Central Florida counties see record early voting numbers, could lead to less election-night stress for officials

In a year with a lot of anxious voters, elections supervisors say they’re grateful so many are voting early in person or by mail.

That way, it gives them more time to fix mistakes made by voters and even their offices.

And on election night, when the entire nation could be looking to Florida for results, officials told Channel 9′s Deanna Allbrittin that early voting will ease election night stress, even though it’s straining resources now.

READ: Seminole County voter turnout this year could surpass 2016, early data suggests

Seminole County is the only county in Central Florida that hasn’t already received more vote-by-mail ballots this year than in 2016.

Flagler County has nearly doubled its 2016 total. And in Osceola County, early voting has taken off – as of Thursday morning, 18,760 people had voted early in Osceola County.

READ: President Trump returns to Central Florida Friday for third rally this month

Osceola County has been averaging more than 6,200 early voters a day, almost 2,000 more than the 2016 average.

Lake, Brevard and Marion counties are on pace to surpass their 2016 totals even more quickly.

READ: Ballot in plastic baggie caused brief Orange County Supervisor of Elections Office evacuation

At the Orange County Supervisor of Elections, the 24/7 drop box is being watched by a security guard. That security measure was recommended last-minute by Florida’s Secretary of State, and one that has gained traction in other states after someone set a California drop box on fire.

Cox Media Group