Long lines reported as Manatee County rushes the polls on first day of early voting
Ready to exercise their rights and make their voices heard, voters surged polling locations on the first day of early voting in Manatee County.
A line of nearly 100 people had formed outside of the Supervisor of Elections Office, near DeSoto Square Mall, by 9 a.m. Monday. Voters showed up in numbers at the Palmetto Library and the Manatee Utilities Department in West Bradenton, as well. It’s the busiest day of early voting that Manatee Supervisor of Elections Michael Bennett has ever seen.
“It’s a zoo. I don’t think people realize we have 13 more days of it,” Bennett said, referring to long lines throughout all of the early voting sites. “People are voting. That part is good, but I certainly did not expect these lines.”
“If people keep this up, we’re going to have a record turnout,” he continued.
As of Monday afternoon, more than 3,700 voters had participated in early voting, according to Bennett’s office. Combined with vote-by-mail ballots, more than 22 percent of Manatee’s voters had already cast their votes before Election Day.
In interviews with the Bradenton Herald, several voters said they chose to vote in person to make sure their vote is counted, casting doubt on vote-by-mail ballots.
“I don’t like that vote by mail stuff,” said East Manatee voter Darlene Jackson, who stood near the end of the line outside the main election office. “I want to put it in there myself, personally.”
“I didn’t vote by mail. I would rather vote in person to make sure it gets there,” said Sherita Holloman, of Palmetto.
Bennett has pushed mail-in ballots as a safety precaution against COVID-19, and has vouched for the system as a safe and secure voting method. According to Bennett’s office, vote-by-mail is having a record year in Manatee. More than 57,000 people have already cast their ballots that way.
Voters agreed that this year’s presidential election could represent a monumental shift in society.
Holloman, a Vice President Joe Biden voter, said she hopes her ballot will lead to a less divided country.
“I hope there’s a change. There’s a lot happening these days that’s not right. We need someone to stand up and do what’s right,” she said. “I hope we can all come together. It is needed. It’s much-needed.”
Others said they would prefer a president with conservative values.
“To me, it’s the difference between a socialist and a Republican government,” said Palmetto resident Jay Pearce, who voted for President Donald Trump. “I studied Russian history, and I think Democrats are trending toward socialism.”
“I would have to say it’s the economy,” Robert Porello, of Bradenton, responded when asked about his biggest concern this election cycle. “I liked the way it was going before COVID.”
No matter the results after Election Day, the impact is likely the resonate for decades to come, said East Bradenton voter Keith Warren.
“This will affect future generations — my kids, my grandkids,” Warren said. “Every generation has a pivotal moment. I feel like this election is on the forefront of that.”
Early voting runs 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. every day until Nov. 1 at these six locations:
- Florida Department of Transportation Office, 14000 State Road 64 E., Bradenton
- Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch
- Manatee County Utilities Administration Office, 4410 66th St. W., Bradenton
- Palmetto Library, 923 Sixth St. W., Palmetto
- Rocky Bluff Library, 6750 U.S. Hwy. 301, Ellenton
- Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office, 600 301 Blvd. W., Bradenton
Voters also can drop off their filled-in ballots if they had received them by mail.
You must provide a current and valid photo identification with a signature in order to vote.
This story was originally published October 19, 2020 at 12:44 PM.
