Voting during a pandemic: How the Florida presidential primary unfolded during the coronavirus outbreak

BY JOSEPH STURGEON

Tuesday, March 17 was the final day for Florida residents to cast their vote in Florida’s presidential primary. The ballot consisted of three candidates: former Vice President Joe Biden, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, and President Donald Trump. The primary had occurred in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, which is now a global pandemic, but was carried out in its ordinary fashion. 

“[The pandemic] didn’t even cross my mind until I got there and realized that everyone was wearing gloves,” senior Aliyah Khan said. “I acted the same as I would have normally.”

Some states, such as Ohio and Arizona, were concerned that fears of the coronavirus spreading through the polls would adversely affect voter turnout. In response, the governor of Ohio postponed their presidential primary until June. Arizona had also considered making such a move, but decided not to, since it’s uncertain exactly what time it would be safer to vote. 

In Florida, a collection of civil rights organizations—including New Florida Majority and Organize Florida—filed a lawsuit petitioning the state to extend the vote-by-mail deadline to combat any potential voter apathy.

“I think they should have postponed the primary for a fair election.”

Senior Amelia Wesley

“I know multiple people who had to stay home out of fear of the virus,” senior Amelia Wesley said. “I think they should have postponed the primary for a fair election.”

Despite fears of a decrease in voter turnout, voting numbers in Florida actually increased from the numbers observed in 2016. Turnout on the scheduled election day was down from 2016, but other voting methods, such as early voting and vote-by-mail lead to an increase in overall voter turnout in the state. 

Senator Joe Biden, considered the Democratic frontrunner, won in the state of Florida, winning almost 62% of Democratic votes. In Broward County specifically, Biden won 67% of Democratic votes, equating to 122,405 votes in the county. 

Though voter turnout was higher than it was in the last election cycle, Florida’s closed primary status still kept certain people from voting. 

“Because I refuse to be a part of a political party, I’m forced to wait until candidates are chosen by these parties for me.”

Senior Juan Bustamante

“Because I refuse to be a part of a political party, I’m forced to wait until candidates are chosen by these parties for me,” senior Juan Bustamante said. 

Depending on the individual, voting in Florida might not turn out to be the easiest task. In 2018, Amendment 4 was passed, restoring the right to vote for an estimated 1.4 million formerly incarcerated individuals. In June 2019, however, governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill that restricted the right of ex-felons to vote unless they paid fines and fees associated with their sentences. Apparently, there’s no way of knowing how many individuals this kept from voting in this year’s primary. 

In Cooper City, though, not everyone that had the ability to vote did so.

“I didn’t vote because I forgot,” senior Iago Fernandez said. 

Photo courtesy of News 4 Jax