Sample Ballots Mailed Out for Temple Terrace Referendum

The Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections office has mailed out 221,901 sample ballots to all registered Republicans, and 9,667 sample ballots to all registered voters in Temple Terrace, according to a press release from the office.

“With Early Voting starting next Monday, the 16th in Hillsborough County, we wanted to give the voters ample time to look over and familiarize themselves with their respective ballot,” said Earl Lennard, Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections, in the release.

Lennard also noted in the release that every registered voter in Temple Terrace can vote on the regardless of party affiliation.

The referendum would give property tax exemptions to new businesses and expansions of existing businesses. The idea is to draw in business, which would in turn stimulate economic development and create new jobs, officials have said.

The amount of the exemption would vary from business to business and is based on the amount of a business’ investment, the number of employees and other factors, officials said. A business could be exempt for 5 to 10 years based on these factors.

If favored by voters, the measure would go to the Temple Terrace City Council for final approval. It would last for a period of 10 years, expiring on Jan. 31, 2022.