Two days into early voting in Santa Rosa County and the turnout has been quiet strong. During the first two days over 4,950 took the time to cast their ballot. Santa Rosa County Supervisor of Elections Ann Bodenstein is predicting a 90 to 95 percent voter turnout and the early numbers are supporting her prediction. "The longest wait we had on Saturday was an hour and 15 minutes," Bodenstein said. "The wait didn't seem to bother anyone and on Sunday it has been quite steady." Monday has not slowed voting down in the early morning hours according to Bodenstein. "We get about 15 or so voters coming in about every time the light changes," Bodenstein said. Santa Rosa County is not the only one posting big two-day early voting numbers so far. In neighboring counties, Paul Lux, Supervisor of Elections in Okaloosa County indicated around 7,200 had voted in the first two days of early voting, while in Escambia County the first two days saw just over 9,500 take advantage of the early voting period. While Bodenstein and her office did not receive any complaints the lines did deter some from voting this weekend. I went around 4 p.m. (Saturday) and the parking lot was full and the line so long I couldn't see the end," said Angel Hill on the Press Gazette's Facebook page. "I'll go back at a less popular time. "I am so glad to see everyone participating." The lines didn't deter people like Angelica Shoto. "We went about 1:30 and left around 2:30 p.m.," Shoto said. "The line was long, but anything to keep my Commander in Chief in the office!" Elyse Winters was not deterred when she voted at 10 a.m. on Saturday. "It took almost 2 hours but it was worth it to elect Mitt Romney the next President of the United States!" Winters said. Besides the Presidential race, there will be nine constitutional amendments as well as judge retention votes and two local elections. The local races involve 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, who currently represents District 4. 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. Across the sate the number has been pretty strong as well with over 36,500 voting over the weekend in Hillsborough County, while Leon County is reporting just under 10,000, and Orange County is reporting nearly 25,000 ballots over the same period.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Voter turnout heavy so far