Sunburn â The morning read of whatâs hot in Florida politics â 3.12.21
Good Friday morning.
According to a new poll released by
Ryan Tyson of The Tyson Group, Florida voters support several measures pitched as improving election security and voter access.
The poll, commissioned by nonpartisan nonprofit Secure Democracy, found more than three-quarters of Floridians want ballot drop boxes to be monitored either in-person or by video.
The proposal earned 77% among the 600 voters polled, with Republicans backing it at a higher rate (83%) than Democrats or no-party voters.
Meanwhile, nearly seven in 10 said they want their family members or caregivers to be able to turn in a ballot on their behalf. A near equal number (67%) want more days of early voting, while most (57%) want the state to tell felons what fines they need to pay to regain voting rights.
Belle Glade election: Three win commission seats
With all six of the city s precincts reporting,
Joaquin Almazan,
Andrew Kenny Berry finished first in the races for three city commission seats.
Almazan, vice president of the Palm Beach County Democratic Party s Hispanic Chamber, opposed Stephen Messam for Seat C. Incumbent Larry Underwood did not seek re-election.
Wilkerson, the incumbent in Seat B, faced a challenge from Robert C. Mitchell.
Berry, senior pastor of Grace Fellowship Worship Center in Belle Glade, challenged incumbent Johnny Burroughs Jr. for Seat E.
Boca Raton election: Two incumbents win
Voters returned two incumbents to the City Council by comfortable margins.
Term: Until March 2024.
Salary: $20,869 for commissioners. Who ever is appointed vice mayor will be paid $21,562.
Belle Glade, a 6.9-square-mile city southeast of Lake Okeechobee, has an estimated 19,654 residents. It is overseen by five commission members who serve three-year terms. Three seats are up for election this year.
Seat C: Joaquin Almazan is running against Stephen Messam.
Seat D: Robert C. Mitchell is running against Mary Ross Wilkerson.
Seat E: Andrew Kenny Berry is running against Johnny Burroughs Jr.
About the races: Joaquin Almazan, vice president of Palm Beach County Democratic Party s Hispanic chapter, says supporting local business can close the racial wealth gap in the majority Black and Hispanic city. He is endorsed by the Palm Beach County firefighters union the Palm Beach-Treasure Coast AFL-CIO.