www.alligator.org
We Inform. You Decide.
ELECTION EDITION
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2020
VOLUME 115 - SPECIAL ISSUE
Published by Campus Communications, Inc. of Gainesville, Florida
Not officially associated with the University of Florida
No president-elect: Trump wins Florida, Biden takes Alachua County
Emily Felts // Alligator Staff
Two women watch the presidential election results at First Magnitude Brewery, located in Gainesville, Fla., on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.
Many states are still counting ballots THE FATE OF THE PRESIDENCY HANGS IN THE BALANCE OF THE MIDWEST AND GEORGIA
By Steven Walker Alligator Staff Writer
A polarized, pandemic-ridden country is left with no president-elect on election night. Voter turnout broke records nationwide for the 2020 presidential election despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. saw unprecedented mail-in ballot numbers and high early voting turnout. President Donald Trump falsely claimed to have won the election after a night of long awaited, incomplete results. The winner still remains unclear as of 3 a.m. Wednesday.
A breakdown of how Florida, SPORTS/SPECIAL/CUTOUT Story description finish with comma, pg# Alachua County voted
See how local races played out and state and charter amendment results, pg. 2
Alachua County continues to exist as a blue dot in a cluster of rural red districts in North Central Florida. Trump won Florida’s 29 electoral college votes, while former Vice President Joe Biden won Alachua County by 27 percentage points, more than 38,000 votes. Geraldine Espinosa, a 63-year-old medical assistant, voted for Biden. If Trump loses, she’d be relieved his term is over — and so, she said, should the rest of the U.S. “Even if Biden did absolutely nothing when he gets in term, it still would be better than having Trump,” she said. Experts have said the delays causing Espinosa and millions of others to question what the next four years will look like are normal. Mail ballots always take more time to process.
SEE PRESIDENT, PAGE 3
Republicans take state, Democrats take county, local measures passed KAT CAMMACK WILL BE THE YOUNGEST REPUBLICAN WOMAN IN CONGRESS
in ballots. In 2016, just 29,037 people voted by mail.
Staff Report
Winner: Kat Cammack, Republican
Florida Congressional District 3 race
Alligator Staff Writers
More than 143,000 people voted in Alachua County, the most voters in an election on record. Before Election Day, more than 113,000 people had voted early and by mail. The COVID-19 pandemic caused increased voteby-mail, and the county received 61,687 mail-
Election watch parties dorm-edition
Students gathered in-person and discussed results over Zoom Tuesday night, pg. 3
Hour-by-hour Election Day timeline
Check-ins at precinct around Alachua County, pg. 6
Republican Kat Cammack won the Congressional District 3 race, defeating Democratic opponent Adam Christensen. “Tonight is historic,” Cammack said at her watch party Tuesday night. “This is not about
SEE ELECTION RESULTS, PAGE 4
FOLLOW US ONLINE FOR UPDATES @FloridaAlligator @TheAlligator_ @TheAlligator @TheAlligator @alligator_newspaper
2 ALLIGATOR WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2020
Today’s Weather
VOLUME 115 ISSUE 10
ISSN 0889-2423
Not officially associated with the University of Florida Published by Campus Communications Inc., of Gainesville, Florida
NEWSROOM:
Editor-In-Chief Engagement Managing Editor Digital Managing Editor News Managing Editor
Metro Editor University Editor Enterprise Editor
DISPLAY ADVERTISING Advertising Office Manager Intern Coordinator Sales Representatives Interns
Florida
Florida Congressional District 3: Kat Cammack (Republican): Won Florida State Representative District 21 Chuck Clemons (Republican): Won Alachua County Commission District 1: Mary Alford (Democrat): Won Alachua County Commission District 3: Anna Prizzia (Democrat): Won Florida Constitutional Amendment 1: Citizenship Requirement to Vote in Florida Elections: Passed Florida Constitutional Amendment 2: Raising Florida’s Minimum Wage: Passed Florida Constitutional Amendment 3: All Voters Vote in Primary Elections for State Legislature, Governor and Cabinet: Did not pass Florida Constitutional Amendment 4: Voter Approval of Constitutional Amendments: Did not pass Florida Constitutional Amendment 5: Limitation on Homestead Assessments: Passed Florida Constitutional Amendment 6: Ad Valorem Tax Discount for Spouses of Certain Deceased Veterans Who Had Permanent, CombatRelated Disabilities: Passed Renewal of the Existing One Mill Ad Valorem Tax for School District Operating Expenses: Passed
County Charter Amendment Establishing County Growth Management Area: Recount Relationship Between County and Municipal Ordinances for Protection of Certain Natural Resources: Passed Identification and Elimination of Racial and Gender Bias in Alachua County Policies: Passed County Charter Amendment Establishing Alachua County Housing Trust Fund: Passed County Charter Amendment Concerning Candidate Treasurer Report Requirements: Passed County Charter Cleanup Amendment Removing Unconstitutional Provisions: Passed Changing the Name of the Charter Officer “Clerk of the Commission” to “City Clerk”: Passed Eliminating Restrictions on Construction of Paved Surfaces on City-Owned Land: Passed Limiting Commission Authority to Dispose of Certain Utility Systems: Passed Creating a Preamble to the Charter: Passed
All results as of 4:30 a.m., Wednesday,
Dana Cassidy, dcassidy@alligator.org Grethel Aguila, gaguila@alligator.org Ariana Aspuru, aaspuru@alligator.org Kaelyn Cassidy, kcassidy@alligator.org
Zachariah Chou, Kyle Wood, April Rubin, Rosmery Izaguirre, Dana Cassidy
Opinions Editor
President: Donald Trump (Republican): Won (national election results pending)
Rosmery Izaguirre, digital@alligator.org
Editorial Board
Copy Desk Chief Copy Editors
How Florida, Alachua County and Gainesville voted
April Rubin, engagement@alligator.org
River Wells, rwells@alligator.org Christian Ortega, cortega@alligator.org
the Avenue Editor Digital Avenue Editor
How Florida counties voted.
