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ABATE of Florida Inc SOUTHWEST CHAPTER
30
LEGISLATIVE REPORT October 2008
Good Morning Freedom Fighters:
Important Election Season Is Upon Us
Lee County residents will help pick a new president in a time of war, rising
gas prices and a slumping economy. They will vote in an intriguing congressional
race. They will decide on changing the state constitution and county charter, on
legislative races and on local races from county commission to sheriff to property
appraiser.
They've already voted in a presidential
primary, to change property tax laws, and in
a local primary. With the primary season
over, they will have the chance to vote again
next month, in the Nov. 4 general election.
It adds up to one of the most historic
election seasons in county history.
Commissioner Frank Man, a lifelong
Lee County resident who began his political
career in 1974 in the Florida House of
Representatives, believes any one of the
issues on the upcoming ballot is worthy of
serious debate.
"Looking at the issues collectively, I
cannot remember an election that had more
very serious and significant issues all
crammed onto one year's ballot," he said.
The biggest race is for the biggest
job: the country's chief executive.
Democratic candidate Barack Obama and
his running mate, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden,
against presumptive Republican nominee
John McCain and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
The general election turnout in 2004,
when George Bush defeated John Kerry,
was 79 percent. Could this be the year that
tops the 1992 turnout of 88 percent - the
highest total Lee's elections office has on its
Web site, which tracks turnout back to
1976?
In 1992, the country was unhappy
about a war and the economy. Another Bush
was president.
Still, Lee County Supervisor of
Elections Sharon Harrington's initial feeling
is the record will not be beaten. She does
not even believe the 2008 turnout will
surpass 2004.
"I have too many people telling me "I
don't know who to vote for." I don't know if
the running mates are going to change their
minds. I don't know how people are going to
feel about having a woman on the
(Republican) ticket. It didn't work the first
time," she said, referring to Geraldine
Ferraro being Democratic candidate Walter
Mondale's running mate in 1984. She
refuses to make a turnout prediction.
Bonita Springs Mayor Ben Nelson,
who has lived in Bonita since he was 4,
believes turnout will match the 1992 mark.
"It bodes well for the entire country,
and our community, that we're going to get a
lot of people out on a lot of issues," Nelson,
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