Large voter turnout expected for high-stakes city election as redistricting issues loom
In March, Jacksonville will be voting for a new mayor and new city council members to run the city. Political observers anticipate a high turnout compared to past local elections as races began to become very competitive.
Was Donald Trump the biggest loser on election night? 3 takeaways from red wave that wasnโt
Results are still being finalized in key congressional and state legislature races across the country, but one thing that became clear overnight is that the 2022 midterm elections were not the red wave of Republican wins many pundits forecasted.
Rallies held in Jacksonville ahead of early voting on Monday
With only 18 days until election day โ many voters will be out casting their ballot early. Already, more than 29,000 people have cast votes by mail. Thatโs only about four percent of the registered voters โ but by the time this election is over โ itโs predicted to go 62.
New vote-by-mail system will ease ballot process for voters with disabilities
The software was created by a Jacksonville-based company, โEnhanced Voting,โ which is now vending its products to 37 of Floridaโs 67 counties as well as jurisdictions in nine other states, according to the companyโs website.
Voting 101: What you need to know about casting a ballot in Texas
Exercising your right to vote can be confusing or intimidating, regardless if youโre a first-time voter or a veteran. KPRC 2 News and KSAT, our San Antonio sister-station, worked to create a comprehensive resource to make sure every eligible Texan can vote and is counted.
Early voting begins Monday in Georgia primary election
After three Republican primary debates in Georgiaโs governorโs race, a few things are clear: Former U.S. Sen. David Perdue wants the May 24 primary to be about the 2020 election, incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp wants the election to be about his record, and when in doubt any Republican should say theyโre the one to beat Democrat Stacey Abrams in the fall.
Candidates on campaign trail as early voting kicks off Saturday for City Council run off
Democratic candidate Tracye Polson and Republican candidate Nick Howland hit the campaign trail Saturday in Jacksonville as early voting kicked off in the special Jacksonville City Council election to replace the seat left vacant when Tommy Hazouri died in September.
Kingsland voters to fill open city council seat
Voters in Kingsland can head to the polls this week as early voting begins for an open city council seat. Councilman LaMar Stokes unexpectedly resigned late last year, prompting a March 16 special election for the Post 3 council seat. Three candidates are running to fill the remaining two years of Stokesโ term:Sanjay PatelBryant ShepardKristy Chance StarkeAdvance, in-person voting for the election begins Monday at the Camden County Annex on North Gross Road in Kingsland. Early voting continues through March 12. Voting at assigned precincts will take place on Election Day, March 16.
Voters seem to value experience more than ever, but how old is too old to serve in Congress?
Seven senators are now at least 80 years old, with four of those members being older than 85. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is 78 years old and was just elected to serve another term. โI think you can absolutely make that case.โAre there solutions to bring in younger candidates? โThereโs less of a pull for younger candidates,โ Dulio said. โI think it would take a concerted effort on the part of the political parties to recruit younger candidates,โ Dulio said.
PHOTOS: Trump supporters take to streets around country to protest results
Here are some photos of Trump supporters in protest, courtesy of Getty Images. (Getty Images)Trump supporters in Phoenix, Arizona. (Getty Images)Photo by John Moore (Getty Images)Trump supporters in Lansing, Michigan. (Getty Images)Trump supporters in Phoenix, Arizona. (Getty Images)Trump supporters in Phoenix, Arizona.
PHOTOS: Biden supporters take over streets around country to celebrate
With the news that Joe Biden had defeated President Donald Trump in this yearโs presidential election after days of counting votes, supporters of Biden took to the streets to celebrate. Here are some photos of Biden supporters celebrating his win, courtesy of Getty Images. Photo by Stephanie Keith (Getty Images)Biden supporters in Minneapolis. (Getty Images)Biden supporters in Philadelphia. (Getty Images)Biden supporters in Philadelphia.
Voter turnout for 2020 already looks to be record-setting
Even though the final figures still have to be tabulated, it appears the 2020 general election is already a record-setting one. As of Wednesday morning, there were an all-time high of 160,002,000 total votes cast, according to the United States Election Project. In terms of turnout as a percentage of the voting-eligible population, that number is higher than itโs been in more than 100 years. The turnout as a percentage of the voting-eligible population for this election was 66.9% as of Wednesday morning, according to the United States Election Project. Thatโs the highest percentage of VEP turnout since 1900, when the number was 73.7%.
