Concerns over the coronavirus have prompted changes in polling places for the presidential primaries in some Central Florida counties.
Here are the changes that have been announced so far:
Brevard County
Brevard County’s elections chief has moved two polling places for Tuesday’s presidential election out of assisted living facilities because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to News 6 partner Florida Today.
These are the changes, announced late Thursday by Brevard County Supervisor of Elections Lori Scott:
- For voters in Precincts 201 and 240, the Courtenay Springs Village polling place has been temporarily relocated to Kiwanis Island Park Gym, 950 Kiwanis Island Park Road, Merritt Island.
- For voters in Precinct 509, Trinity Towers East polling place has been temporarily relocated to Front Street Civic Center, 2205 Front St., Melbourne.
In a statement, Scott said: "The safety of Brevard’s 437,905 voters and 1,350 poll-workers remain a top priority of mine. Although Brevard has not had a reported case of COVID-19, we will continue to be vigilant."
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Scott said her office “will continue to take precautionary measures, including equipping all polling locations with hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes. In addition, poll workers will be sanitizing surfaces every hour,” as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday for registered Democrats and Republicans wanting to vote in their party’s presidential primary.
Volusia County
Volusia County Supervisor of Elections Lisa Lewis also announced the following change to a polling location at an assisted living facility in DeLand:
- For voters in Precinct 212, the Good Samaritan Society–Florida Lutheran polling place has been relocated to the Wayne G. Sanborn Activities Center, 815 S. Alabama Avenue, DeLand.
Lewis said the change was put in place to limit the number of people visiting the facility for the safety of those who live there.
“This is truly understandable and we are asking for voters’ compassion and support during this time. We are doing all in our power to prevent the spread of illness,” Lewis said.
Lewis said the Wayne G. Sanborn Activities Center will be set up as two separate precincts for the primary election. Voters should follow signs to their correct polling area.
According to a news release from Lewis’ office, voters can cast their ballot early or drop off their vote-by-mail ballots from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Saturday at any of the following locations:
- DeLand – County Administration Building, 123 W. Indiana Ave.
- Deltona – City Commission Chambers, 2345 Providence Blvd.
- Ormond Beach – Ormond Beach Regional Library, 30 S. Beach St.
- Daytona Beach – Daytona Regional Library at City Hall, 105 E. Magnolia Ave.
- Port Orange – Port Orange Regional Library, 1005 City Center Circle
- New Smyrna Beach – New Smyrna Beach Regional Library, 1001 S. Dixie Freeway
Orange County
City officials have announced change in two polling locations in Orange County.
- Precinct 322 voters will report to VFW Post 4287 at 3500 S. Goldenrod Road, instead of Starlight Ranch Clubhouse 1.
- Precinct 431 voters will move to Orlando Fire Station 16 at 12375 Lake Nona Gateway Road, from Somerby Lake Nona.
Lake County
The following change has also been announced for voters in Lake County, according to county Supervisor of Elections Alan Hays:
- The polling place for voters in Precinct 63, which was previously located at the Mid Florida Lakes Clubhouse, has been moved to Grand Island Baptist Church, located at 13229 CR-44, Grand Island.
Prior to changes made regarding the coronavirus outbreak, Hays’ office also announced the following changes in polling places for the primary election:
- Precinct 7 – new location for Sullivan Ranch residents: 30450 Bretton Loop, Mt. Dora
- Precinct 11 – new polling location. Lady Lake Library, 225 W. Guava St. Lady Lake
- Precinct 21 – new polling location. Howey Community Church, 420 N. Palm Ave. Howey
- Precinct 44 – new polling location. Eustis Service Center, 301 W. Ward Ave. Eustis
- Precinct 49 – new polling location. Crossroads Church, 275 Griffin Ave. Lady Lake
- Precinct 93 – new polling location. Mt. Dora First Baptist Church, 1000 E. First Ave. Mt. Dora
Marion County
Due to coronavirus concerns, Marion County officials have announced the following polling place changes:
- Voters at Precinct 0013 Spanish Oaks - Social Hall will now vote at: Central Christian Church, 3010 NE 14th Street, Ocala, FL 34470.
- Voters at Precinct 2620/2621 Foxwood Farms will now vote at: Quail Meadows Clubhouse, 3158 NW 49th Ave, Ocala, FL 34482.
- Voters at Precinct 4600 Pine Run-Happiness Hall will now vote at: Deputy Brian Litz Building, 9048 SW HWY 200, Ocala, FL 34481.
- Voters at Precinct 4640 Spruce Creek North Clubhouse will now vote at: Deputy Brian Litz Building, 9048 SW HWY 200, Ocala, FL 34481.
- Voters at Precinct 4660/4670 Cherrywood Estates Clubhouse will now vote at: Freedom Public Library, 5870 SW 95th St, Ocala, FL 34476.
- Voters at Precinct 4680 Oakbend Mobile Home Park will now vote at: Cornerstone UPC Church, 3300 SW 66th Street, Ocala, FL 34476.
As of now, all other polling places in Marion County remain unchanged. Officials also want to remind voters and election workers to follow the precautionary measures recommended by the CDC: www.cdc.gov/COVID19
This story will be updated with more changes if and when they are announced.
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