South County voters go to the polls Tuesday to cast ballots for a variety of state, county, and federal offices. They’ll also decide nine referendum questions.
Topping the ballot is the race for U.S. senator. Republican Marco Rubio appears to be leading a pack that includes Democrat Kendrick Meek and Independent Charlie Crist.
Also up for grabs is the governor’s seat. The GOP team of Rick Scott and Jennifer Carroll takes on the Democratic duo of Alex Sink and Rod Smith to top the ballot.
Major races are taking place in two congressional areas. In District 19, Democratic incumbent Ted Deutch is being challenged by Republican, Joe Budd. District 22 Democratic incumbent Ron Klein again faces retired Lt. Col. Allen West, a Republican.
A number of local races are on the ballot. These include:
State Senate District 25, Republican Ellyn Bogdanoff and Democrat Kelly Skidmore.
State Senate, District 27, Democrat Kevin Rader and Republican Lizbeth Benacquisto.
House District 87, Republican Bill Hager and Democrat Hava Holzhauer.
House District 90, Democrat Irv Slosberg and Republican Alison Rampersad.
Voters will also be asked to decide the following referendum questions:
- Question 1 – Proposes the repeal of the provision that requires public financing of campaigns of candidates for elective office who agree to campaign spending limits.
- Question 2 – Proposes to give military personnel an additional homestead property tax exemption.
- Question 4 – Proposes that changes to all comprehensive land use plans and comprehensive plans will, in the end, be decided by voter referendum.
- Question 5 – Would prohibit legislative district lines from being redrawn to favor an incumbent or political party, racial or language minorities.
- Question 6 – Would prohibit legislative districts from being redrawn to deny racial or language minorities the equal opportunity to participate in the political process.
- Question 8 – If approved, this issue will relax the class size standards approved by voters in a referendum several years ago.
Also:
- Nonbinding referendum requiring the U.S. Constitution to be amended to require a balanced federal budget without raising taxes.
- Requirement that Palm Beach County have a code of ethics, independent ethics commission and independent inspector general.
- Vote to continue dedicating .25 mils of ad valorem millage to support schools and teachers.