WINTER PARK, Fla. – With people across the county waiting in long lines to cast their ballot for the 2024 General Election, the Orange County Supervisor of Elections’ office is hoping to shorten those lines with new “express” voting sites.
Four of the new sites opened on Saturday in what Supervisor of Elections Glen Gilzean has said is his answer to record turnout ahead of election day.
Gilzean announced the opening of these sites on Friday at Valencia College’s Winter Park campus. An interactive map was also launched that day to show real-time waits at the county’s early voting locations.
“My husband had told me how long the wait lines were at the library so I decided I’d try this place first,” said Rena Freeman.
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
Rena Freeman said her husband waited for about 30 minutes to cast his ballot at the Winter Park Library voting site.
She’s is in favor of the new sites.
“I think it’s wonderful,” Freeman said. “I think for a government official it’s very agile and I think it’s really smart.”
News 6 was there on Friday when Gilzean announced the opening of the “express” voting sites.
(STORY CONTINUES BELOW)
In addition to the Valencia College Campus in Winter Park, three more sites opened over the weekend at the West Orange County Rec Center, the Dr. Phillips YMCA Family Center and the Orange County Work Release Center.
Gilzean said they are seeing record-breaking turnouts causing long lines and long waits.
“I think it just shows how energized the voters are and unfortunately probably, how polarized they are,” Freeman said.
Gilzean said he wants to open more of the “express” voting sites throughout the county and is hoping to get wait times down to 15 minutes.
Voters should note the Orange County Work Release Center will only be a drop-off location for people returning their vote-by-mail ballots.
The Dr. Phillips YMCA will be a vote-by-mail drop off site Saturday and Sunday, but on Monday, Oct. 28, the YMCA will add early voting booths in addition to vote-by-mail drop off.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: