ORLANDO, Fla. – In a recent discussion, five Central Florida election supervisors addressed a range of concerns about the upcoming election, including polling place accessibility and the potential impact of hand-counting ballots.
With significant experience under their belts, these supervisors shared insights into how they are preparing for the challenges ahead.
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Poll Worker Challenges and Hand Counting
When asked how they would handle a mandate to count ballots by hand, Mary Jane Arrington from Osceola County pointed out the difficulties it would present.
“I don’t know when we would have a total, maybe July. And would they be accurate?” she questioned, highlighting the complexity of multiple races on the ballot.
Alan Hays of Lake County was more direct: “If they make hand counting mandatory, I will leave. I’m not going to be affiliated with anything that prone to mistake.”
Polling Place Accessibility
Another major concern for the supervisors was the availability of polling locations.
Chris Anderson from Seminole County pointed out that “no one builds a polling location for us,” and praised the partnerships with various venues that allow elections to run smoothly.
However, he and his colleagues noted that new developments often outpace the creation of suitable polling sites.
Arrington referred to certain areas as “polling place deserts,” particularly in rapidly growing sections of Osceola County.
Glen Gilzean, Orange County’s supervisor, emphasized the importance of early voting and vote-by-mail options.
“We expanded early voting and added two additional sites to combat the voting deserts in the community,” he said.
Gilzean also urged voters to take advantage of these options to avoid long lines on Election Day.
Encouraging Voter Participation
The supervisors collectively encouraged voters to participate in any way that works for them.
“Make a plan,” they advised, reminding voters of the three easy and convenient ways to cast their ballots: in-person, early voting, and mail-in ballots.
“It is your vote and your voice, and you need to use it,” they emphasized.
Lisa Lewis of Volusia County added, “No matter how you choose to vote, it is your right.”
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