Reflections on Presidential Preference Primary

Contrary to popular belief, the work for my staff and I doesn't end when the polls close on election day.

Elections are much like Thanksgiving in that there is a tremendous amount of preparation and once everyone is done eating the turkey, stuffing, etc., there is still much to do.  You have dessert, cleaning up, divvying up the leftovers and more. 

The same holds true for elections administration.

Although there are months of preparation for election day, the work doesn't cease when the polls closed on January 31st at 7 p.m.  We have myriad post-election duties, which include picking up voting equipment and other polling place supplies from 154 precincts across the entire county. 

The truck pulled into our elections service center around 11:30 p.m. on Jan. 31 and by the time all of the ballots and returned supplies were unloaded, it was past midnight.

My staff and I grabbed a few hours of sleep and were busy beyond words in the a.m. We have to reconcile each precinct with ballots, voting passes and audit each to ensure accuracy. We had many provisional ballots (voters whose eligibility couldn't be determined on election day) for receipt, research and recommendation to the county canvassing board on whether the ballot should be tabulated. 

Since this was a federal election, our military/overseas voters have 10 days to return ballots. Additionally, once the election is certified, we are required to conduct a post election audit (yet another level of transparency and testing) to ensure the machines work properly.  

The books won't fully close on this election until Monday, Feb.13. The old adage, "you are only as good as your last election," is so true and it's important to thank an amazing group of poll workers who give of themselves to assist my stellar and dedicated staff to continue Pasco County's tradition of excellence with elections administration. 

I'm proud to report that Pasco was the first county in the entire state to report early voting and absentee results after the polls closed (we were even mentioned on national television with the results) and we had ALL precinct results in at 7:56 p.m., which is phenomenal considering the logistics of the process.

 I'm also pleased that my prediction of 25 percent was wrong in that we had a nearly 38-percent turnout.  It's noteworthy that while my staff and I were still preparing for the PPP election, we had already initiated the municipal election cycle, which takes place in April.

My staff and I work very hard to make sure elections are smooth and seamless, now it's up to the voters to have their voices heard in August and November.