Seven Florida Counties Relocate Polling Places Due to Flooding

In a move to ensure smooth voting processes amidst challenging weather conditions, seven Florida counties have relocated their polling places due to flooding. This decision comes as a result of Governor Ron DeSantis issuing an emergency order, allowing for the adjustment of voting sites in response to heavy rainfall and flash floods caused by a low-pressure system.

The affected counties—Brevard, Highlands, Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, and St. Lucie—are now directing their residents to new locations for casting their ballots. This change is particularly significant given the variability of election laws across different states, which can influence how such adjustments are made and implemented.

In Brevard County, voters will now find their polling stations at the New Shiloh Christian Center, Joseph N. Davis Community Center, and Palm Bay City Hall. Meanwhile, in Highlands County, the Springlake Community Center has been replaced by the Penny Ogg Operations Center as the new polling place. Similarly, Indian River County’s voters who were previously directed to the Sebastian Church of God will now be voting at the Sebastian Elks Lodge No. 2714.

Martin County’s Grace Presbyterian Church has been swapped out for the county supervisor of elections office in Stuart, while Okeechobee County’s Fort Drum Community Church is now represented by High Point Church. In Palm Beach County, the Casa Rio Clubhouse and Ironhorse Country Club have been replaced by RB Preparatory and Achievement Academy and North County Senior Center respectively. Lastly, St. Lucie County’s voters will now be casting their votes at the Port St. Lucie Community Center, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center, Tradition Town Hall, and Havert L. Fenn Center.

These changes highlight the adaptability required in managing electoral processes, especially when faced with natural disasters. With polling hours set from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time on Election Day, residents in these counties have ample opportunity to vote despite the recent disruptions.

What We Know

• Seven Florida counties have relocated polling places due to flooding. ³
• The affected counties include Brevard, Highlands, Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, and St. Lucie. ³
• Governor Ron DeSantis issued an emergency order allowing relocation of voting sites. ³
• Heavy rainfall caused by a low-pressure system led to flash floods and infrastructure threats. ³
• Brevard County voters are now at New Shiloh Christian Center, Joseph N. Davis Community Center, and Palm Bay City Hall. ³
• Highlands County voters previously at Springlake Community Center are now at Penny Ogg Operations Center. ³
• Indian River County voters previously at Sebastian Church of God are now at Sebastian Elks Lodge No. 2714. ³
• Martin County voters previously at Grace Presbyterian Church are now at the county supervisor of elections office in Stuart. ³
• Okeechobee County voters previously at Fort Drum Community Church are now at High Point Church. ³
• Palm Beach County voters previously at Casa Rio Clubhouse and Ironhorse Country Club are now at RB Preparatory and Achievement Academy and North County Senior Center. ³
• St. Lucie County voters are now at Port St. Lucie Community Center, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center, Tradition Town Hall, and Havert L. Fenn Center. ³
• Polling hours in Florida are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time on Election Day. ³