Election Day has dawned and voters are turning out in droves across Santa Rosa County.
After 32 percent voted by absentee ballot and during the eight day early voting period the turnout today is even stronger.
Lines have been reported at Life Christian Church on Avalon Boulevard as well as the Santa Rosa County Auditorium, which is just two of the 41 precincts across the county.
Santa Rosa County Supervisor of Elections Ann Bodenstein reported a small problem in Gulf Breeze when a DS2000 went down. Bodenstein reported they have the problem fixed but some voters had a hour plus wait as a technician was dispatched to fix the problem
As of Sunday, over 37,000 of the nearly 113,600 register voters had let their choices be known.
Polls will remain open until 7 p.m. this evening.
Besides the Presidential election local races contested include the District 4 spot on the Santa Rosa County School Board and the constitutional office of Sheriff of Santa Rosa County.
Santa Rosa County Sheriff Wendell Hall facing opposition from Chris Roper to see who will serve the next term as sheriff in Santa Rosa County, while Charles Elliott and Jenny Granse are running to see who will replace retiring Santa Rosa County School Board Member JoAnn Simpson.
After the polls close at 7 p.m. the Santa Rosa Press Gazette will be bringing you updated returns in the races for President, sheriff, and school board and a complete listing of results after all the votes come into the Santa Rosa Supervisor of Elections Office.
Bodenstein has predicted a 90 to 95 percent voter turnout and the early numbers are supporting her prediction.
If Bodenstein’s prediction is correct it would surpass the record of 81.6 percent of the county voting back in 1968.
Ironically the last presidential election drew 71.4 percent of the voters in Santa Rosa County to cast a ballot.
Some are suggesting the lines are being caused by the nine constitutional amendments as well as judge retention votes.
The Amendments on the ballot this year focuses on – health care services, veterans disabled due to combat injury getting a homestead property tax discount, a state government revenue limitation, property tax limitations when property values decline, state courts, prohibition on public funding of abortions, religious freedom, homestead property tax exemption for surviving spouse of military veteran or first responder, tangible personal property tax exemption, an additional homestead exemption for low income seniors, and the appointment of student body president to board of governors of the state university system.
According to Bodenstein, Governor Rick Scott could extend voting hours in the state of Florida by up to two hours, but that decision would not be made until around 1 p.m. local time on Election Day.
The Santa Rosa Press Gazette will be posting online returns election day and will have complete coverage of the election returns from the Santa Rosa Supervisor of
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Santa Rosa voter turnout is strong (updated)