City Hall is bracing for a shakeup on March 10, as Apopka voters choose their next mayor in a race that could rewrite how the city is run. Incumbent Mayor Bryan Nelson is seeking another term while Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore and City Commissioner Nick Nesta look to unseat him. On top of that, eight charter questions will be on the ballot, including a proposal to move Apopka to a council-manager government, raising the stakes for local voters.
Who’s on the ballot
The official mayoral ballot lists Bryan Nelson, Christine Moore, and Nick Nesta, according to ClickOrlando. Nelson has filed a lawsuit asking a court to remove Moore from the ballot, alleging she did not meet residency and qualifying-fee rules, as reported by WFTV.
Why this race matters
Voters will decide eight charter amendments on March 10, including a measure that would change Apopka from a mayor-council government to a council-manager system, according to the City of Apopka’s charter review materials. If approved, that change would shift day-to-day administrative authority to a hired city manager and would take effect roughly 120 days after the election. Nesta’s decision to run prompted the council to call a special election to fill Seat 4, local reporting shows, and the resignation and special-election details were reported by The Apopka Chief.
Where the candidates stand
Nelson, first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022, leans on his years of statewide and county service to argue for continuity and steady economic growth, according to public biographies and profiles. He highlights fiscal restraint and downtown revitalization as key priorities. Wikipedia
Moore is running on a platform centered on infrastructure upgrades, stronger flood mitigation and downtown improvements, pointing to county-level septic-to-sewer work and the Border Lake draw-down as examples of the kinds of projects she says she can deliver, local coverage notes. She casts herself as a consensus builder who would align city and county resources around neighborhood needs. The Apopka Chief
Nesta resigned his council seat in December to launch his mayoral bid and says he would focus on managing growth responsibly and improving transparency at City Hall. He stressed those points when announcing his campaign, telling ClickOrlando the city needs leadership that “puts residents first.”
How to vote and timing
Election Day is Tuesday, March 10, with early voting set for March 2–8, and the Apopka Community Center is one of the local early-voting sites, according to the Orange County Supervisor of Elections. Vote-by-mail requests had deadlines in late February, and sample ballots, polling-place lookup tools, and other voter resources are available on the county elections website.
Legal implications
Nelson’s lawsuit claims Moore failed to meet Florida’s one-year residency requirement and that her qualifying check was improperly executed. Moore has denied the allegations and maintains she followed the law, according to reporting by WFTV. A judge will decide whether Moore remains on the March 10 ballot, adding a legal twist to an already closely watched local contest.
Whether voters put their trust in experience, fresh approaches to infrastructure, or a fundamental change in how City Hall operates, Apopka’s March 10 election could leave a long-term mark on the city’s leadership and day-to-day governance. Official details on polling places, sample ballots, and the charter questions are available from the Orange County Supervisor of Elections and the City of Apopka.
