Monday, 07 August 2006 01:00
Voter Registration Deadline
Today’s the deadline to register to vote in time for next month’s primary election. Election supervisors from around Southwest Florida are preparing for an onslaught of people to register by tonight. Anyone older than 18 without a felony conviction is eligible to cast a ballot in the September 5th primary. Some races such as judges’ contests, county commissioners and school board seats could be decided next month. Collier County chief deputy elections supervisor Gary Beauchamp (BO-shah-mp) says the reason to vote is a simple one.
“So it runs the whole field of elected officials that represent each one of us...whether we’re registered or not but only the people that are registered to vote have the ability to make that choice. And so it does help to make your voice heard by casting your vote.”
The Collier County elections office will remain open until midnight to give its residents maximum time to register to vote or change their party affiliations.
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If you want to vote in next month’s primary election and haven’t registered, today is the deadline to do so. Election supervisors are expecting thousands of would-be voters to register today all throughout Southwest Florida. In Collier County, the elections office will stay open until midnight. Collier deputy elections supervisor Gary Beauchamp says about half of the county’s residents are registered to vote.
“Nationally and historically, it’s about 55% of the population in any given place that is registered to vote. So we are close to that 55% mark. I would certainly like it to be 60 or 70%. It has increased over the years because our younger people are staying here that are turning 18.”
The primary is September 5th. Voters will choose their party’s candidates for governor and other statewide positions. Locally, many school board seats and county commission races could be decided during the primary.
“So it runs the whole field of elected officials that represent each one of us...whether we’re registered or not but only the people that are registered to vote have the ability to make that choice. And so it does help to make your voice heard by casting your vote.”
The Collier County elections office will remain open until midnight to give its residents maximum time to register to vote or change their party affiliations.
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If you want to vote in next month’s primary election and haven’t registered, today is the deadline to do so. Election supervisors are expecting thousands of would-be voters to register today all throughout Southwest Florida. In Collier County, the elections office will stay open until midnight. Collier deputy elections supervisor Gary Beauchamp says about half of the county’s residents are registered to vote.
“Nationally and historically, it’s about 55% of the population in any given place that is registered to vote. So we are close to that 55% mark. I would certainly like it to be 60 or 70%. It has increased over the years because our younger people are staying here that are turning 18.”
The primary is September 5th. Voters will choose their party’s candidates for governor and other statewide positions. Locally, many school board seats and county commission races could be decided during the primary.
Published in
WGCU News
Monday, 07 August 2006 01:00
Project Votesmart Issues Test
For the first time, Project Votesmart, has tested Florida primary candidates with its National Political Awareness Test. It chose to do so this year, because many of the races will be decided next month.
Across the state, only 16 percent of Florida’s primary candidates for major races said they would take Project Vote Smart’s issues test. The non-partisan citizens organization serves as a national library of information about candidates and elected officials. That breaks down to 20 percent of gubernatorial candidates, 15 percent of state legislative candidates and 20 percent of congressional candidates. The organization’s Rachel Pagliocca says they don’t take a position on whether a candidate responds to the test, but their actions speak volumes.
“We’re just providing this as an indicator for citizens to find out which candidates are willing to answer important questions. But we do have other ways to find out where a candidate stands. We cover all different categories of information. So even if a candidate does not respond to this test we still have information for voters –we do all the work for them.”
Project Votesmart also provides biographical and campaign finance information, ratings from different interest groups, voting records and other public statements. The website is vote dash smart dot org.
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All four major candidates for Florida Governor this fall have refused to take part in Project Votesmart’s annual National Political Awareness test. And only 15 percent of those running for the state legislature were willing to participate. The organization’s Rachel Pagliocca explains the test.
“This is a test of candidates willingness. And we ask them one question – are you willing to tell citizens your positions on the issues you’ll most likely face on their behalf. And then when a candidate says yes to this question we basically ask them to prove it by answering a few short questions about major issues that affect Florida voters.”
In 2004, Florida congressional candidates had a 43 percent response rate – 10 percent below the national average. This year – only 20 percent of congressional candidates were willing to take the test.
This was the first year Project Votesmart tested candidates in Florida’s primary election.
Across the state, only 16 percent of Florida’s primary candidates for major races said they would take Project Vote Smart’s issues test. The non-partisan citizens organization serves as a national library of information about candidates and elected officials. That breaks down to 20 percent of gubernatorial candidates, 15 percent of state legislative candidates and 20 percent of congressional candidates. The organization’s Rachel Pagliocca says they don’t take a position on whether a candidate responds to the test, but their actions speak volumes.
“We’re just providing this as an indicator for citizens to find out which candidates are willing to answer important questions. But we do have other ways to find out where a candidate stands. We cover all different categories of information. So even if a candidate does not respond to this test we still have information for voters –we do all the work for them.”
Project Votesmart also provides biographical and campaign finance information, ratings from different interest groups, voting records and other public statements. The website is vote dash smart dot org.
-----
All four major candidates for Florida Governor this fall have refused to take part in Project Votesmart’s annual National Political Awareness test. And only 15 percent of those running for the state legislature were willing to participate. The organization’s Rachel Pagliocca explains the test.
“This is a test of candidates willingness. And we ask them one question – are you willing to tell citizens your positions on the issues you’ll most likely face on their behalf. And then when a candidate says yes to this question we basically ask them to prove it by answering a few short questions about major issues that affect Florida voters.”
In 2004, Florida congressional candidates had a 43 percent response rate – 10 percent below the national average. This year – only 20 percent of congressional candidates were willing to take the test.
This was the first year Project Votesmart tested candidates in Florida’s primary election.
Published in
WGCU News