Kyle Wood, editor@alligator.org
Sports Editor Assistant Sports Editor Online Sports Editor El Caimán Editor
Multimedia Editor
Source: AP // Graphic: Rosmery Izaguirre // Alligator Staff
352-376-4458 • Fax: 352-376-4467
SparkIt Creative Advertising Creative Director Project Manager Senior Copywriter Content Developer Lead Strategist Social Media Interns Graphic Design Intern Sales Intern Account Executive
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING
Classified Advertising Manager
BUSINESS
Comptroller Bookkeeper Administrative Assistant
ADMINISTRATION
General Manager Administrative Assistant President Emeritus
SYSTEMS
IT System Engineer
PRODUCTION
Production Manager Assistant Production Manager Production Staff
The Independent Florida Alligator is a student newspaper serving the University of Florida, published by a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) educational organization, Campus Communications Inc., P.O. Box 14257, Gainesville, Florida, 326042257. The Alligator is published Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, except during holidays and exam periods. During UF summer academic terms The Alligator is published Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Alligator is a member of the Newspaper Association of America, National Newspaper Association, Florida Press Association and Southern University Newspapers.
Payton Titus, ptitus@alligator.org Guamay Martell, gmartell@alligator.org
Emily Felts, efelts@alligator.org Chloe Greenberg, cgreenberg@alligator.org Valentina Botero, vbotero@alligator.org Zachariah Chou, zchou@alligator.org Renee Hancock, rhancock@alligator.org Abigail Hasebroock, ahasebroock@alligator.org J.P. Oprison, joprison@alligator.org
352-376-4482 • Fax: 352-376-4556 Cheryl del Rosario, cdelrosario@alligator.org Ellen Light, elight@alligator.org Matt Phillippe, Olivia Symczak, Lily Laserna, Lori Sharabani, Samantha Workman, Elly Frierson Katherine Dubina, Lucas Smith, Rodolfo Luzardo, Garrett Mullenax
239-980-6995 • info@sparkitcreative.org Michael Weinberg, weinbergm@ufl.edu Alejandro D'Agostino, alejandro.dagostino1@gmail.com Michael Weinberg, weinbergm@ufl.edu Ian Baldwin Richard Forbes Sarah Bhatt, Ella Choi, Vivian Lukasik, Donya Mansoorian Adam Cohen Ella Kulak, Matthew Ohlhaber Brian Gurges, brian.gurges@gmail.com 352-373-FIND • Fax: 352-376-3015 Ellen Light, elight@alligator.org 352-376-4446 • Fax: 352-376-4556 Delia Kradolfer, dkradolfer@alligator.org Cheryl del Rosario, cdelrosario@alligator.org Ellen Light, elight@alligator.org 352-376-4446 • Fax: 352-376-4556 Shaun O'Connor, soconnor@alligator.org Lenora McGowan, lmcgowan@alligator.org C.E. Barber, cebarber@alligator.org
Kevin Hart
Jordan Bourne, jbourne@alligator.org Deion McLeod, dmcleod@alligator.org Kate McNamara, kmcnamara@alligator.org
The Alligator offices are located at 2700 SW 13th St. Classified advertising can be placed at that location from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except for holidays. © Copyright 2020. All rights reserved. No portion of The Alligator may be reproduced in any means without the written consent of an officer of Campus Communications Inc.
