HOLT, Fla., Oct. 18, 2020—Okaloosa County’s supervisor of elections and an employee have tested positive for COVID-19 it was announced today.

The announcement comes the day before early voting begins for the highly contested Nov. 3 presidential election.

Early voting in Okaloosa County begins tomorrow and runs through Oct. 31.

Although Supervisor Paul Lux and an unnamed employee tested positive for the coronavirus, it’s unknown when or from whom the two came in contact with an infected individual or individuals.

Elections staff have adopted and maintained the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommended safety precautions in both its Crestview and Shalimar locations, according to a news release.

Lux will work remotely and self-isolate for the recommended time period while operations for the general election continue, according to the release.

Out of caution, the Crestview office will be closed to the public until further notice.

Early voting in north Okaloosa will begin tomorrow at 7 a.m. at the Crestview Community Center.

Voters concerned about the virus may request a vote-by-mail ballot until Oct. 24 at 5 p.m. They may be hand delivered to secured drop boxes outside either the Supervisor of Elections office or any early voting site during early voting hours only.

All ballots must be received by 7 p.m. Nov. 3, Election Day.

Key Voting Dates

Early voting
Oct. 19-31, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

General election
Nov. 3, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Oct. 24 is the deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot. Requests must be postmarked no later than 5 p.m.