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Last chance to vote early is this weekend, school board races to be decided

, Fla. — Early voting will wrap up this weekend for the 2022 primary elections in Florida — and for some, the elections entirely.

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While Florida has a closed primary system in which party voters alone get to choose the candidates who appear on the ballot in November, nonpartisan races like school board members and judges, and the Orange County mayor’s race are open to anyone. If any candidate in those races wins a majority of the votes, they will win the seat outright.

So far, those positions are set to be chosen by a minority of voters. As of 5:30 p.m. Thursday, turnout in some Central Florida counties had not cracked 10%. During the 2018 primary, the statewide turnout was only 27%.

READ: Early voting down in Florida primary, data shows

Here are the latest county-by-county turnout statistics:

  • Sumter 26.6%
  • Flagler 18.5%
  • Volusia 15.2%
  • Brevard 12.9%
  • Marion 12%
  • Seminole: 10.4%
  • Osceola 10.3%
  • Orange 9.8%
  • Lake 9.4%

Voters still have a few days left to cast their ballots ahead of election day. Mail-in ballots will be counted as long as they make it to the elections office by 7 p.m. Tuesday, whether it’s by mail, drop box or submitting it in person.

READ: Early voting for primary election underway in all Central Florida counties

Those who wish to vote early in person have two or three days left to do so, depending on the county they live in. Most counties allow voters to cast their ballot at any early voting site.

  • Orange County: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday
  • Seminole County: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday
  • Osceola County: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday
  • Lake County: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday
  • Brevard County: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
  • Volusia County: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday
  • Marion County: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday
  • Sumter County: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday
  • Flagler County: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday for Election Day. Anyone waiting in line when polls close will be allowed to cast a ballot.

READ: All Central Florida school boards have made a national conservative watchlist. Here’s why.

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