You voted, and it shows: These 2020 voter turnout numbers will blow you away
Even though the final figures still have to be tabulated, it appears the 2020 general election is already a record-setting one. As of Wednesday morning, there were an all-time high of 160,002,000 total votes cast, according to the United States Election Project. In terms of turnout as a percentage of the voting-eligible population, that number is higher than itโs been in more than 100 years. The turnout as a percentage of the voting-eligible population for this election was 66.9% as of Wednesday morning, according to the United States Election Project. Thatโs the highest percentage of VEP turnout since 1900, when the number was 73.7%.
LIVE UPDATES: โWeโre going to win this race' Biden says in address to nation
4:36 a.m.Former Vice President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump are in a dead heat in the race for Georgia. Currently, former Vice President Joe Biden leads President Donald Trump by just 11,438 votes statewide. The latest counts gives Trumpโs Democratic challenger Joe Biden a small lead, but the race is still too early to call. The electoral vote has former vice president Joe Biden in front of President Donald Trump, 238-213, at this point. Mullaney adds an update on Wisconsin that helps out former vice president Joe Biden in the race for the White House.
Florida votersโ turnout highest in 28 years
But predictions that advance voting was to avoid in-person voting on Election Day were apparently true. While voting on Election Day was steady, it was far from record levels. The highest turnout this year was in Collier County, with 90.1%, and Sumter County, with 87.9%. General election turnout in Florida over the last 30 yearsDuval CountyOn Sunday, as two weeks of early voting ended, Duval County Supervisor of Elections Mike Hogan predicted an 85-92% turnout. โThe surprise for me was the low turnout,โ Duval County Supervisor of Elections Mike Hogan said.
Voting throughout the years: These photos will make you realize how much has changed
(Automatic Voting Machine Co/PhotoQuest/Getty Images)A hand as it inserts a ballot into a box during the U.S. presidential election in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Nov. 2, 1948. (PhotoQuest/Getty Images)An over-the-shoulder view of an unidentified woman as she demonstrates how to use an IBM voting machine in 1966. The voter casts a ballot by punching holes in a card, which then drops into a ballot box. (Getty Images)A hand presses the switch, marking a selection in a 1970s-style voting machine. (Getty Images)A view showing empty voting booths during the Senate elections in 1986.
Problems at the polls? Rave reviews? Let us know
If you didnโt vote by mail or cast your ballot during early voting, Tuesdayโs your last chance to have your voice heard in the 2020 general election. And for better or worse, we want to hear about your experience at the polls. Tell us how voting went
Across the country: 5 noteworthy ballot measures that deserve some attention
To see what exactly the ballot measures are in each state, click or tap here. Below are five noteworthy initiatives we thought weโd mention from across the country. Mississippiโs flag redesignThe state Legislature in June eliminated the old state flag that had the Confederate battle emblem, which was widely thought of as racist. Californiaโs app-based driving proposalThis initiative will decide whether app-based transportation and delivery drivers are classified as independent contractors or as employees. Coloradoโs abortion banThis is a ballot initiative that will likely draw a lot of attention across the nation.
A terminally ill woman mailed in her ballot. Now, after her death, her vote wonโt be counted.
Weโve heard of people out in droves who voted early or sent a mail-in ballot. Lines at early-voting precincts have had some crowds waiting hours -- but to cast a ballot, many find the time well-spent. Pflughoeft was fascinated with politics and determined to vote in the 2020 General Election, so she mailed in her ballot early. All the other states have various stipulations as to whether they will allow the ballot of a deceased person to count, such as when the person died and when the death is learned. However, if past elections are any indication, votes from people who pass away before Election Day generally donโt have an impact on the results, according USA Today.
COVID-19, taxes, education and more: Comparing President Trump, Biden side by side
Doesnโt support increasing capital gains taxes. Does not support federal legalization of recreational marijuana. Does not support federal legalization of recreational marijuana, but would decriminalize it. EducationTrumpDoes not support making public college tuition-free. Does not support federal funding to send students to rival schools.
1 day until the election: Whatโs the difference between a poll watcher and poll challenger?
