Record turnout for illegally closed primary

The corrupt, developer-driven, coverup-prone St. Johns County political machine is angry and angst-ridden today.

The St. Augustine Record reports a record turnout for the August 30th primary, both in mailed-in votes and early in-person votes.

Many people changed their voting registration to "Republican" months ago, planning to vote for Debra Maynard for Sheriff, knowing that seedy, sadistic, shambolic satraps, led by Sheriff DAVID SHOAR and his henchmen, including ex-City Manager WILLIAM BARRY HARRISS, ROBERT THORNTON SMITH and the sere remnants of the corrupt Sheriff NEIL PERRY political machine, would likely close the universal primary to benefit crooked Sheriff DAVID SHOAR, f/k/a "HOAR," Governor Richard Scott's hand-picked Court Clerk imposter HUNTER CONRAD, and developer-backed County Commission candidates.

Yes, there is a record voter turnout despite customary developer money bombs and double doses of illegal voter suppression -- denial of votes to Democrats and independents in the illegally-closed universal primary for Sheriff, Court Clerk and two Commissioner spots and denial of any early voting location within the territorial limits of the City of St. Augustine.

Here's the Record story:

Early voting turnout numbers strong
Posted: August 22, 2016 - 11:51pm | Updated: August 23, 2016 - 12:05am


By EMELIA HITCHNER
emelia.hitchner@staugustine.com
If early voter turnout in St. Johns County is any indication, there’s high interest in the primary with ballot numbers to prove it.

Although early voting began Saturday and continues until Aug. 27, Supervisor of Elections Vicky Oakes said the numbers are already much higher than they have been in previous primary elections.

“The first day of early voting we had 1,306 people vote compared to the past, where around 700 people would come out for the opening day,” Oakes said. “I think we’re going to see a really good turnout with the elections.”

Requests for vote-by-mail ballots totalled around 23,000 this year, a huge uptick in numbers compared to past primary ballot requests of 5,000 to 7,000, Oakes added.

More than 8,000 ballots have been mailed to voting locations while 3,000 have participated in early voting.

Oakes said she believes the high turnout is connected to several “hot races” such as the sheriff, clerk of courts and three county commission contests. Federal elections tend to increase voter turnout, as well.

“With our county commissioners alone, that’s three of our five commissioner seats and that could set the direction of the board,” she said. “It could change a lot, depending on who’s elected.”

Oakes said vote-by-mail ballots should be sent by Thursday, otherwise they might arrive too late to be counted.

“But just because a person has received a ballot in the mail does not preclude them from voting in person,” Oakes said. “So they can still go in for early voting or wait for general election day.”

Early voting will take place at the Supervisor of Elections Office, Julington Creek Annex, Ponte Vedra Branch Library, Southeast Branch Library, St. Augustine Town Hall and Hastings Town Hall from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Saturday. Polls will be reopen 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 30 for the general election.