The Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections offices opened early to accommodate voters this weekend.
- Supervisors of Elections offices were opened throughout the weekend
- In Pinellas, local churches helped shuttle their congregation
- Need more info? Check out the Florida Voting Guide
The three offices were open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday so voters could request, or turn in, their vote by mail ballot.
It was a compromise after voters tried to get an early voting site at the Lake Vista Recreation Center.
“One of the things we determined statistically for the South-side is most of the people don’t use their mail in ballot,” Manuel Sykes at Bethel Community Baptist Church said. “That’s why we asked for a closer site for early voting because there is a trust factor that comes to putting a ballot in a box."
Local churches brought voters to the offices Sunday after service to vote.
"It felt great,” voter Austin Peterson, Jr., said. “I don’t have to worry about. Freeing the mind, it’s all over. I just have to wait for the results.”
Sykes said it was a great way to make voters feel more comfortable about their vote and to help make things easier for election officials.
“This adds one more day that will prevent a longer line at the polls,” Sykes said. “Because our people just aren’t comfortable with the process. Mailing is just one more barrier and then long lines on Election Day is a third barrier and we want our people to be counted."
Early voting begins on Monday at 7 a.m.