Photo: Craig Bailey / FLORIDA TODAY / USA TODAY NETWORK
Florida voters in eight counties are being directed to temporary polling locations Tuesday, after widespread flooding prompted Gov. Ron DeSantis to issue an emergency order allowing election officials to relocate voting sites ahead of the midterm elections.
The Florida Department of State confirmed polling-place changes in Brevard, Broward, Highlands, Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties, according to its website, which was updated on Election Day.
DeSantis signed Executive Order 26-227 on Monday after a low-pressure system brought heavy rainfall across parts of Florida from Oct. 31 through Nov. 2, triggering flash flood warnings and threatening roads, schools and other critical infrastructure.
The order declared a state of emergency in Brevard, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Indian River, Martin and St. Lucie counties. It also allows county election supervisors who cannot meet certain polling-place requirements to seek approval from Florida’s secretary of state for alternative voting arrangements.
Where are polling places changing in Florida?
The Florida Department of State published a list of temporary polling locations for affected voters.
In Brevard County, several precincts have been reassigned to New Shiloh Christian Center and Joseph N. Davis Community Center in Melbourne, as well as Palm Bay City Hall.
In Broward County, voters assigned to Precinct T018 at Paradise Village Clubhouse in Davie are being redirected to Tree Tops Park (Oak Ridge Auditorium), 3900 SW 100th Ave., Davie. Voters assigned to Precinct E010 at Mullins Park-Sartory Senior Center in Coral Springs are being redirected to Mullins Hall, 10170 NW 29th St., Coral Springs.
In Highlands County, voters assigned to Precinct 20 at Springlake Community Center in Sebring are being redirected to the Penny Ogg Operations Center.
Indian River County voters assigned to Precinct 7 at Sebastian Church of God are being directed to Sebastian Elks Lodge No. 2714.
In Martin County, voting at Grace Presbyterian Church has been moved to the county supervisor of elections office in Stuart.
Okeechobee County voters assigned to Precinct 10 at Fort Drum Community Church are being directed to High Point Church.
In Palm Beach County, voters assigned to Casa Rio Clubhouse and Ironhorse Country Club are being directed to RB Preparatory and Achievement Academy and North County Senior Center, respectively.
St. Lucie County has reported multiple changes, with affected voters being redirected to locations including the Port St. Lucie Community Center, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center, Tradition Town Hall and Havert L. Fenn Center.
The state cautioned that relocations remain subject to change as additional information becomes available.
Voters can check the Florida Department of State’s emergency election resources page or contact their county supervisor of elections to confirm their assigned polling place.
Polls in Florida are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time Tuesday. Voters in line when polls close will be permitted to cast their ballots.
Correction: The Florida Department of State’s November 3 list includes polling-place relocations in eight counties, including two locations in Broward County, not seven counties. The seven counties covered by the state emergency declaration are a separate list. This article’s headline, opening and county list have been corrected, and the Broward changes added. Sources: Florida Division of Elections and WLRN‘s November 3, 10:24am EST report.
Originally published by Fox News. By Stephen Sorace.
JBizNews Desk | Florida
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