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Election Day Live Blog

August 14, 2012

This is an archive of our Live Election Blog from today. No further updates will be posted to this story.

7:00 p.m. — Polls are now closed. Live Election Results Coming Up Soon on NorthEscambia.com!

5:20 p.m — Weather has become a factor in voting in North Escambia this afternoon with strong storms slowing the lines at the polls. We are now in what is typically the busiest two hours of voting of the afternoon on an election day. Candidates and supporters and continuing to stand outside polling locations making a last minute push, like sheriff candidate John Powell (pictured) at Precinct 110 at Pensacola Christian College. (Do you have photos to share? Email them to news@northescambia.com.)

4:35 p.m. – Special weather statement issued for strong storms moving into Escambia County. Polls remain open until 7 p.m.

4:05 p.m. — Strong storms are developing north and west of Escambia County around Atmore and Mobile. The storms are moving toward the east; if they hold together expect rain at the polls. But you can beat the rain, and the late after rush, by heading out now.

3:15 p.m. — Don’t forget that a photo and signature ID is required for all voters – if you do not present an approved form of ID, you may vote a provisional ballot. A driver’s license is safe bet. Many precincts still reporting a light turnout so far.

2:00 p.m. – Five hours until the polls close at 7:00. Things usually get busy after about 4:30. Candidates and supporters are out waving signs at polling places, like Ernest Ward student Mitchell Singleton (pictured top) showing his support for District Escambia County Commission candidate Jim Taylor at the precinct at Barrineau Park Community Center.

1:25 p.m. – A quick lunch…the number of voters increased during the lunch hour at many precincts in District 5. That’s a usual occurrence on election day as people vote during their lunch break or when they are back with their spouse around lunch. Voter turnout around the area is still being reported as low to moderate. Surprising, considering that we are voting on a commissioner and sheriff. Those offices usually bring people out to the polls.

12:10 p.m. — Turnout is reported to be generally light around the area…easy in, easy out at most precincts. Still have an absentee ballot that you did not cast? You can return it unvoted to your precinct, have it cancelled and vote there. If it’s a voted ballot, it can’t be returned at the precinct…it must be returned to the Elections Office downtown by 7 p.m.

11:35 a.m. — Coming up on the llunch hour. Voting usually picks up during this time . No major problems reported at any of the area precincts. A few showers reported in the Gonzalez and East Nine Mile Road area.

11:00 a.m. — In Escambia County, 6,685 voters had already cast their ballot before today. More than 1 million primary votes were cast in early voting or turned in by absentee ballots this year across Florida, state officials said Tuesday as Election Day primary voting got underway. The total is up 350,000 over 2008, despite five fewer days of early voting. With just one statewide race on the ballot – the U.S. Senate seat – turnout was expected to be low across the state, as it typically is in primaries. The primary in 2010 drew 22 percent of voters and 2008 brought out just 18 percent.

10:35 a.m. — Don’t forget NorthEscambia.com is the place to be tonight to get all of the election results from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. As soon as the results are in after 7 p.m., they will be posted here on NorthEscambia.com. This is the place to be tonight for all the election results.

9:15 a.m. – Big races on the District 5 ballot — county commissioner, sheriff and more — are not translating to big turnout in the North Escambia area, according to reports from a few precincts with no line, no waiting.

8:45 a.m. – Don’t forget…your voting precinct and polling place may have changed (especially for folks in the 9 Mile Road area due to redistricting!). Check her sample ballot, voter info car, EscambiaVotes.com or call (850) 595-3900 to make sure you head to the right place to vote.

8:05 a.m. — Turnout was reported to be slow but steady at polling locations in North Escambia during the first hour of voting. Today is not just a Republican primary. All registered voters, regardless of party affiliation, are eligible to vote in certain contests on the ballot, while other contests are restricted to voters in a specific political party or district — check your sample ballot to view the contests in which you can vote.

7:25 a.m. – The polls are open in Florida until 7 p.m. tonight. There is a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms by this afternoon. Get out and vote this morning if you want to avoid the possibility of rain later.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Blog, News