"Two polls show Alex Sink leads Rick Scott by a percentage point. Scott likely has a lead in early voting because more Republicans turned out."Polls show Sink is doing well in South Florida and Tampa Bay. Scott leads in North Florida, Southwest Florida and rural counties. That leaves Central Florida as the place up for grabs -- a region where Sink spent two of the last three days.
"Polls show Alex Sink, Rick Scott in virtual tie for governor". See also "Alex Sink and Rick Scott in Tight Race as Florida Votes", "Quinnipiac poll: Tight race for governor, Rubio leading Senate race" and "2 new polls show Sink, Scott within 1 point".
"Republican Rick Scott and Democrat Alex Sink are locked in a tight race for Florida governor, with the winner unlikely to be known until long after the polls close Tuesday. Through months of attack ads and three debates, polls released in the campaign's final days showed the bitter race was still too close to call." "Voters decide whether Scott, Sink will be governor". See generally: "Tight races for governor, Congress on Fla. ballot". See also "Poll: Will Early Votes Put Rick Scott Over The Top?" and "Razor-close governor's race triggers fears of recount".
"'This is an area that will vote Democratic and Republican in the same election. They’re classic ticket-splitters,' says Tom Eldon, a Democratic political consultant and pollster who is based in Sarasota." "Hillsborough, Pinellas: The two counties to watch on election night".
Sink may emerge as Dems biggest winner nationwide
"As Democrats brace for major losses throughout the nation, Alex Sink could emerge as one of her party's biggest winners nationwide in the Florida governor's race. Or Rick Scott could keep the governor's mansion in GOP hands. Both parties consider winning the Florida governor's race an important step toward capturing the state's 27 electoral votes so crucial for a presidential win in 2012." "Florida's governor's race considered key to presidential election in 2012".
"Frenetic schedules"
"With just one day before Floridians head to the polls, candidates are making their last-ditch efforts to rally votes. All three major candidates for the U.S. Senate have frenetic schedules." "One day out, candidates make last-ditch efforts to lure voters". See also "Rick Scott Winds Down Bus Tour, Revs Up Voters".
Dems on the hot seat
"The Republican targets included seven-term "Blue Dog" Democratic Rep. Allen Boyd in north Florida and Rep. Ron Klein, a two-term Democrat who unseated longtime Republican Congressman Clay Shaw in South Florida four years ago. The GOP also painted bulls eyes on two freshman Democrats in central Florida, Reps. Alan Grayson and Suzanne Kosmas." "4 Fla. congressional incumbents on hot seat".
Almost over
"Voting under way in South Florida".
Daniel Ruth: "Merciful heavens, it’s almost over". The Saint Petersburg Times editorial board: "Voting matters — particularly today in this midterm election at this moment in Florida. Florida voters will elect a new U.S. senator, the next governor and the three members of the state Cabinet." "Your vote counts".
Bellwethers
"Political change in the air? What to watch for tonight as votes counted". See also "In a tight race, turnout is key".
"The Democratic ticket in Florida turned to its party's most popular national figure, former President Bill Clinton, in a last-ditch effort Monday to rouse the faithful and offset Republicans swamping the early and absentee vote." "Sink, Democrats rally with Clinton, as GOP talks of Rubio's coattails". See also "Senate candidates seek late edge in Orlando".
Amendments 5 and 6
"Why Amendments 5 and 6 should pass".
Crist "upbeat as any frontrunner"
"If you look at the polls, Charlie Crist's U.S. Senate campaign is poised for a beating Tuesday. If you look at Crist campaigning across Florida in recent days, he's as upbeat as any frontrunner." "Shrugging at Senate race polls, Charlie Crist remains upbeat".
CFO
"Senate President Jeff Atwater and former state Rep. Loranne Ausley vied Tuesday to become the state's next chief financial officer, which is considered Florida's second most influential office." "GOP's Atwater and Democrat Ausley vie for CFO".
"National conservative stardom"
"Florida's marathon U.S. Senate campaign neared its end Monday looking nothing like the race that began almost two years ago. Marco Rubio, the onetime Republican underdog, returned to South Florida on the cusp of victory and national conservative stardom. Polls, including three new surveys released Monday, show Rubio with a solid lead over independent Gov. Charlie Crist and Democrat Kendrick Meek." "Rubio, one-time U.S. Senate underdog, on verge of national conservative stardom".
Raw (almost) sewage
"Broward balks at order to stop dumping treated sewage into ocean".
