As of Tuesday at 4:40 p.m., over 24,000 Alachua County residents have voted on Election Day. Overall, the county has seen about 80% voter turnout with early voting and mail-in ballots included, or 131,592 ballots cast, according to the county’s turnout tracker.
Turnout was 75% in 2020, though a larger number of voters made up the percentage — more than 140,000.
After early voting ended Nov. 3, over half of Alachua County had cast a ballot at an early polling location or by mail.
Alachua County voters will have the chance to cast ballots for seven local and state races, including two Alachua County Commission seats, two state House of Representative seats, one state Senate seat, a sheriff’s race and the supervisor of elections position.
Voters will also have the opportunity to vote on six state amendments, including the highly debated Amendments 3 and 4, which would legalize recreational marijuana and limit government interference for abortions, respectively.
Polls close at 7 p.m. Polling locations across the county can be found here.
Live updates:
5 p.m.
Jessica Whitt, a 41-year-old registered nurse, has voted twice. This election, she cast her vote at the Millhopper Branch Library.
Whitt said she voted no on Amendments 3 and 4.
She also says she voted for Donald Trump in this election because she agrees with his policies.
“That’s what it’s most about, is trying to pick a person that is most aligned with what you believe, and is best for not only your family, but financially, socially,” Whitt said.
Whitt believes that it is important for first time voters to educate themselves on the topics that they are voting on, and to not understand only one side of an issue.
“Take time to understand what the policies are about, and what things are going to be reflective of your voting so that you can make really informed decisions, and you’re not just voting with what’s popular.”
Paige Robson, a 28-year-old physical therapist, said she is voting for Kamala Harris. Robson also said that she is voting yes on Amendments 3 and 4.
Robson said she voted for Harris because she is opposed to Trump.
“Unfortunately I haven’t done a ton of research on it [Kamala Harris’ policies], I feel like it was kind of a big change that was so rapid that it did not really give us a whole lot of time to do a ton of research,” she said.
This is Robson’s seventh time voting.
Robson also says that first time voters should do their research and not feel pressured by anyone to vote for a specific candidate.
“It’s against what I did, but do your research, and don't base it on just your parents,” she said. “I was registered Republican when I was 18, and then I went to college and kind of got educated. You don’t have to vote how your peers vote, vote how you feel you should.”
— Sofia Meyers
2:30 p.m.
Alana Goldberg, a 20-year-old UF criminology, sociology and law junior, said she voted because she’s looking for change, above all else.
She said the local amendments are important to her, and she’d like her voice to be heard on issues that will most directly impact her life. Goldberg cast her ballot at the First Lutheran Church on Northwest Fifth Avenue.
Goldberg said her top issue is abortion access. Along with voting yes on Amendment 4, she voted in favor of Amendment 3 because her friends enjoy smoking marijuana.
UF philosophy senior Liam Allistair, 26, said this is his third time voting in a presidential election. He cast his vote at First Lutheran Church on Northwest Fifth Avenue Tuesday afternoon in favor of Amendments 3 and 4, which legalize recreational marijuana and expand abortion access, respectively.
“[Voting’s] about a system that’s bigger than you,” Allistair said.
UF accounting freshman Ella Martin, 18, voted for the first time Tuesday. She said it was important for her because she’s hopeful Florida could become a swing state this election.
Martin voted in favor of Amendments 3 and 4 because “people should do what they want.”
Luke Clark voted Tuesday afternoon at First Lutheran Church on Northwest Fifth Avenue. The UF mathematics and computer science senior said the precinct was a convenient five-minute walk from where he lives.
Clark identified affordable housing and election integrity as his most important issues. He said he voted against Amendment 6, which would end public campaign financing for statewide elections.
“I ideally wouldn't want tax dollars paying for political campaigns, but I think that’s better than having corporations donate to pay for political campaigns,” he said.
UF computer science senior Jack Crew, 21, accompanied Clark to the polling site. Crew said the economy and foreign policy concerns were top of mind. He also voted against Amendment 6.
— Natalie Kaufman
12:34 p.m.
Nineteen-year-old UF political science and history major Ana Perez works for the nonpartisan organization Yes On 4 Florida, which advocates for the passage of Amendment 4. If passed, the amendment will limit government interference with abortion and guarantee the right to terminate a pregnancy up to fetal viability, or about 24 weeks.
Perez, at Yes On 4’s table on UF’s campus Tuesday afternoon, said the issue is most mobilizing among young women, but men have voiced their support.
“It will allow health care providers and patients to make that decision for themselves,” Perez said. “As of right now, the [abortion] ban as it is, it’s before women even know they’re pregnant.”
The state currently prohibits abortion past six weeks of pregnancy unless a patient meets statutory exceptions. Amendment 4 would not change the state legislature’s constitutional authority requiring a parent to be notified before a minor gets an abortion.
— Natalie Kaufman
12:20 p.m.
On the morning of Election Day, retired voters enjoyed brunch at the local Clock Restaurant.
Earl Moon, a 79-year-old retired Gainesville resident, said he voted on the first day of early voting for Kamala Harris because she “represents the people.”
“She’s trying to bring people back together, regardless of race,” he said.
Moon said elections over the years have only gotten larger, and appreciates how quickly he was able to vote this season, especially as he has accessibility issues.
Moon said he advises younger generations to get to the polls.
“That’s what this country runs on,” he said. “It’s so important to vote, even if I don’t agree with what you vote for.”
— Sara-James Ranta
11:45 a.m.
Barbara Barbour, an 83-year-old retired Gainesville resident, said she voted for Trump in person just before coming to the Clock. She’s voted in Gainesville since 1970, and voting on election day is extremely important to her, she said.
Originally, Barbour said she didn’t vote for Trump in 2016, claiming she was raised to be a “die-hard democrat.” However, she said she voted for him in 2020 and thereafter.
“I thought he had a mouth on him,” she said. “But I changed my opinion … I started doing my research. Even though he says things that are sometimes not pleasing to the ears, I think he has good policy.”
— Sara-James Ranta
11 a.m.
Harold Ray Hawley, an 80-year-old retired Gainesville resident, said he voted for former president Donald Trump through a mail-in ballot a few days ago. He’s voted in Gainesville since 1959.
Hawley said he voted for Trump because “there’s not much fake about him.”
“Some of the stuff he stands for, that’s what I stand for,” he said.
Hawley said he advises younger voters to look at each candidate for what their history is, rather than what they are now.
“Being old like I am, I’ve seen a lot and I’ve experienced a lot,” he said. “Make an honest judgment, rather than based on personality.”
— Sara-James Ranta
This is an Alligator staff report.
