Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
February 1, 2016 10:30 a.m.
As of today, February 1, 2016, there are 58,513 registered voters in Nassau County. Of those, the breakdown is as follows: Democrat, 14,407; Republican, 31,668; Other, 12,438. Look to see those numbers fluctuate as election dates near.
But for now, the most important date for Nassau County voters to mark on their calendar is February 16, 2016. That is the date the books close in preparation for the Presidential Preference Primary that will be held on March 15, 2016 (with early voting March 4-12). You have up to February 16 to register to vote or to change your party affiliation. You can only vote in a Democrat Primary if you are registered as a Democrat, or in a Republican Primary if you are a registered Republican. You may change your registration, depending on which primary is more important to you.
The table below has been updated to reflect information currently available on the Nassau County Supervisor of Elections website www.votenassau.com. Note that changes from last month are listed in bold.
In reviewing this list, several things stand out. First of all in almost all partisan races, only Republicans have filed to run. The exception is the Superintendent of Schools, where a Libertarian candidate has filed.
While incumbent clerk John Crawford has now filed to seek reelection and a second candidate (jimmy Dubberly) has filed to run for District 2 Ocean Highway and Port Authority, no one has filed yet to run in three races: School Board District 2, Ocean Highway and Port Authority District 1 , and Amelia Island Mosquito Control Board District 1.
Unless more Democrats and “Others” enter the local races, most of the elections will be decided in the summer Republican primary. People who choose to vote will need to balance their party of principle against the practicality of being able to vote in a local election. As things are shaping up, only registered Republicans will be able to decide important local races.
Everything you ever wanted to know about running for office—filing, qualifying, financial reporting, etc.—may be found on the Supervisor of Elections website www.votenassau.com. If you are still unclear, you will find that Elections Office staff are knowledgeable and willing to talk with you about your specific questions or the process in general. You may call, visit or email that office, and a friendly, patient staff member will answer all your questions.
Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.
Thanks, SuAnne, for the excellent article.
Am I correct in thinking that those people who are happy to vote in their own party’s Presidential Preference Primary do not need to change anything by February 16; but those people who want have have a vote in the School Board, OHPA, etc. primary races in the Summer must register as Republicans by August 1, 2016?
They’d then be able to change back the next day to vote under their preferred colors in November.
Voters who want to vote in the Presidential Preference Primary do not need to re-register if they are content to vote for a candidate in the party in which they are currently registered. If, however, you are a registered Republican and want to vote in the Democratic Presidential Primary–or vice versa–you must make the change by February 16.
With respect to school board elections this summer, since the races are all non partisan, party registration does not matter. However, this is not the case with the School Superintendent race, which is a partisan race, that will be closed to all but registered Republicans due to the candidacy of a Libertarian candidate who will face the primary victor in the November general election.
For all other political primaries that will be conducted this summer, the deadline for changing party registration is August 1. That primary will be conducted on August 30th. Following that date, voters may again change their registration if they desire.
The Republican candidate for public office is supposed to be the choice of Republicans. How shameful that voters would switch parties to influence a Republican primary. How disingenuous. Any party can field a candidate and have a primary. Blaming one party for exercising its legal right while failing to exercise its own is ludicrous.
I agree with the characterization of “shameful” and “ludicrous” for those who seek to influence (subvert) another party’s primary. I would expand that characterization to include Suanne’s continued proselytizing for such an effort. I frankly don’t expect any fair play from Messrs. Harrison, Werner or Crounse or from others who have advocated such actions in the comment sections of earlier columns regarding this matter. I do, however, expect more from Ms. Thamm and the FBO. If this publication is going to be simply partisan hackery, at least have the moral courage to be totally out front about it.
Just like the News Leader and Fox News Stephen?. Suanne, thanks again for your timely and extraordinary, thoughtful comments.
