CLAY COUNTY – Early voting began Friday in Clay County ahead of the Nov. 8 election with a number of key issues on the ballot.
Along with all the usual reminders about bringing a valid photo ID with a signature and double checking your precinct on election day, Clay County Supervisor of Elections Chris Chambless had another warning for voters.
“Oftentimes a lot of people are concealed weapons holders here in Florida and, unfortunately, you cannot take your concealed weapon into a polling location,” Chambless said during an interview Friday on The Morning Show.
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Chambless also encouraged voters to check EarlyVoteClay.com, which shows current wait times at all seven early voting locations in the county.
“In the day when you’re going to do your business, you can drive through a number of those sites, and cast your ballot. Make sure you have your photo and signature ID with you along with your sample ballot,” Chambless said. “Clay County is not known for lines, and so we really expect for it to be a great turnout. I know that Georgia to our north, they’ve had record turnout. And in the spirit of the Florida-Georgia game, let’s have record turnouts here in Florida as well.”
Mindful that voters have concerns about fraud, Chambless said measures are in place to ensure a fair election and ballot security.
“I think that there’s always been a great deal of scrutiny and that certainly has been ramping up for the past couple of years and last couple of months,” Chambless said. “But I think we’re always ever vigilant on it. From time to time, we make referrals to the state attorney for individuals to be looked at with regards to their voting processes.”
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Voters in the county will decide on whether to continue a one mill property tax that is already in place. The money is used for school security and shared between charter and non-charter facilities. If approved, it would start July 1 of next year and run through June 30 of 2027.
The ballot also includes a proposal to increase Clay County commissioners’ salaries to adjust for the cost of living. The salary for commissioners was set in 2008 and is lower than what’s allowed by Florida State Statute.
A third measure on the ballot would remove current term limits of three consecutive four-year terms. This would impact the sheriff, property appraiser, tax collector, clerk of court and supervisor of elections.
Early voting in Clay County runs through Saturday, Nov. 5. The seven early voting sites are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Drop-off boxes are only available during those hours as well. Saturday, Oct. 29, is the final day to request a vote-by-mail ballot.