Subscription Rate:
Full Year (All Semesters) $100
The Alligator strives to be accurate and clear in its news reports and editorials. If you find an error, please call our newsroom at 352-376-4458 or email editor@alligator.org
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2020 ALLIGATOR 3
UF students watch national elections in dorms, off campus STUDENTS GOT TOGETHER VIRTUALLY AND IN PERSON ON ELECTION NIGHT
By Lianna Hubbard, Jack Prator & Declan Walsh Alligator Staff Writers
Students anxiously flipped between election coverage and a distraction of their choosing while polling locations across the country counted votes during election night. Without cable in the dorms, students streamed election results on YouTube and watched live online election counters. They split screens between movies and election results, played ping pong away from the streams, drank, took dinner breaks and played card games in between states being called red or blue. The national election Tuesday night included the presidential race between President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, alongside 27 House of Representative seats. About 10 freshmen watched live election updates in Yulee Hall’s recreational room on The New York Times live election counter. On the split projection screen, one side streamed the rom-com classic “Clueless,” and the other showed the updating New York Times election counter. Between scenes of Cher Horowitz choosing outfits and falling in love with her ex-stepbrother, the students interjected the close percentages between the candidates and new counts for Florida. Trump and Biden voters played ping pong and crowded around the projector late into the night. Leah Goldberg, an 18-year-old UF health science freshman, watched the movie and the election results with her three friends. “It’s the first time we have actually participated in our democracy,” she said. “It’s interesting being a part of history.” Goldberg voted for the first time with a mailin ballot. She didn’t want to disclose who she
voted for, but she did say the election was surprisingly close. “On social media, a lot of people seem proBiden,” she said. “But looking at the results, it’s a lot more divided.” Four freshmen who watched “Clueless” said they were uneasy and anxious about the close callings for the election. They said they planned to stay up until midnight to watch the results but don’t think all votes will be counted by then. Some of the students grouped around the ping pong tables instead and played R&B music over CNN election coverage. Alexis Viti, an 18-year-old UF environmental science freshman, played ping pong in the recreational room while the election was being called. She said she’d spent the day preparing herself for the worst. “I think tonight is going to be pretty red,” she said. “But after the mail-in voting, it will go to Biden.” Viti said she supported Biden in order to protect her rights as an LGBTQ+ woman. “The way that Trump talks, you just know he’s not interested in protecting any minority,” she said. Other students at the Yulee watch party were less invested. Brandon Adams, an 18-year-old UF statistics freshman, played ping pong while the other students crowded around the projector. “We’ve been watching the elections, none of us are too invested in who wins,” he said. “It’s really entertainment value.” Eight students streamed the results on the ABC YouTube channel in the Mallory Library. They popped popcorn and broke open boxes of dining hall food. During the commercial breaks, they chatted about politics and split open computers to do school work. Julia Braver, an 18-year-old political science freshman, joined the watch party after she finished her evening shift at Fresh Food Dining Company. “I haven’t been able to watch updates because I was at work,” she said. “I have classes tomorrow, I have work tomorrow, but I can’t
U.S. saw record mail-in ballots PRESIDENT, from pg.1 In key states, the surge in mail ballots combined with states not starting the counting process until Tuesday morning contributed to delays. Michael McDonald, a 53-year-old UF political science professor, said mail ballots usually cause delays in final counts. However, he said this has never been consequential enough to affect election projections. More voters used mail ballots than ever before because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “No one should be concerned that there’s something nefarious going on with counting because this is just a regular part of the process,” McDonald said. A delay is normal, and in every election it takes time for results to become official, he said. Voters should not worry about not knowing who the president is yet. Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and Georgia remain in question as of early Wednesday morning. Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin only started processing mail ballots on Election Day due to their state laws. Mail ballots require signature verification, which can take time. Pennsylvania still had a million mail ballots to count as of Wednesday,
according to the state’s governor Tom Wolf. Fulton County, Georgia, which includes part of Atlanta, still has thousands of mail ballots to count as of election night. In the 2000 election between former Republican President George W. Bush and former Democratic Vice President Al Gore, Florida’s results were delayed due to a recount. The final results showed Bush defeating Gore by about 500 votes, the closest state margin of victory in U.S. history. Nancy Tommaso, a 70-year-old High Springs resident who voted for Trump, said she remembers how stressful the 2000 election recount was. She voted for Bush and said the wait was unsettling. “There’s a lot at stake,” Tommaso said. Trump earned her vote because she said he is a champion of the middle class and an outsider to Washington. Tommaso trusts the future of the economy under Trump’s leadership more than Biden’s. Trump, while elected as an outsider, has spent the last four years in the White House — a position idolized by many and achieved by few. Lauren Andersen, a 22-year-old UF political science and philosophy senior, voted early for Biden at the Reitz Union. She said a Biden presidency would be a win for young
