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Gainesville polls open until 7 p.m.

Gainesville city elections are today, and the polls have been running smoothly this morning, said Pam Carpenter, Alachua County supervisor of elections.

The voter turnout so far has been about what it was in the 2011 election, which was the last stand-alone election in Gainesville, Carpenter said. There was a 15 percent voter turnout in 2011, and Carpenter said she expects this year's turnout to fall in the 15 to 20 percent range.

Carpenter said there was an increase in early voting this year, and there were no lines at the polling locations as of 10:45 a.m.

The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and voters can find their designated polling locations by visiting the Gainesville Supervisor of Elections’ website.

Voters need a valid photo and signature ID in order to cast their ballots. The election includes the races for mayor and the District 4 commissioner.

Carpenter encourages voters to head to the polls despite the rain.

"It's important to have a voice in local elections," she said.

You can view WUFT’s profiles of the mayoral candidates on our  election topic page.

Emily is a reporter for WUFT News and can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.