105 East Monroe St.

Jacksonville, FL 32202
CONTACT:
Carly Ruiz
Public Relations Specialist
904-630-1414
mhogan@coj.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

YOUNG VOTERS SEEK MORE FROM FINAL DEBATE

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Oct. 25, 2016) As the presidential candidates shared their
closing statements at the end of the third presidential debate, a hush fell over the room of
viewers as they glanced at each other with raised eyebrows and open mouths.
If anything, I think the debates left me more confused, but I know its part of the
system, said James Williams, 20-year-old first-time voter.
He was one of 19 people crammed into the living room of a small college
apartment for the final debate viewing party. There was one small sectional sofa, a fullsized opened futon, dining room chairs, bar stools and desk chairs yet several people
had to sit on the floor.
The Duval County Supervisor of Elections Office encourages audience members
to read up on information after the debate. It provides unbiased and accurate information
to voters and allows them to educate themselves about each candidate.
This election has been so up in the air, I think the prediction polls change every
day, said Stephanie Sawyer, 20-year-old employed student.
The Duval County Supervisor of Elections Office ensures voters have the
resources to stay informed and make the decision that best suits them come Nov. 8, 2016.
The office has also been working to prepare for Election Day.
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Feature

Duval County Supervisor of Elections Office

Duval County Supervisor of Elections Office

105 East Monroe St. Jacksonville, FL 32202
We want voters to know that they can trust us with their ballot, and it will be
counted, Greg Clark, outreach director with the Duval County Supervisor of Elections
Office said.
Out of the people who attended the watch party, there was almost an even split
between men and women. There was also a jagged invisible line dividing these friends by
political parties, excluding the few who claimed they were not party affiliated. However,
each of them vocalized their interest in going to the polls.
We are expecting 81 percent of voters to come out to the polls, Clark said.
These young millennials understood the importance of voting but said they felt
overwhelmed with the fear of making the wrong decision. Their cheeks blushed and they
shared a nervous laugh about the choice they have to make.
After the 90-minute viewing party the group spoke over each other, exchanging
thoughts and opinions on which candidate they each thought won. The volume of their
voices was also accompanied by the scent of pizza rolls and beer as the audience
consumed food and drinks and discussed their views further.
All the years of United States government courses did not prepare me for this,
said Andrew Ferguson, 25-year-old college student.
No matter whom they were voting for, everyone in the room expressed their
thoughts on the importance of casting a ballot.

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Duval County Supervisor of Elections Office

105 East Monroe St. Jacksonville, FL 32202
Well I wasnt going to vote, but after watching the second debate I had to
register, said Alexia Carrasco, a 21-year-old college student. They actually talked about
stuff thats important to me so I know I should and luckily I still have some time to
decide.
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