Elections Office moves on to certifying the election
Nov. 8 was an Election Day like no other in Southwest Florida this past week.
With the destruction of Hurricane Ian still visibly and tangibly present, the Lee County Elections Office had to switch gears. Many of the usual polling sites were either destroyed, heavily damaged, or unsafe for the public. The large number of volunteers needed to smoothly tabulate votes and work precincts had larger things on their plate due to the storm.
Despite the chaos and needing a bit of patience to figure out results, which will be be certified Nov. 18, Supervisor of Elections Tommy Doyle said he is encouraged with the 53.27% voter turnout considering what took place just over a month ago.
“Myself and our staff were pleased with the voter turnout for the General Election, especially considering the effects this devastating hurricane had on Lee County and its citizens,” Doyle said.
There are 518,035 active eligible voters in Lee County, of which 276,256 cast a ballot. In terms of how people voted, 142,387 voted by mail, with 133,638 were labeled as Early Voting (which included Election Day).
Of the usual 97 precincts open on Election Day, only 12 were operational with a 13th on Boca Grande. Doyle’s office urged voters to get their ballots cast early, though that’s an “easier said than done” task to some whose lives have been turned upside down. Long lines and wait times were experienced at some locations.
“Early voting numbers weren’t as high as we had liked, despite the repeated messages from our office to early vote,” Doyle said. Some voters preferred to vote on Election Day.”
Doyle said he anticipated long lines at voting sites on Election Day, and to best serve voters, they purchased approximately 50 more ExpressVote marking device systems to place in the Early Voting locations.
“Voters and poll workers had positive responses to using the ExpressVote marking devices,” Doyle said. “The system is easy to use and helped to move the voters through lines efficiently.”
Doyle said he understands the concern from voters for more voting sites. He said with the number of sites they were limited to, they managed to keep many Early Voting locations voters were already familiar with.
“By replacing traditional Election Day polling places, the voter center model was successful in providing everyone access to vote, especially those displaced by the hurricane,” Doyle said.
All provisional ballots, write-in votes, overseas Vote-by-Mail ballots, and Vote-by-Mail ballots with signature cures still have to be canvassed. Numbers won’t be official until the election is formally certified.
“We are incredibly thankful to our voters for coming out to vote and for their patience and understanding,” Doyle said. “Our office conducted this election under emergency conditions and with limited poll worker availability. Despite the challenges, our office remained committed to ensuring the voters of Lee County could cast their votes safely and securely.”
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To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com