School-board races decide more household-budget and classroom policy than almost anything else on the ballot, and they’re the races voters know least about — Ballotpedia doesn’t even have a complete candidate list for these seats yet. Here is the verified guide, sourced to the Supervisor of Elections’ official fact sheet and post-qualifying reporting. This page is strictly factual: the races are nonpartisan, and this site treats them that way.
Which Seats Are Up — and Who Actually Votes in Each
- District 2 — single-member, open seat. Only voters living in District 2 vote in this race. Incumbent Stacy Hahn is not seeking re-election to the board (she is running for county commission). Three candidates qualified, per the Tampa Bay Times’ qualifying report: Brittany Lyssy, Daniela Simic, and Chris Taylor (confirm spellings and your district at VoteHillsborough.gov).
- District 4 — no election. Incumbent Patti Rendon qualified without opposition and is automatically elected to another term; the race will not appear on any ballot.
- District 6 — countywide. Every Hillsborough County voter votes in this one. Qualified candidates: incumbent Karen Perez, Kenneth Gay, and Sally Harris Williamson.
Qualifying ran June 8–12, 2026, with the Supervisor of Elections as qualifying officer. Terms are four years, beginning November 17, 2026.
Nonpartisan, on the August Ballot — Here’s How It Works
Because school-board contests are nonpartisan, eligible voters see them on the August 18, 2026 primary ballot no matter how they’re registered — including NPA voters who see no party primaries. The rule: a candidate who wins more than 50% on August 18 is elected outright; if nobody clears a majority, the top two advance to the November 3 ballot.
In 2024, a statewide amendment to make school-board races partisan drew about 55% support — short of the 60% threshold — so these races remain officially nonpartisan. That failed amendment is also why so many voters search for party labels on these candidates and find none.
The November Referendum: An Elected Superintendent?
Verified and worth marking on your calendar: on the November 3, 2026 general-election ballot, Hillsborough voters will decide a referendum — created by HB 4027, signed into law this year — on whether the county’s school superintendent should become an elected office instead of one appointed by the school board. If approved, the change would take effect with the 2028 election.
Two more November items to keep straight: school district officials have moved to place a renewal of the schools’ half-penny sales surtax on the same ballot (an extension of the existing half-cent rate, not an increase — first approved in 2018, with more than $1.15 billion spent on construction, security, and HVAC since), and a separate referendum from HB 4029 on expanding the county commission from 7 to 9 members. Neither is a constitutional amendment — see our Florida amendments 2026 guide for those.
How This Fits Your August 18 Ballot
The school-board races share the August ballot with the FL-14 congressional Republican primary, the U.S. Senate special primary, and the governor’s primaries — the full rundown by ballot type is in our Hillsborough sample-ballot guide. Early voting runs August 3–16, vote-by-mail requests are due 5 PM August 6, and polls are open 7 AM–7 PM on August 18.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Hillsborough school board districts are up for election in 2026?
Districts 2, 4, and 6. Only Districts 2 and 6 appear on the ballot — the District 4 incumbent qualified unopposed and is automatically re-elected. District 2 is voted on only by District 2 residents; District 6 is countywide.
Are Hillsborough school board elections partisan?
No. Florida school-board races are officially nonpartisan — a 2024 statewide amendment to make them partisan won about 55%, short of the required 60%. All eligible voters see these races on the August 18, 2026 primary ballot regardless of party registration.
Who is running for Hillsborough school board in 2026?
Per post-qualifying reports: District 2 (open seat) — Brittany Lyssy, Daniela Simic, and Chris Taylor; District 6 (countywide) — incumbent Karen Perez, Kenneth Gay, and Sally Harris Williamson. District 4’s Patti Rendon was unopposed. Confirm the official list at VoteHillsborough.gov.
When do school board candidates win outright vs go to a runoff?
A candidate who wins more than 50% of the vote on August 18, 2026 is elected. If no one wins a majority, the top two finishers advance to the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Will Hillsborough vote on an elected school superintendent?
Yes — on November 3, 2026. HB 4027 placed a referendum on whether the superintendent becomes an elected office rather than appointed; if approved, the change begins with the 2028 election.
Every Race on One Ballot
Down-ballot races are where turnout decides everything. Check what else is on your August ballot, confirm your district, and see the FL-14 congressional field.