Election Time is Coming – Will You Vote?

 

FLORIDA  
WEST COAST        

Opinion by:  
E. Eugene Webb PhD 

In southern West Coast Florida counties, election day is Thursday.

These elections often don't draw much interest from the voting public, but there's an old adage in politics that says. “The government that affects you the most is your local government.”

Below is a table showing seven southern Florida West Coast counties and the breakdown of registered voters along with the links to the supervisor of elections website.

If you live in one of these counties and would like some general information about upcoming elections, voter registration, mail in ballots, and absentee ballots, this link is the source for Election information in your County.

 

COUNTY	REGISTERED VOTERS			WEB SITE LINK
	Republicans	Democrats	Others
Pasco	158,671	116,820	120,364	https://www.pascovotes.gov/
Pinellas	246,386	249,990	207,100	https://www.votepinellas.com/
Hillsborough	287,857	357,863	277,262	https://www.votehillsborough.org/Home/id/39
Manatee	120,517	83,647	74,283	https://www.votemanatee.com/
Sarasota	148,746	101,114	95,143	https://www.sarasotavotes.gov/
Lee	216,814	135,184	155,554	https://www.lee.vote/
Collier	121,159	57,267	60,350	https://www.colliervotes.com/

 Source: County Supervisor of Elections Active Registered Voters as of 6/23/21    

For general election information and how elections are conducted on a statewide basis you can check out the Florida Division of Elections. The Florida Division of Elections facilitates coordination and interpretation of election laws and establishes uniform standards to ensure fair and accurate elections in Florida.

For the best up-to-date information on local, state, and federal elections visit https://floridapolitics.com/.

In both upcoming election cycles 2021, and 2022 we are likely to see a growing number of new faces entering the political arena from a broad spectrum of political views and ideas. If recent trends are any indicator, we could see large numbers of candidates in races for Mayors, SWchool Boards, City Commission members, County Commission members, State House and Senate representative seats as well as U.S. Congressional races, which will take place in 2022.

Incumbency has always been a powerful benefit in second, third and fourth tier elected posts in our state, federal, and local governing bodies.

I think we're going to see a change in that this year. In many cases, incumbency may be as big a detriment as it has been an asset in the past. And therefore, I would certainly encourage you as a voter, to take a strong look at the first time candidates who may be running for your local mayor, or your local county commission seat, or your Florida State House or Senate seat. The person that's been serving there for the last 15 years may not necessarily be the best person to represent your interests going forward.

Our society is changing at a dramatic rate. In fact, somebody a lot smarter than me once said, “In government change is not really the issue it's the rate of change that's the problem.”

In the past, government has been afforded the privilege of being somewhat sleepy based and having ample time to make decisions that affect people's everyday lives.

The public is growing weary of that approach to governing, and this new crop of political candidates at least proposes to change that.

It's unclear if they'll be able to do so, but one thing is for certain, voting for the people that have been there in the past will only assure that what's been going on in the past will continue.

In most political circumstances, a new face may well be better able to provide new solutions to even some of the oldest problems.

You, like many others, may tend to just pass on this election.

I would encourage you to please not do that. 

Every one of these offices is important. Every one of them elected will cast votes in your community, in your county, in your state that will somehow affect you. If you want to have your say represented, then pick a candidate who represents you and vote for them.

E-mail Doc at mail to: dr.gwebb@yahoo.com or send me a Facebook (E. Eugene Webb) Friend request. Like or share on Facebook and follow me on TWITTER  @DOC ON THE BAY.

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