pull my eyes away. Casually watching our democracy slip away, pushing back my bedtime.” Braver, who voted for Biden, worries that Tuesday could still have terrible consequences. “I think if Biden was projected to win, Trump supporters would be violent,” she said. “This is one of the most polarized times in America. Trump supporters are armed. If you have a gun, you’re going to use it.” “There are going to be so many court cases after tonight about which votes even count,” she said. Braver voted for Biden to protect environmental, abortion and voting rights among other issues. “I would have rather voted for Sanders, but I didn’t want to vote Independent and throw my vote away,” she said. “It’s mostly because I want Trump out.” Micaela Brena, a 19-year-old UF public health sophomore, hosted a virtual election watch party with friends off campus at Woodbury Row over Discord, a voice and video chat room. She is a registered Democrat who voted for Biden and Harris. The chatroom was made up of about 20 of Brena’s friends who attend UF, Florida State University and University of Miami. They popped in and out of the chat throughout the night, sometimes taking a break from the nail-biting election coverage to play video games. Brena voted by mail to avoid exposing herself and the three high-risk family members to COVID-19. At the start of the pandemic, Brena’s uncle was hospitalized with the virus. He recovered and donated blood to help develop knowledge of COVID-19 antibodies. Other than COVID-19 concerns, Brena said her vote was shaped by health care, abortion, LBGTQ+ rights and immigration issues. “It’s disheartening also seeing how President Trump speaks in regards to Latinos and other marginalized communities,” Brena said. She was born in Peru before moving to the U.S. at the age of 3. She said she has seen first-
people. If Trump were to secure 270 electoral votes and win re-election, Andersen said she’d be concerned for the future. Trump has secured 213 electoral votes as of 3 a.m. Wednesday, according to The Associated Press. Biden has 236. “It’s probably gonna make me want to look into law schools in another country,” Andersen said. Charles Pickard, a 21-year-old Santa Fe College biomedical equipment technician freshman, voted for Trump. A registered Libertarian,
hand how much more difficult it is for immigrants to get a visa to the U.S. “I obviously don’t want another four years of living in fear of what rights I may or may not have,” she said. The “Count Every Vote” election event was held Tuesday evening at Bo Diddley Plaza. Gainesville Dream Defenders organized the event along with four progressive groups in the city. Proceedings began around 7 p.m. and a number of performers, speakers and poets took the stage. Attendees danced, laughed and ate amidst lively performances. Bo Diddley Plaza was jubilant ahead of what many have called the most important election in American history Election coverage was a sideshow at the “Count the Vote” event, as organizers encouraged attendees to come together as a community and interact with the various advocacy groups present at the watch party. Blazel, a 31-year-old performer from Central Florida, echoed these sentiments on the importance of community. “Everyone can do their part of me doing this is me doing mine,” said Blazel. Participants stressed that no matter who wins the election, there is a lot to be done towards realizing progressive goals and policies. Kiara Laurent, a 21-year-old UF criminology and sociology senior, was one of the main organizers of Tuesday evening’s event. She stressed that her advocacy with the Dream Defenders will continue under either administration. “No matter who’s elected, now we’re gonna continue doing whatever we need to do to stay afloat, said Laurent. “We’re gonna be prepared to keep raising capital to liberate our people.
Pickard considers himself an independent voter. Neither Trump nor Biden appealed to Pickard, but he voted for Trump. “It’s another four years of kicking the can down the road,” Pickard said. Geovanie Cordero, a 38-yearold Gainesville resident and unemployed medical assistant, voted for Biden. The former vice president earned Cordero’s vote because of the campaign’s message of unity. As a
@HubbardLianna @jack_prator @dawalsh_UF lhubbard@alligator.org jprator@alligator.org dwalsh@alligator.org Latino, he said a Biden presidency would make him feel more secure than he’s felt during Trump’s administration. “I’ve never felt that before, up until the last couple of four years, the division has been brought onto this country by this man,” Cordero said of Trump.
@swalker_7 swalker@alligator.org
Samantha Harrison // Alligator Staff
Voters are seen dropping off their mail ballots at the Supervisor of Elections Office in Gainesville, Fla., on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.
4 ALLIGATOR WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2020
Cammack to replace Ted Yoho ELECTION RESULTS, from pg. 1
Republicans and Democrats, it is about us as Americans and the future we want.” Florida’s 3rd Congressional District, which is located in Northern Florida, includes the counties of Clay, Bradford, Union, Alachua, Putnam and part of Marion County. “We work hard up here to counter the craziness in South Florida,” Cammack said. “You guys are saving the country, literally, from socialism.” Cammack, 32, is replacing Republican U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, who she worked for as deputy chief of staff from 2011 to 2019. Cammack will serve for two years until she is up for reelection. She was endorsed by President Donald Trump and spoke at his Oct. 17 Ocala rally along with Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, Ocala Sen. Dennis Baxely and others. Cammack received $873,191.83 in contributions and took out $45,000 in loans to fund her campaign. The campaign’s total spending was $840,275.08. Cammack, who defeated Judson Sapp, Gavin Rollins, James St. George and six others in the Republican primary on Aug. 19, will be the youngest Republican woman in Congress. Cammack is a small business owner, and she and her husband founded “The Grit Foundation” with a mission to support local law enforcement, first responders and veterans. During her time in Yoho’s office, she led efforts to secure four new VA clinics within the district. Her campaign policies touch on immigration, protecting life at conception, supporting the second amendment and the military, repealing Obamacare, returning control of education back to the states and more. She is very dedicated to reducing the size of the federal government, she said. “We will start working on these things right out the gate,” Cammack said. Cammack had a Tuesday night result watch party in Green Cove Springs, Clay County, in the Clay Theatre. The theatre was filled with about 80 people, few of whom wore masks and many of whom wore Trump t-shirts and hats.
