Alachua County brings out roughly 50% voter turnout before polls close

Election Day brought out tens of thousands of voters from across Alachua County Tuesday to cast their ballot in a series of races that include the race for governor, county commission and a referendum that would reshape how officials are elected.

The Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Office reported approximately 50% of voters had cast a ballot as of 6 p.m., with more than 50,000 voting by mail or early.

More than 30,000 people showed up on Tuesday.

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Gregory Jones, a 72-year-old retired professor from Santa Fe College, popped into the Thomas Center in Gainesville to cast what he called the longest ballot he's seen in his 50 years of voting.

He said the most important issues on the ballot to him were voting for county commissioners, the single-member districts and supporting the Wild Spaces Public Places sales tax.

“I think that’s so important to the character of this city because we’ve always treasured our green space ... It’s always been such a treasurer for this county to do great things," said Jones, who added he voted against the judges appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

DeSantis' challenger, Charlie Crist, is expected to carry the Gainesville region but is projected to lose by double percentage points.

Data shows that more than 45,000 Democrats voted, compared to about 29,000 Republicans. More than 15,000 non-party or other affiliations also cast ballots.

Sam Wesley II, a 63-year-old local business owner who voted at the T.B. McPherson Recreation Center in Gainesville, said he showed up on Election Day because it was his civic responsibility. He said he gave his "I voted" sticker to his grandson.

"Historically, my grandfather was in World War I and he wasn't allowed to vote," said Wesley, an independent who added abortion rights were one of the most important issues this election.

University of Florida

Students took to the polls around the University of Florida, showing a mix of political views.

Jessie Wolfkill, a 20-year-old UF senior studying animal sciences, voted at the Florida Museum of Natural on UF's campus. She said the issues she felt were most important had a lot to do with abortion and the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act, HB 1557, commonly referred to by opponents as the "Don't say gay" bill.

"Local politics are really important ... voting for our mayor and the people who run our commission board are important," she said. "I feel like when I vote locally it has more of an impact. It makes me feel more connected to the community when I vote for who is running our city."

But not everyone had an easy time casting a ballot.

Alexander Kapke, a 20-year-old UF junior studying business, said he tried to vote at the J. Wayne Reitz Union but was told he was at the wrong precinct, an issue commonly seen around the county due to redistricting.

"I thought that was kind of annoying even though I'm registered in Alachua county," he said. "I show up for Election Day to vote at a polling place and it's not like my polling place."

"I've heard people on the left discuss voting rights and voting accessibility and I've never really felt like it was difficult to vote, but this was kind of an instance where it's like 'Man, that's a dumb law.' I really think people should be able to vote in any place in the county."

For up-to-date results and post-election articles and interviews with candidates, visit Gainesville.com.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Alachua County pulls roughly 50% turnout on Election Day