Jacksonville, Florida — Clay County Supervisor of Elections, Chris Chambless says there’s a strong early voting turnout this year.
So far in Clay County, mail-in ballots and early voter turnout is higher than in previous primaries, according to Chambless.
“We have seven early voting locations in Clay County for our 161,000-plus voters,” Chambless says. “We’re on track to eclipse the number in the last gubernatorial primary, so thus far, I believe that we’re slightly ahead of the game.”
Clay County’s early voting sites will close at 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 20th.
Chambless says the voting sites are running smoothly with no wait times and that the strong early voting turnout is only half of the equation when it comes to this primary election.
All of the early ballots are loaded into the tabulation machines and will be ready to be counted at 7 p.m. Tuesday night.
He credits the fact that Clay County sent out sample ballots to residents to help voters investigate candidates and make an educated vote.
“In the spirit of voter education that it will bode well for that voter to have that information in advance, so they can do their due diligence,” he says.
Chambless says that the election day voting sites in Clay County are equipped and ready to withstand a 100-percent voter turnout, however, historically primaries usually turn out 30 percent of the population.
He says that all 48 voting locations across his county are ready for election day.
Chambless says that the official counting of ballots will begin as soon as the polls close on election night.
“So we will be in a position at 7 p.m. that all of the early voting numbers will be published and available,” he says.
Chambless says that voters, who enjoy the spirit of election day can expect a smooth process from start to finish, as well as quick results after polls close in clay county.
“For the election purist, the individuals that really look at a community involvement, then election day is your day, and we have 48 locations across the county that are designed to meet your community needs,” Chambless says. ”And so we have everything in place - we’re just waiting on you.”
As the Supervisor of Elections, Chambless is confident in his team and their readiness for Clay County voters.
He adds, “We believe that it’s a very quick and efficient process here in Clay County, and we expect to have nothing but a smooth election.”