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Johnson Spends Big Bucks On Voter Education

Tribune file photo (2008)

In the ads, Johnson introduces himself as the elections supervisor, talks about the new optical scan voting system and assures voters the Nov. 4 elections will go smoothly.

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 7, 2008

Updated: 10/07/2008 08:56 am

TAMPA - A controversial voter education campaign by Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Buddy Johnson cost the county's taxpayers more than $127,000 this year.

That figure does not include more than $100,000 that Johnson's office spent on mailing voter registration cards to the county's 668,800 registered voters in the past week.

Funding for Johnson's voter education campaign comes from a mix of federal Help America Voter Act grants and from the budget of the election supervisor's office.

In the run-up to the Nov. 4 election, Johnson's voice and image have been heard and seen in a series of English and Spanish-language ads on television and radio.

Johnson's office has contracted with Schifino Lee, a local public relations firm, to create and purchase advertising spots and print and distribute brochures and other materials.

In the ads, Johnson introduces himself as the elections supervisor, talks about the new optical scan voting system and assures voters the Nov. 4 elections will go smoothly.

Critics, including Democrat Phyllis Busansky who is challenging Johnson for his seat in November, argue that he is using taxpayer dollars to fuel his re-election campaign.

Johnson has defended the ads, saying that Florida elections officials are encouraging elections managers across the state to explain to voters the switch from electronic voting to paper ballots this year. This will be the first general election using the new system.

Christian M. Wade can be reached at (813) 259-7679 or cwade@tampatrib.com.

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