New Walton County Precincts Needed

[DuneLaker]

With the 2010 census approaching, now is the time to request that new precinct lines be drawn in Walton County. There is a huge discrepancy between the numbers of voters squeezed into just a few precincts in South Walton as compared to North Walton. While the South Walton precincts have thousands that must contend for a space at the voting booth on election day, there are only around 100 in some North Walton precincts. There is reason to believe that the numbers for South Walton were undercounted in 2000 census. Having equal and balanced precincts might help in the process as well as give voters in South Walton an equal voting opportunity.

 

[wrobert]

With the 2010 census approaching, now is the time to request that new precinct lines be drawn in Walton County. There is a huge discrepancy between the numbers of voters squeezed into just a few precincts in South Walton as compared to North Walton. While the South Walton precincts have thousands that must contend for a space at the voting booth on election day, there are only around 100 in some North Walton precincts. There is reason to believe that the numbers for South Walton were undercounted in 2000 census. Having equal and balanced precincts might help in the process as well as give voters in South Walton an equal voting opportunity.

With opportunities for mail in voting via absentee and early voting, if someone stands in line to vote, that is pretty much a personal choice.

But if you have a specific concern, Bobby Beasley would certainly be open to discuss it with you. They recently split off the Rosemary Beach area into a precinct. Personally, I think that precinct consolidation is where we need to go. It is getting more and more difficult to find poll workers from what I hear, and the costs of running the 34, I think, precincts in Walton County have got to be going up with ADA compliance and maintaining voting equipment.

 

[DuneLaker]

Yes. There is a new Rosemary Beach precinct. I do agree with you that precinct consolidation needs to take place. There is certainly a potential to save some money here. However, the precincts in South Walton need to be subdivided more with consolidation in North Walton. Bobby Beasley would be very helpful, I agree. A listing of the precincts and the count for each would be helpful. Maybe someone has it handy to post. It is usually broken down by precinct, voters, and by party affiliation. A lot of people do early vote. What is that percentage now? Over 50%? But, that leaves 50% left to stand in line at the overcrowded South Walton precincts. A more even/equal distribution would fulfill the one person, one vote requirement.

 

[ckhagen]

I had people observing at pretty much every South Walton precinct on Primary Day and I don't recall their ever being a line that required more than 2 or 3 minutes wait. Not saying we couldn't use one or two more (and I agree about consolidation in the North end), but I don't think the lines were awful or anything. Miramar and Santa Rosa Beach could probably both use to be broken down into two.

 

[DuneLaker]

Freeport, precinct #11 and North DeFuniak #14 are both very large. Travel time to the polling place could also be a consideration. Would be interesting to see how other counties divide up their precincts. Believe Bay County has fairly equal numbers.

 

[DuneLaker]

Since this is a Presidential year, and interest seems to be up, numbers will be higher.

 

[wrobert]

Since this is a Presidential year, and interest seems to be up, numbers will be higher.

I doubt you see any changes this year. Ballots and other things would have to be in place. You have to find ADA compliant locations. Equipment to be bought in a very tight budget year. And volunteers to work and be trained for a very important election. I do not think that this is enough time to get things in place at this late date.

www.votewaltoncounty.com is the website for the SOE.

http://www.votewaltoncounty.com/Registration.htm gets you the reports that are available that should give you the details that you are looking for.

South Walton is such a peculiar area when it comes to turn out. For the special school tax election turnout in Miramar was 7 or 8%. For primaries it is usually low, but in general elections it is very high. I come across voters all the time that have never missed a general election, and never voted in any other election.

 

[ShallowsNole]

It's going to be tough to consolidate in the the north end. A bunch of people in Alaqua got pizzed when the polling place was moved to Woodlawn. It becomes even more proprietary north of DeFuniak

 

[DuneLaker]

Consolidation certainly would not come easy. Would probably even take an inquiry from the United States Justice Department that oversees redistricting, etc. to do. The disparity is so large, if an inquiry was ever made, changes would probably be required. This would take the heat off the local elections office. This is an election year for that position.

 

[DuneLaker]

Web sites are not working for information at this time. Need to stop by Elections Office in the South Walton Annex and just ask for a hard copy when by that way. Usually they have it on a good one page format.