02-04-2025
Escambia County experienced 'temporary ballot shortages' in Congressional special election
Some polling locations experienced "temporary ballot shortages" during Tuesday's special election.
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office alerted the media at 7 p.m. as polls were closing − and published a notice on its website − acknowledging the issue and assuring voters that every vote would be counted.
"Due to unprecedented voter turnout in today's Special General Election for U.S. House of Representatives, District 1, some precinct locations in Escambia County have experienced temporary ballot shortages," the notice said.
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender was attributed as saying "every voter in line before polls close at 7 p.m. will be able to cast their ballot, and every valid ballot will be counted."
Patronis win special election: Jimmy Patronis wins election to Congress in Florida's 1st Congressional District
Over 31,000 voters have voted in the Special General Election today, with a 33% voter turnout countywide, according to notice.
The Associated Press called the race for Republican candidate Jimmy Patronis at 7:20 p.m. Unofficial results from the Florida Division of Elections as of approximately 7:50 p.m. put Patronis ahead of his Democratic opponent Gaye Valimont 57% to 42%, or 96,087 votes to 71,146 votes.
Congressional District 1 consists of four counties – Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton - and Valimont's showing in Escambia County was by far by her strongest. There, she took 51% of the vote (37,290) to Patronis' 48% (34.953).
'We are excited to see such an unprecedented voter turnout in this election, as we always encourage everyone to exercise their right to vote,' Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender said in the online notice. 'I'd like to assure voters that anyone in line by 7 p.m. will be able to cast their ballot.'
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Florida special election between Patronis Valimont had ballot shortage
