Early voting is underway in Central Florida with a lengthy ballot – and potentially long lines – awaiting voters at the polls.
A hotly contested race for governor and the more than 20 amendments and races on the ballot have local supervisors of elections preparing for a higher-than-normal voter turnout, which could make for long lines at the polls.
"Our biggest concerns are the long lines that are going to be at the early voting sites and on elections day," Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Mike Ertel said.
Ertel said that's usually the case when there are two new candidates for governor on the ballot. Also, he said, the ballot is much longer than normal.
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"We have a ballot that is four times as large as the ballot in the primary, so clearly that takes voters a lot longer to fill out," Ertel said.
The best way to skip that line, he said, is to vote from home and mail in your ballot.
“I got to tell you the mail in is very convenient,” said early voter Rick Bavec, who already mailed in his ballot. “Especially when you have a lot of things on the ballot like we do this year. So you are not rushed.”
But if you’d rather vote in person, Ertel recommends filling out a sample ballot beforehand. With 12 constitutional amendment proposals up for vote, bringing the sample ballot along with you to the polls can help expedite the process.
The polls are open! Election Day starts today in #VoteSeminole, as no county in Central Florida will have more hours of early voting than that proctored by America's Finest Elections Team. Check out our hours and locations below or at the award-winning https://t.co/f4Mmgo2axR! pic.twitter.com/vBKCpXKFWF
— VoteSeminole 🗳 (@VoteSeminole) October 22, 2018
Check below for information on where and when to vote in your county. The general election is Nov. 6.
Orange County
Early Voting Dates: Monday, Oct. 22, to Sunday, Nov. 4.
(9 a.m. – 7 p.m. each day; Early Voting Centers: English ; Spanish; Creole)
Seminole County
Early Voting Dates: Monday, Oct. 22, to Sunday, Nov. 4.
Lake County
Registered voters who wish to cast a ballot before Election Day may vote at any of the approved early voting locations.
Early voting will start on Oct. 22 and conclude on Nov. 3. Hours of operation at all sites are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.
Flagler County
Early voting hours for countywide elections will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. starting Monday, Oct. 22 through Saturday, Nov. 3.
Marion County
Early voting begins Oct. 25 and ends Nov. 3. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. 6 p.m.
Sumter County
Early voting begins Oct. 23 and ends Nov. 3. Polls will be open from 9 a.m. 6 p.m.
Brevard County
Early voting begins Oct. 27 and ends Nov. 3. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. 4 p.m. on weekends.
Volusia County
Early voting begins Oct. 27 and ends Nov. 4. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Osceola County
Early voting begins Oct. 26 and ends Nov. 4. Polls are open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Cox Media Group
