{"id":445278,"date":"2026-11-02T17:50:26","date_gmt":"2026-11-02T17:50:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/445278\/"},"modified":"2026-11-02T17:50:26","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T17:50:26","slug":"swastikas-found-painted-on-trees-near-early-voting-site-in-orlando","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/445278\/","title":{"rendered":"Swastikas found painted on trees near early voting site in Orlando"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Orange County Supervisor of Elections office say they discovered Nazi-affiliated swastika symbols painted on trees near an early voting site at Taft Community Center in Orlando late Thursday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

They\u2019re currently investigating the antisemitic paint job with the help of the Orange County Sheriff\u2019s Office, and are working with the county government to get the symbols removed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese symbols represent a history of hatred, antisemitism and violence. Their presence in our community is deeply disturbing and unacceptable,\u201d Supervisor of Elections Karen Castor-Dentel said in a statement. \u201cHatred has no place in our community, and it has no place in our elections.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Taft Community Center, located on South Orange Avenue just west of Orlando International Airport, is one of 27 early voting sites<\/a> in Orange County. Early voting in Orange County began Oct. 19 and runs through Sunday, Nov. 1.<\/p>\n

According to the Orange County elections office, election officials are working with the Orange County government to get rid of the Nazi symbols, which fall within a continued pattern of Nazi displays showing up in the county.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In late August, Nazi symbols and salutes were performed<\/a> by audience members at a MMA event at the Kia Center that featured a known neo-Nazi pitted against an Israeli fighter. In 2023, self-proclaimed neo-Nazis protested outside Disney World<\/a> and displayed banners over I-4 featuring Nazi imagery, with consequences<\/a> for those involved.<\/p>\n

State and federal law protects the right of voters to vote free from intimidation, coercion or threats. Under Florida statutes<\/a>, it\u2019s a third-degree felony to directly or indirectly attempt to \u201cinfluence, deceive, or deter any elector in voting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Orange County Supervisor of Elections Office takes these protections seriously and remains committed to upholding them,\u201d the office shared in an email about the incident.<\/p>\n

Blake Summerlin, a Supervisor of Elections Office spokesperson, told Orlando Weekly that they\u2019re also working with the sheriff\u2019s office to research potential traffic cameras and security footage nearby that could have captured the culprit in action.<\/p>\n

As of publication, Orange County has already seen a voter turnout<\/a> of nearly 32 percent. More than 260,000 Orange County voters \u2014\u00a0about half of them registered Democrats \u2014 have cast their ballots for the 2026 general election through early voting or vote-by-mail.<\/p>\n

As of 3:30 p.m. Friday, 129,210 Democrats have cast ballots for the general election, compared to 70,310 Republicans, 55,999 No Party Affiliated voters, and 6,609 \u201cother\u201d voters.<\/p>\n

You can find a list of early voting sites and their estimated wait times here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Subscribe to Orlando Weekly newsletters.<\/a><\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Swastikas\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tThe Orange County Sheriff\u2019s Office is investigating and the county is working on getting them removed.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Climate\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tNow running for attorney general, as a state senator Rodriguez infuriated a cheating power company and GOP lobbyists.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"AOC\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tOcasio-Cortez, a fellow progressive from New York, endorsed Nixon shortly after Nixon secured the Democratic nomination for Senate in August.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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