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In Defense Of Supervisor Of Elections Annie Williams

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 24, 2008

I read with interest the article regarding the supervisor of elections race.

I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Annie Williams for many years. As principal of Powell Middle School, our students on more than one occasion had the opportunity of participating in an election for student government complete with voting machines, poll watchers and precincts (homerooms) and "I Voted" stickers. I always found Williams more than willing to cooperate in efforts to involve our students and to explain the process and why voting was so important.

I also find it rather interesting that both candidates running in opposition fault Williams for the low voter turnout in the recent primary election. It has long been an accepted political fact that it is the responsibility of the individual political parties to "get out the vote." That is why both political parties are spending millions of dollars in advertising, canvassing and phone banks. Those of you who spend untold hours in making phone calls understand this concept since we are now beginning to receive responses such as, "You are the third person who has called me."

It is not, nor has it ever been, the responsibility of the supervisor of elections to "get out the vote." It is the responsibility of the supervisor to conduct elections as free as possible from complications. When you consider that we could have the problems which the voters in Palm Beach, Broward and Dade have experienced in the past, we should consider ourselves lucky. Having been in Hernando County and a registered voter since 1967, I cannot recall a voting incident which necessitated an investigation from Tallahassee.

Finally, it is a proven fact that primary elections historically have had a much smaller turnout than the November elections. That is a major reason why the second primary was eliminated. During the last primary, several factors were involved in the low turnout. However, I would like to remind voters that Hernando County did not have the lowest voter turnout in the state.

Although there have been a couple of recent incidents, I cannot recall where the name of Hernando County has been held up to ridicule regarding the ineptness of our supervisor of elections. Williams has the experience to insure that Hernando County continues to enjoy smooth and trouble-free elections. Williams has given many years of excellent service to all the citizens of Hernando County and deserves re-election.

Clarence Wingrove

Brooksville

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