ORLANDO, FL, Nov. 1, 2026 — The Orange County Sheriff's Office is investigating after swastikas were found painted on five trees near the Taft Community Center, one of the county's early voting sites, according to WKMG News 6 and Florida Politics.
Orange County Supervisor of Elections Karen Castor Dentel found the symbols late Thursday and notified the Sheriff's Office, The Washington Post and Florida Politics report. Her office worked with Orange County government to have them removed, and they'd been painted over by Friday, WKMG and FOX 35 Orlando report. The trees aren't on the community center's property; they stand less than a block from its entrance, WKMG reports.
"These symbols represent a history of hatred, antisemitism, and violence. Their presence in our community is deeply disturbing and unacceptable," Castor Dentel said in a statement. "Hatred has no place in our community, and it has no place in our elections."
It isn't known who painted the symbols or why, the Supervisor of Elections Office says. Its statement reminds voters that "Voter intimidation is unlawful. Florida and federal laws protect the right to vote free from threats, coercion, and intimidation."
The Taft site and Orange County's other 26 early voting sites remain open until 8 p.m. Sunday, the last day of early voting there, according to WKMG and Florida Politics. On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and voters must go to their assigned polling place.
The Sheriff's Office hasn't announced an arrest.
Sources: WKMG News 6, Florida Politics, FOX 35 Orlando and The Washington Post, citing the Orange County Supervisor of Elections Office and Orange County Sheriff's Office, Oct. 30-31, 2026.
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