Voters in Sarasota are being asked to consider replacing the county’s touch screen voting machines and mandating paper ballots instead.
After the election debacle of 2000 many Florida counties switched from paper ballots to virtual ones. But if paper ballots are subject to “Hanging chads” electronic voting brings concerns about lack of a paper trail – and the potential for hackers to manipulate election results. Kindra Muntz is the chair of Sarasota Alliance for Fair Elections – or SAFE – the group that got the “paper ballot” referendum in front of voters.

“Mandatory voter verified paper ballots, independent random audits of election results and audits required before certification, which is basically what many people around the country are asking for and what computer scientists and national studies have shown is really necessary to verify the accuracy of electronic machine results.”

SAFE endorses the use a paper ballot that is then scanned into a computer. Backers say if the referendum passes it could set a precedent for the rest of the state – and nationally as well.

Early voting for the November 7th General Election got underway yesterday in Florida. It’s aimed at voters looking for flexibility and who are knowledgeable about the candidates. The last two weeks before the general election is the time candidates go into high gear – spending lots of money to get their message to voters – via TV, radio and print ads. Lee County Supervisor of Elections, Sharon Harrington, says early voters need to already be aware of the candidates’ positions on the issues.

“if somebody is hasty in their choices and go to the polls early there’s no way you can take it back because once you vote you’re done – you can’t go back and change your ballot or change your mind. So you have to pretty sure before you actually get into the early voting booth that this is who you actually want to vote for”

The state first made early voting available in 2002 – and it become law in 2003. Other states are now also adding early voting to voter’s options.

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Florida voters who may not be able to cast ballots on Election day – can vote early. Early voting got underway yesterday. Lee County Supervisor of Elections, Sharon Harrington, says it’s aimed at people who need flexibility.

“it’s to provide voters with another option to absentees – if they’re not going to be at the polls on election day because of scheduling – families, kids in school mom and dad working – it can be difficult sometimes to be restricted to one day in a one shot deal if you can’t make it on that day you don’t get to vote.”

Early voters can cast ballots on Saturday and the voting places are open until 6:30 in the evening. Multiple polling places are provided. To find their locations – google your county’s supervisor of elections office.

Tomorrow is the deadline to register to vote in next month’s general election. If you’ve moved, changed your last name or want to switch party affiliation, you must tell election officials about it by tomorrow. Otherwise, you may not be able to vote in the November 7th election. Anyone older than 18 who is a United States citizen is eligible to cast a ballot. Collier County elections supervisor Jennifer Edwards says there’s something on the ballot for everyone.

“We have Congressional races and of course we have our United States Senate race and we have our statewide offices for heaven’s sakes, we’re electing our new governor and we do not have an incumbent as everyone knows. So it’s an important election.”

Edwards hopes for a much bigger turnout than last month’s primary when just 17-percent of voters cast ballots. She says her office is getting ready for the start of ‘early voting’ which begins on October 23rd.

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If you want to vote in next month’s general election and haven’t registered yet, tomorrow is the deadline to do so. Election supervisors all across Southwest Florida are expecting thousands of would-be voters to register for the November 7th election. Voter turnout has been low in recent elections and in some counties only half of all eligible voters are registered. Collier County elections supervisor Jennifer Edwards says there are many reasons to vote...

“Folks should register to vote because that is their right. And I know that the 2000 election had a lot of controversy surrounding it. But one of the benefits, I think, from that election is that it demonstrates to the voters how important one vote can be.”

Edwards says if you’ve moved or had a name change, you need to update your registration. Election supervisors are mailing sample ballots out this week. Early voting actually begins on October 23rd.

Republican Charlie Crist faces Democrat Jim Davis in November to become Florida’s next governor.

In the race for Florida Attorney General Skip Campbell faces Bill McCollum in November.

In the race for Chief Financial Officer Republican Tom Lee faces Democrat Alex Sink in November.


In State Legislative Races that cover Southwest Florida:

In State House District 69 Laura Benson wins.

State House District 73 Republicans John Albion and Nick Thompson each got nearly 50% of the vote. A run-off or recount will be decided on Monday 9/11/06. The winner takes on Democrat Pete Burkert in the general election.

Republican Michael Grant won State House District 71.

In State House District 70 Democrat David Shapiro faces
Doug Holder in November.

In House district 77 Republican Incumbent Denise Grimesley faces Democratic challenger Thomas Zane in the general election.

House district 76 has Incumbent Dudley Goodlette term limited out. In the General Election Republican Garrett Richter faces Ken McPherson with the Constitutional Party.


There are 7 circuit judge races:
In group 9 Circuit Judge Meg Steinbeck won re-election.
In group 28 Naples attorney Beth VanArsdale Krier won.
In group 26 Fort Myers attorney Joe Simpson won.
In group 14 Former State Representative Bruce Kyle won.
In group 31 Fort Myers attorney Keith Kyle won.

Two races will run off in November –
In group 29 Lynne Dailey faces Miguel Fernandez
In group 30 Frank Mann Junior faces Liz Adams.


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In Lee County:

Republicans Frank Mann won John Albion’s former Lee County commission district 5 seat.

The Lee County commission district 4 seat has Republican incumbent Tammy Hall re-elected.

Brian Bigelow beat incumbent Doug St. Cerny in District 2.

In the Lee County judgeship race Diane Dramko and Tara Paluck face off in November.


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In Charlotte County:

Charlotte County Commission seat for district 2 has incumbent Republican Adam Cummings re-elected.

In Charlotte commission district 4 Matt DeBoer is leaving office.
Republicans Richard Loftus takes his place.

For Charlotte County judge Paul Alessandroni takes the bench in January.
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In Collier County:

Collier County Commission District 4 has incumbent Frank Halas facing Michael Lissack in November.

For County Judge Mike Carr appears to have won.

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In Sarasota County:

Commissioner District 2 Joe Barbetta was elected.


In Glades County: (results unknown)

In Glades county voters will be asked if they want to levy a one cent sales surtax to fund infrastructure and public utilities.

Glades voters will also be asked if they want to grant property tax exemptions to new and expanding businesses.

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In Congress:

In District 13 – the race for outgoing U.S. Representative Katherine Harris’s seat Republicans Vern Buchanan faces Democrat
Christine Jennings in November.

In District 14 – Connie Mack faces Robert Neeld in the general election.

In the U.S. Senate Katherine Harris faces Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson in the General Election.

In District 16 Incumbent Republican Mark Foley faces Democrat
Challenger Tim Mahoney and Emmie Ross – with No Party Affiliation in the General Election in November.