Broward’s Turnout Second Worst In State
BY BUDDY NEVINS
Broward County had second worse turnouts in the state in Tuesday’s primary.
That doesn’t mean that the turnout won’t be bigger in November, when Democratic Charlie Crist needs a huge Broward vote to win the governor’s race.
It does mean Crist will have to work hard to get Broward voters to the polls.
Broward’s turnout was 10.76 percent, lagging behind the Statewide turnout of 17.55 percent.
Only tiny Glades County, on the west side of Lake Okeechobee, was worst than Broward — 9.26 percent.
Compare Broward to Miami-Dade’s 14.4 percent or Palm Beach County’s 11.98 percent.
Hillborough County (Tampa) had a 16.31 percent turnout. Orange County (Orlando) had 16.32. And Pinellas (St. Petersburgh) had 24.16 percent.
Much of this depends on local races. Broward had little on the ballot to encourage voting.
However, Broward’s turnout has lagged the state for quite some time. We shall see if the candidates and parties can change that trend in November.
Here is the statewide turnout.
August 27th, 2014 at 12:41 pm
No wonder voter turn out was so low yesterday. It doesn’t help that we have an elections supervisor that doesn’t know what she is doing and lets her senior management team calling all the shots and telling her do this, and that etc. Dr.Snipes is proplem is her staff(some). I mean look at county comm.district 2. Do you vote, does your vote count etc. They in this part of the county were the ones that where disenfranchised yesterday. Dr.Snipes will tell you don’t look at me ,its not my fault. Of course its your fault. What part does she not get -YOU ALL MOST WENT TO JAIL LADY….I mean the office (hers) ha s not ryhm or reason. Make a records request, this one pays this amount, then someone else calls in pays that amount(see what I mean). I have gotten alot of feed back about this issue. No uniform system. If she likes you, or more like if her staff likes you, what then you pay nothing. Again this can be proven. Then what she pays her staff. This one tipping the scales (more ways then one)at over 100g, then the poor staff member(be careful you don’t get eaten)making like 25g. Seriously its a joke. Save your money some of you down there becaus e when she goes your going w/ her. Isn’t funny the amazon down there”we shoul d go to the State Att. off Mr.Walsh and you shoul d be in jail(joke). Then low and be hold Dr.snipes would be seaten right next to me(kissing cousins). Oh you should have seen some of her staff pertaining to my voting status. Lets just say they had a hard on from here to Chicago(sad)……
August 27th, 2014 at 4:49 pm
Robert are convicted felons allowed to vote ?
August 27th, 2014 at 5:22 pm
I was a poll worker yesterday. I always wanted to do it, just to see what it was like being part of a great limited republic election. It was eye opening.
The workers are well trained and serious in their duties (but generally good natured). It is a long day, from 5:30 am to 8 pm or so. The pay averages out to about $11 an hour. You are not allowed to leave the precinct polling place so you must brown bag your meals.
There were 8 of us at the polling place. There were 7 county inspectors and workers that visited us during the day and 3 more at the end of the day to pick up the voting equipment. BSO deputies stopped by 7 times during the day to make sure all was well. all this for less than 90 voters. Out of a registered voter roll of about 1600, only 80 some showed up to vote on election day.
This is a huge expense. I think that for such small races, like a primary, we should eliminate early voting. Either that or revamp the system so that it does not take such a huge manpower expense to carry out a safe, reliable and trustworthy election.
August 27th, 2014 at 6:07 pm
I do not know if the horrible turnout can be blamed on the Supervisor of Elections. Perhaps she is not doing enough.
I hold her accountable for changing it or getting out of the way and letting someone else try.
The state and the federal governments watch local elections to judge how much they should care about Broward. A good measure is how much Broward cares about itself. When we don’t vote in large numbers the state and federal government have the right to believe we’re just fine without them.
August 27th, 2014 at 10:03 pm
It is getting tougher and tougher to be a voter. No, not because of the polling places, the absentee ballots, or early voting.
The reason is the lack of ethical, qualified candidates. There are reruns, those who have already served and for the most part did a miserable job. There are those who break many rules, get a slap on the wrist, spin the story, and smile. There are those who are just plain idiotic and cannot even follow the rules for filing for office.
Voters often have to choose between the lesser of two evils.
Dirty, gutter level politics, corruption, and a lack of community hurt voting and voters in Broward County.
August 27th, 2014 at 11:09 pm
Go on the SOE website and try to find the hours the polls are open on Election Day. There are all the hours of all the early voting locations, but not one reference to yesterday’s hours. Even click the button “voting methods”. Not one mention of actually voting on Election Day.
August 27th, 2014 at 11:26 pm
@Sam The Sham
I agree. revamping is needed but this is set by Tallahassee right?
and how many millions of dollars has snipes been given by BCC and spent by SOE for ‘Voter Outreach’??
And how many whined and criticized being disenfranchised because ‘Early Voting’ days and hours were cut back by Scott over last 4 years??
When I found out Thursday I would be out of town Tuesday I voted early. Never did that before.
No Line. Quiet as a church.
Look here for tally –
file:///C:/Users/Owner/Downloads/Early%20Voting%20%20Totals%20August%2025%202014%20(3).pdf
Less than 20,000 voters over 10 days at 20 locations. Were the votes misplaced? Lost? Not counted?
10% +/- turnout overall. pathetic.
We should vote by US Mail like Oregon.
Anyway, in afew weeks BCC will re-re-revisit the SOE new headquarters building some hink is needed. Over 12 years of discussion on this (ask Miriam Oliphant if you don’t believe me).
So I am pleased many were paid to sit tight for 10 long days to staff these early vote locations. At least there were no cmplaints about LONG LINES and understaffing because of the HUGE VOTER interest and turnout. No snafus. No stumbles.
Can’t wait till Nov 4.
August 28th, 2014 at 9:36 am
#2- Here we go again w/ the felony “BS”. Yes, convicted felons the majority of us can’t vote. So what is your point?. My former “slumlord” and his attorney tried that felony “bS” ask him and Santa there what it cost them(don’t forget old man that parking lot better be done right(ADA compl etc). So once again some of you w/ your felony “BS” . What did it cost you Mr. Slumlord ? Are we @ 50 or 60G by now. Remember the (CONVICTED FELON SUED YOUR ASS-& WON”…..
August 28th, 2014 at 10:45 am
You must be so proud.
August 28th, 2014 at 2:05 pm
Asking the SOE’s office to come up with creative solutions is a fool’s errand. There are alternatives out there, but evidently they’re not willing to do some research.
I remember the first absentee ballot I received. The secrecy folder had instructions that looked as if they were written by a 3rd grader. No, make that a Kindergarten student.
I was surprised to get a Hillsborough ballot that didn’t need postage. I asked Andrew Ladanowski about it and he told me M-Dade also doesn’t charge postage.
Voter apathy is another subject altogether. Why do you think Debbie W-Schultz was desperately trying to gin up enthusiasm by calling for a boycott of Hobby Lobby? Ridiculous of course, and the media like obedient lap dogs covered it. But any port in a storm, I guess.
August 28th, 2014 at 4:55 pm
I’m absolutely boycotting Hobby Lobby. Tell us, Ms. Greenbarg: are you shopping there?
August 28th, 2014 at 6:31 pm
Second worst in the state? That’s an improvement for Broward. We are usually the worst in the state for turnout (both primaries and general elections).
August 28th, 2014 at 9:32 pm
The reason she called for a boycott of Hobby Lobby is because if she isn’t in the news everyday she has to do something to get in the news. It’s like a thing with self-centered narcissists. The world has to revolve around them.