Light Turnout In Miami-Dade For Primary Election
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Polling stations across the state opened at 7 a.m. Tuesday for the Primary Election and the turnout was light.
There was no reported problems at any polling locations across South Florida. As a matter of fact, voters were slowly trickling in.
"It's important to me," said one voter at a Hialeah polling place. "It's just my duty, my responsibility," the voter told CBS4's Summer Knowles.
Historically, the voter turnout at midterm elections are low, but nothing was going to keep this 96-year-old from voting Tuesday, not her age nor her poor vision.
"My vision is bad, but I'll be here until I'm 100," said an elderly but determined voter.
Although there are several congressional races on the ballot, along with contests for county commission, school board and courts, the highest profile race Tuesday is the one between former Gov. Charlie Crist and former Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich who are seeking the Democratic nomination for governor.
CBS4 News caught up with Rich at a polling place in Miami Gardens.
The self-admitted underdog said she has a very strong Democratic history and would represent Floridians well.
"How long have you been a Democrat? Since the day I could vote," said Rich while pointing out the fact that Crist was once a Republican.
Crist, meantime, participated in phone bank Monday evening, making calls to try to round up last minute support.
Although he is facing off with Rich, his focus from the beginning has been Governor Rick Scott.
Gov. Scott has two opponents in the Republican primary race for governor; Yinka Abosede Adeshina and Elizabeth Cuevas-Neunder, a Sarasota mother of three.
While Nan Rich is a long shot, observers and insiders are watching to see how many votes she gets as a sign of Crist's strength with Democratic voters.
In total, more than 29,000 people voted early in Miami Dade, with another 84,000 cast absentee ballots. In Broward, 19,000 cast their ballots ahead of time in Broward and about 40,000 turned in absentee ballots.
Shannon Dewitt who is a volunteer who reminds people to vote credits social media with the steady voting numbers.
"It get's them informed," said Dewitt. "They get a little. They take a little bit. They share a little bit and it obviously is a great form of communication."
POLLS RUNNING SMOOTH IN BROWARD
With light voter turnout and new machines, poll workers didn't have any issues.
"No issues, very successful," said Deputy Supervisor of Elections Christina White.
It's not easy to pull off considering the number of voters in Miami-Dade County. There are 1.3 million registered voters with 550,000 Democrats, 362,000 Republicans and 370,000 independent.
The canvasing board, made up of two judges and the supervisor of elections, analyzed questionable absentee ballots on Tuesday.
Voters were told to bring identification that had a photo and their signature. If the voter did not have ID available, they were asked to vote a provisional ballot. While the Voter Information Card was not required to vote, it helpedexpedite the check-in process.
Polls closed at 7 p.m.
Click here for more information on Miami-Dade County elections.
Click here for more information on Broward County elections.
Click here for more information on Monroe County elections.
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