As Florida faces one it’s most important elections in four years today throughout the Sunshine State the process of early voting begins. As most people know the primary is about two weeks’s away on August 28th.
Eighteen of Florida’s 67 counties start early voting today, including several large counties such as Duval, Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach. Other counties start in the coming week.
We know the big races are the ones that are expected to bring people to the polls.
The top races are the gubernatorial primaries a large field of Democrats battling it out for the nomination. The frontrunner is, of course, former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham, followed by former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, along with businessmen Jeff Greene and Chris King rounding out the field.
The Republican race has Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, thought to be the likely, heir apparent Gov. Rick Scott trailing in the polls to U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, who leads in the polls after his full-throated endorsement by President Donald J. Trump.
Speaking of Gov. Scott he is the Republican nominee to take on popular incumbent U.S. Senator Democrat Bill Nelson. Gov. Scott, who has served Florida for two terms, is moving on in hopes of heading to Washington.
Once the primaries are over the eyes of the political world will be fixed on Florida as Democrats hope to take the governors mansion back after decades of close losses while the GOP hopes to keep the state in Republican hands while flipping the Senate seat.
The two main events are expected to be the most costly ever as both Democrats and Republicans are expected to pour tens of millions of dollars into the state in hopes of winning the two major races.
By law in the State of Florida – Early voting must begin 10 days before election day, but counties can add extra days. Polls must be open at least eight hours daily.
Mail-in voting has already begun. The state says more than 571,000 votes have already been cast.