How shameful to Game the Democratic Voting System of a primary to bring into the contest, an Individual who in my opinion has absolutely no qualifications for the position of Nassau County Superintendent of Schools. For this person to be sponsored by suspect individuals,for the sole purpose of closing the Republican Primary is Despicable, and anything but democracy. To have only one qualified individual running for that office in the name of Dr. K. Burns. to be steam rolled by the Political Bosses, of Nassau County and this State is obscene. I went to War to protect my and your voting rights Ms Bruce to have a honest vote. As long as the dominate party chose to manipulate the system and use their Primary, Democrat or Republican to Elect their chosen one. I will switch my party affiliation. I will be a card carrying republican during the Republican Primary. My wish is, that all Republicans, Democrats or whoever. Vote for the person who will serve the Children of Nassau County the best. Education of our kids is way to important to leave to the Politicians and Party Bosses. BTW, I don’t know Dr. Burns personally, But I’ve talked to local educators, and researched her qualification as an administrator. She is the person our Kids need.
Yep. If you can’t beat ’em join ’em eh Crounse? If you are so fired up about lack of choices why don’t you run for any of the offices with no democrat candidates? Easy to be a keyboard commando I guess.
If I was a quarter century younger and in good health. I’d do that in a heart beat. But I’m not, so I’ll continue to protest, using the written word. Keyboard commando, hum, has a nice ring to it. Thanks for the tag, Stephen.
Stephen: Your point to Steve has ‘face validity’ because it would be the correct solution in a more evenly balanced electorate. But it it is not valid in Nassau County where one party dominates with 54% of the electorate.
If Steve were to run, he would certainly lose; not because of any lack of credentials, funding, charm, skills, intelligence, etc, but because voters in partisan elections vote their party, particularly on non-headline races. If all of the non-majority voters supported Steve (46%), he’d still not win. Knowing this, why would he run?
The debate in this thread should be about partisan elections, not about partisanship. Is our democratic election process damaged when 46% of the population is marginalized? What is the effect on community support for the positions being elected? What is the effect on the pool of qualified candidates who are prepared to stand? And what is the effect on the institutions to whom these officers are being elected?
I believe that harm is being done in each of the above areas because of the combination of partisan elections, an unevenly distributed electorate, and election laws that allow an unbalanced electorate to be gamed.
I believe that there is no place in Nassau County for partisan elections in down-ballot races. Eliminating them would – at a stroke – remove many of these problems.
Mike,
As you know I have agreed with you in the past about eliminating partisan races for some offices. I maintain that position. However, as I’ve also stated in the past, complaining about the composition of the electorate and bemoaning the impossibility of the minority party ever achieving success still comes across as whining (whinging to you Mike!)The percentage difference between the parties is not that great considering the abysmally low turnout and vote totals in the races. Recruit attractive candidates, knock on doors, organize. Remember that it wasn’t that long ago that the democrats held a huge majority in this county.
Sad that we don’t view continuous GOP gerrymandering and voter suppression tactics nationwide in the same light. Ms. Thamm enlightens us all, not turns off the light.
I believe our democracy works best with a strong two party system, not multiple parties and certainly not one party. There may be an occasional third party, but we are basically a two party system. Instead of trying to tear down the Republican Party why don’t non-republicans build their own party. Republican have not always been in control of this county as earlier stated. One, yes one, lone woman brought the Republican Party to life in this county. As to partisan elections, I want to know where candidates really stand before I vote, not after. All politicians promise what we all want to hear, but things change when the election is over. A conservative is not going to suddenly change colors anymore than a liberal is. I think most people want to do what is best for our community, but we have different ideas of how best to achieve that. That is why we need balance and a civil way of discussing the differences.
I agree with Nora. Unfortunately, the GOP – as an institution – has failed to deal with the political fission and dysfunction arising out of it’s Koch orchestrated “Tea Party” faction during the past 7 years. We are now where we are – and we all must reflect on where we, as a nation, state, and locality, can realistically go in this environment. The dangerous world that surrounds us will naturally take advantage of our own internal self destruction. Balance and civility are important. I would add three further wrinkles – critical analysis of real policy issues and alternatives instead of ” soundbites and labels”, good faith compromise, and trust. I rather like the opportunity to bring back Lincoln’s GOP. We will see.