Lakeland voters rejected a change to a strong mayor form of government.
Nearly 69 percent of voters said no to the amendment to the city charter, which means that the city will continue to be governed by an elected city council and an appointed city manager.
About 23 percent of registered voters went to the polls.
The amendment would have transitioned Lakeland's mayor to a strong mayor with executive power over city departments.
Voters also picked Bill Mutz to be the new mayor. The Lakeland mayor will remain a member of the city council whose mayoral duties are mainly ceremonial.
