The primaries are an exciting time for voters who belong to a party, because it allows them to choose who they think is the best candidate for the November primary election.
What you need to know
More than 3.8 million registered voters in Florida have no party affiliation. In Central Florida, 29% of all voters are affiliated with a party. NPA voters can cast ballots for judges, local races and school board members by Tuesday.
Non-party-affiliated voters, however, do not have a say in statewide races during the primary, but their votes do count for local races, county and circuit court judges, and school board members.
Officials say the number of Republicans and Democrats in Seminole County has actually increased. There are currently only about 1,000 more registered Republicans than Democrats in the county, meaning NPAs will have a crucial vote in November.
Kenneth Dittmann is a small business owner and registered voter in Seminole County. For more than 40 years, Sanford’s store owner hasn’t pledged allegiance to the red side or the blue side.
“I believe in common sense politics,” he said from his shop counter. “I don’t go to a party, because each one can be extreme.”
When it comes to state or national races, Dittmann says he looks at each contest individually.
“I don’t think he really listens to anybody’s truth,” he said. “I have to look at whether it’s something I can vote for and really try to see who the best candidate is.”
As for local politics, Dittmann is weighing her options for races that could affect her Sanford store and her stepdaughter’s school.
“The school board should be looking out for the kids, not some other agenda, but what’s best for the kids,” he said. “When it comes to a judge, it’s not your political position, it’s how you’re going to enforce the current laws.”
Here’s a breakdown of registered voters in Central Florida’s nine counties (Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Brevard, Volusia, Lake, Sumter, Marion and Flagler):
36% are registered Republicans 34% are registered Democrats 29% are not affiliated with any party 1% – other
Voting Tuesday in Sanford, unaffiliated voter Nathan Kallenberger made his choices in races where he could vote. However, he said he will be steadily absorbing what he can from other candidates in statewide races between now and November.
“I trust my mind,” she said, holding a “I voted” sticker. “My judgement, based on the information I have been able to consume.”
Kallenberger doesn’t have children, but she still did what she feels was her part to help decide how Seminole County students will be educated, seat by seat.
“I don’t like the Christmas tree,” he said. “I vote for who has the best interest of all public school children.”
Just over 5.1 million Floridians are registered Republicans; more than 4.9 million are registered Democrats; and nearly 4 million have no party affiliation.
