Florida Presidential Preference Primary Election Live Blog

Index

• Valparaiso votes on the right to house chickens

• What’s at stake in today’s Florida Primary

• Florida Presidential Preference Primary Sample Ballots

• Low turnout expected for Florida Primary

Chickens allowed to be housed in Valparaiso

UPDATE (7:50 p.m.): Valparaiso residents will be allowed to house chickens, according to Okaloosa County election results.

There were 294 votes for Yes and 262 votes for No to the referendum: “Should the City Commission of Valparaiso amend the city codes to allow for the keeping of chickens in single-family residential districts (R-1A)?”

Although the numbers may seem close, there will not be a recount.

Biden, Trump win respective parties in Florida

UPDATE (7:13 p.m.): The Florida Democratic Party announced President Joe Biden was declared the automatic winner of the party’s primary and allocated 224 delegates from Florida.

Former President Trump has won the Republican primary in Florida, according to a projection from Decision Desk HQ.

Valparaiso votes on the right to house chickens

UPDATE (5:15 p.m.): One city in Okaloosa County has more than just presidential candidates on today’s primary election ballot.

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Valparaiso residents can vote for the Republican presidential candidate, and on this referendum: “Should the City Commission of Valparaiso amend the city codes to allow for the keeping of chickens in single-family residential districts (R-1A)?”

The issue touches on a hot topic in Okaloosa County, where some residents want the freedom to care for certain farm animals in their backyard.

However, the city doesn’t currently permit such a lifestyle.

“It shall be unlawful for the owner or custodian of any horse, mule, cattle, goat, sheep, hog, goose, chicken, duck or other animal or fowl of like character to keep or maintain within the city or permit any such animal or fowl to run at large within the city limits,” Valparaiso code ordinance Chapter 10, Sections 10-15 says.

“The keeping or permitting the running at large by such animals, or fowl, within the city is hereby declared to be a nuisance.”

Whether Valparaiso residents agree remains to be seen.

Polls close at 7 p.m.

Okaloosa County voters can find their polling places at Go-Vote Okaloosa.

What’s at stake in today’s Florida Primary

UPDATE (12:55 p.m.): Florida’s Presidential Preference Primary Election is today, and only registered Republicans can vote for a candidate.

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According to CBS News, “There will be no ballot or election for Democrats since the Florida Democratic Party only provided the name of Joseph R. Biden Jr. as their preferred candidate.”

Although Florida Democrats won’t be able to place a vote for president, some residents can still visit the polls on March 19 from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. to vote on issues and nonpartisan races.

So what’s on the ballot? Since Florida is a closed primary state, only Registered Republicans can vote in the Republican Primary.

Here is what Republicans will see on the presidential ballot:

• Ryan L. Binkley

• Chris Christie

• Ron DeSantis

• Nikki R. Haley

• Asa Hutchinson

• Vivek Ramaswamy

• Donald J. Trump

Donald J. Trump is the only candidate left in the race following drop-outs. Per Florida Law, the deadline for major political party candidates to withdraw their names from the ballot was December 12, 2023, for the 2024 primary.

Democratic Okaloosa County voters living in Valparaiso can vote for one issue, according to the sample ballot.

Fairhope man reportedly found with stolen vehicle: MPD

The issue:  Non-Binding Ballot Measure for the Keeping of Chickens Within Valparaiso City Limits.

The ballot asks residents, “Should the City Commission of Valparaiso amend the city codes to allow for the keeping of chickens in single-family residential districts (R-1A)?”

Republicans living in Valparaiso will find this referendum listed after the presidential preference primary race on their ballot. Registered Democrats and nonpartisan voters will only see the referendum.

Florida Presidential Preference Primary Sample Ballots

sample-ballot-florida-webDownload

Low turnout expected for Florida Primary

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) — Former President Donald Trump could get another small boost from his state of residence today as polls open in Florida for the presidential primary.

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Donald Trump is the only candidate with an active campaign on the primary ballot today–there’s no democratic party primary so that may dampen turnout overall.

Elections officials in Escambia County Florida have to treat this just the same as they would any other election. Monday morning, a mix of house movers and election employees loaded election supplies onto trucks. Those heavy items headed to each of the 72 polling locations in Escambia County.

Florida, unlike most of the states we cover, has early voting. So despite things that could tamp down a heavy turnout, it’s still important to get this election in.

“So usually we’re one-third early vote, one-third vote by mail, and one-third on Election Day,” said supervisor of elections Robert Bender. “We still have to roll out all the equipment. We’re still opening all the polling locations. And so it does give those people that haven’t worked one before a chance to go through it, see what they’ve been working on these last couple of months, and put that into practice and see that everything’s working the way it should. That’s that’s the best outcome.

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Polls are open from 7 am to 7 pm. The supervisor of elections says a low-stakes election like this primary gives them a chance to get some practice and help newer employees get experience ahead of what will likely be a closely watched and high-stakes general election in November.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.