DUVAL COUNTY, Fla. – Thousands of Duval County residents went out to cast their vote on Election Day.
Polls opened at 7 a.m., and as of 4:30 p.m., nearly 1,000 people had cast their ballot at the Ortega Methodist Church on Roosevelt Boulevard on Election Day, which is one of the highest numbers in Duval County.
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Voters told News4JAX that the voting process throughout the day had been “really simple” and only took a few minutes. Many were also excited to leave the site with their “I Voted” stickers.
News4JAX spoke with many voters, who were passionate about many issues, including the state of the economy, abortion rights, and the amendments on Florida’s ballot.
However, the most important subject on voters' minds was finding out who the next president of the United States is going to be.
Kellee Steeg, who voted on Election Day, said, “We’re just hoping for a good outcome here and hoping for a peaceful day.”
Liza Emmet also voted on Tuesday, and said voting is “very important.”
“It just feels like things are constantly changing in the democratic process. So, the more we continue to follow that action, I think it’s important. Every vote really does matter,” Emmet said.
Matt Worsham was asked which issues matter the most to him, saying, “The presidential election, obviously.” But he added that the constitutional amendments are important to him because he is an avid fisherman.
Shircliff Montgomery said voting is a “big part of being an American,” a sentiment echoed by Election Day voter Frank Surface.
“It’s really the most important right we have,” Surface said. “It’s definitely what helps us [differentiate] ourselves from other countries that don’t have the right.”
According to the Duval County Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holand, the unofficial voter turnout was 354,376 or 54.53% of active eligible voters.
Click here to follow the results in Duval County once they’re available.