EATONVILLE, Fla. – Early voting is officially underway throughout Central Florida. All local counties are kicking off their first day of operations except Sumter, which will begin on Tuesday.
One county is seeing a steady number of voters visiting a new polling site. Election leaders are hoping the town of Eatonville will help ease traffic in the Orange County area.
Orange County is offering 22 locations for early voting, open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., including Saturday and Sunday.
“Orange County has about 830,000 registered voters, so we have to try to accommodate them,” said Chris Heath, the county’s chief election administrator. “It just gives voters that, one more opportunity to go and cast their ballot. We’re encouraging people to either vote by mail or vote early because one thing we don’t want is long lines on Election Day.”
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Supervisor of Elections Glen Gilzean said more polling sites gives voters more options.
“Our objective was to combat the voting deserts, specifically in towns like Eatonville and West Lakes in Orlando. That’s why we implemented those two early sites,” Gilzean said. “The beautiful thing about those early voting sites is that it allows anyone from Orange County to participate in those locations.”
Reba Blanton traveled from Rosemont to cast her ballot.
“I was walking here so it was easy for me to come ahead and vote from church and for other people in the area actually. They don’t have transportation, so it’s nice and convenient for them,” Blanton said.
Blanton also expressed the significance having a voting site in the town of Eatonville, one of the first self-governing all-Black municipalities in the U.S.
“Well, our forefathers fought for this, so you know we must come out and do this. That’s why I tell everyone come out and vote,” Blanton said.
How to find an early polling location
Polling hours vary depending on the county but early voting locations are open every day, including the weekends. Voters are required to bring their photo and signature identification. One benefit of early voting is you can go to any polling place within your home county to vote. You don’t have to go to an assigned polling place. Another benefit is that in some counties, the polling places are open later in the day.
Early voting runs through Saturday, Nov. 2, except in Orange and Osceola counties, where early voting runs through Sunday, Nov. 3.
Brevard County
- Early voting runs Monday, Oct. 21 through Saturday, Nov. 2.
- Hours for polling locations are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday to Sunday, 8 a.m. - 4 pm.
Flagler County
- Early voting runs Monday, Oct. 21 through Saturday, Nov. 2.
- Hours for polling locations are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
Lake County
- Early voting runs Monday, Oct. 21 through Saturday, Nov. 2.
- Hours for polling locations are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
Marion County
- Early voting runs Monday, Oct. 21 through Saturday, Nov. 2.
- Hours for polling locations are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
Orange County
- Early voting runs Monday, Oct. 21 through Sunday, Nov. 3.
- Hours for polling locations are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Osceola County
- Early voting runs Monday, Oct. 21 through Sunday, Nov. 3.
- Hours for polling locations are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
- Supervisor of Elections Office
- West Osceola Branch (Celebration) Library
- Robert Guevara Community Center
- St. Cloud Civic Center
- Kissimmee Civic Center
- The Gym & Aquatic Center (Poinciana)
- Narcoossee Community Center
- Tax Collector (Campbell City Branch)
- Osceola Welcome Center
Seminole County
- Early voting runs Monday, Oct. 21 through Sunday, Nov. 3.
- Hours for polling locations are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
Sumter County
- Early voting runs Tuesday, Oct. 22 through Saturday, Nov. 2.
- Hours for polling locations are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
Volusia County
- Early voting runs Monday, Oct. 21 through Saturday, Nov. 2.
- Hours for polling locations are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
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