JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It looks like a typical Sunday barbeque, but many turned out at the 'Souls for the Polls' event in Northwest Jacksonville to promote fellowship and early voting.
Many voters told News4JAX the 2016 election is about more than just the next President.
"It's important to me because my future and my grandchildrens' future is at stake," said voter Eunice Myers. "We need someone to protect us and help make a better future for ourselves."
Myers is one of many residents who votered early to have a say in who will become our next political leaders. It was a part of that 'Souls to the Polls' event at Good Shepard Christian Academy.
The event is aimed at increasing the voter turnout rate, particularly among African American voters. The gathering also comes at a time when presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, as well as their teams, have been aggressively campaining in Florida.
Donald Trump Jr. stopped outside EverBank Field on Saturday to tailgate at the Georgia-Florida game, campaigning for his father. Ahead on Thursday, President Obama is expected to be in the River City campaigning on behalf of Clinton.
Meanwhile, locally, Myers hopes her vote and others will make the difference she wants to see.
"I hope it goes to help people get betters schools, better jobs, better infrastructure and better health care," she said.
The next 'Souls to the Polls' event is scheduled for November 6th at two locations: the Lonnie C Miller Park and Legends Community Center. Those events run from noon until 5 p.m.