Voting Booths Source: TFP File Photo

Hillsborough Supervisor Of Elections Says He’s “A Little Disappointed” In Early Voter Turnout

After a week of Early Voting, Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer wants to remind voters that their time to cast a ballot is running out.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – After a week of Early Voting, Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer wants to remind voters that their time to cast a ballot is running out.

“This is a long ballot with three constitutional amendments, and if voters wait until the last minute to vote we could have lines on Election Day,” said Supervisor Latimer.

Hillsborough County’s unofficial turnout to date, which includes Vote By Mail and in-person Early Voting, is lower than it was at this time in the 2018 midterm General Election. 

As of Sunday evening, the unofficial turnout for the 2022 General Election was 19.69%. In 2018, the unofficial turnout at the same point was just over 22%. 

“Frankly, I’m a little disappointed with the turnout so far, so I am working to make sure voters know about the convenience of Early Voting,” said Supervisor Latimer.

During the Early Voting period, voters can choose the location and day that is best for them. Hillsborough County voters can vote in any of 26 Early Voting sites open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day through Sunday, November 6th.

Latimer’s office says if there are several locations that are convenient to them, they can check the wait times at VoteHillsborough.gov before choosing where to go. Voters who requested a Vote By Mail ballot can drop their voted mail ballot off at those sites, as well.

“On Election Day, you don’t have a choice anymore,” said Supervisor Latimer. “You must vote near your residence in the polling place assigned to your precinct. And if it’s busy, you have to wait.”

Statewide, more than 2.77 million Florida voters had cast ballots as of Monday morning, with registered Republicans outpacing Democrats, according to data posted on the state Division of Elections website.

The data showed that 1,907,420 people had voted by mail, while 866,784 had cast ballots at early voting sites. Republicans had cast 1.173 million ballots, while Democrats had cast about 1.077 million.

About 486,000 had been cast by unaffiliated voters, with the rest from third-party voters. Jefferson County Supervisor of Elections Tyler McNeill said he expects more than half of all votes to be cast before the Nov. 8 election.

“It’s a great opportunity for the county to come in and vote early, for people that have not yet voted by mail or would rather accomplish voting before Election Day,” McNeill said.

All counties are required to offer early voting through Saturday, with 18 extending early voting to Sunday. In total, Florida has slightly more than 14.5 million registered voters.

Hillsborough County voters can go to the 2022 General Election page at VoteHillsborough.gov to look up their sample ballot, make their voting decisions in advance, and consider their options for where and when they can cast their ballot.

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