Throughout the night, attendees watched Fox News on a large screen, cheering when data showed Trump was leading a race, specifically in Florida. With all precincts reported in Alachua County and mail-in ballots partially reported, Adam Christensen, a Democrat, won in Alachua County by 24.2% but lost in all other counties he would have represented. Laura DePaz Cabrera, a 38-year-old immigration attorney at George and Cabrera Immigration Attorney in Gainesville, said she doesn’t support Cammack because her views on immigration are based on misguided assumptions. “Kat’s position is really not only unattainable, but the underlying premise of her position is based on really flawed misconceptions regarding what immigration is and who immigrants are in the United States,” Cabrera said. Cabrera said she thinks there might be changes to agencies involved in immigration, such as law enforcement or education. She said things like asking kids about their citizenship identification in order to attend a public school are certainly possible and terrible. “I think the bigger threat of someone like Kat being elected into office is the tone that it would set,” Cabrera said. “I think electing someone on a local level, who has the same opinions and the same tendencies, and following the same model as Trump, would just really be a setback for how far we’ve come in terms of being the United States of America.” Matt Stevens, a 35-year-old from Fleming Island and registered Independent, said he voted for Cammack because of her traditional values. “Her ideas align more closely with mine than her competitor,” Stevens said, “Specifically, Second Amendment rights and lower taxes.” Christensen, 27, had a watch party in Clay County with about 30 people. Everyone was wearing masks. There was also a virtual watch party for those who didn’t feel comfortable coming in person. After the race was called, Christensen and his campaign manager, Anton Kernohan, gathered everyone downstairs to announce the news. He thanked his team for the months
Samantha Harrison // Alligator Staff
Voters are seen socially distancing while in line at the Santa Fe College Blount Center, the 25th voting precinct in Gainesville, Fla., on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.
Lauren Witte // Alligator Staff
Austin H., 22, stands on the sidewalk on W. University Avenue holding a Trump flag and wearing a Trump hat and shirt on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020. of hard work and said he couldn’t wait to see them all making a change in the future. Christensen said he thinks he lost because he ran in a historically Republican district. He said he is happy his team did everything they could to the best of their ability. His next steps are going to bed and sleeping well for the first time in a long time. “We ran as close to a perfect race as you could run in this part of the area,” Christensen said.
anesthesiology professor recounted her and her team’s achievements during the past four years, such as helping pass Amendment 4, which restored felons’ voting rights. During her second run for state office, Enneking received 56.37% of the 77,691 votes cast in Alachua County. “We stayed on a high road, and we developed a road map for those who will come next, because this work is not done,” she said. County Commission District 1 race
State Representative District 21 race Winner: Chuck Clemons, Republican
Republican incumbent Chuck Clemons won his third term to the District 21 seat of the Florida House of Representatives Tuesday night. Clemons took home 48,824 votes, 2.2% more of the total vote than his Democrat opponent, Kayser Enneking. He will represent portions of Alachua, Gilchrist and Dixie county. The 63-year-old UF graduate and Santa Fe Vice President of Advancement ran on a platform of protecting the environment, funding education and supporting agriculture. Clemons spent election night with family members and supporters at Copper Monkey West, a restaurant in Jonesville. As the results came in, Clemons said his group’s eyes were glued to TVs in the restaurant, focusing on local and national races. “I am thankful for being in the freest country in the world, where we determine leadership for our country, our state, our counties, our cities at the ballot box,” Clemons said. He said he plans on representing the interests of all his district’s residents, regardless of who they voted for. “I am going to work really hard, not only for the people that voted for me,” Clemons said. “I am going to work hard to gain support from those who cast their ballot for my opponent.” After the race was called, Enneking delivered a speech on Facebook Live. The UF
Winner: Mary Alford, Democrat
Democratic candidate Mary Alford defeated Republican candidate Raemi Eagle-Glenn Tuesday night for the District 1 seat on the Alachua County Commission. She earned 62.79% of 136,335 votes to represent parts of Micanopy and Archer. The 59-year-old will assume the seat of former County Commissioner Mike Byerly after beating him in the August Democratic primary. County Commission District 1, which makes up much of the southwest portion of Alachua County, includes Micanopy and parts of Archer and Gainesville. Alford will join County Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler and Anna Prizzia, who was elected to the District 3 seat Tuesday, to comprise a female-majority commission. Alford spent the evening with three members of her campaign team at The Leaning Pig, located at 11 SE 1st Ave. As the results rolled in, she said she felt apprehension and excitement. As a newly elected commissioner, Alford said she plans to look over Alachua County policies to make them sustainable. “I want my children and grandchildren and nieces and nephews to know the Alachua County that I grew up in,” she said. The Queen’s Arm Pub, located at 5323 SW 91 Terrace, erupted into cheers after EagleGlenn spoke to her supporters, despite her
SEE ELECTION RESULTS, PAGE 5
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2020 ALLIGATOR 5
Minimum wage to be raised loss. About 30 unmasked attendees gathered at the pub around 7 p.m. and ate dinner. “I’m so honored and grateful for the 50,000 plus votes that I received,” she said to the crowd.
