Ballots Will Include Names of Withdrawn Candidates

Early voting for the Jan. 31 Presidential Preference Primary opens today in Pasco County, but there is something voters should be aware of, Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley said.

Though some candidates have suspended their campaigns, their names will still appear on the ballot, Corley said.

Michele Bachmann announced the end of her campaign Jan 4, Jon Huntsman withdrew Jan. 16, and Texas Governor Rick Perry dropped out of the presidential race on Thursday.

But candidates had to notify the state that they would be withdrawing from the ballot by Nov. 22, Corley said.

And as of Jan. 19, none of the candidates had notified the state of their intent to withdraw, Corley said.

Mail-in ballots have already come in, and the ballots at the polls this week will still include the names of all candidates, Corley said.

Voters should be aware of this as they make their selections, Corley said.

"As of now, all votes for the candidates listed on the certified Presidential Preference Primary  ballot will be tabulated and reported. No candidate has provided official notice of any withdrawal from the race and although campaigns have been suspended, the candidate must notify the Florida Division of Elections that the they have withdrawn from the Florida PPP," Corley said.

By law, Florida is a closed primary state and as such only registered Republicans can vote in this election, Corley said.

Registered Republican voters can cast early ballots at the Land O' Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Pkwy, from Jan. 21 through Jan. 28. 

Voters must present a photo and signature ID when early voting, or vote a provisional ballot. Voters who are registered in another Florida county, but are now residing in Pasco, are encouraged to update their address with the elections' office prior to voting, or they will be  required by statute to vote a provisional ballot at the polls.

Early voting sites are open Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information or to find other early voting sites in Pasco County, contact Brian E. Corley, Supervisor of Elections at 800-851-8754 or visit www.pascovotes.com.