Today’s Vote Explained: Who? What? When? Where?

January 29, 2008

The Florida Presidential Preference Primary is today. Polls will be open in Escambia County today from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. You will need to be a registered voter will proper identification to vote.

NorthEscambia.com will have complete coverage during the day today, and complete results tonight.

If you live in the Walnut Hill precinct and have voted at Ernest Ward Middle School in the past, you will vote this year at the Walnut Hill Community Center. See a separate story about the change here.

In the Presidential Primary, you will vote along party lines. Registered Republicans will receive a Republican Party ballot. Registered Democrats will receive a Democratic Party ballot, and those without a stated party affiliation will receive a nonpartisan ballot.

None of the local races for sheriff, county commission, school board or ECUA will be on the January ballot.

All three ballots will include a property tax amendment. If passed, it will double the homestead exemption to $50,000 for homes valued over $75,000, allow transfer of Save Our Homes benefits and provide a $25,000 tangible personal property exemption for businesses.

The Republican ballot includes names both familiar and perhaps a few you do not know. Republicans will vote for one from a list that includes Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, Duncan Hunter, Alan Keyes, John McCain, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, Tom Tancredo and Fred Thompson. Thompson has withdrawn from the race, will still appear on the ballot. To view a sample Escambia County Republican ballot, click here.

Those voting on the Democratic ballot will also choose just one from a list that includes Joseph Biden, Hillary Clinton, Christoper Dodd, John Edwards, Mike Gravel, Dennis Kucinich, Barrack Obama, and William “Bill” Richardson. To view a sample Escambia County Democratic ballot, click here.

There are no presidential candidates on Florida’s nonpartisan ballot, but nonpartisan voters will have the chance to vote on the property tax amendment. To view a sample Escambia County nonpartisan ballot, click here.

If you are not already registered to vote in the primary, it is too late. The registration books and the chance to change your party affiliation ended on December 31. Early voting ended Saturday, with 8,888 people voting early in Escambia County.

The January 29 Florida Presidential Primary proceeds the “Super Tuesday” primary in many states, including nearby Alabama, by one week.

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