The One Mill initiative was extended to 2025, and changes will be coming to the county in the form of tidying local government language and constitutionality, natural resource protection and a fund for housing, as well as changing for city pavement regulations and requiring citizen votes to sell city utilities.
County Commission District 3 race
Alachua County Referenda
ELECTION RESULTS, from pg. 4
Winner: Anna Prizzia, Democrat
Anna Prizzia, the Democratic candidate for the District 3 seat on the Alachua County Commission, defeated Republican candidate Joy Glanzer Tuesday night. “I’m grateful to the voters who chose me to be a leader for our community,” Prizzia, 43, said. “Racial justice and equity is really the issue I’m most excited about working on — we have a long way to go and a lot of work to do.” She earned 60.37% of 136,487 votes to represent parts of Newberry and Gainesville. As part of the Alachua County Commission, she will assume the seat of former Chair Robert Hutchinson. Prizzia will join County Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler and Mary Alford, who was elected to the District 1 seat Tuesday, to comprise a female-majority commission. About 40 supporters gathered outside Cypress and Grove Brewery, located at 1001 NW 4th St. Gainesville City Commissioner Gail Johnson was in attendance and said she’s looking forward to collaborating with Prizzia and the rest of the commission. Prizzia received her master’s degree in wildlife ecology and conservation at UF and moved to Alachua County in 2000. Dressed in a casual grey sweater bracing the 50º weather, she said she hopes to address issues related to the basic needs of people, such as affordable housing, food insecurity and climate change. At Glanzer Realty, located at 25527 W. Newberry Road, Glanzer, the 65-year-old Republican candidate from Newberry, anxiously watched the results come in. Glanzer’s granddaughter constantly went up to her grandmother with a watch in hand, reminding her of the time as the precinct updates trickled in. “What we got to do is we have to speak our truth and to give our message that our small municipalities need a voice,” Glanzer said. “And I don’t think we’re going away.” Local amendments
Of the 11 city and county amendments and referendums, all but one of the local amendments have passed so far. The County Growth Management Area amendment is heading for a machine recount if numbers stay where there are, which is 50.05% yes.
Renewal of the Existing One Mill Ad Valorem Tax for School District Operating Expenses This measure, supported by more than 78% of voters, will raise money for schools through local taxes at the rate of one mill, or $1 for every $1,000 of property taxes.It will help fund local schools in the areas of arts, magnets and technology. It cost the average Alachua County taxpayer less than $7 monthly, according to the school district’s website. County Charter Amendment Establishing County Growth Management Area This county amendment, supported by 50.05% of voters, will allow for areas of the county to be preserved for environmental protection. If the vote remains within 0.5%, a machine recount will occur, said TJ Pyche, director of communications and outreach for Vote Alachua. Cities in the county that want to expand into specific management areas will have to follow rules that protect the environment. Relationship Between County and Municipal Ordinances for Protection of Certain Natural Resources
from the Charter Review Commission will make it easier for specific financial reports to be submitted to the government. The explanation notes that treasury reports must currently be submitted both with electronic and paper copies. County Charter Cleanup Amendment Removing Unconstitutional Provisions This amendment, supported by almost 70% of voters, will remove unconstitutional elements of the county charter. Gainesville Referenda
Changing the Name of the Charter Officer “Clerk of the Commission” to “City Clerk” This measure, supported by almost 80% of voters, will change the official title of the city clerk’s position. Eliminating Restrictions on Construction of Paved Surfaces on City-Owned Land This amendment, supported by more than 63% of voters, will ease restrictions about what city funds can be spent on paving. It might allow the city to do things like pave natural areas for accessible pathways. Limiting Commission Authority to Dispose of Certain Utility Systems This measure, supported by more than 74% of voters, will require voters’ permission to sell utility systems, such as electric services. It will prevent Gainesville Regional Utilities’ natural gas, wastewater and telecommunication services from being sold with a majority citizen vote.