As people head to polling places in the next day or so, the terms โpoll watcherโ and โpoll challengerโ will likely be tossed around at precincts. What a poll watcher isA poll watcher is someone appointed by the political parties or candidates to make sure their party has a fair chance of winning an election, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. What a poll challenger isA poll challenger is someone who can challenge whether a person is eligible to vote. Can the same people be poll watchers and poll challengers? Any poll watcher must be a โqualified and registered electorโ in the county he or she wants to serve.
Jacksonville woman celebrates 108th birthday by voting
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ While turning 108-years-old on Saturday, a Jacksonville woman wanted to celebrate her birthday by casting her ballot. And when Saturday came, Rayโs godson, Michael Blaylock, said, โOK, mom, well, I said, โWhy donโt you just wait until your birthday,โ because sheโs been haggling me about getting it. โShe said that, 'I know itโs my birthday and I know Iโm 108, but I have to vote,โ Blaylock said. โIt lets them know that they are willing to sacrifice and carry on and keep things going," Ray said. Now, sheโs taking it one day at a time, but remembering where sheโs come from and sticking to her values.
Georgia voters crush all-time turnout record before Election Day
Over three weeks of early voting, Georgians lined up -- sometimes for hours -- and smashed the previous record for votes cast before Election Day. Georgia is on pace to exceed the stateโs all-time record for voting in any election: 4.1 million in 2016. Poll workers anticipate that Election Day may not be as crowded since so people did participate in early voting. State elections officials expect Georgia turnout could reach up to 6 million voters by the time all ballots are counted after Election Day. The stateโs previous high for voting turnout was 4.1 million voters in the 2016 election.
Is there a racial divide when it comes to length of the voting lines?
Is there a racial divide when it comes to voting wait times at precincts? In 2016, white voters waited an average of 10 minutes, according to a survey of voters conducted by the Bipartisan Policy Center and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In comparison, Black voters waited an average of 16 minutes and Latino voters were in line an average of 13 minutes, according to the survey. During the 2018 election, Black voters waited an average of 11.5 minutes, Latino voters an average of 11.7 minutes and white voters an average of 8.8 minutes, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center. In precincts with 90% or more non-white voters, the average wait time was 32.4 minutes and the median was 13.3 minutes.
How to make sure your mail-in ballot is counted in Florida
The COVID-19 pandemic and concerns over safety at polling places are causing more people to send in ballots via mail this year. In turn, due to cutbacks with the United States Postal Service that could cause delays, and the fact that mail-in ballots can take longer to count, there are additional fears for many over whether their ballots will be received and counted in time. For those who have mailed in a ballot before the election, the state of Florida has a simple way of monitoring it to see when itโs received. Visit this website and you can check on the status of your ballot by inputing the following information:Your first nameYour last nameYour date of birthThe deadline for the state to accept mail-in ballots is by 7 p.m. on Election Day.
6 million Floridians have voted 10 days out from โElection Day'
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Halfway through Floridaโs two weeks of early voting, more than 2.2 million Floridians voted. While the number of in-person ballots so far swamped records of early voting, it remains dwarfed by the avalanche of 3.8 million mail-in ballots received as of Sunday night. Most counties continue early voting through next Saturday while Nassau and Duval counties remain open on the Sunday before Election Day, as well. Americans' rush to vote is leading election experts to predict that a record 150 million votes may be cast and turnout rates could be higher than in any presidential election since 1908. โThe Republican numbers are going to pick up,โ said John Couvillon, a GOP pollster who is tracking early voting.
6 million Floridians have voted 8 days before โElection Day'
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Halfway through Floridaโs two weeks of early voting, more than 2.2 million Floridians have cast ballots. Together, thatโs 6 million advanced votes cast eight days before the election, according to the Florida Division of Elections. Most counties continue early voting through next Saturday while Nassau and Duval counties remain open through Sunday before Election Day, as well. Added together, 41% of Floridaโs registered voters had cast ballots eight days before the election. โThe Republican numbers are going to pick up,โ said John Couvillon, a GOP pollster who is tracking early voting.
9 days from โElection Day,' 39% of Floridians have voted
The rush to get in ballots early shows no sign of easing. Just over 2 million Floridians voted during the first six days of early voting and 3.7 million mail-in ballots were received as of Sunday morning, according to the Florida Division of Elections. Added together, 39% of Floridaโs registered voters had cast ballots nine days before the election. Polling, and now early voting, suggest the rhetoric has turned his partyโs rank and file away from a method of voting that, traditionally, they dominated in the weeks before Election Day. Both parties anticipate a swell of Republican votes on Election Day that could, in a matter of hours, dramatically shift the dynamic.
