Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
October 17, 2017 3:30 p.m.
The Nassau County Supervisor of Elections Office reports that they have mailed out 1,709 mail ballots for the November 7, 2017 General Election in the City of Fernandina Beach, FL. As of this writing, 398 have been returned, meaning that 3.78 percent of the registered voters in the city have already voted. By 7:00 p.m. on November 7, 2017, mailed ballots must be received in the office of the Supervisor of Elections, 96135 Nassau Place, Suite 3, Yulee, FL to be counted.
Two seats on the Fernandina Beach City Commission are being contested: Group 2, in which incumbent Commissioner Tim Poynter is being challenged by Philip Chapman; and Group 3, in which three candidates – Orlando Avila, Medardo Monzon and Chip Ross — are seeking the seat vacated by retiring commissioner Robin Lentz.
The term “Group” is an artificial construct, since all commissioners serve at large throughout the city. City elections are nonpartisan; any registered voter may vote.
You may track the return of mail ballots on the Supervisor of Elections website, www.votenassau.com. On the homepage under the section Election Information is a link named “Voter Turnout Quick View” which will provide you with the number of returned ballots on a daily basis.
You may also track candidate contributions and expenditures on that website by clicking on the tab “Offices Up For Election” at the bottom of the left column.
According to the latest reports, candidates in the Group 3 race have raised the most money: Avila, $7,547; Ross, $2,990; and Monzon, $2,450.17. Group 2 candidates record under $1,500 each: Chapman, $1,400; Poynter $1,000. Contributions include loans by the candidates to their own campaigns.
Only Group 3 candidates have reported in-kind contributions: Avila, $463.22; Monzon, $3,013.20; Ross, $4,125.80.
In addition to the city commission races, voters will be asked to express their preference for Mayor in a straw poll. Sitting Commissioners Len Kreger and John Miller have expressed interest in that position.
The Fernandina Observer does not endorse candidates. However, we have published candidates’ responses to questions we posed, in addition to their press releases and any major endorsements they have secured. This information is available on our website and readily available by scrolling through the blog or entering a candidate’s name in the search field on the home page www.fernandinaobserver.com.
Readers are reminded to view the Fernandina Observer’s Candidate Forum, now in its 6th year, at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 19, 2017 at Fernandina Beach City Hall.
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.