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Hard Hit Counties Prepare For Early Voting

Early Voting sign sits outside a precinct, guiding voters inside (2014).
Jessica Palombo
/
WFSU News
Early Voting sign sits outside a precinct, guiding voters inside (2014).

For some North Florida residents, voting has become a secondary concern. Early voting began Monday in more than 30 Florida counties, but the majority of the areas affected by Hurricane Michael won't start until the weekend.

Early Voting sign sits outside a precinct, guiding voters inside (2014).
Credit Jessica Palombo / WFSU News
/
WFSU News
Early Voting sign sits outside a precinct, guiding voters inside (2014).

There are some voters in North Florida who have put the election on the backburner as they deal with the fallout from Hurricane Michael. Jackson County Supervisor of Elections Sylvia Stephens says even though the interest in the election remains, the reality is a lack of basic needs might prevent voters from getting to the polls.  

“The number one concern is their welfare, health, food, shelter. That’s going to come first of course, and then voting is kind of down the line. We’ve had many people call and or come in, so they are still interested.”

Jackson County is one of five hard hit counties starting early voting on Saturday. Fewer precincts will be available, but will be open through Election Day.  

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Jade Jacobs is a fourth year broadcast journalism student at Florida A&M University. Before interning at WFSU, Jade worked at Antioch Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church as a media intern in Dallas, Texas. She has also served as a live shot reporter on FAMU TV News 20, a writer for the FAMUAN and Journey Magazine and a radio personality on WANM 90.5 The Flava Station's Saturday Morning Show. After graduation, she plans to continue to work in the journalism field as a news reporter. She enjoys shopping, inspirational quotes and traveling.