Getting Out The Vote

The lines were long as voters turned out in droves Tuesday to vote in one of the most historic elections of all time.

Eager for results of the presidential and local races, residents tuned in to the Government Broadcast Channel or accessed the online site that displayed live streaming of the races.

They didn't have long to wait.

By 9:03 p.m., the results from all 56 precincts were tallied, beating the August primary by about 40 minutes.

Out of 67 counties, Hernando County ranked 11th for speediness of results, according to the Florida Supervisor of Elections Office.

Supervisor of Elections Annie Williams said she learned from the primary and tweaked some of the procedures to get those numbers to the public quicker than ever.

She was pleased with the results.

Election results are transmitted via modem from polling places to the central system at the courthouse, where staffers upload the results.

During the primary, results were delayed after some of the lines went down at a few precincts and supervisor of elections staffers at the two central locations had to upload the results directly to the system.

County Commissioner Rose Rocco said she had the Government Broadcasting Channel and the Internet site going at the same time Tuesday night.

"I'm surprised (the results) came in as quickly as they did," Rocco said.

This was the first election voters could watch live streaming of the local races, including the presidential race, on their computer.

For people who don't get Bright House, the Internet site was ideal, Rocco said.

And, she reminds people, they can also watch county commission meetings online at http://www.co.hernando.fl.us/

The Florida Supervisor of Elections Office tracks election returns. Here's when other counties recorded the unofficial results to the state:

•Sumter County: 8:39 p.m.

•Citrus County: 8:55 p.m.

•Pasco County: 9:07 p.m.

•Pinellas County: 12:10 a.m. Nov. 5

•Hillsborough County: 12:47 a.m. Nov. 5

Baker County was the fastest at 8 p.m. while Glades County was the slowest at 1:47 a.m. Nov. 5.