CLAY COUNTY – While the number of voters usually drop significantly during the mid-term election cycle, Supervisor of Elections Chris Chambless said results from early voting have clearly defied the past.

By Thursday, 40,693 Clay County registered voters – 26.06% – have already cast a ballot. Of those, 11,837 were sent by mail and 28,849 voted in person during the first four days at one of seven locations. Polls are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Saturday, Oct. 31.

Of those, 23,323 were registered Republicans, 10,856 were Democrats and 6,514 either listed no party affiliation or a third party.

Only 70.03% - 11,837 of 16,903 - of requested mail-in ballots had been received by the close of business last Tuesday. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked or returned by 7 p.m. on Nov. 3.

The busiest precincts have been the Florida Health Department-Clay on Fleming Island (6,030 ballots), Orange Park Library (5,942) and the Middleburg Civic Center (4,840). Other early sites include the Eagle Landing Residents Club in Oakleaf, Keystone Heights City Hall, Supervisor of Elections Office in Green Cove Springs and the Thrasher-Horne Center in Orange Park.

“We’re seeing right now is probably double what we normally see in a gubernatorial early voting election,” Chambless said. “We don’t know if it’s a trend yet, but so far, it’s very strong.”

Compared to the 2022 mid-term election, 21,829 ballots were received in the mail and 31,673 voted early. More impressively, with three days to go in early voting, the number of ballots already cast was only 12,809 fewer than in all of 2022. With an average of 678 voters an hour, and with 5,066 mail-in ballots still unreturned, this year's mid-term is on schedule to break all records.

Although the presidency isn’t on the ballot, voters still will decide on the next governor, chief financial officer, attorney general, commissioner of agriculture, U.S. senate, U.S. representative, state senator, whether four state judges be retained, three statewide constitutional amendments, including Amendment III which would increase the amount of homestead exemptions, and two local referendums.

The Clay County Board of Commissioners held a budget forum during its regular meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 27, to walk through some of the challenges the county could potentially see if Amendment III does pass with 60% of votes. That included cuts on crucial election and public safety services. You can read more about this topic at claytodayonline.com.

Locally, Seat 2 on the Board of County Commission will be decided between Lolita Smoak and Leroy Edwards, and four seats are up for grabs on Community Development Districts boards.

While any registered voter can cast a ballot at any of the seven early voting precincts, on Election Day, voters can only attend their specified precinct. To find your precinct, visit clayelections.gov.