Amway Center opens Monday for early voting

Amway Center open for early voting

This is usually the time of year when the Amway Center is full of basketball fans watching the Orlando Magic shoot some hoops.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - Early voting starts Monday and for the first time, people will be able to cast their ballots at the Amway Center.

This is usually the time of year when the Amway Center is full of basketball fans watching the Orlando Magic shoot some hoops, but because of the pandemic, the arena’s lobby will be used for early voting.

"I think this is the biggest public facility we’ve had for early voting and when you look at the size and volume it takes, you feel safe in terms of interacting with other people," said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.

Dyer says the Orlando Magic approached the city with the idea. Player Mo Bamba recently took action off the court, saying he plans to volunteer at the Amway polling site.

Photo by Paul Hennessy/NurPhoto via Getty Images

"Hopefully it’ll draw in some more people who are on the fence about voting," he said.

With large crowds showing up for early voting around the country, the mayor says we should be prepared.

"I think the enthusiasm is just as palpable in Central Florida so I wouldn’t discount that we will have lines on the first day."

FOX 35 VOTER'S GUIDE: Everything you need to know about the 2020 election, including polling locations, early voting dates, and what is on the ballot

According to the Florida Secretary of State, out of the more than 2 million mail-in ballots received for the general election, over 623,000 are Republicans compared to more than 1,043,500 Democrats. More than 424,000 have no party affiliation.