Voters choose winners and losers today

Thousands of Leon County voters head to the polls today, selecting winners in a few contests and winnowing the field in several others.

By the end of the day, we’ll know the outcome of the races for Tallahassee City Commission Seat 2, Leon County School Board District 2 and county judge. General election candidates also will be decided for Tallahassee’s two congressional seats, as well as state house, state attorney, school superintendent, and Leon County Commission among others.

Leon County Supervisor of Elections Ion Sancho expects a 55 percent turnout, which, if achieved, would dwarf primary turnouts in 2014 (24 percent) and 2012 (30 percent).

So far, 28,786 ballots have been submitted by mail and early voting, which is equal to 14.7 percent of county registered voters. About 79,000 people need to vote today in order to reach Sancho’s prediction. In 2014, 25,477 voted on primary election day. That total was 32,858 in 2012.

Early primary voting set a record this year with 13,963 ballots, topping the previous record of 9,888 in 2010. However, in previous years, fewer locations were available for early voting.

Sancho said the high number of competitive races and the education level of Tallahasseeans drive high turnouts.

“We are, in my opinion, the most educated voters in the state of Florida,” Sancho said. “We understand the importance of voting, so I am not surprised we have seen the numbers we have seen.”

Election day is a huge undertaking for Sancho’s “excited” elections office employees.

Nearly 1,000 clerks will arrive at the 88 polling locations across the county today at 6 a.m. The trained clerks met at the Voting Operations Center on Apalachee Parkway on Monday, getting their final instructions before voting starts at 7 a.m. All of the clerks will work 14 hours today.

Sancho said voters will experience the busiest lines at 8 a.m., when state employees vote before going to work. The precinct with traditionally the highest turnout — usually over 90 percent — is at the Westminster Oaks retirement community. It’s followed by the Optimistic Park Clubhouse in the Indian Head neighborhood.

Remember to vote!

Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Residents can look up their polling location at LeonVotes.org or by calling the supervisor of elections office at 606-8683. Residents can vote at their precinct. All voters can submit ballots at the Leon County Courthouse, 301 S. Monroe St, and the Voting Operations Center, 2990-1 Apalachee Parkway.