GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - Judge George Wright denied a last-minute motion from the Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) Authority Board to block a referendum aiming to return control of the utility to the city commission.

Early voting is underway in Gainesville to determine control of the utility and continues through Sunday. Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 4.

The Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Office reports more than 3,000 mail-in ballots have been received in the special election. Early vote numbers have yet to be reported.

RELATED: Residents question Gainesville, GRU leaders in town hall over control of utility

The referendum, if approved, would remove the utility from a governor-appointed GRU Authority Board and return oversight to the city commission. Only city resident

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