Bay County Voters Cast Votes On Sunday - WMBB News 13 - The Panhandle's News Leader

The Sunday routine of relaxation turned into participation for some Bay County voters.

"Well basically the timeline changed from fifteen days down to eight days and during those eight days they've made it mandatory to say that during the eight days you must have some kind of voting each and every day," said Supervisor of Elections Mark Andersen.

So for the first time the county opened polling stations on Sunday, following a push on the state level to keep voting open fewer days for longer hours.

"So legislatively that's the requirement," said Andersen.

Voters trickled in, many having just left Sunday morning church service.  Leo Durham was also passing by when he saw candidates making last minute pitches to voters at Bay County's Government Center.

"I think its great I was just on my way to the library today and saw that it was available so here it am," said Durham, who agrees with the change in policy. 

"To be able to vote on the weekend on Saturday or Sunday you are making a service available to the citizens so they can cast their vote," said Durham.

Election officials say that the first forty eight hours have showed promise but this is just the beginning.

"It usually starts light and increases," said Andersen. "Yesterday later in the day it actually picked up so there's great opportunity. So no lines, no wait if you've got your mind made up come in and vote."

"So when do you plan on voting?

"Well right now," said Durham. "I just talked to these fine gentleman over here got a little information about the local candidates and now that I know its available I think I will go in there and take care of it today."

There are four polling locations open to those wanting to participate in early voting. The Bay County Election Center on 11th street, the Parker Community Building on West Park Street, on Panama City Beach at the library on Hutchinson Boulevard, and the Lynn Haven City Hall Annex on 9th street. Those locations are open from 7am until 7pm through August 11. The primary is Tuesday, August 14th.