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Gubernatorial candidates rally in Duval County, 4 days ahead of early voting

The candidates for governor made their cases to Jacksonville voters Thursday.

Democratic candidate Andrew Gillum addressed the local NAACP while Republican Ron DeSantis spoke at his party’s banquet at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.

These appearances come four days before early voting opens in Duval County.

For the first time Monday, local students will be able to vote on college campuses, with early voting sites opening at the University of North Florida and Edward Waters College.

UNF students will be able to vote early at the University Center, while EWC students can vote early at the Schell-Sweet Community Center.

“I think this is a good thing. Anything that makes voting easier for populations that have difficulty getting to the polls, particularly think about freshman on campus, often times they don’t have a car," said Mike Binder, a political science expert at UNF.  “It becomes really hard for them to get around.”

On Thursday, DeSantis spoke before the Duval GOP, encouraging turnout.

“Anybody that voted for the president needs to come out and vote in this midterm election,” DeSantis said.

Gillum started his day sitting down with Action News Jax anchor Phil Amato.

“Early voting will be starting soon in Duval County, and we’re hoping that people will get out there and make sure their voices are heard,” Gillum said.

More college students turned out for the 2016 election than in 2012, and students believe that, with these sites open, the trend will continue.

“Most freshman don’t know how to vote, where it is, and that’s really helpful,” said UNF student Meshly Serrano.

Click HERE for Duval County early voting locations.