Florida Governor candidates stop by Jacksonville before early voting begins in NE FL

Both candidates for Florida Governor made stops in Jacksonville days before early voting is set to begin in Duval County. Both made appearances in downtown Thursday evening to get their message out. Democrat Andrew Gillum talked with our news partners Action News Jax and said its going to be a close race.

“We’re treating ever single Floridian with respect, whether they have an “R” behind their name, a “D”, an “I” or “No Party Affiliate”, I want to be their governor too.” Gillum said.

Gillum also spoke about the importance of getting out to vote in this election.

“The one who wins is the one who gets one more vote. Its my job to go out there and get that one more vote and that vote may come from anywhere.” Gillum said.

Republican Ron DeSantis spoke at the Veterans Memorial Arena and said he wants to continue to grow Florida’s economy.

“I’m going to continue good policies, we’ll expand and we’ll build off what’s worked and we’ll make Florida the best place to be for economic activity and job creation.” DeSantis said.

DeSantis also said Northeast Florida is important for his election chances.

“We need your help to be making sure we get the vote out and making sure anyone who voted for The President, uh, needs to come out and vote on this midterm election.” DeSantis said.

Both DeSantis and Gillum are scheduled to share the stage this Sunday night for a debate in Tampa.

The candidates made these appearances days before early voting is set to start  across Northeast Florida. Early voting is set to start in Duval County this Monday and run through November 4th the supervisor of elections office says. The supervisor of elections office in St. Johns County says early voting will start this upcoming Wednesday and go until November 3rd. The Clay and Nassau counties supervisor of elections offices say both their early voting starts next Friday and will go until November 3rd. The Baker County Supervisor of Elections Office says their early voting period will start this Thursday and run until November 3rd.

Political analysis say this years turnout is expected to be higher than normal for the midterms. In St. Johns County, Supervisor of Elections Vickey Oakes says they are expected nearly 60% turn out for this election.

“I know that’s a little high for our average gubernatorial, which is usually about 52-54 percent.” Oakes says.

Meanwhile in Duval County, Supervisor of Elections Mike Hogan says they county is expecting close to 56% turnout, which he says is much higher than the previous mid term election. In Clay County their supervisor of elections, Chris Chambless, says they are seeing a presidential election year like amount of mail in ballots this election year.

“We’ve had nearly 29,000 vote-by-mail ballots requested. That is extremely high.” Chambless says.

All of the supervisors of elections agree, no matter when you vote, whether its early or on election day, you should be prepared when you go to the polls to help save time.

For more information on early voting and what you need to know before you vote in your county you can go to NorthFloridavotes.com.