For decades, Gulf County residents have been split over time.

The north end of the county is on Central Time while the south which includes the city of Port St. Joe as you can see in this map is hooked into the Eastern Time zone.

Last month, Wewahitchka high school students from Matt Bullard’s government class launched a petition drive.

They gathered 1,400 petition signatures supporting a referendum to put all of Gulf County in the central time zone.

"Being that we are only 17 and not even 18 yet, it's very interesting that we can do something in the government and we are learning how we can do it before we even get out there," Candace Griffon, a government student said.

Apparently the petition worked. Gulf County commissioners have agreed to put the wheels in motion to add the issue on the 2010 ballot.

Wewahitchka residents say they'd like to see the entire county under central time.

"I think it's probably good if they chose it. Students want it changed at the high school. I think it would be a good idea," Maurice Scottus, a Wewa resident said.

"I like for it to stay central time. Because it makes it a lot easier if we could make it Central Time," Cathy Meredith, a Wewa resident said.

In Port St. Joe, residents have been on Eastern Time since the early 1900's and some want it to keep it that way.

"Personally I prefer it the way it is because if I have an appointment or going to a play or something in Panama City, it gives me a little bit of extra time. So I just assume leaving it like it is. But I think I’m in the minority," Linda Littleton, a Port St. Joe resident said.

The vote could be the first step in getting time on their side.

The last time the issue was put to a public vote, was 1982. That time, Eastern Time won 55% to 45%.