JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Early voting in Duval County came to a close Sunday night, and it ended with a bang.
Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland said the county broke the early voting turnout record by more than 20,000 voters.
Many voters tried to squeeze in before the early voting locations locked the doors, like at the Argyle Branch Library, where the line stretched out the door.
“I felt compelled to fulfill my duty as a lawful citizen," said Dominic Nyanfor as he put on his "I Voted" sticker.
Nyanfor figured going to cast his ballot at the tail end of early voting would help him avoid the Election Day lines.
However, he quickly learned he wasn’t the only one who thought that.
“After church, I came by here," said Nyanfor. "Lines were long, but I stepped right in, held on until the very end, and now, I’ve voted.”
Nyanfor said it took him and his wife about an hour to get through the line that extended out of the Argyle Branch Library, down the sidewalk and around the corner.
About 55% of all registered voters in Duval County already cast their ballot by either early voting or mail-in.
Holland said that puts the county on a good trajectory heading into Election Day Tuesday.
“The record in the last 20 years on a percentage has been 77%," said Holland. "I think we’re going to be really close to that. That was back in 2008.”
Holland said there will be one big difference between early voting, where the Express vote machines were the default, and Election Day.
“We will have your ballot for you," said Holland. "So, you won’t be voting on the express vote unless you need that for some reason. There will be one in each location, but we’ll have preprinted ballots at the precinct location.”
Nyanfor is relieved he already fulfilled his civic duty.
“I can just get it over with so I don’t have to deal with what’s expected Tuesday," said Nyanfor. "I admire the process, and I like that people are turning out to be a part of this process.”
Holland recommended voters bring their sample ballots with them, considering this is such a long ballot with some lengthy amendments, that way they can do their research and have it to refer to.