While the national parties work to shore up their bases and GOP candidates jockey for position and those on the fringe just try to take it all in, local elections officials are busy preparing for the 2012 election season. Some of these officials have numerous concerns about when the primary will be held, how much it will cost and whether or not new laws will impact part of the preparation equation.
In 2008 states across the country jockeyed to be among the first to hold presidential primaries with some of the primaries being held before some people had even taken down their up-too-long Christmas decorations. Four years later, while the race to be first may not be as frenzied, the battle over when to hold primaries still has some local election officials in a holding pattern for preparations for 2012.
The national parties have told the Sunshine State that it cannot hold its primary until March 6, however, a task force to choose the primary date — scheduled to meet Sept. 30 — seems to be leaning toward a February primary.
Elections supervisor throughout the state, already concerned about how/if new election reforms will impact the primary are in a worried holding pattern while waiting on the task force.
“We supervisors of elections wrote to the governor, president of the Senate, speaker of the house, and the secretary of state back in May to urge them to appoint the committee as soon as possible so we could plan appropriately,” said David Stafford, election supervisor of Escambia County and president of the Florida State Association of Election Supervisors
Although there may be some budgetary impacts by the delay, Lori Edwards, supervisor of elections in Polk County said her greatest concern is securing polling locations.
“It’s difficult,” Edwards said. “Our biggest challenge is not being certain that rooms and buildings we use for polling locations or training rooms will be available. If a polling location is unavailable it can inconvenience voters.”
Full Article: electionlineWeekly.