5.2 million Floridians have voted 10 days out from โElection Day'
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ The rush to get in ballots early shows no sign of easing. More than 1.7 million Floridians voted during the first five days of early voting. While the number of in-person ballots so far swamped records of early voting, it remains dwarfed by the avalanche of 3.5 million mail-in ballots received as of Friday night. Most counties continue early voting through next Saturday while Nassau and Duval counties remain open on the Sunday before Election Day, as well. โThe Republican numbers are going to pick up,โ said John Couvillon, a GOP pollster who is tracking early voting.
Where can I check to see if my mail-in vote counted?
But a majority of states have realized those concerns and have put in place tracking systems for people to monitor their votes, according to Business Insider. In 35 states, voters will have access to a tracking system by providing basic information such as name, address and date of birth. There are 12 additional states that not only will offer a tracking system for ballots for federal and state races, but also at the county and local level. Only three states, Mississippi, Missouri and Wyoming, donโt have ballot tracking systems at the state or county level. For further questions or information on how to track your mail-in ballot, visit your state or community elections website.
How long should I expect to wait in line to vote?
If youโre someone who prefers to vote in-person either before Election Day or on it, how long should you expect to wait in line? Below are three factors that will largely determine how long it will take for you to vote. Where you do itThe resources a voting district has will go a long way in determining how long you are there. In precincts with 90% or more non-white voters, the average wait time was 32.4 minutes and the median was 13.3 minutes. Whether you vote early or on Election DayWith the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to be an issue nationwide, more people are expected to vote early for this election.
Early voting begins Thursday in Columbia and Baker counties
BAKER COUNTY, Fla. โ As of Thursday morning, more than 40 million Americans have already cast their ballots for the 2020 General Election. Of those, nearly three-quarters of a million were cast by Floridians who voted early Monday and Tuesday. Voters in Baker and Columbia counties will be able to make their voices heard starting Thursday. For Baker County voters, thereโs only one voting location for its 17,000 registered voters: at the Supervisor of Elections Office on North 5th Street in MacClenny. For information on elections in local counties in Northeast Florida, see our News4Jaxโs Voterโs Guide.
Jaguars bringing secure mail-in ballot box to TIAA Bank Field
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ The Jaguars are bringing the ballot box to TIAA Bank Field. The team is partnering with the Duval County Supervisor of Elections Office to place a secure vote-by-mail ballot box at in Lot J at TIAA Bank Field. The ballot box will be in service for the final window of early voting, Oct. 26 through Nov. 1. Those who choose to use that ballot box in Lot J can drive up and put their ballot in the dropbox without leaving their car. They truly have gone the extra mile to make this opportunity successful.โThe deadline to request a mail-in ballot is Oct. 24.
Why the winners still might not be known long after Election Day is over
But that fiasco could be nothing compared to this yearโs election -- and not just regarding who is elected president. There will be more mail-in ballots submitted than ever. The United States Postal Service is struggling with financial issues, which could delay the mailing of ballots throughout the country, according to CNBC. In August, the USPS sent letters to 46 states and Washington, D.C. warning that some main-in ballots might not arrive in time to be counted by Election Day, according to the Washington Post. Mail-in ballots take longer to count.
What is a mega-precinct and how will one work on Election Day?
If a mega-precinct is available, that means voters can cast their ballots on Election Day at any precinct in the jurisdiction, regardless of their home address. In addition, groups of people in the same jurisdiction who are friends or family but who donโt have the same voting location can vote together at a mega-precinct. Expenses on Election Day can be reduced with fewer locations to staff. There will be 19 NBA arenas turned into voting locations on Election Day, as well as the practice facility of the Detroit Pistons. For a full list of NBA arenas that will be used on Election Day, according to NBA.com, click or tap here.
WATCH LIVE: SKY4 over long lines in Jacksonville as early voting begins
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Voters were already in line when in-person voting sites opened in Georgia and other states, Florida election supervisors are expecting crowds Monday when early. There are 20 early voting sites in Jacksonville open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday through Sunday, Nov. 1. Dozens more sites open in neighboring counties on Monday, but most end on Halloween. A few counties donโt open in-person sites until later in the week.
