Government of Jacksonville

Because of this, voters who live outside of the city limits of Jacksonville, but inside Duval County, vote for candidates for these positions and may run for them.

In December 2005, the city council of Baldwin in the far western portion of Duval County, voted to eliminate their police department.

In accordance with Florida law, the Duval County School Board continues to exist with nearly complete autonomy.

The main environmental and agricultural body is the Duval County Soil and Water Conservation District, which works closely with other area and state agencies.

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC), currently led by Jason R. Gabriel,[2] includes 39 attorneys, making it one of the largest and most diverse law firms in Jacksonville.

Clients include the public utility provider (JEA), the school district (Duval County Public Schools), Airport, Seaport, Transportation and Housing Authorities, constitutional officers (Mayor, Supervisor of Elections, Property Appraiser, Sheriff, Tax Collector and Clerk of Court), 10 departments, 19 City Council members, and 40+ boards, commissions, and agencies.

Due to this unusual client list, the General Counsel's website states that they offer support for areas that include commercial, personal injury, constitutional & civil rights litigation, real estate, land use, environmental law, labor and employment law, education law, workers' compensation, eminent domain, foreclosures, evictions, bankruptcy, torts, municipal finance, procurement, contract negotiation and drafting, as well as a variety of economic development and transactional areas.

[3] The 1967 Charter that created Jacksonville's consolidated form of government included a provision for the Office of General Counsel.

The office has developed the expertise to advise clients on municipal law and Jacksonville's Charter and consolidated form of government.

The Charter also states that any legal opinion rendered by the General Counsel is binding on the entire consolidated government.

[13] Jacksonville, as well as the rest of the State of Florida, are served in the U.S. Senate by Rick Scott (R) and Marco Rubio (R); and by Governor Ron DeSantis (R).

On February 8, 2005, the 492,000 sq ft (45,700 m2) building at 300 North Hogan Street was named, the John Milton Bryan Simpson United States Courthouse.

Nelson's office had recommended this to the Duval County court after reviewing the case and finding severe weaknesses.

The police have been given "far greater discretion to issue civil citations in lieu of criminal summons to eligible juveniles.

At the same time, many of the area's Democrats became increasingly willing to vote for Republicans for state and local offices after years of splitting their tickets at national elections.

Republicans currently hold the majority on the city council but lost the Mayor's position in 2011, only to regain it in 2015 and lose it once again in 2023.

The newer, suburban and exurban areas including Southside, Riverside, the southern outskirts of Westside, The Beaches and Mayport favor Republicans.