BY RIM SHUMAN
NNB Reporter
ST. PETERSBURG – Residents, few and far between, made their way to the polls to cast their vote for three city council seats and four referendum questions Tuesday.
Unity: A Spiritual Community, 6168 1st Ave. N., Precinct #213 and #217 had low voter turnout. A polling officer claimed that there were only about two voters an hour. The parking lot was seemingly empty. Where were the voters of St. Petersburg today?
Jeannine Colbert, of St. Petersburg, cast her vote at the Unity Center today.
“This probably isn’t the greatest place for a good turnout – hardly anyone comes by here. I think people need to get out and vote as you see no one is showing up here, people need to get out and vote,” said Colbert, who was one of the few voters at the Unity center.
“(Referendum Question no. 1) is the most important question. I feel very strongly about this because I am very environmental. It is important because it involves decisions about our wetlands,” said Colbert.
“I supported [Will] Newton. I know him because he supports our local firefighters and I really like him. My husband is a firefighter. It’s a matter of sticking together in the community. I vote every election, people still complain – if you don’t vote, you can’t complain,” Colbert said.
Fifth Avenue Church of Christ, located at 4200 5th Avenue S., St. Petersburg, Precint no. 227 welcomed voters of St. Petersburg to their Church. With seemingly more voters walking in and out of the voting center, the Church had a reported 10 to 20 percent turnout their, compared to the reported zero to 10 percent for Precinct no. 217 at the Unity Center.
Frank Prevost, cast his vote at the Fifth Avenue Church of Christ. He said the issue about council member district lines is important and requires voters’ attention and understanding.
“Referendum no. 2 about the district lines was very important. I hope (the city) will do a little better then what it is doing for us now,” said Prevost
His support for council came down to a personal choice.
“I supported Phillip Garrett for District 5 and Will Newton for District 7. I know Phil personally, that is how I got the information I needed,” said Prevost. “My wife and his wife attend Church together. His three kids are like my kids.”
Prevost said that he votes every election and hopes that there would be more residents of the area coming to vote recognizing the small turnout.
“More people should participate in any election there is. Without a voice you do not have a voice. It is our right. You have to vote,” said Prevost.
The election had a voter turnout of 17.33 percent of active registered voters. Which means of the 174,729 registered voters in St. Petersburg, only 30,286 went out to the polls.