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UF's Student Union Will Remain Early Voting Location In October 2020

The University of Florida is continuing its plan to hold early voting at the Reitz Union during the 2020 General Election, even as the coronavirus pandemic lingers on campus.

By contrast, the University of Georgia decided to nix its on-campus voting sites due to concerns about long voting lines and insufficient indoor space, then reversed that decision after pushback.

Alachua County Supervisor of Elections spokesperson TJ Pyche said the county has a plan to keep voting sites on campus safe and running.

"Our office remains committed to continuing to have that early voting site," he said. "All indications from UF show that they are as well."

The voting will take place from Oct. 19 to 31, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is one of six early voting sites within Alachua County.

All of the election workers are required to wear masks.

"All of our election day and early voting sites have physical distancing and sanitation procedures in place," he said.

Beth Rosenson, an associate professor of political science at UF, said maintaining campus as a voting site could help with turnout.

"If the goal is to make it easier to vote," she said, "then it certainly makes sense."

Samantha is a reporter for WUFT News who can be reached by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.