Judge hears arguments on elections office move

Gateway files suit to stop Duval County's supervisor of elections' relocation

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A federal judge heard oral arguments Monday in a lawsuit over relocating Duval County's supervisor of elections office warehouse and training facility.

The office is currently inside Gateway Mall on the Northside, but Jacksonville City Council voted last month to move it to the One Imeson Center. Gateway Retail filed a federal lawsuit to block this from happening.

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Attorneys for Gateway, Imeson and the city all made their case before Judge Timothy Corrigan.

Gateway's lawyer argued that relocation will disproportionally affect Jacksonville's African-American voters, but attorneys for Supervisor of Elections Jerry Hollands said a location for an early voting site in the immediate Gateway area has already been approved.

Imeson's lawyer stressed the move will save Duval County taxpayers about $3.3 million over 10 years.

COURT DOCUMENTS: Gateway Retail vs. City of Jacksonville lawsuit
Supporting documents in lawsuit

Holland said he believes the real reason Gateway is challenging the move is to delay the process, since each month the office stays at Gateway, the landlord collects $51,000.

The judge has 10 days to make a decision.