By the time that readers pick up this week’s copy of The Laker/Lutz News on Nov. 4, the nation may know who won the presidential election — or not. It will depend on whether it’s a razor-thin result, or a landslide.
But, based on ballots cast by mail, or at early voting sites — there’s no doubt that this election motivated people to get out and vote.
Election officials in both Pasco and Hillsborough counties said operations went smoothly during early voting and that turnout was high.
“Pre-Election Day turnout was 60% of our entire voter roll and far surpassed the Pre-Election Day turnout from 2016,” said Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley, via email.
“We expect a strong election day turnout and to far exceed 2016 General Election turnout.”
Corley added that the county had the greatest number of days and locations for early voting in Pasco.
He also said “voters were very pleased with the precautions we took to ensure a safe environment.”
The supervisor said that he appreciates the county’s poll workers, who continually step up to serve voters.
He also thanks the patience of voters, as his office administers “the most scrutinized election, during a pandemic.”
In Hillsborough County, the vote totals for early voting and Vote by Mail are already approaching the total voter turnout for 2016, said Gerri Kramer, director of communications for Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer’s office.
Vote by Mail drop-off tents — used for the first time this year at Early Voting sites and offices —proved to be very popular with voters.
To find out the latest turnout numbers, go to VoteHillsborough.org or PascoVotes.com.
Published November 04, 2020