Check is in the mail
"The check is in the mail for thousands of Florida retirees who don't use direct deposit." "Unexplained glitch delays state retirees' monthly pay".
Say hello to your poll watcher today
"Thanks to the 2000 presidential election debacle -- most of it centered here in Florida -- both major parties have amassed a storehouse of legal firepower. As voters head to the polls Tuesday, judicial decisions and the mere presence of lawyers have already affected some midterm elections across the country." "Scores of Election-Watching Lawyers Gather Nationwide".
Florida Legislature to remain red
"Most of Florida's incumbent legislators face weak or no opposition Tuesday, but the Democrats are hoping they can knock off one of the state's most powerful Republicans: Sen. John Thrasher, the Florida GOP chairman." "GOP certain to retain Fla. legislative majority". Related: "Tryon: Legislature would work better with Alex Sink".
Blue Blue Dog
"In December 2009,"
several high-profile Florida representatives (including Senate candidate Kendrick Meek) wrote (.pdf) to Congress urging them to consider the economic impacts of implementing a set of numeric nutrient criteria that would strictly govern the levels of waste allowed to be dumped in Florida waters. Rep. Allen Boyd, D-Tallahassee, currently locked in a difficult reelection campaign against Republican Steve Southerland, was one of the heavy-hitters to sign the letter, and has since fought hard for deregulation.
"The spotty environmental record and tough reelection bid of Rep. Boyd".
"Super PACs"
"Political operatives are exploiting new loopholes to create outside groups that can spend unlimited amounts opposing or supporting candidates nationwide. Many of these so-called 'Super PACs' have only registered within the last few weeks, meaning voters won’t know who is funding them till well after election day." "Millions of ‘Super PAC’ dollars flow through Tampa and into races nationwide".
Food for votes?
"As a six-term incumbent, Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Jacksonville, should have no trouble amassing a significant number of votes during today’s election. But she is now using an interesting tactic to increase voter turnout — free food." "Yost campaign alleges fraud, says Brown is trading food for votes".
Online campaigns fade
"The online portion of political campaigns was not a dominating issue during this election, despite candidates spending historical amounts to get their message out." "How political campaigns play out online".
Turnout
"Good turnout expected for Tuesday's election".
Amendment 8
"Amendment 8's supporters, including many administrators, say it'll give schools the flexibility they need to avoid such drastic measures as busing kids to other schools and combining two grades in a single classroom to comply with class-size requirements. Opponents, including many teachers, say Amendment 8 is really about funding because it's expected to save $350 million to $1 billion in class-size costs every year. That's money, they say, public schools no longer would get because the amendment doesn't say where it would go." "Amendment 8 would loosen class-size limits". See also "Tallahassee principal and former face of Amendment 8 speaks out".
Ag Sec
"Republican Congressman Adam Putnam and former Tallahassee Mayor Scott Maddox, a Democrat, are both considered rising stars in their parties, which is why Tuesday's race for Florida agriculture commissioner could have long-term political effects." "Putnam, Maddox battle for agriculture commissioner".
SOE blues
"[W]ith so many precincts and so many voters, things are bound to go wrong". "Voters hold keys to change".
Robo calls
"Annoyed at home by automated calls from politicians running for office? Well, you can expect the robocalls on your cellphone as well as your land line next election." "Hate political calls? More coming".
Amendment 4
"The backers, who called the measure 'Florida Hometown Democracy,' include environmental organizations, civic associations and slow-growth advocates. They say Amendment 4 would protect the environment and reduce congestion and urban sprawl. ... Opponents included business groups, developers and some labor unions. They said Amendment 4 would seriously damage the economy, cost jobs and make it more difficult to lure companies to the state. They also say it will also cost municipalities tens of thousands of dollars or more to run the required elections." "Amendment 4 would change development process".
"Irregularities in absentee-ballot requests"
The Daytona Beach News Journal editorial board: "Volusia County Supervisor of Elections Ann McFall deserves thanks from voters for detecting irregularities in absentee-ballot requests and calling for an investigation that resulted in the arrests of a Daytona Beach City commissioner and his campaign manager." "McFall's vigilance inspires confidence".
"Speedwidth"
The Tampa Tribune editorial board: "Economy gains speedwith high-speed rail".
Teabaggers' choice
"Republican Pam Bondi and Democrat Dan Gelber have battled as Tuesday's attorney general election approached over whether Florida should challenge President Barack Obama's health care overhaul and adopt an Arizona-style immigration law." "Bondi, Gelber differ on focus in Fla. AG race".
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