More than three million Floridians have cast ballots before Election Day. State officials say the early returns could help push the state to a record for turnout in a midterm election.
Republicans lead Democrats by just more than a three percent margin in ballots already cast. And with polls showing the gubernatorial election a dead heat, the state could be headed for a recount in that race. But Secretary of State Ken Detzner says, Floridians should expect a smoother process than during the infamous presidential election of 2000.“We have had conversations with the supervisors over the past few months about that process, and it would not occur and a recount would not be called unless it’s within one half of one percent”, Detzner said.
Among voters who cast ballots before Election Day, 1.7 million did so by absentee, or mail-in, ballot. That represents a significant increase in mail-in voting from the 2010 midterm. Meanwhile, 1.3 million people cast ballots in person at early voting sites.