Eight Florida counties move 21 polling places after flood damage

The Florida Division of Elections announced late Monday that voters in eight counties will use alternative polling locations for the upcoming election. Officials in Brevard, Broward, Highlands, Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties established new sites for 21 original polling places. These changes cover 30 specific precincts where severe rains damaged buildings or made access roads unsafe.

Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order on Monday declaring a state of emergency in seven counties. The affected areas include Brevard, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Indian River, Martin and St. Lucie. The order permits local supervisors of elections to designate new polling places when current sites are unsafe or inaccessible due to flooding. State law requires officials to post notices at the original locations directing voters to the new precincts.

Brevard and St. Lucie counties faced the most disruption. Brevard County Supervisor of Elections Tim Bobanic stated that relocation was necessary for the safety of election workers and voters. He noted that two precinct polling locations in Brevard required moving. St. Lucie County established alternative sites for seven polling locations. Brevard set up alternatives for six sites.

Heavy rainfall drove the changes. Some affected areas received between 15 and 20 inches of rain over a 36-hour period. Standing water closed several roads in the region. Brevard County canceled school for Monday and Tuesday due to the conditions. The Division of Elections posted a list of affected sites and their replacements on its official website.

Secretary of State Cord Byrd advised voters to contact their local supervisor of elections if they have questions about their polling place. He made this recommendation on social media late Monday. The state has previously managed elections during natural disasters. In 2024, the governor issued orders for voters affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Similar measures were taken after Hurricane Ian in 2022 and Hurricane Michael in 2018.

Those previous events occurred at least three weeks before Election Day. The current situation presents a tighter timeline for voters to adjust to the changes. The sudden nature of the heavy rains left officials with less time to communicate the new locations to the public.