Duval County reports 86,000 votes cast as early voting enters second week

About 86,000 votes have been cast in Duval County, including roughly 60,000 early in-person votes and 26,000 ballots by mail, Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland said as the county’s first week of early voting wrapped up.Holland said his office is optimistic turnout could surpass the 62% record set in 2018. He said election staff will work 12-hour days Monday through Friday next week as early voting continues.Voters turned out Saturday at the Legends Center at Lonnie C. Miller Regional Park, where local churches and nonpartisan groups encouraged participation and shared information about the election.“It’s a lot easier than coming out here on Election Day,” voter Regina Guinyard said of voting early.Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church distributed groceries to more than 200 families and voters during a “pop-up party at the polls,” Lead Pastor Reginald L. Gundy said. The church offered the groceries whether people voted or not.The Jacksonville NAACP branch also spoke with voters about