Florida Voters Face 12-Hour Window to Pick Governor on Tuesday

Registered Florida voters who did not participate in early voting have one remaining chance to cast their ballots this Tuesday. Polling locations across the state will open at 7 a.m. local time and close at 7 p.m. local time. This 12-hour window is the final opportunity for individuals to determine the next governor of Florida.

Byron Donalds, the Republican nominee, is spending the final hours of the campaign on the road. He launched his "Defending the Florida Dream" bus tour in Tarpon Springs on Monday morning. By noon, he arrived in Polk County. He campaigned alongside Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and U.S. Senate candidate Ashley Moody. Donalds will conclude his Monday schedule with a stop in Sarasota in the afternoon.

David Jolly, the Democratic nominee, is also traveling the state with his running mate, Gwen Graham. They are finishing their "Believe in Better" tour with a series of stops in Central and South Florida. The pair visited Haines City in Polk County on Monday morning. They then moved east to Brevard County. Their final rallies are scheduled for Palm Beach and Broward counties on Monday night.

Donalds told supporters over the weekend that he expected a high turnout on Election Day. He predicted a decisive victory for his side. "We know that the voters of Florida are going to show up to polls in a major way on Election Day, and we are going to win the race, and I'm going to be your next governor," Donalds said.

The Republican candidate focused on specific economic and infrastructure issues during his weekend addresses. He cited the need to lower construction and insurance costs. He also mentioned the importance of building roads and protecting aquifers. "We make sure our ag lands are still in production, and we continue to be focused on the policies that has made Florida the exception of the other 49 states," Donalds said to crowds in the days leading up to the vote.

Jolly addressed his base in South Florida on Sunday. He framed the election as a moment for intergenerational responsibility. "Our kids, our grandkids are looking at us when the nation is breaking.. they are one day going to say, ‘Mom, Dad.. when the nation was breaking, what are you doing about it?’" Jolly said. He added that voters should be able to say they changed the world, not just won an election.

During a campaign event in Miami, Jolly discussed his approach to economic policy. He argued that policy must be rooted in core values. "The first value is very simple, that the economy should work for everybody. The economy should work for everyone," Jolly stated. He noted that political discourse has often abandoned these basic principles.

Voters must bring a valid form of photo and signature identification to their assigned precinct on Tuesday. Election officials will check this identification at the table before allowing a voter to cast a ballot. The requirement applies to every person voting in person on Election Day.