Lines move quickly as Floridians begin early voting
Photos showed lines outside early voting sites in Duval, St. Johns, Clay and Nassau counties. The early voting sites in Jacksonville are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday through Sunday, Nov. 1. At one of Duval Countyโs two newest early voting sites -- the Prime Osborn Convention Center -- there was no line. Itโs going to be fine.โAnticipating the demand, St. Johns County opened more early voting sites this year. Boxes specially designed for mail-in ballots will be placed at all early voting locations.
Nearly 100 million Americans voted before polls open on Tuesday
On the eve of Election Day, 99 million Americans had already cast ballots. Thatโs more than two-thirds of all votes cast in the 2016 presidential election. in Florida and Georgia, 93% of their total 2016 turnout had cast ballots, based on Monday data from the two states. By Tuesday morning, nearly 64 million mail ballots have been received by elections officials and 35 million have voted in person. Thatโs 63% of the potential voters in the United States and 72% of the number of votes cast in 2016.
15% of Florida voters' ballots are in; 10% in Duval
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Democrats are outpacing Republican by a large margin in the surge of vote-by-mail ballots returned to Florida by Thursday. So far, Democrats are vastly outperforming Republicans in mail-in votes, with nearly 50% of the ballots returned so far vs. about 30% ballots from Republican voters and the rest split between NPA and smaller party voters. In Northeast Floridaโs largest counties, the percent of the mail ballots returned is slightly smaller, but the Democratic vote is outperforming their percentage of registered voters by party. โIโd rather have more voters to go after than just shifting when my voters vote. We know our voters are going to vote,โ Gruters said.
With 2.1 million ballots in, Florida leads nation in voting
That is more than votes received so far in California, Texas or any other large state. The Florida mix has Democrat in the lead with 49.8% of ballots received as of midday Thursday, 29.8% from Republicans and 19.2% from NPA voters. (United States Elections Project)Tap to see an interactive version of this mapVoting by mail has been underway in Florida and Georgia since last month. Florida opens early voting next Monday, although some counties donโt open their sites until later in the week. VOTERโS GUIDE: Races, issues on all the ballots in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia
3 weeks before Election Day, nearly 1.8 million Floridians have voted
Nearly 1.8 million Floridians had voted by mail as of Tuesday morning -- three weeks out from Election Day -- and half of the ballots have come in were from Democrats, according to the state Division of Elections. Another 336,768 ballots had been cast by unaffiliated voters, while third-party voters had cast 20,118. Another 3.8 million ballots have been mailed to voters who requested them but not yet returned. People can request mail ballots through Oct. 24 and must return them by 7 p.m. Nov. 3. Elections supervisors also will begin opening early-voting sites next week as another way to cast ballots before Election Day.
Record turnout for Georgiaโs early voting
There were problems in the stateโs largest early voting site -- 300 voting machines set up at State Farm Arena, where the Atlanta Hawks play -- but no problems were reported at early voting sites in Southeast Georgia. When Camden Countyโs early voting site in Kingsland opened at 8 a.m. Tuesday, a dozen people were already in line and the crowd remained steady through noon. There is at least one early voting location in each of the stateโs 159 counties. During early voting, people donโt go to their regular polling places for early voting. Instead, they can choose to go to their county registrarโs office or any other early voting location established by county election boards.
Duval County voting equipment passes public test
A normal step in election voting scrutiny took place Friday in Duval County as the Supervisor of Elections Office held a public test of voting equipment to make sure the machines are processing and counting votes correctly. In this random test of voting equipment, the ballots are fed into tabulating machines. As part of the test, some ballots have been marked incorrectly, such as votes for one than one person in a race. City Councilwoman Joyce Morgan and other members of Duval Countyโs Election Canvassing Board were also observing the test. The real test of the machines will be election day when thereโs an expected record turnout.
How to track your ballot, make sure it counts
Every Floridian who mails their ballot in the 2020 election can follow their ballot along its path to being counted. We should be able to track our ballots.โOnline tracking of your ballot is available in all 67 Florida counties. Once you are logged in, go to โMy Upcoming Electionsโ and look for your ballot status. Voters like Jacquelyn Bennet told News4Jax that knowing that their ballot counts encourages them to make their voices heard. If youโve mailed your ballot and itโs still not showing as received after a reasonable period of time, you can request a new ballot or vote in person.
