by LISA MACNEIL
[email protected]
Polls opened throughout Hernando County at 7:00 AM Tuesday, August 18, 2020. The following statistics were available as of Wednesday morning on the Hernando County Supervisor of Elections website (hernandovotes.com). The closest race was for Fifth Judicial Circuit Court Judge as Pam Vergara unseated George Angeliadas with small victories in each county of the Fifth Judicial Circuit. Hernando County District 5 County Commissioner incumbent candidate Steve Champion (REP) will be progressing to the Nov. 3, 2020 General Election, running against Michael Burmann (NPA). Hernando County District 1 County Commissioner candidate Beth Narverud will be running against Isaiah Haddon (DEM) in the General Election as she won a crowded primary race by substantial margins.
Supervisor of Elections Shirley Anderson stated that the day at the polls was “very smooth.” 27% of the county’s registered voters cast ballots during this primary, more than half by mail.
Anderson described the system of mail-in ballots as safe and secure, and that her office works closely with the United States Postal Service (USPS).
“We do all that we can to make sure every vote counts, but there is some voter responsibility… to mail those ballots back in plenty of time, or put it in a drop box.”
Voters have the option to deliver their ballots to the Supervisor of Elections (SOE) office or use these secure drop boxes placed within the county.
Anderson added that of approximately 46,000 ballots requested, only 25,736 were returned. “Those cost taxpayers dollars.” Anderson would like those who no longer wish to receive a mail-in ballot to cancel the request at the SOE office.
Very few people were affected by polling precinct changes, which were necessary due to a reduction in available poll workers.
Anderson predicts more precinct changes before the November 3rd General Election because her office plans to recruit 50-60 more poll workers.
PRIMARY ELECTION TOTALS:
Active Eligible Voters: 142,601
Total Ballots Cast: 39,683
Percent Voter Turnout: 27.83%
Total Mail-In Ballots: 25,736 / 64.85%
Total Early Voting Ballots: 3,243 / 8.63%
Total Election Day Ballots: 10,520 / 26.51%
Provisional Ballots: 4 / 0.01%
PRIMARY ELECTION OUTCOMES:
Hernando County Sheriff
Al Nienhuis (REP) – ELECTED
67.51% or 26,516 votes
James K. Terry (REP)
32.49% or 12,760 votes
Hernando County Commissioner District 1
Beth Narverud (REP)
45.14% or 9,251 votes
Mark Johnson (REP)
25.67% or 5,261 votes
Joe Swilley (REP)
21.36% or 4,378 votes
Nicholas W. Nicholson (REP)
7.84% or 1,606 votes
Beth Narverud will run against Isaiah Christian Haddon (DEM) in the General Election on Nov. 3, 2020.
County Commissioner, District 3
John Allocco (REP) – ELECTED
68.73% or 25,506 votes
Burton Melaugh (REP)
31.27% or 11,607 votes
County Commissioner, District 5
Steve Champion (REP)
59.77% or 12,268 votes
Kevin Hohn (REP)
40.23% or 8,256 votes
Steve Champion will run against Michael Burmann (NPA) in the Nov. 3, 2020 General Election.
Circuit Judge, 5th Judicial Circuit,
Group 22
Hernando:
Pam Vergara (NON) – ELECTED
52.06% or 19,719 votes
George G. Angeliadis (NON)
47.94% or 18,156 votes
Citrus:
Pam Vergara (NON)
50.64% or 19,655 votes
George G. Angeliadis (NON)
49.36% or 19,159 votes
Marion:
Pam Vergara (NON)
51.09% or 32,833 votes
George G. Angeliadis (NON)
48.91% or 31,430 votes
Lake:
Pam Vergara (NON)
51.09% or 29,492 votes
George G. Angeliadis (NON)
48.91% or 28,235 votes
Sumter:
Pam Vergara (NON)
51.77% or 21,029 votes
George G. Angeliadis (NON)
48.23% or 19,591 votes
Vergara wins this election by small margins in all 5 counties that make up the 5th Judicial Circuit.
Hernando County School Board, District 2
Linda K. Prescott – ELECTED
60.52% or 22,690 votes
Charles Helm
39.48% or 14,804 votes
The City of Brooksville Referendum:
Tax Exemption For New or Expanding Businesses To Create New Full-Time Jobs
Yes
69.87% or 1,120 votes
No
30.13% or 483 votes
