The closeness of the primaries makes the diverse electorate of Florida a huge factor in the unpredictable process of nominating presidential candidates. ...more

January 10, 2008

A local political spokesperson said the reason there are so many people listed as independent voters these days is due to motor vehicle registrations, when people don't know what to put down for party affiliation. That's partially true, but there's something much bigger going on that neither major party seems to grasp. People are tired of the candidates they elect being so out of touch with their needs. During campaigns, these politicians seem all ears on the issues of the day. They talk about the problems, offer multiple-point plans on how to address then. Then, once elected, nothing is improved and special interests always hold much more sway than constituents. It's no wonder so many people are dropping party affiliations and becoming independents. ...more

January 10, 2008

SEBRING — Since 1994, Democrats have gained 20,000 registrations. Republicans have added 40,000. But the others — the 26 minor parties and voters with no party affiliation — have gained nearly 70,000 men and women. "I think that's the motor voter registrations more than anything else," said Pat Hogan, chairman of the Democratic Executive Committee of Highlands County. When drivers get a license, they're asked if they want to register to vote. Young people and those who haven't given much thought to politics will agree. ...more

January 9, 2008

Early voting will begin Monday, Jan. 14, at three West Pasco sites for the Jan. 29 presidential preference primary. ...more

January 9, 2008

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton won New Hampshire's Democratic primary Tuesday night in a startling upset, defeating Sen. Barack Obama and resurrecting her bid for the White House. Sen. John McCain powered past his Republican rivals and back into contention for the GOP nomination. ...more

January 9, 2008

The Democratic National Committee voted Aug. 25 to punish Florida for scheduling its Jan. 29 primary earlier than party rules allow and stripped all its convention delegates. ...more

January 2, 2008

TAMPA - The Democratic National Committee voted Aug. 25 to punish Florida for scheduling its Jan. 29 primary earlier than party rules allow, and stripped all its convention delegates. Since then, 17,808 Hillsborough voters switched political parties, a Tribune analysis of party-switching data shows. ...more

December 31, 2007

Sen. Bill Nelson told Florida Democrats on Saturday that the national party sanctions and candidate boycott against Florida and the boycott of the state's primary by presidential candidates, if not ended, will hurt the party's chances of winning Florida in the 2008 election. ...more

October 28, 2007

So the Democratic National Committee has decided that Democrats in Florida won't be allowed to have their votes count in the primary. Too bad. But as an independent voter, I have never been allowed to have a vote in the primaries here in Florida. ...more

September 5, 2007