TAVARES, Fla. — Early voting is underway across most of Florida, and in Lake County, turnout for the first two days of the 2024 presidential election has already exceeded numbers from the last election.

The consensus from voters seems to be that they’re looking forward to voting in this election.

Supervisor of Elections Alan Hays said the turnout is encouraging, since Lake County already saw some record-breaking numbers on the second day of early voting. 

What You Need To Know

  • Early voting in Lake County runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Nov. 2

  • Lake County’s early voter turnout for the first two days of the 2024 presidential election has already exceeded last election numbers

  • More than 18,000 Lake County residents voted early on Monday and Tuesday combined

Out of the 255,000 registered Lake County voters, more than 18,000 cast their ballots Monday and Tuesday combined.

However, Hays said it’s too early to tell how the first two days of voting will impact this year’s election.

“But everybody knows that has been listening to anything pertaining to elections that this year’s generated a whole lot of interest on both parties,” he said.

Lake County is predominantly Republican, making up 48% of all voters. Democrats and no-party-affiliation voters account for 49% of the voters combined.

Despite that, Hays said what matters the most in the end is that everyone makes their voices heard between now and Nov. 5.

“I want everybody that can vote to come out and vote," he said. "We have prepared what we think is basically a banquet table. And we hope they come and partake in the services that were here to provide for them."

Shawn Haag and his wife came to take advantage of those services on Tuesday afternoon. 

"We wanted to make sure that our vote had to be counted this year," he said. "It’s a very important year to vote for everybody and likewise my wife is handicapped.”

Haag said he felt a responsibility to make his voice heard since he doesn’t feel the country is going in the right direction. 

Lake County voter Joni Morrison echoed Haag's sentiment, saying she wanted to cast her vote in person because she is skeptical of mail-in voting. 

“I’m just hoping everybody will get out and vote," she said. "Whether Democrat or Republican, we all need to vote and have our voices heard."

Hays reminded voters to allocate some extra time if they plan to vote in person, because this year’s ballots are longer than usual due to the six statewide constitutional amendments, as well as a Lake County referendum, and several municipal ballot initiatives for cities and towns across the county.

Haag and Morrison both said the early voting process was smooth sailing and easy to navigate.  

“In my interaction with the people in line, they are very accommodating, very understanding and they appreciate the cool weather,” Hays said.

The deadline to request vote-by-mail ballots for this upcoming election is Thursday, Oct. 24, at 5 p.m.

Early voting in Lake County runs through Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the following 12 early voting locations:

Cagan Crossings Library
16729 Cagan Oaks
Clermont, FL 34714

Clermont Arts & Recreation
3700 S HWY 27
Clermont, FL 34711

Cooper Memorial Library
2525 Oakley Seaver Dr.
Clermont, FL 34711

Eustis Service Center
301 W. Ward Ave.
Eustis Fl 32726

Lady Lake Community Bldg
237 W. Guava St.
Lady Lake, FL 32159

Lake County Ag Center
1951 Woodlea Road
Tavares, FL 32778

Minneola City Hall
800 US-27
Minneola, FL 34715

Sorrento Church of God
31605 Orange St.
Sorrento, FL 32776

Southside Umatilla Community Center
17107 Ball Park Road
Umatilla, FL 32784

Supervisor of Elections Office
1898 E. Burleigh Blvd.
Tavares, FL 32778

The Venetian Center
1 Dozier Circle
Leesburg, FL 34748

W.T. Bland Public Library
1995 N. Donnelly St.
Mt. Dora, FL 32757