Pasco County elections supervisor Brian Corley is considering the mid-term election a success, as more than 150,000 voters made their way to the polls locally, and exceeded the dismal 47 percent turnout the county had in 2010.
As election workers get ready to tabulate votes, people are still going to the polls — they are open until 7 p.m. Here are some of the things those voters are saying as they cast their ballots.
Tommy Seal, 40, of Zephyrhills, accompanied his 18-year-old son, Isaiah Seal, to Alice Hall Community Center in Zephyrhills to cast their ballots. For Isaiah, this was his first time at the ballot box.
Both said they were supporting Rick Scott for governor.
“He’s done some good things for the state,” the older Seal said. “He’s helped improve the economy.”
However, the two were in disagreement on Amendment 2, the constitutional amendment that would legalize medicinal marijuana — but not in the way one might think.
Tommy Seal voted for it. His son didn’t.
“Honestly, if you’re in pain, every opportunity to help you, I think should be available to help you,” the older Seal said.
“There’s already problems with drug dealing in Florida,” his son said. “I thought it wouldn’t be wise to support it.”
David Sanchez, 59, of Wesley Chapel, took his parents to Alice Hall so they could vote. He’d already voted earlier himself.
Unlike the Seals, Sanchez cast his vote for Charlie Crist, and threw his support behind Amendment 2.
“I’m a lifelong Democrat,” Sanchez said. “The Republicans never did anything for me.”
His reasons for supporting medical marijuana were personal.
“I have two sisters that died from cancer,” he said. “They both suffered. They both looked like concentration camp survivors.”
Lauren Butts, 28, of Zephyrhills, went to the polling place to show her support for Danny Burgess, who is running for the state House District 38 seat.
“I’ve known him my whole life,” she said. “I wouldn’t trust any candidate more than I trust him.”
Dani Stoughtenger, 19, of Zephyrhills, wanted to be sure to make her voice heard.
“I’m liberal,” she said. “I voted for Charlie Crist. I voted yes on Amendment 2. I voted for Danny Burgess.”
Burgess, however, identifies as a conservative Republican.
“He is in the community,” Stoughtenger added. “He’s always been a part of the community. They’re a great family here in the Zephyrhills area. My family is actually friends with the Burgess family.”
J.J. Battle, 43, of Wesley Chapel, said he came out to support Crist.
“I haven’t been pleased with Rick Scott,” he said.
Scott’s refusal to accept federal funds for projects like high-speed rail and other services, led to job cuts and reduced services, he said.
“I’ve got clients that need help, and I can’t give it to them,” Battle said.
He also voted against medical marijuana.
“I don’t see a need for it,” he said. “I think it would be overused, and used in the wrong way.”
Danielle Westbrook, 30, was at the Wesley Chapel polling place with her 1-year-old son, Amos Rivera.
The two issues that stood out for her were the governor’s race and Amendment 2. She supported Adrian Wyllie, the Libertarian candidate for governor.
“It’s important for people to know that you can vote for a party besides Democratic or Republican,” she said.
Westbrook did support medical marijuana, saying she thinks people who are ill should have that option.
