Turnout Expected to Set Record

By: Mike Vasilinda
Source: flanews.com

The state and local election’s supervisors say they are ready for what could be the most people ever voting in Florida. Early and absentee voting has already set records, and Tuesday could break all records.

More than 4 point 2 million people have already voted early or by absentee. If turnout reaches an expected 85 percent, more than 5.3 million people will vote at on election day. Secretary of State Kurt Browning says supervisors are ready.

“The lines are not necessarily a sign of something bad or something gone wrong,” Browning said. “Lines are the sign of a healthy democracy and people are certainly engaged in this election.

At Obama offices across the state, the goal is push the turnout higher. Louise Rill was on her way to walk neighborhoods.

“[I’m walking neighborhoods] to hang this information on voting day on people’s doorknobs,” Rill said.

High turnout benefits Democrats. And a new study of every election since 1948 by FSU Political Scientist Brad Gomez, suggests Republicans should be praying for Rain.

“The democrats tend to rely on peripheral voters or occasional voters and because of that, their voters seem to be more sensitive to the costs of voting,” Gomez said. “So when it rains, the cost of voting actually goes up, and Democratic voters tend to stay home.”

The real wildcards in this race are young voters. Will they turn out in the same way that they’ve registered?

Florida won’t release any results until after the polls close in the Panhandle. The High turnout is also expected to delay the results into the evening.

By all accounts the weather in Florida should be good on Tuesday which suggests turnout should be high. Anyone in line by 7pm tomorrow night will be given a chance to cast a ballot.