By Andy Boyle and Jessica Vander Velde, Times Staff Writers
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
The bitter and expensive primary campaign for governor and U.S. Senate officially ended for several voters Tuesday morning with a shout at Westminster Presbyterian Church in St. Petersburg.
For many voters, it couldn't come soon enough.
"The polls are now open," a poll worker yelled at 7 a.m.
A few voters streamed in, leaving behind damp weather and weeks of negative campaign ads.
"It was a case of holding my nose and voting," said Democrat Michael Toy, 64, who voted for Kendrick Meek for U.S. Senate.
He said he didn't like anyone running. He wouldn't say who else he voted for.
"I think the electorate is getting angry at career politicians and politics as usual," Toy said.
The dislike of negative campaign tactics had bipartisan support.
"I thought it was awful this year," said Republican Ellen Nist.
Toy agreed. "I think it was disgusting," he said.
Voting was light in the early hours at several polling locations in the Tampa Bay area. One was Bell Shoals Baptist Church in Brandon.
There were more people holding campaign signs than actual voters at the Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N in downtown St. Petersburg.
In west Tampa, a few voters trickled in as Ruth Williams, 53, held a sign in support of Kevin White outside a polling place.
She got there at 7 a.m. in the drizzle and sat under large green umbrella near the road. She smiled as drivers honked.
She hoped the rain wouldn't dampen voter turnout.
"If you're a person who really wants to vote and it's in your heart to vote, then nothing's going to stop you," she said.
Stacey Fernandez, 43, of Lutz, said she thought turnout was low because Tuesday was the first day of school.
Fernandez, who has a high school age student, said she didn't know what time the bus came or the route and had to driver her teenager to school.
"I think whoever was planning the election didn't take into account it's the first day of school," she said.
As of 9:30 a.m., there were no significant problems at any of the polling sites in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.
There was some minor confusion early at a Riverview polling place when a worker couldn't find the ballots, but it didn't keep anyone from casting votes.
Some Hillsborough County voters have had trouble finding their polling places, according to a spokesman for the Supervisor of Elections.
The county has 44 new precinct locations.
Hillsborough voters who want help finding their precinct location can go to www.votehillsborough.org and click on their precinct-finder tool.
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