OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) – Voters across North Central Florida are preparing to head to the polls, and election officials are making final preparations.

Officials with the Marion County Election Commissioner told TV20 that they have already seen a slight decline in voter turnout between early voting and mail-in voting.

So far, voter turnout has varied across counties, with turnout at about 14% in Alachua County, 21% in Columbia County, 23% in Dixie County, 16% in Gilchrist County, 18% in Levy County, and about 12% in Marion County.

Marion County Elections Supervisor Wesley Wilcox wants people to know that the primary election is just as important as the general election. He says it’s crucial to make sure there are enough ballots at each polling place.

“Ordering ballots and the number of ballots you need at a polling place is unfortunately an inexact science. The safest way is to simply order 100% of all eligible voters on election night,” Wilcox said.

Wilcox says if you have a mail-in ballot, you can bring it to the election supervisor’s office, and if you’re voting in person, don’t forget to bring a photo ID and signature.

“This is your chance to be heard by local government. As I mentioned, most local elections, county and constitutional elections, are all decided in August,” Wilcox said.

Polling stations open at 7 a.m. on Tuesday and close at 7 p.m.

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