Fired-up Democrats close ballot gap with GOP; turnout nears 1.9 million

[TexasTowelie]

Fired-up Democrats flocked to early voting sites over the weekend to give the party an early voting advantage over Republicans and close the gap in turnout between the parties two days before election day.

Statewide totals released early Monday show that turnout is 14.3 percent, with nearly 1.9 million ballots cast. The overall Republican advantage in turnout, including all voters casting bail ballots, has shrunk to about 2 percentage points, 46 percent to 44 percent.

Democrats overtook Republicans in early voting on Sunday for the first time, as candidates and their supporters mobilized "Souls to the Polls" marches to early voting sites.

In Broward, a focus of activity by three Democratic candidates for governor, the early voting total surged to 64,680, passing all other Florida counties on Sunday.

Read more: http://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/08/27/democrats-narrow-ballot-gap-with-gop-turnout-nears-1-9-million/

[MaryMagdaline]

1. I truly believe the delay was caused by difficult choices

I held my ballot until Friday and then walked it in. Choices for governor were good and I kept going back and forth. I think a lot of people did the same.

[RockaFowler]

2. I'm still conflicted with Governor

I'm torn between Gillum and Graham

I'm voting tomorrow night on the way home and I think I'll make up my mind in the voting booth.

I really like both of them. It's a tough decision for me

[radical noodle]

3. I like both too

I'm voting for Graham because I think she has a better chance of being elected due to name recognition (her father ia a well liked former governor). Her TV commercials have been really good. Haven't seen one for Gillum.

[Awsi Dooger]

4. Gillum commercials

He's been on the air recently in Miami. These are the two I've seen:

[radical noodle]

7. Maybe he was primarily on local channels

I tend to watch non-network TV, mostly MSNBC.

[OriginalGeek]

5. I'm leaving work early tonight to vote for her too

I'm irritated at myself for not going to early voting where it would have been closer to my house but hopefully the regular place will be pretty quick tonight. My first time voting here as we just moved to this county last year.

I know some liberal-leaning independents who register Dem so they can vote in primaries who are talking up Levine but I'm not sure why. I think they've been duped by Gwen Graham's family mall issue and they won't listen to me.

[radical noodle]

8. It's the opposite for us

It's a bit of a drive to early voting places, but only about 4 blocks to our regular one. I did vote for her, but am happy with Gillum. I'm just worried about how our candidate will be attacked by the trumper.

[OriginalGeek]

9. Yep

I'm not one bit sad about Gillum. Would have been happy either way. I just really hadn't heard as much about him as I did Graham (And of course, name recognition of her dad)

I expect the conservatives to be assholes to anyone we put up so that's not much different either way.

[Roland99]

6. Statewide, looks like GOP votes were more than Dem

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/08/28/us/elections/florida-primary-elections.html