February 8, 2008

Super Tuesday excites voters

Polling places at Silver Creek Valley Country Club and Cabana Club (below) had a steady flow of voters. An election official at Cabana Club said " "Even though more than 60% of the precinct were registered as voter by mail, we've had a large turnout today. We (didn't) have the problem of running out of ballots here."

Record turnout throughout California

Voters turned out for Super Tuesday in record numbers. Some polling places in California ran out of ballots and photocopies had to be used.

The political process is exciting voters of all ages, but especially the younger ones. Larry Gerston, professor and political analyst, told the San Jose Rotary Club that this election will be “the best one in his lifetime.”

Gerston also offered that voters will be energized if they have a reason and complex issues give them reason now. He noted that money doesn’t always win. That became evident after Mitt Romney dropped out Wednesday after spending $35 million of his money.

“The Internet has changed the political process,” Gerston stated, pointing out that Obama has more than 200 online groups. Many of the candidates are raising money on the Internet.

Super Tuesday, with more than 20 states voting, exemplified the problems and complexity of the primary process. “It’s crazy, " Gerston said, and he believes it has to change.

Evergreen residents voted no on an initiative to affect community colleges and yes (71 percent) on Measure E to increase property taxes for improved school facilities.

John McCain now seems to have locked up the Republican nomination for president. The focus will be on who will be his running mate.

Clinton and Obama are in a virtual tie for delegates and the Democratic nominee may not be decided until its convention.