Will your ballot arrive on time? I-TEAM puts USPS to the test before Election Day
Postal Service to handle whatโs expected to be historic numbers of mail-in ballots for the Nov. 3 election, the I-TEAM is putting USPS to the test. Our investigative team spent four weeks performing an experiment that is exposing some flaws within the postal system โ specifically damaged mail. Damaged mailDuring our experiment, six of the 96 letters we mailed arrived damaged. Florida Association of Letter Carrier President Al Friedman told the I-TEAM mail sent from a blue mailbox has a higher chance of being damaged based on the condition of the blue mailbox. The I-TEAM asked USPS to let us inside one of its mail processing centers to show us how theyโll handle election mail but the agency denied our request.
Voters in Florida and Georgia have until Oct. 5 to register
Voters in Florida and Georgia have until Oct. 5 to registerPublished: October 1, 2020, 6:38 pmThere are several ways to complete voter registration, Clay County Supervisor of Elections said itโs a quick process that can be done by filling out a few lines of information.
Sign up to vote on National Registration Day
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ If you search anything on Google on Tuesday or open your social media feed, youโll be reminded it is National Voter Registration Day, a massive cross-country effort to register voters in time for Election Day this November. This is in addition to a barrage of flyers in your mailbox, emails and even text messages urging your to register to vote. 1 in 4 people aren't registeredFounded in 2012, National Voter Registration Day is designed to create an annual moment when the entire nation focuses on registering Americans to exercise their most basic right -- the right to vote. Nearly 3 million Americans have registered to vote on the holiday since the inaugural National Voter Registration Day in 2012. THE RULES: Florida | GeorgiaREGISTER ONLINE: Florida | Georgia
A state-by-state breakdown: Exactly how the nation is handling voting, early voting
Really -- did you realize, in some areas, early voting begins in the next week? Some areas have opted out of in-person voting altogether -- Connecticut, Mississippi and South Carolina, to name a few -- but many are still encouraging early voting. People are opting to vote early โ where theyโre able โ due to factors including coronavirus fears and doubts about the reliability of voting by mail. As more people are interested in voting by mail, only about 30% say they are โvery confidentโ their mail-in vote will be counted accurately, according to the poll. Below is a breakdown of how voting is being handled in each state across the U.S.Scroll over the map below to see which states are opening early voting.
All voters vote amendment getting pushback
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. One of several amendments Florida voters will see on their general election ballot will be one labeled All Voters Vote. Amendment 3 would allow every registered voter to cast their vote in a single primary election. In a previous interview, the All Voters Vote committee told us that the idea of two GOP candidates advancing to the general election ignores reality. Theyre forgetting about 3.7 million voters who are nonparty affiliates who couldnt have voted in those primaries, said Glen Burhans of All Voters Vote. So far there has been little organized opposition to All Voters Vote.
Jaguars kick off โGet in the Gameโ voter drive
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Come November, the Jacksonville Jaguars donโt want anyone sitting on the sidelines. The franchise is launching โGet in the Game,โ an organization-wide voter registration drive that kicks off Tuesday with the goal of motivating fans to register to vote and get more involved in the community. In the first half of the campaign, Jaguars players and coaches are calling for fans to register to vote before Oct. 5. Once the deadline passes, the messaging will pivot toward encouraging voter turnout ahead of the general election in November. The team has also created a resource on its website containing details about voter registration and key deadlines.
A look at the gender gap when it comes to voting in presidential elections
Women wearing masks pose behind a voter registration table in Union Square as the city continues Phase 4 of re-opening following restrictions imposed to slow the spread of coronavirus on August 09, 2020 in New York City. Photo by Alexi RosenfeldAug. 18 marked the 100-year anniversary of the 19th Amendment being ratified, which changed elections forever. The 19th Amendment prohibits the state and federal government from denying the right of citizens to vote based on sex -- meaning, women became eligible to vote after previous years of discrimination at the polls. Since 1980, more women have voted in each presidential election than men, according to Statista. So, how much of a gap has there been between women and men voters in each presidential election of the century?
