SANFORD, Fla. — Early voting for the Aug. 20 primary election began Saturday across several area counties, including Seminole County.

Local officials say they are prepared for the election season, which will also include the upcoming presidential election in November.

What You Need To Know

  • Early voting in Florida Primary election now underway in Central Florida counties  

  • Seminole County has over 364,500 registered voters eligible to vote in the Florida primary

  • Early voting in Seminole County will continue through August 17, with seven locations open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Chris Anderson said the county has made significant preparations, including securing votes for the Florida primary and adding new precinct locations to accommodate population growth.

Since Anderson took office, the number of registered voters in Seminole County has increased. The county now has over 364,500 registered voters eligible to vote in the Florida primary. However, Anderson noted that, historically, 75% of registered voters do not participate in the primaries.

“If you want to have a say in November, you need to exercise your right in August,” Anderson said. “A lot of what's going to be on your Florida primary ballot in August will influence what will be on the ballot in November.”

Anderson also highlighted that the county has seen tremendous population growth since 2020, leading to changes in some residents' voting precinct locations. He urged voters who have not cast a ballot since 2020 to verify their polling locations before Election Day.

“If you haven’t voted since 2020, your polling place might have changed,” Anderson said. “We had a 53.7% turnout in the general election of 2022, but we usually see a 78% to 80% turnout in presidential election years. That means close to 30% of our voting population hasn’t voted since 2020.”

Early voting in Seminole County will continue through Aug. 17, with seven locations open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. During early voting, residents can vote at any of these locations. However, on Election Day, voters must cast their ballots at their assigned precincts.

“It’s not my rule; it’s the state law that you vote at your assigned precinct,” Anderson emphasized.