Central Florida Decides: 2022 early voting turnout lower than 2018 totals

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — With one week left before election day, election officials say voter turnout has been far lower than at the same point in the previous midterm elections.

So far in 2022, the number of people casting their ballot early is far lower than at this same time in 2018.

Orange County Supervisor of Elections Bill Cowles said while people have been trickling in to vote, turnout is off by about 20,000 from what the county had this time in 2018.

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Read: Florida Election Day 2022: Critical deadlines you need to know

“We’re about 20,000 less than what we had in the midterm elections in 2018,” Cowles said.

As of Monday, more than 107,000 ballots have been received, with about 55,000 coming from early voting.

Cowles said the lower numbers could be because of what’s on the ballot.

Read: Here are the statewide elections on Florida ballots

“Either the voters aren’t responding to the candidates and the issues or waiting to make up their minds on Election Day,” he said.

Cowles said while numbers may be behind right now, that doesn’t mean they can’t catch up.

Read: Here are the candidates for Central Florida state senate, representative races

“Early voting is an indication of our lifestyle and our work schedules and all. In some ways, it’s hard to predict why people early voting instead,” he said.

It’s not just in Orange County either.

In Seminole County, officials say less than 7% of voters have cast their ballot in person.

The last day to cast your ballot in Florida is Tuesday, Nov. 8.

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