Worried about whether your vote will count? Hereโs how to submit a ballot without using the mail
Restrictions and types of early voting vary by state, but 40 states and the District of Columbia do offer some form of early voting. Turning in ballots at a local election office or polling locationJust about every state allows voters to bring ballots in person to turn them in at local election offices. If youโre not close to a local election office to turn in a ballot, some states allow ballots to be turned in to alternate locations or the polling locations. New Hampshire and Vermont allow voters to return ballots to a polling place. Drop boxesThese are special containers that allow voters to drop off absentee or mail-in ballots in sealed envelopes.
President Trump encourages Floridians to vote by mail
Whether you call it Vote by Mail or Absentee Voting, in Florida the election system is Safe and Secure, Tried and True, Trump wrote. With Universal Mail-In Voting (not Absentee Voting, which is good), 2020 will be the most INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT Election in history, Trump tweeted. ?Trump appeared to be singling out states that have decided to send mail-in ballots or applications to all registered voters. In contrast, Floridians have to request mail-in ballots. Among other things, the plaintiffs asked to extend a deadline for mail-in ballots to be returned.
Itโs the last day to register to vote, change party or address before Florida primary
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Floridians face a Monday deadline to register to vote in next monthโs primary elections. Also, voters will cast ballots in local races, many of which are nonpartisan. Among the high-profile local races that may be settled in the August primary this year are competitive sheriffโs contests in Clay and St. Johns counties. There are lots of races that are for everybody.โVoters who want to switch party affiliations or change their address also must make the changes by Monday. Statewide voter turnout during the 2018 primary elections was just 27%.
Registration to vote in Floridaโs primary closes Monday
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. โ Florida residents face a Monday deadline to register to vote in next monthโs primary elections. The Aug. 18 ballots in most counties will include partisan primaries for congressional and legislative seats. Also, voters will cast ballots in local races, many of which are nonpartisan. โThere is a lot of thought out there and misconception that since it is a primary election, only Democrats and Republicans are allowed to vote,โ Leon County Supervisor of Elections Mark Earley said. Statewide voter turnout during the 2018 primary elections was just 27%.
Lawsuit seeks mail ballots for every Florida voter
The lawsuit comes as a poll by a group calling itself Secure Democracy found overwhelming national support for everyone getting a mail ballot. And in-person voting is going to look different, said Hillsborough County Elections Supervisor Craig Latimer, who also serves as President of the Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections. Most voters are already getting cards asking if they want a mail ballot. They want more days of early voting and longer times to mail and process ballots. Additionally, we agree with the assessment of the Florida Supervisors of Elections Association to increase early voting to three weeks to ensure proper social distancing.
Did you vote early and your candidate of choice has since dropped out? In Florida, youโre out of luck
Many people in Florida opted in for early voting, possibly to skip the long lines on primary day or for a whole slew of other reasons. But what are you supposed to do if you voted early for a candidate who has already dropped out -- before Floridaโs primary on March 17? And anyone who votes for that person will have his or her vote count -- as in, a vote for that candidate. Many states follow this same rule, but there are a few places that will let you have a re-do if your candidate dropped out before the primary. As you can see from this primary alone, many candidates drop out right before or directly after the juggernaut primary day.
500,000 votes already cast in Floridaโs presidential primary
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ More than 500,000 Floridians, or about a quarter of the 2.07 million who have requested mail-in ballots, have already cast votes in the March 17 presidential primary elections, according to numbers posted midday Friday by the state Division of Elections. Early voting begins March 2 in Duval County and by the end of that week throughout Florida. With four Republicans on the ballot, including President Donald Trump, GOP voters had returned 325,607 of 964,327 requested ballots. Democrats, with a larger field, had seen 183,538 ballots cast from 1.06 million requested ballots, as some party officials have advised people against voting too early. Another 6,760 ballots had been cast by people without a party affiliation or who are registered with third parties.
Why so many differences? Breaking down the ballot process in the U.S.
These are the types of voting ballots and equipment used throughout the country, according to Ballotpedia:โข Optical Scan Paper Ballot Systems: Voters mark their votes by filling in an oval, box, or similar shape on a paper ballot. Paper ballots are later scanned either at the polling place or at a central location. โข Ballot Marking Devices and Systems: These systems are designed to help disabled voters who might be unable to vote using other methods. Rather than recording the vote into the computerโs memory, the ballot is instead marked on paper and later tabulated manually. โข Punch Card Voting Systems: These devices employ a paper card and a small clipboard device.