Elections office works to provide ‘normalcy’ amid disruptions

Residents reeling from two hurricanes in rapid succession still have a civic duty to vote in less than three weeks. However, their polling location may have changed.

Julie Marcus, Pinellas County's supervisor of elections, announced Thursday afternoon that 25 polling locations have relocated due to the widespread impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton . Early voting begins Monday.

Marcus stressed that local elections would remain accessible, secure and held with the "utmost integrity." She became emotional when describing how the time-honored tradition of voting could help provide a sense of normalcy for those affected by the storms.

"We just want voters to know that we are here to help them navigate this process," Marcus said. "Voting is in our DNA – it's in the fabric of who we are."

Losing dozens of polling locations twice in two weeks has forced her office to implement extensive contingency plans to minimize disruptions. The total number of sites has only dropped from 168 to 156.

Marcus said her office did "everything we could to maintain continuity." She also realizes the importance of presidential elections and that many voters have not participated since 2020.

Eight of the 25 relocated sites are in St. Petersburg. Two are in Gulfport, two are in South Pasadena, and 11 are on the southern barrier islands. The remaining six locations are in Clearwater, Palm Harbor and Tarpon Springs.

"What is amazing is what we didn't lose," Marcus said. "And how we were able to maintain familiarity during a time when I think we all really need an anchor to keep us grounded. I feel very blessed."

Per state statute, a county judge will oversee the canvassing board, which includes a county commissioner and Marcus. While her office employs several full-time staffers, she relies heavily on "very civic-minded and dedicated" temporary employees to help ensure voters "have a smooth election experience."

Marcus said poll workers have attended related classes, some post-Helene. She also acknowledged that "these two hurricanes have really changed the dynamic of this election."

"We have a lot of displaced voters," Marcus added. "But what we do have is access to information."

The votepinellas.gov website has a wealth of information, including a hurricane response page. Marcus noted that voters do not need to update residential addresses if they are temporarily displaced. Florida law also allows the office to send one replacement mail ballot due to storm disruptions.

Marcus urges anyone feeling overwhelmed or needing clarification to "pick up the phone and call us" at 727-464-VOTE (8683). "We want to walk voters through those processes," she said.

Early voting runs from Oct. 21 through Nov. 3 and secure ballot return locations remain unchanged. Sites are open Monday through Sunday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Locations include the Centre of Palm Harbor, Countryside Recreation Center, Gulfport Neighborhood Center, J.W. Cate Recreation Center and the Supervisor of Elections Offices in St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Largo.

The deadline to request a mail ballot is Oct. 24, at 5 p.m. Residents can return those to 21 secure locations listed on the ballots and website from Oct. 21 through Nov. 3 or elections offices by 7 p.m. Nov. 5.

Election day voters should anticipate lines at polling places due to hurricane disruptions and a long ballot. "Again, we are emphasizing to go to our website to get election-ready," Marcus said.

"We are going into an election that has a lot of contests, a lot of questions," she added. "It is a two-card, front and back ballot for Pinellas County."

The recent storms have negated typical election season campaigning and research. Marcus noted her office provides precinct-specific sample ballots that can help provide residents with a candidate and referendum question refresher.

She said voters can also check their statuses and information on file. Marcus said arriving at polling places early – and with choices made – would make the process more efficient.

"We are a resilient community," Marcus said. "It's kind of like this 'Pinellas Strong' concept. We're going to come out of this and be who we are. We're going to show up, vote, cast our ballots and be a voice that's heard."