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How to vote on the Amendments |
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Sunday, 26 October 2008 |
National Weekly Editorial Board
Most of us will agree that trying to figure out what the amendments on the ballot mean is like pulling teeth. So, the National Weekly is attempting to explain what each means and making recommendations on how we should vote. Currently, there are SIX amendments on the ballot and if voters don’t understand the implications of each, they may be voting against their own interests. Each of these amendments will need a 60 percent approval by the voters to become law.
Here are the six amendments for the Nov. 4 ballot:
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Early voting – Long lines, hot sun, no deterrent |
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Sunday, 26 October 2008 |
Voters who took advantage of early voting when the polls opened on
Monday in South Florida were surprised at the long lines awaiting them.
The National Weekly made the rounds of several polling places on Monday
and all had extremely long lines of very patient voters.
In Miami-Dade voting began at 7:00 am, and at 7:20 am the lines at the
North Dade Regional Library at NW 183rd Street extended down the steps
of the library across the wide yard, into NW 24th Street as over 120
voters, mainly African-Americans, equitably balanced in gender and age,
18- 40 and over 40, filed in, shielding their heads from the early
morning sun with newspapers, umbrellas, and sample ballots.
The scene was very similar at the Miami Lakes Public Library on
Windmill Gate Road, were there was evidence of voters aged over 40.
Despite the sun, a steady cooling breeze blew over the line of voters,
and an enthusiastic group of Democrats, Trinidadian migrants,
entertained voters with a boom-box playing calypso and reggae songs by
popular Caribbean entertainers, The Mighty Sparrow, Cocoa Tea and
others in tribute to Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.
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Early voting begins October 20 |
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Sunday, 19 October 2008 |
Early voting in the 2008 general elections begins in South Florida on
Monday, October 20 continuing until Sunday, November 2. Over the past
20 years an increasing number of states have introduced early voting up
to two to four weeks prior to the traditional Election Day in November.
Previously, in some states, only the elderly, infirm, and residents
living out of state where allowed to cast votes before Election Day
either in person or by mailing in absentee ballots. However, several
states have amended their voting laws to allow for more in-person early
voting.
Expanded in-person early voting was implemented in Florida in 2004, as
one of the solutions to the problems created in the chaotic 2000
presidential elections. In 2004, the state legislature defined early
voting as “casting a ballot prior to Election Day at a location
designated by the supervisor of elections.” The new system was
implemented to provide more convenience to voters, increase voter
turnout in the state, while easing the pressure at voting precincts on
Election Day. During early voting, voters can vote outside their
designated precincts at sites announced by the respective supervisors
of elections. Early voting in South Florida begins 16 days before the
date of an election, and ends two days before.
Since its introduction, early voting has proven to be popular with
voters. And, according to a official at the Florida Department of
Elections, who requested anonymity, early voting has proven to be a
significant “pressure reliever” to the normal Election Day rush.
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An economic silver lining |
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Sunday, 19 October 2008 |
Proving every cloud does have a silver lining, among the economic woes
facing the country, oil prices which rose on the world market to as
high as $143 dollars a barrel some six weeks ago have now fallen to
below $80 a barrel. This sharp decline, resulting from nervousness
among investors as the world’s financial market falters, has created a
related downward spiral in gasoline prices, falling from a national
average of $4.12 per gallon for regular in early September to a current
average of $3.16.
South Floridian motorists are surprised at the rapid decline in gas
prices, but very grateful for the relief at the gas pump especially
with the current economic crunch. One of the busiest gas stations has
been a Mobile station on West Oakland Park Drive in Lauderhill, where
on Sunday the price for regular was $3.15 a gallon, well below the
national average of $3.30 on that day.
Surprise registered on the faces of motorists as they pulled up to the
pumps. The driver of a large dodge pick-up was heard saying, “This is a
blessing. This will save me about $20 each time I fill the tank of this
gas guzzler.”
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Sunday, 19 October 2008 |
The recently appointed Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry
received an 18.8 percent salary raise on being named to the post in
which she previously served as interim administrator. Reports are that
Henry earned an annual salary of $244,000, and has been allocated a
salary of $290,000 on being permanently assigned.
This compared to the salary of $232,500 that was paid to her
predecessor, Pam Brangaccio who resigned her post after being faced
with dismissal from county commissioners.
An editorial was published in the Sun Sentinel on Tuesday criticizing
the significant pay-raise made to Henry while the country was cutting
staff, reducing several county services. It was reported that Henry
responded to the criticisms by saying that the salary was justified as
she worked hard, often 12-14 hour days and sometimes six and seven days
a week.
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