Although Tuesday’s city election saw an encouraging increase in voter turnout from the last mayoral race, election officials see room for improvement.
Their disappointment is directed at the 62,456 registered voters who failed to make it to the polls, particularly in the on-campus precincts.
Of the 13,525 people registered to vote at the Reitz Union, the Performing Arts Center and the Florida Museum of Natural History, 501, or about 4 percent, came out to vote.
“I’m pretty sure everyone wants to have their voice heard,” said Pam Carpenter, Alachua County Supervisor of Elections. “I just don’t understand.”
Because there is no question on the ballot that asks for student identification, there is no exact indication of how many students turned out at the campus precincts.
Carpenter said apathy may be the culprit behind the low turnout.
City Commissioner Craig Lowe received the most votes in each of the three precincts, gaining 253 votes.
Monica Leadon Cooper had the second-highest total with 116 votes, followed by Don Marsh, who will be challenging Lowe in the April 13 runoff election, Richard Selwach and Ozzy Angulo.
For more information, visit elections.alachua.fl.us.
