Turnout low for Florida primary

PENSACOLA, Fla (WALA) - Voting in the Florida Primary Election got off to a slow start in Pensacola Tuesday.

Just a few hours after the polls opened, the rain made it to the 64th precinct at Cokesbury United Methodist Church.

That's where campaign volunteer Ann Regan was camped out. She said there were a few people voting when she showed up a little after 7 a.m.

Regan became a little worried as the clouds rolled in.

“I think it might deter some people, especially in this primary, where you've really got to be enthusiastic, to come out in the rain for the primaries,” Regan said.

The rain didn't keep everyone away. Vickie Fuller said voting is a priority in her district. Her tennis game was rained out, so she headed to the polls to vote.

Photos: Florida primary election

“Precinct 30 is where I live, it's Cordorva Park area, and there are a lot of voters in that area, it's pretty politically active,” she said.

Election officials predict about a 25 percent voter turnout which they say is typical for a primary election.

It wasn't just the off and on showers that kept people away from the polls. Some people said there's something else that might cause some voters to stay home.

Diane Mack is a campaign volunteer.

"[It’s] very discouraging, very discouraging,” Mack said. “It's hard to get people interested in local primaries it seems. There are not any hugely contested primary elections statewide, or nationally that people care about, and it's hard to get them out,"

Some say it's important to get out and vote no matter what.

"I’m telling myself and all of my friends and all to come out a vote locally too; regardless of who you vote for," Sherri Rauls said.

"I just like to come on election day. It's just kind of an interesting thing, just to see what the turnout is," Debbie Combs said.

One voter summed up the importance of voting to him succinctly.

"Because that's who controls the country," Leroy Savage said. "You control the country if you vote,"

Tonight's Talker:  What motivates you to head to the polls and vote? Do you feel it’s your patriotic duty?