JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Signs placed outside some of the Jacksonville early voting sites cast concern it could cause voter confusion in the 2022 Duval Special Unitary Election.
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“A lot of voters have called us to voice their frustration with this — because it may cause confusion with a lot of voters who don’t even know there is an election going on right now,” Daniel Henry, chair of the Duval Democratic Party, said.
Action News Jax cameras spotted the signs outside the Pablo Creek Regional Branch library off Beach Blvd. Monday. However, Monday night they were removed.
According to Supervisor of Elections Mike Hogan, his office doesn’t control the signs because they are farther than 150 feet from the early voting site and outside his jurisdiction.
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A representative for the City of Jacksonville further clarified that anyone can remove the signs if they are in City right of way.
“It does not have to be just the City, any citizen can pull it up, because as soon as it hits the ground, it’s considered litter, per the City’s Ordinance Code.”
The signs were put out by the Duval GOP. In a statement, Executive Director Donovan Bradley said “it is the job of the Republican Party of Duval County to encourage and remind Republican voters to cast their ballots and make their voice heard! We want all Republicans to vote in the ongoing Special Election and defeat radical ‘Defund the Police’ liberal Tracye Polson.”
The Duval GOP backed Republican candidate Nick Howland. He told Action News Jax’s Robert Grant over the phone that it was not his campaign’s responsibility and referred to the Duval GOP.
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Democratic candidate Tracye Polson said she was concerned the signs would intentionally dissuade democrats from voting.
Both candidates are battling for the late Tommy Hazouri’s at-large council seat after he passed away Sept. 11, 2021.
Action News Jax dug through the numbers specifically at the Pablo Creek Regional Library to see if the signs impact voter behavior.
So far, this election, 55% of early voters have cast a Republican ballot compared to 32% Democrat.
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In the 2021 election, 51% voted Republican compared to 38% Democrat. This was the first election Henry said they noticed the Republican signs put up.
In the 2020 General Election, 46% voted Republican compared to 29% Democrat.
“At the end of the day, signs don’t vote, people do. So regardless of the signs out there — and what we put out there as well -- we just want people to exercise their votes at these early vote sites,” Henry said.
So far, there’s about 7.5% voter turnout, but SOE Mike Hogan expected 10 to 15% turnout. Early voting continues through Sunday until the Special Election Tuesday.