If you're like me, you're on pins and needles right now wondering if the vote that we expect to get out is actually hitting the streets. In Florida, there is a great website doing reporting online in five representative precincts which are Key for the Battleground, and represent strong concentrations of the 5 flavors of votes: Blacks, Hispanics (Cubans), Young Voters, Independents, Republicans and Seniors.
As of the Midday reporting, turn out among Blacks and Youth EXCEEDED 2004 levels in these precincts, while Cubans have struggled to match 2004 levels and should fall short. Seniors are out in force, way up (strongest by demographic) while Independents and Republicans to outdo a bit 2004.
Now, Precinct by Precinct
Young Voter Turnout
Alachua County Precinct 31
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida
2008 Voter Registration Statistics By Age
o 18-25 - 4,166 (92.13%)
o 26-30 - 204 (4.51%)
o 31-35 - 56 (1.24%)
o 36-40 - 39 (0.86%)
o 41 + - 27 (0.53%)
2008 Voter Registration Statistics By Party
o Democrat - 2,158 (47.72%)
o Other - 1,224 (27.07%)
o Republican - 1,140 (25.21%)
2004 General Election Results (58.73% turnout)
o Kerry - 63.53% (1,369 votes)
o Bush - 35.22% (759 votes)
REPORT @ Midday: 61% Turnout, Strongly up; 38% Early Vote, 23% Same Day Turnout
Senior Turnout
Hillsborough County Precinct 904
King's Point Clubhouse Studio
Sun City Center, Florida
2008 Voter Registration Statistics By Party
o Republican - 1,174 (44.29%)
o Democrat - 879 (33.16%)
o Other - 598 (22.56%)
2004 General Election Results (50.32% turnout)
o Bush - 52.89% (768 votes)
o Kerry - 44.35% (644 votes)
REPORT @ Midday: 69.3% Turn Out (Way Up)
Hispanic Turnout
Miami-Dade County Precinct 359
Roberto Casas Park
Hialeah, Florida
2008 Voter Registration Statistics By Race
o Hispanic - 3,615 (89.44%)
o White - 165 (4.08%)
o Other - 237 (5.86%)
o Black, not Hispanic - 25 (0.62%)
o Republican - 1,682 (41.61%)
o Other - 1,240 (30.68%)
o Democrat - 1,120 (27.71%)
2004 General Election Results (67.15% turnout)
o Bush - 54.35% (1,199 votes)
o Kerry - 22.3% (492 votes)
REPORT @ Midday: 38% Turnout, 11% Absentee, 16% Early Voting, 11% Same Day Turnout
African-American Turnout
Leon County Precinct 1317
Jake Gaither Community Center
Tallahassee, Florida
2008 Voter Registration Statistics By Race
o Black, not Hispanic - 1,289 (93.68%)
o Other - 47 (3.42%)
o White - 20 (1.45%)
o Hispanic - 4 (0.29%)
2008 Voter Registration Statistics By Party
o Democrat - 1,263 (91.79%)
o Other - 75 (5.45%)
o Republican - 38 (2.76%)
2004 General Election Results (59.59% turnout)
o Kerry - 96.35% (793 votes)
o Bush - 3.40% (28 votes)
REPORT @ Midday: 61% Turn Out @ 11am; Above total of 2004 by 2%.
Strong Bush 2004 Turnout
Duval County Precinct 11M
New Berlin Rd. Baptist Church
Jacksonville, Florida
2008 Voter Registration Statistics By Party
o Republican - 1,627 (45.72%)
o Democrat - 1,229 (34.53%)
o Other - 703 (19.75%)
2004 General Election Results (56.63% turnout)
o Bush - 83% (1317 votes)
o Kerry - 15% (251 votes)
REPORT @ Midday: 59% Turn Out Thus Far; 42% Absentee/EV, 17% Today
Independent Voter Turnout
Orange County Precinct 542
New Life Church of God
Orlando, Florida
2008 Voter Registration Statistics By Party
o Democrat - 1,322 (47.25%)
o Other - 936 (33.45%)
o Republican - 540 (19.30%)
2004 Voter Registration Statistics By Party
o Other - 924 (39.50%)
o Democrat - 820 (35.06%)
o Republican - 595 (25.44%)
2004 General Election Results (39.78% turnout)
o Kerry - 66.93% (745 votes)
o Bush - 31.8% (354 votes)
Note the Party ID Shift. Turn out So far: 5% Absentee, 27.7% Voting Early=32%; @ 8am, 7.7% Turn out. Total already at 40%... EQUAL TO 2004 @ 8am!
So, there you have it. The Black vote and Youth Vote is turning out STRONG. Hispanic Cuban vote is down sharply, though there could be a rush at the end of the day. Seniors are out very strong but their final vote is not exactly clear, though they likely favor McCain. Independents are also up strongly, as their district is also much Bluer than 2004.
That's a taste of what's happening in Florida.
GOTV: Make Calls to Florida Now to ensure we cross that finish line.
UPDATE: NEW YOUTH NUMBER!!! 75!!!!