Souls to the Polls: Tallahassee voters share hopes for city’s future

The sun was beaming, but that didn't stop crowds spanning generations from flocking to Southside Shopping Plaza, which for the afternoon was transformed into a place to gather, celebrate and imagine a new day in Tallahassee.

While the shopping center is home to Piggly Wiggly, shopping wasn't at the top of the day's agenda for this crowd. For the afternoon, the plaza became a gathering place for residents looking toward what could determine the next line of leadership in Florida's capital city.

Early voting in the Aug. 18 primary election began at 10 different sites across Leon County.

Votes have been steady and are filtering in "as expected," Leon County Supervisor of Elections Mark Earley told the Tallahassee Democrat. As of Saturday evening almost 11,500 mail ballots have been returned while the polls had seen more than 1,700 voters. That means 7.2% of the county's 182,806 registered voters have already cast ballots.

To celebrate the start of early voting, the annual Souls to Polls called for residents to use their voice by submitting their ballots.

With their voting stickers clinging to their T-shirts, families and friends alike gathered in line waiting for the plates they were promised. Some popped their collars, proudly flashing the stickers that served as their ticket to fried fish, hush puppies and coleslaw from Ricky and Warnell Coring of Affordable Catering Solutions.

Pop classics and Southern songs rang throughout the car-filled lot.

Their votes were behind them, but their hopes for what comes next remained. Voters concerns ranged from how public funds are allocated, how the city can breathe new life into its vacant buildings, how it can create more things to do and, ultimately, how it can create more jobs for its residents.

Couple Mildred and Herman Harris, both now retired say they're looking forward to new leadership.

"People working together, that's what I want because there's a big divide," Tallahassee native Mildred Harris said. "I want them to work together and work on the issues that are stuck with us, especially the Southside."

Herman Harris jumped in, highlighting a number of Southside projects he says we're talked about but never reached completion.

"Don't just have like the Northside getting everything, and then over on the Southside there ain't nothing being done about it. You don't do that. Spread it around with everybody. It's time for the Southside to progress," Herman Harris said.

The Harrises say they're rooting for City Commission candidate Talethia Edwards, Dianne Williams-Cox and mayoral hopeful Daryl Parks, who were all in attendance for the day's event. Others in attendance included City Commission candidates PJ Perez, School Board incumbent Marcus Nicolas and U.S. House hopeful Amanda Marie Green.

For 33-year-old Simone Branton, her hope is that after the election, Tallahassee will "just grow" and become everything a capital city should.

"For it to be the capital city, Tallahassee has the potential to be bigger than what it is," she said.

Branton said she sees a lack of variety in things to do, particularly when it comes to entertaining her 7-year-old son. For example, she would like to see more variety among Tallahassee's food scene. Her family operates Southern Palate Tally on South Adams Street.

For those looking to make a difference in their communities, Mildred Harris, a poll worker for more than 30 years, leaves everyone with a simple reminder.

"Get out and vote. Your vote doesn't count if you don't use it, so exercise your rights," she said.

Early voting runs Saturday, Aug. 8, through Sunday, Aug. 16, at 10 locations in Leon County. The hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at all sites except the Leon County Courthouse, which has hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the elections center, which has hours of 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Leon County voters can cast ballots at any of the sites regardless of their precinct. For more information, contact the Leon County Supervisor of Elections Office at 850-606-VOTE (8683) or visit the website www.leonvotes.gov.

Dr. B.L. Perry Branch Library, 2817 S. Adams St

Eastside Branch Library, 1583 Pedrick Road

FAMU Student Union, 1628 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

FSU Student Union, 75 N. Woodward Ave.

Fort Braden Community Center, 16387 Blountstown Highway

Leon County Elections Center, 2990-1 Apalachee Parkway

Lake Jackson Community Center, 3840 N. Monroe St.

Leon County Courthouse, 301 S. Monroe St.

Northeast Branch Library, 5513 Thomasville Road

Woodville Community Center, 8000 Old Woodville Road

This article includes previously reported information. This solutions‑focused article is supported by a grant from Press Forward North Florida, an initiative of the Community Foundation of North Florida. To learn more and to support local journalism like this, visit cfnf.org/press-forward. Also, email Tallahassee Democrat reporter Kyla Sanford with story ideas at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Souls to the Polls: Tallahassee voters share hopes for city's future