By Jake Scully
My wife and I moved our young family to Palm Coast in 1991 and for about ten years, I probably could not name more than a couple County Commissioners or School Board members.
It was a blissful and apolitical time in the neighborhood!
Alas, things change.
Today it is hard to be unaware of politics, but it is also at times hard to keep the rules and facts straight during election season.
Take, for instance, the upcoming Primary on August 20th.
Did you know that even though Florida is a “Closed Primary” state, all 93,281 registered voters in Flagler County can vote in a Primary race when all the candidates are of the same party affiliation?
This is the case in the race for County Commission between Andy Dance and Fernando Melendez. These candidates are both Republicans and thus all 93,281 of us can, and should, help make this important choice for our community – for our neighbors.
Unfortunately, this is NOT the case in the other two races for County Commission. (See: “The Write-In Fraud“).
Due to last minute entries of two “Write-in” candidates who are not registered Republicans these choices will be made by Primary-voting Republicans only. These races are closed.
Closed Primaries attract a much smaller and more party-centric voter turnout. These neighbors are referred to as “super-voters”.
I think it fair to say it is typically not in the interest of the extreme and the passionate in both of our major political parties to have reasonable and sane voters of all political stripes participating.
Sadly, the result for us is late-arriving candidates who have no interest in campaigning for, much less winning, spots on the Board of County Commissioners.
If you think their appearances were the results of cynical and cheap political tricks to keep 47,755 of us from helping our Republican neighbors choose the best candidates during the Primary on the 20th of August, you, neighbor, would be correct.
Nonetheless, we who are not registered Republicans still have an opportunity to help our neighbors make the best choices for all of us.
Simply go to https://registertovoteflorida.gov and change your party affiliation to Republican by July 22 and vote in the Primary. It takes a few minutes, and you can change back as easily after the 20th.
I did it, it did not hurt.
Consider doing the same – it is the neighborly thing to do.
Thanks!
PS – you may notice I am not naming candidates in the two races in question… if you read this far, you are probably a neighbor who will do the research.
Jake Scully is, except for one very hot summer in 2024, a life-long Democrat who served 6 years on the City of Palm Coast Planning Board and is a founding member of the Flagler County Tiger Bay Club.
NJ says
EXCELLENT IDEA!! Time to make the Primary Election Fair by becoming a Republican ONLY for the Primary Election.. In Democrat “Controlled” States many Republicans become Democrats to Vote for the WEAKEST Democrat Candidate in the Primary Election, then return to the Republican Party for the Nov Election. After Nov 5th election, FL must CHANGE the Write-in Candidate Law to make FL Elections FAIR to Everyone.
Shark says
Just like Staly and Melissa Holland did. They were both Republicans and switched to get elected !!!!
Dune Master says
Maybe you should focus on your owns party’s issues.
Economic Policies:
Tax Policies: Critics argue that the Democratic Party’s tax policies, which often include higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations, can stifle economic growth and investment.
Regulation: Some believe that Democrats’ support for increased regulation on businesses can hinder economic development and job creation.
Government Spending:
Deficit and Debt: Opponents argue that the Democratic Party’s support for extensive social programs leads to excessive government spending, contributing to the national deficit and debt.
Welfare Programs: There is criticism that welfare programs can create dependency rather than encouraging self-sufficiency.
Healthcare:
Single-Payer Healthcare: Some argue against the push for a single-payer healthcare system or “Medicare for All,” believing it could lead to higher taxes, decreased quality of care, and long wait times for medical services.
Affordable Care Act (ACA): Critics claim the ACA has increased insurance premiums and reduced healthcare choices.
Immigration Policies:
Border Security: Critics argue that Democratic policies are too lenient on immigration, potentially compromising national security and straining public resources.
Sanctuary Cities: There is opposition to the concept of sanctuary cities, where local laws limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Social Issues:
Abortion: Some oppose the Democratic Party’s pro-choice stance on abortion, advocating for more restrictive measures or a complete ban.
Gun Control: Critics argue that Democratic efforts to increase gun control infringe on Second Amendment rights.
Energy and Environment:
Green New Deal: Some believe that Democratic proposals like the Green New Deal are unrealistic and could harm the economy, particularly industries reliant on fossil fuels.
Climate Change Policies: Critics argue that aggressive climate policies can lead to increased energy costs and job losses in certain sectors.
Education:
School Choice: Critics argue that the Democratic Party’s opposition to school choice and voucher programs limits educational opportunities for children in low-income families.
Public Education Funding: There is debate over the effectiveness of increased funding for public schools versus structural reforms.
Criminal Justice:
Policing: Critics of the Democratic stance on police reform argue that measures like defunding the police could lead to increased crime rates and reduced public safety.
Criminal Sentencing: Some believe that Democratic policies on criminal sentencing are too lenient and do not adequately address the needs for law and order.
Foreign Policy:
Military Spending: Critics argue that Democrats are more likely to cut military spending, potentially weakening national defense.
