s Guide.
Tuesday, Aug. 18 is the Florida Statewide Primary election, a mix of party primaries and nonpartisan local elections, such as school board races, judicial races, and county commission races in some counties.
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[ELECTION 2026: Make sure you’re eligible to vote|How to vote by mail|Election Myths]
Florida has a closed primary system, which means only members of a political party may vote in party primaries. To be eligible, a voter had to identify with that party by July 20.
However, judicial races and local races, for the most part, are open to all registered voters, regardless of political party.
Everything you need to know in order to vote in the Aug. 18 Statewide Primary, including how to vote by mail, vote early, and vote on Election Day, can be found in our Election 2026 section HERE.
Orange County Clerk of Courts Democratic Primary
The clerk of courts is the keeper of court records in Orange County. They also handle all court-related fines and fees, handle passport applications, and issue marriage licenses. The current clerk of courts, Tiffany Moore Russell, is leaving to run for Orange County mayor.
The constitutional office is considered a partisan race, which means you must be a member of a political party to vote in August. All voters will be able to choose from a final slate of candidates in November.
The winner of the Democratic primary will go on to face Terrell Thomas, a No Party Affiliate candidate, in November.
The News Collaborative of Central Florida created a list of common questions to ask the candidates. Questionnaires were sent to all candidates.
Not all of the candidates responded. Where candidates did not respond, we have filled out the information to the best of our abilities.
Our partners at the Orlando Sentinel compiled the candidate responses for the Orange County Clerk of Courts Democratic Primary, emailing and calling the candidates over several weeks. You can see the full Orlando Sentinel Voting Guide HERE.
Maribel Gomez Cordero
NOTE: Maribel Gomez Cordero dropped out of the race on July 27. Since vote-by-mail ballots had already gone out, her name will be on the ballot in Aug. 18 primary.
Rick Singh
WEBSITE: http://www.votericksingh.com
Top issues in your race
If elected, what are the THREE most pressing problems you want to address, and what do you suggest to solve them? In the boxes below, please list each issue and how you will address them:
YOUR NUMBER 1 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Modernizing Court Operations and Reducing Delays
The Clerk’s Office must function as a modern, efficient hub within the court system, where performance is measurable, processes are streamlined, and delays are actively reduced. If performance cannot be measured, it cannot be improved.
As Orange County Property Appraiser, I led the transformation of a traditional government office into one of the most technologically advanced and highly rated agencies in Florida. By implementing performance metrics, accountability standards, and modern digital systems, we significantly improved service delivery and customer experience. At one point, average phone hold times were reduced to 2 minutes and 39 seconds, down from waits that previously extended to hours. That improvement was achieved through data-driven management, technology upgrades, and continuous process refinement.
Those same principles will guide my approach as Clerk of Court. I will prioritize upgrading technology infrastructure, expanding secure digital filing and records systems, and improving case management and tracking tools. Manual processes that create unnecessary delays will be reduced through automation and workflow modernization, improving both speed and accuracy across operations.
Modernization will be paired with clear performance standards and accountability measures so that efficiency is continuously monitored and improved. This includes identifying operational bottlenecks, strengthening internal workflows, and ensuring staff have the training and tools needed to meet service expectations consistently.
By leveraging technology, setting measurable benchmarks, and focusing on continuous improvement, we can reduce delays, improve transparency, and provide faster, more reliable service to judges, attorneys, litigants, and the public while maintaining strong stewardship of taxpayer resources.
YOUR NUMBER 2 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Transparency and Secure Public Access to Court Records
Public trust in the Clerk’s Office depends on both openness and security. Court records must be accessible in a timely and user-friendly manner, while also protected by strong cybersecurity and compliance standards.
I will expand and modernize digital access to court records so residents, attorneys, and stakeholders can retrieve information efficiently and reliably without unnecessary barriers. At the same time, I will ensure that sensitive data is protected through updated security protocols, system safeguards, and ongoing compliance oversight.
In prior public service, I helped expand online accessibility and digital tools that improved public-facing services while maintaining accuracy and compliance standards. That experience demonstrated how technology can improve access without compromising security or integrity.
The goal is a system that is both transparent and secure—where access to public information is efficient, dependable, and responsibly managed.
YOUR NUMBER 3 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Customer Service, Accessibility, and Operational Consistency
The Clerk’s Office serves residents during some of their most important legal and administrative moments, including court filings, official records requests, and property-related transactions. Service must therefore be consistent, professional, and accessible across all channels.
As Property Appraiser, my office earned recognition for customer service excellence through improved training, performance standards, and technology-driven service delivery. We reduced wait times, expanded digital access, and improved responsiveness across multiple platforms by focusing on accountability and staff performance.
I will bring that same approach to the Clerk’s Office by strengthening staff training, standardizing service expectations, and ensuring consistent performance across all locations and customer touchpoints. Technology will also play a central role in improving accessibility, allowing residents to complete more services online while reducing in-person delays.
The result will be a more responsive, consistent, and user-focused Clerk’s Office that serves the public efficiently and professionally.
Why do you deserve to be elected in this race? I bring proven public-sector leadership experience and a strong understanding of government operations, financial accountability, and service delivery. I have previously served as an elected Property Appraiser, where I gained firsthand experience managing large-scale public systems, budgets, and taxpayer-facing services.
I understand that government must be both efficient and accountable. My focus is on reducing waste, improving performance, and ensuring public agencies deliver high-quality service at the lowest responsible cost to taxpayers.
I am committed to innovation, transparency, and fairness in public service. My goal is to modernize the Clerk’s Office so it works better for families, attorneys, and businesses while maintaining the highest standards of integrity and accessibility.
Roberta Walton Johnson
WEBSITE: voteroberta.com/
YOUR NUMBER 1 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Expanding Access to Justice. Every resident deserves equal access to the courts, regardless of income or whether they have an attorney. As Clerk, I will continue expanding customer-focused services, improving court navigation resources, and ensuring residents can access the information and assistance they need with dignity, professionalism, and respect.
YOUR NUMBER 2 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Modernizing Services and Technology. Orange County continues to grow, and the Clerk’s Office must keep pace. I will champion technology improvements that make services more efficient, accessible, and user-friendly while reducing wait times, streamlining processes, and improving online access to court services and information.
YOUR NUMBER 3 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Protecting Public Records and Public Trust. Residents deserve confidence that their court records are secure, accurate, and managed responsibly. As Clerk, I will protect the integrity of public records, ensure taxpayer dollars are used wisely, and uphold the transparency and accountability that Orange County residents expect from their government.
Why do you deserve to be elected in this race? I have dedicated my career to serving others and helping residents navigate some of the most important moments in their lives. From representing underserved families through legal services, to serving in local government, nonprofit leadership, private practice, and more than a decade in leadership within the Clerk’s Office, my work has always been focused on ensuring government is more accessible, responsive, and accountable. As General Counsel for the Orange County Clerk’s Office, I work every day on the legal, operational, and policy issues that impact our courts and the public we serve. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of the Clerk’s responsibilities and how this office can better serve our community. I am ready to lead on day one and continue building a Clerk’s Office that residents can trust to deliver professional, efficient, and transparent service.