From Staff Reports
What started as a public comment in January, will now become history on Tuesday.
For the first time in a mayoral election, Apopka will have an early voting site at the VFW/Apopka Community Center - open 7 am-7 pm March 1st-March 6th.
Leroy Bell, Chairman of the Apopka Area Concerned Citizen's Council, first brought up the idea of local early voting at the January 5th meeting of the Apopka City Council.
"We think this is the disenfranchisement of people that vote here in Apopka early because if you look at our exit polls," Bell told the Council. "It shows that a majority of low and moderate-income people, especially the elderly, vote early... because they don't want to get out and stand in long lines."
Two weeks later, the City Council voted 5-0 to open the early voting site.
The Orange County Supervisor of Elections estimates a cost of $21,196.16 to administer the early voting site for the six days (and 12 hours per day) leading up to the March 8th election.
Commissioner Kyle Becker, who is running for Mayor of Apopka against incumbent Bryan Nelson, was in full support, including extending the voting days to 12 hours.
"At the end of the day, let's maximize the opportunity for people to vote," he said. "Historically, speaking, only 20% of our electorate, [vote in] the City of Apopka elections. If we're statutorily allowed to get up to 12 hours per day, let's do it. Let's make this the most open civic process there is."
Commissioner Doug Bankson weighed the cost and agreed it was worth the investment.
"...This is what we're looking at to make it convenient for our voters. So it's adding a service to all of our citizens in our city. I think it's beneficial, I think in the climate of what we're dealing with today, this is a great way to bring us together. And I think I think it's a positive positive step."
"I'm always on my soapbox," said Commissioner Diane Velazquez, who is running for reelection of Seat #2. "Voting is so important. It is their voice. They have a say in the process. We have to make it available to them. I mean, I say it all the time, your voice, your power, your vote. But we have to make the process available to them."
2022 Apopka Election Information
Vote-By-Mail
To request a vote-by-mail ballot, track your ballot, or for more details on voting-by-mail, go here.
Early Voting
Early voting is at the Apopka Community Center (VFW) located at 519 S. Central Avenue, Apopka, FL 32703.
- Date: Tuesday, March 1st, through Sunday, March 6th
- Time: 7 AM to 7 PM
Early voting will also be held at Orange County Supervisor of Elections located at 119 W. Kaley Street, Orlando, FL 32806.
- Date: Monday, February 28th, through Friday, March 4th
- Time: 8 AM to 5 PM
Election Day
Voters should go to their assigned polling location on Election Day on Tuesday, March 8th.
There are two locations, please visit the Orange County Supervisor of Elections to view your assigned polling location.
