The League of Women Voters of Florida is issuing a challenge today to all state citizens to get out the vote and turnout in record-breaking numbers for tomorrow’s primary.
“An off-year election, one in which there is no Presidential race, always shows lower turnout numbers, as do primaries,” states Deirdre Macnab, President of the state League. “But what Floridians need to realize is this primary election offers an opportunity to choose the leaders they want to take Florida forward and address the daunting array of challenges we face. Because we have so many unopposed races, and non partisan races for local government offices, many win or lose decisions are made in August instead of November. A citizen who doesn’t vote in the primary loses his or her chance to pick the leaders for some of our state’s most important offices.”
In 2006, the last off-year election, the Florida Department of State’s Division of Elections Office reported a 20% primary turnout (and 47% in the general election). Knowing how contentious this election season has already been, and understanding the issues at stake, the League issues this challenge to voters across the state.
Reminds Macnab, “During the primary, local school boards and mayors, not to mention the candidates you’ll have to choose from in November, are elected. Today, the day before the primary we are seeing many more voters across Florida choosing to vote by mail or vote early, with remarkable increases from our last non presidential election.
For any voter who did request an Absentee Ballot, and has not used it, they must take it to their poll on election day in order to be able to cast their vote (to avoid duplication.)
For those who haven’t voted yet, log into www.VoteAnywhere.org and make plans to cast your vote tomorrow. This is your chance to stop complaining and start moving our state forward…with your vote.”
