Early voting for the Special Municipal Runoff Election for Tampa City Council, District 5, began Thursday morning at four locations, which will be open for voting through Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Eligible voters can cast a ballot at any of the four locations, which include:

— C. Blythe Andrews Jr. Public Library, located at 2607 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

— Fred B. Karl County Center, located at 601 E. Kennedy Blvd. in downtown Tampa.

— Robert L. Gilder Election Service Center, located at 2514 N. Falkenburg Rd.

— West Tampa Branch Library, located at 2312 W. Union St.

Voters who have requested a mail ballot, but who have not yet returned them by mail, can also drop mail ballots off at any of the early voting locations or at any of the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections offices during early voting hours. Mail ballots may also be returned to Supervisor of Elections offices on Monday or Tuesday.

Voters cannot return a mail ballot to their polling place on Election Day, on Tuesday, but can surrender their mail ballot and vote in person.

While voters may cast a ballot at any early voting location, Election Day ballots must be cast at the voter’s assigned precinct, which can be looked up online.

Two candidates are on the ballot to replace the late Gwen Henderson, who passed away this Summer.

Thomas Scott and Naya Young are facing off in a runoff after coming out on top in a crowded Special Election in September.

Scott was the top vote-getter, with 27% of the vote, while Young came in second with 13%. Because no candidate received more than 50% of the vote, a runoff is required.

Scott is also the top fundraiser, with nearly $75,000 raised as of Oct. 10. Young had raised just shy of $22,000 by that same point.

Scott served as a County Commissioner from late 1996 through 2006, and ran again in 2020, ultimately losing in a crowded Democratic Primary to Gwen Myers, who continues to hold the seat. Scott also previously served on the Tampa City Council from 2007 to 2011.

Scott is also the senior pastor for the 34th Street Church of God. He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of North Florida in criminal justice and corrections.

Young has been a grassroots activist since she was a teenager, canvassing for the campaign of former Democratic Sen. James Hargrett before later working to help elect former Rep. Betty Reed.

She began nonprofit work with the Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association, later rising to become the group’s Executive Director. She now serves as a consultant for the group.

Among her advocacy efforts, Young pushed for walkable green spaces, diabetes awareness, and law enforcement reform. She has an undergraduate degree in culture and media communication from the University of South Florida and a master’s degree in political science from Howard University. She also received a nonprofit management certification from the University of Tampa.

District 5 covers parts of downtown, East Tampa, Ybor City and parts of West Tampa.

As of 9:30 a.m. nearly 2,500 voters had already cast a ballot by mail, putting turnout at about 5.5%.