JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Early voting in Duval County began at 10 a.m. on Friday.
People who are registered to vote in Jacksonville can cast their votes at any of the 24 early voting locations.
Jerry Holland, the Supervisor of Elections, assures Floridians that the election equipment is 100% accurate. The statement comes after public logic and accuracy testing of automated voting equipment.
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Holland said, “We test the equipment that’s gonna be used in both early voting and election day, and we test those to show the results to the public. They are then secured so that we have chain of custody. No one else has access, and then they bring them out to the polling locations.”
The public test is required by state law ahead of the August 18th primary.
But election security isn’t what’s on the mind of early voter Omar Shabazz of Springfield. “I’ve been voting in Duval County since I was 18, so I have never felt that the system was flawed,” said Shabazz.
He’s more concerned about the issues on the ballot. “I think the property tax issue is a big one. But I think overall people are kind of sick of negativity. We need to get to a point where we’re back to being collective and sustained,” Shabazz continued.
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The August 18th ballot will include partisan primary races for Governor, state cabinet officers, U.S. Senate and some Congressional and legislative races.
There are also several non-partisan city, county and judicial races that are open to all voters. But as is the story with primary elections, low voter turnout is expected.
“Some people talking about not doing anything, do nothing democrats, just come out. Don’t talk about what they ain’t doing,” said Michael Galle, a Jacksonville voter.
Shabazz said, “Those things affect everything. Affects your local schools, affects things you see every day as opposed to the larger federal level.“
If you’re headed to vote in Downtown Jacksonville, you’ll be able to park for free near the Supervisor of Elections Office on Monroe Street. Free parking will be available until August 16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
It comes back on Election Day, August 18 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Early voting ends Sunday, August 16.
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