International Agreements: There is opposition to some international agreements supported by Democrats, such as the Iran nuclear deal or the Paris Climate Agreement, based on concerns over national sovereignty and effectiveness.
Economic Inequality:
Redistribution of Wealth: Critics argue that policies aimed at redistributing wealth, such as higher taxes on the wealthy and expanded social welfare programs, undermine meritocracy and discourage individual achievement.
Laurel says
Dune Master: Some say, some believe, some argue. Not a fact mentioned. So what’s your point? Republicans prefer rumors over facts? As Trump would say “Everyone knows that.”
Bailey’s mom says
Calling all Voters, this sounds like a great idea! Let’s change and make better choices for our County!
Fernando Melendez says
It is a shame when a candidates resorts to such underhandedness, and it also shows a tremendous disregard to all our residents. To me personally it goes deeper than what we actually see on the surface of it all, it shows candidates who schemes corruption and political chicanery behind closed doors. Whether win or lose I’m proud of our race for (Fernando Melendez and Andy Dance) for county commission District 1 being open to all. We’re all in this together and thus should all have a say in the future of our community. The privilege of running for office should be taken very serious not just for the candidates but for all voters who should never ever be disenfranchised from voting.
Peter wentworth says
I did that in order to vote against that piece of garbage (mullins) a while back.
Aside from the stigma of spending a week or so being labeled as a republican, it is pretty painless.
Skibum says
Good idea… we must be willing to fight back against the corruption and rot that the Republican Party has become when it is no more than a mob of MAGA zealots who have no problem lying, cheating and stealing their way toward power and anarchy. They see what their orange “Jesus” has orchestrated to try and keep himself in power and out of prison, and they are taking his cues to do whatever no matter how unethical to win in local elections. I will hold my nose and switch my party affiliation for the upcoming primary election to try to mitigate this madness, and I hope others follow suit.
Robert Cuff says
I applaud Mr. Scully’s letter to ALL voters of Flagler County. I hope that many will follow his suggestion and make the upcoming primary a true vote on who should represent our community on the County Commission.
Candidates who resort to cynical political maneuvers restricting the number of voters who may participate in an election are obviously afraid that their candidacy cannot stand the scrutiny of ALL the voters. And, if they ae not able to stand the scrutiny of all of the voters, how can they be trusted to represent the community as a whole if they win election through cheap political tricks rather than a fair and open vote of all eligible voters?
I have been a registered Republican for many years but have never been a supporter of Florida’s closed primary system, particularly when it is used, as it is being used here, to disenfranchise half of the County’s voters for these two specific races.
Janet Sullivan says
I understand Jake’s plea: If registered Ds switch to R for the August Primary election, they will receive a Republican Primary Ballot rather than a Democratic Primary Ballot, and will be able to vote against the two R Commission candidates who recruited write-ins to intentionally close the primary. I have 3 thoughts about this: 1) These are officially now Republican-only Primaries. This is a Republican problem. Many Rs are disgusted and angry about this situation. I’ve heard from them. They need to rally their Republican troops to vote against the Republican candidates who recruited the write-ins. We deserve County Commissioners who are ethical, honest, and fair. But these Republican primaries are not for the Democrats to fix. 2) D’s who change their registration to R for the purpose of voting with a Republican Primary Ballot won’t be able to vote for the US Sentate Primary Candidate who they want to run against Rick Scott in November, because the D Primary Senate Candidates are on the Democratic Primary Ballot. 3) As Chair of the Flagler Democratic Party I know all too well that this wouldn’t be such a big deal if we had Democratic Candidates. I assure you we work hard to try to find D candidates in Flagler County, and we will continue to do so. I look forward to hearing from any D who is willing to discuss being a future candidate. Best Wishes to all as you mull through your options and their ramifications. Janet Sullivan, Chair, Flagler County Democratic Executive Committee
Jake says
I hear you Jan. Just trying to do what is best for the community in a difficult mathematical reality. Living life on life’s terms.
Pierre Tristam says
I don’t think it’s a Republican problem. It’s an electoral problem. Democrats might do likewise if this were a democratic one-party county. The law needs to be changed. But that’s for another day. The issue today is reclaiming 47,000 votes from thieves in two important races. We don’t then turn to thieves and expect them to do the right thing. We take matters in our own hands—our own 47,000 pairs of hands. That’s why I switched. The Scott race is a lost cause. These county commission races are not. Not yet. Do nothing, and we are complicit in more thievery. Then again, that seems to be a Democratic specialty these days, starting with Biden.
Another Concerned Taxpayer !!! says
Just another reason why Florida (and all states) should change to “Open Primaries”, everyone should have the opportunity to vote in every election and not be disenfranchised. If all states had open primaries, we would have a better chance at getting better choices in the General Elections. Potentially giving us the alternative of not having to pick the lesser of the 2 evils. Additionally, this loophole in the “write-in” candidates should be closed.
Tony says
The republican realtors wo are running this tow have destroyed it,