A little soul power is coming to Gainesville this weekend in an effort to motivate people to vote early in the upcoming midterm elections.
Paris Winningham of NBC’s “The Voice” fame is scheduled to perform at the Souls to the Polls event Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Office, 515 N. Main St., behind Josiah T. Walls. building
Winningham, who finished in the top three of last season’s competition, sings a variety of adult contemporary, R&B, country and gospel music.
The Florida Fellowship Super Choir and local hip-hop artists are also scheduled to perform. The event also features free food, bounce houses, face painting and more.
“Souls to Polls is a cultural event that is designed to encourage parishioners to go to the polls and vote early,” said Karl Anderson, Senior Pastor of Upper Room Ministries. “This event also gives them an opportunity to be an informed voter, as candidates are invited to come and distribute information as well as talk about their vision and platform.”
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Federal races in the upcoming election cycle include US Senate and US House District 3. State races include governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, agriculture commissioner and Florida House District 22.
Local races include Gainesville Mayor, Alachua County Commission District 2, School Board Districts 1, 2, 3 and 5, City Commission Districts 2, 3 and 4 Gainesville and Circuit Judge of the Eighth Judicial Group of the 12th Circuit.
The church that brings the most parishioners to vote will receive $500, Anderson said.
“We’re looking for a big turnout. We’re trying to break records here,” Anderson said. “To encourage early voting, especially in the urban community.”
The primary election is on August 23rd, with early voting starting on Saturday and ending on August 20th. The following early voting locations are open daily from 9 am to 6 pm in Gainesville unless otherwise noted.
Supervisor of Elections Office: 515 N. Main St, Millhopper Branch Library: 3145 NW 43rd St.Tower Road Branch Library: 3020 SW 75th St.Orange Heights Baptist Church: 16700 FL-26, Hawthorne.Legacy Park Road Multipurpose Center: 1540000, Alachua.J. Wayne Reitz Union: 655 Reitz Union Drive, UF Campus. Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center: 23100 W Newberry Road, Newberry.
The general elections will be held on November 8. Early voting dates, times and locations have not yet been announced.
