Politics & Government
Bradenton Voters Redirected To Wrong Polling Station: Poll Worker
"A number of people" were directed to the incorrect polling station close to 7 p.m. on Election Day, a poll volunteer said.
BRADENTON, FL — A poll volunteer with a nonpartisan group said “a number of people” were directed to the incorrect polling station on Election Day close to 7 p.m., when the polls closed for the day. In Florida, those in line when the polls close at 7 p.m. can still vote.
But the poll volunteer, who asked to remain anonymous, said she was concerned these voters didn’t make it to the correct polling location in time to vote on Tuesday. She said they originally went to vote at Precinct 217 at Wakeland Support Center, located at 1812 27th Street E. in Bradenton, but were told it was the wrong voting location.
They were directed to Precinct 215 at Samoset Baptist Church, located at 3200 15th Street E. in Bradenton, she said. But when they arrived there, they were told the original location they went to – Precinct 217 – was correct, and they were sent back there. The poll worker is worried they didn’t make it to Precinct 217 by 7 p.m.
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“This was very late, around 6:30 p.m., and I don’t know the distance between precincts,” she said in a text message.
If taking 26th Avenue East, the two precincts are about 1.9 miles apart, according to Google Maps.
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The volunteer provided a copy of a polling place checklist from Precinct 215. According to the document, which was filled out by another poll volunteer, Hector Munoz, Tuesday night, “towards the end” of evening more than five people showed up to vote at the location thinking it was their precinct.
“They were supposed to go to Precinct 217,” he wrote.
Precinct 215 Clerk Linda Armstrong spoke with these voters, he added. They did not take down the voters’ names or contact information.
Munoz also noted that “no one was waiting in line outside when they closed the doors at 7 p.m. No other issues.”
Karen Jones, who works in the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office communications department, acknowledged that this incident took place. She said she didn’t have more information about it though and to call back. She has not responded to subsequent requests for comment from Bradenton Patch.
Michael Bennett, the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections, said he was unaware of the matter.
“It certainly could have happened. I don’t know about it,” he said.
He added, “I was a little bit busy at 7 o’clock.”
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