Creating a Preamble to the Charter This amendment, supported by more than 75% of voters, will add a preamble to the city constitution explaining its importance. Florida Constitutional Amendments
Amendment 1: Citizenship Requirement to Vote in Florida Elections This measure passed, supported by 64.40% of Alachua County voters and 79.3% of statewide voters. It changes the wording on the Florida constitution from “every citizen of the U.S. who is 18 years old or older can vote in Florida” to “only a citizen of the U.S. who is 18 years old or older can vote in Florida.” People who aren’t citizens of Florida already can’t vote in state elections. Amendment 2: Raising Florida’s Minimum Wage Voters passed this amendment. Supported by 63.03% of Alachua County voters and 61.3% state voters, will raise the state minimum wage to $15 by 2026. Amendment 3: All Voters Vote in Primary Elections for State Legislature, Governor and Cabinet This amendment didn’t pass. While almost split 50-50 among Alachua County voters, 43% of statewide voters supported the measure. It would have opened primaries in a top-two primary election system, meaning the top two candidates, regardless of party affiliation, would advance to the general election.
Amendment 4: Voter Approval of Constitutional Amendments This amendment didn’t pass. In Alachua County, 62.59% of voters voted against the measure. Statewide, that number was 52.5%. It would have required any Florida ballot measure to pass a second time before being added to the Florida constitution. Amendment 5: Limitation on Homestead Assessments This measure, supported by 70.57% of Alachua County voters and 74.5% statewide voters, will extend the deadline for how a homeowner’s house value is assessed for tax purposes. A homestead exemption allows homeowners to cap the value of their home’s value, so they are charged less property taxes. This amendment will extend the value of the tax break from two years to three, even if someone moved. Amendment 6: Ad Valorem Tax Discount for Spouses of Certain Deceased Veterans Who Had Permanent, Combat-Related Disabilities This amendment, supported by 83.68% of Alachua County voters and 89.7% statewide voters, will extend the homestead exemption for veterans older than 65 to their spouses in the event of their death. It will allow veteran spouses to receive benefits in the form of a property tax break as long as they live on the property and remain unmarried.
Sofia Echeverry, Sophie Feinberg, Alan Halaly, Diane Hernandez, Michelle Holder, Nora O’Neill, Steven Walker, Anna Wilder and Tristan Wood contributed to this report.
This amendment, supported by slightly more than 70% of voters, will enable the county to protect specific natural resources, even in cities. Identification and Elimination of Racial and Gender Bias in Alachua County Policies This amendment, supported by almost 74% of voters, will allow the county commission to review existing and proposed policies for elements of racial and gender bias. County Charter Amendment Establishing Alachua County Housing Trust Fund This amendment, supported by more than 63% of voters, will help create a fund for affordable housing in the county. County Charter Amendment Concerning Candidate Treasurer Report Requirements This amendment, supported by slightly more than 64% of voters,
Lauren Witte // Alligator Staff
Two UF alumni leave precincts 44 and 54 after voting on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.
6 ALLIGATOR WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2020
2020 Election Day timeline Staff Report Alligator Staff Writers
8 A.M.
Dueling signs and minimal lines At the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, an aisle of signs stretched down the parking lot lawn and about four sign holders are the only significant evidence of political energy. “Is this where you go to vote?” and “Is this the voting parking?” rang out from drivers. “Yes.” Then nothing. A pop broke the silence, and a young woman jog-walked into view with a look of mischief and pride on her face. She had just upended a Trump/ Pence sign. Closer to the Phillips Center, a man with white hair rooted a different Trump sign back into the ground.
12 P.M. ‘Black Voters Matter’ at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church Voters didn’t have to wait in line at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church — the polling location for Precinct 13, located at 2505 NE 8th Ave. in East Gainesville. Cynthia Chestnut, chair of the Democratic Party in Alachua County, set up chairs for any voters who wanted to sit down and rest. The chairs had signs taped to them saying, “Take a seat for Congressman John Lewis,” in honor of the civil rights leader who died this year.
2 P.M.
Five hours later and five hours left: Reitz Union still seeing low turnout on Election Day
With five hours left until polls close, the designated polling location for Precinct 31 at the Reitz Union had no line inside to vote. Ian Hernandez, an 18-year-old UF mechanical engineering freshman, swiftly made his way from the Reitz Lawn to the area near the precinct’s exit to throw away a Trump sign he picked up along the way. As a first time voter, he voted for Biden because when it came between him and Trump, Biden was a step ahead in dealing with progressive issues, like the Black Lives Matter movement.
