Last day of early voting in Jacksonville

Most local counties ended early voting Saturday; Duval, Bradford end Sunday

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – More than 1.6 million people have voted in Florida's primary as early voting came to an end this weekend.

Most local counties ended early voting on Saturday. Duval and Bradford County officials closed their early voting locations on Sunday.

Early voting is considered more convenient because a Florida voter can cast a ballot at any early-voting site in the county in which they’re registered. On Election Day, voters must vote at their assigned precincts.

"It is much easier," early voter Nellie McGriff said Sunday. "You're able to walk in, get papers and read and understand and decide. Then go ahead and vote, get in your car and go home."

All precincts in the state will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Absentee voting, or voting by mail, is also an option. Voters can request a ballot through their local elections office at any time up to, and including, Election Day.

WHAT'S ON THE BALLOT:
News4Jax Voter's Guide

Statewide, 1.15 million people had mailed in ballots by Saturday night and 494,925 had voted in person at an early voting site. About 140,000 more Republicans have cast ballots than Democrats. In most north Florida counties, there are more races on the ballot for Republicans than for Democrats.

Florida has nearly 12.4 million registered voters and may surpass the voter turnout from the 2012 primary election. That year 2.34 million voters cast ballots in the primary.

Combined mail-in and early voting turnout by Sunday was only 7.1 percent of Duval County voters. In recent elections, nearly half of voters cast ballots before Election Day.

Duval County Supervisor of Election was hoping total turnout in the primary would reach 35 percent. 

"To me, it's just a patriotic duty (for) the freedom we have as Americans," Hogan said. "If we don't take part in it, we can't complain about our government because we are selecting the folks that are going to (be) representing us, making those decisions about taxes and everything that affects our daily life."

Voting so far in Florida Primary