Record-setting early voter turnout in Walton County Primary

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla. ( WMBB ) — Walton County is entering a divisive election year.

One of three County Commissioner seats as well as the property appraiser race will be decided during the primary election on Aug. 20. The other two seats and five other races will come down to the General Election on Nov. 5.

On the first day of early voting for the primary on Aug. 10, Walton County voters set a record.

“Saturday, we had the highest single day turnout for early voting in a primary election in Walton County, ever,” said Ryan Messer, Supervisor of Elections. “Sunday was also the most we’ve ever had on a Sunday in a primary election. So we are very happy to see those numbers.”

There are more than 58,000 registered voters in Walton County. Messer said the first five days of early voting brought a 10 percent turnout. That’s more than a third of the total votes cast in 2020 with some of the same races.

One of the three commissioners seeking re-election is Brad Drake in District 3, who said the campaign is going well.

“Really exciting. The first day of early voting was last Saturday. So many of us were out at the different polling locations, waving signs, shaking hands, talking to people,” Drake said.

Both Drake and Messer said the high-profile races are bringing out a larger crowd.

“We do have several big races on the ballot, all of our county commission races. We have the sheriff’s race, which is not always on the ballot. So I think that’s helping with turnout as well,” Messer said.

“This year, it seems like the races that are on the ballot have generated a lot of interest and a lot of excitement in the community. And people are showing that. They’re demonstrating that they are interested in this election cycle. They’re active. They’re getting out to vote,” Drake said.

Early voting runs through Aug. 17. The supervisor of elections said they have four locations across the county that anyone can go to so long as you have a valid ID and you are a registered voter.

“DeFuniak Springs here at the courthouse, Freeport City Hall, the South Walton Courthouse Annex, and then in Miramar Beach at Faith Assembly Church,” Messer said.

The Commissioner 1 seat, currently held by William ‘Boots’ McCormick, will be decided on Tuesday, Aug. 20 with it being a universal race.  The others will be pushed to the Nov. 5 general election.

Residents have until Monday, Oct. 7 to register for the Nov. 5 General Election which includes the Presidential race.

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