3 P.M.
‘Grab him by the ballot’: No lines at UF Hilton, hundreds cast their ballots
The Hilton UF saw a steady stream of voters but no line four hours before polls close in Florida. Former Vice President Joe Biden campaign volunteers stood in an adjacent parking lot for Alachua County’s 39th Precinct, providing slips to voters that listed the Democratic candidates in local and statewide elections on the ballot. Antoneik Evans, a 22-year-old UF family, youth and community sciences major and a first-time voter, cast her ballot for Biden. Evans said she is largely apolitical, but that the recent presidential debates, along with Trump’s rhetoric regarding the Black Lives Matter protests and Breonna Taylor’s killing, motivated her to vote blue. “I really don’t feel like Trump is fit for office,” Evans said. “As a gay Black woman, the bigotry and the misogyny really bothered me. I say grab him by the ballot.”
6 P.M.
Polls open with no wait time; Gainesville Regional Transit System offers free rides to polling locations Polls opened at 7 a.m. after unprecedented early voter turnout in Alachua County.
Voters flow into the Thelma A. Boltin Center Some voters started their day at the Thelma A. Boltin Center, located at 516 NE 2nd Ave. At the center, a steady stream of people flowed to the building. Naheed Mojadidi, an Alachua County resident, said she thinks all elections are important to vote in, especially this election. “I find everything too divisive in the country right now. I feel like there’s a lot of anger, and I’m hoping the result of the election could help settle those types of anxiety,” Mojadidi said.
10 A.M.
7 A.M.
9 A.M. Slow start following increased voter turnout Despite national tension, voters at Reitz Union were laid back. The line moved quickly, with most people voting within 10 minutes. Voters arrived at a steady pace, often alone and dropped off by cars. The calm energy was matched throughout most of Alachua County, said Anothony Rue, a worker with Election Protection, a nonpartisan group that aims to protect people’s vote. Rue visited eight polling stations before arriving at the Reitz. He said increased early voting is likely the reason for Tuesday morning’s slow pace.
Reports of a polling location shutdown untrue, few voters show up at Precinct 25
11 A.M.
At 10:13 a.m, reports of an incident involving Alachua County Sheriff’s Office officers and poll workers at the Santa Fe Blount Center surfaced on Twitter. The report claimed the precinct temporarily shut down due to the officers refusing to wear masks. The assistant clerk working Precinct 25, Santa Fe Blount Center located at 401 NW 6th St., said the poll never closed. An eye-witness said she saw one uniformed ACSO officer without a mask in the line. A poll worker asked the officer to put a mask on, but he refused and an argument ensued, according to the account. The sheriffs office had no comment on the incident.
1 P.M.
Gators for Biden and Harris occupy lightly attended Greater Bethel AME Church
The county surpassed its 2016 vote total with six hours left to vote. Just after 1 p.m., Alachua County’s total ballots cast reached 131,407. At Greater Bethel AME church on 701 SE 43rd St. in Gainesville, there was no line from 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. People walked in and out of the church and voted without waiting, as campaigners with the Alachua County Democrat party handed out “Gators for Biden-Harris” signs, snacks and voter information. ‘A house divided cannot stand’: A veteran for Biden If there was any question which candidate had Doug Folkerth’s vote, the back of his truck quickly dispensed it. With “Vets for Biden” splayed across the rear window, Folkerth arrived at Precinct 59, the Wyndham Garden (Paramount) Hotel at 2900 SW 13th St., at 2:30 p.m. in support of the Democratic candidate. Though he had already cast his ballot in early voting, Folkerth still showed his solidarity at the polling place with his truck in tow. Folkerth, a 69-year-old retiree, said the U.S. needs a candidate with the capacity to bring the American public together, like Biden. “We all fought for this country,” he said. “A house divided cannot stand.” First responders gather in Newberry to vote, city passes 2016 turnout
2:30 P.M.
4 P.M.
Firefighters, restaurant workers and residents gathered to vote at the Newberry Municipal Building, which sits next to Newberry City Hall and serves as Alachua County’s Sixth Precinct. Robby Kalaf, 27, a Gainesville fireman, tore his ACL recently, prohibiting him from voting early or by mail. In a Gainesville Fire Rescue long-sleeve shirt and crutches, he made it a point to come vote for Trump. “I’m an American,” Kalaf said, “and it’s my duty.”
Voters reach the polls to mark their ballots during the final hour
Gainesville Regional Transit System buses dropped off voters at polling locations up until the last minute on Election Day. At 5:50 p.m. the county reported the most ballots cast in an election on record. On the start of its last route, the bus 20 driver chatted to a passenger about airless and heavy duty tires. By the end, another passenger brought up to him yesterday’s voting predictions. “If you don’t vote, you don’t have a voice,” said Jewel Williams, a 43-yearold medical office administrator who submitted her ballot. “People have so much to complain about, yet they don’t vote. It is my duty as a citizen to vote.” Valentina Botero, Corbin Bolies, Heather Bushman, Samantha Chery, Michelle Holder, Nora O’Neill, Manuel Rea, Steven Walker, Declan Walsh, Thomas Weber and Anna Wilder contributed to this report.
Samantha Harrison // Alligator Staff
The Reitz Union voting precinct is seen empty on election day, Nov. 3, 2020.