from Staff
Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland on Monday announced the winners of the 2007 Countywide Student Voter Registration Drive Freedom Awards. The award is based on the schools that registered the largest percentage of students in this year’s drive.
The top schools in the Public School category are Duncan S. Fletcher High School with 453 new voters registered and Paxon School for Advanced Studies, where 289 new voters were added to the rolls. In the Private School category, the winners were Episcopal High School with 150 new voters and The Bolles School with 110.
After all 49 participating schools reported their number of registrants, the final total of new young voters in Duval County was 5,213.
“The number of registrations is evidence that young people in Duval County earnestly believe their voice is their vote,” said Holland.
Each year, the Student Voter registration Drive is a two-day coordinated effort among Duval County public and private schools, area colleges, universities and trade schools. The goal of the drive is to increase the number of registered 18-24 year-olds by 20 percent each year.
Since the program began in 2003, the 18-24 age group has become the largest voting demographic in Duval County.
“I am proud of our young people for becoming more involved in the electoral process,” said Holland.
Voting begins tomorrow
Polling sites at voting precincts won’t be open until March 20, but you can cast an absentee ballot in the Consolidated Government First Election as early as tomorrow.
You may request an absentee ballot from the Supervisor of Elections through March 14. Absentee ballots must be received back by the office by 7 p.m. March 20.
Early voting begins March 5 at 15 locations throughout Duval County. Early voting sites will be open Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 1-5 p.m.
Early voting sites include the Supervisor of Elections Office and branch libraries at Argyle, Beaches, Bradham Brooks, Graham, Highlands, Mandarin, Murray Hill, Pablo Creek, Regency Square, South mandarin, Southeast, University Park, Webb Wesconnett and West Regional.
Photo and signature ID are now required. Registered voters are reminded that if their handwriting, signature or name has changed, they may update their signature or name up until and on Election Day.
Acceptable forms of identification include: Florida Drivers License, Florida ID card from DMV, Military ID, Student ID, Employee Badge or ID, Neighborhood Association ID, Retirement Center ID, Public Assistance ID, debit or credit cards, Buyer’s Club ID and a U.S. Passport.
If a registered voter in Florida, the voter may change their permanent residential address up through election Day and still be able to vote in their new precinct in the May 15 General Election.
For information, call the Supervisor of Elections Office at 630-1414.