Municipal Election-"Provisional Ballots do matter!"

There is no better example of how every vote counts than during the recent New Port Richey municipal election when the canvassing of provisional ballots tipped the balance in the race for city council seat.  Initial tabulation showed candidate Chopper Davis in the lead over candidate Rose Mohr by just nine votes – a .46 percent margin that would have resulted in an automatic recount.  Enter three provisional ballots, two statutorily issued due to lack of photo and signature identification, and one relocated voter from another Florida County, and suddenly the lead for Davisjumped to .51 percent making no recount necessary per Florida Statutes.  A difference of only 10 votesultimately determined this tight race.

This time, the vote that made the difference came from a provisional ballot, but it’s inclusion in the results was not dependent upon the closeness of the race.  Provisional ballots are always tabulated if research indicates that the voter is properly registered and within the correct precinct. However, this is a text book example of how important provisional ballots are.  Not only did this vote make the difference, it came with insurance that it was legitimately cast by a qualified elector.  

"I tell people all the time when I speak that their vote counts, and this is an excellent example of that.  Not only because of the provisional ballot, but also the thin margin with which this race was determined”,said Supervisor Corley.  “Ten people that decided to exercise their right that day made the difference.”