Including "down-ballot" recommendations for Charlotte and Sarasota Counties

10/20/2022

Although our group is no longer functioning, two of the leaders briefly emerged out of retirement to put together these ballot recommendations for Charlotte and Sarasota Counties.

If you want to do more than vote: Long term, we encourage you to join the Englewood Democratic Club which operates in both counties. You can see their latest email newsletter here.

To help Democrats during the election, in Charlotte County call Linda at 814-282-0871 or email her at ldemerit@allegheny.edu. In Sarasota County, click here to sign up for weekend canvassing, click here to phone Democratic voters from home, and click here to greet voters at polling places.

Races on All Ballots

US Senate: Val Demings has been a strong Representative for Orlando area and has a great resume.

US House of Representatives District 17: Andrea Doria Kale

Governor: Charlie Crist

Attorney General: Aramis Ayala

Chief Financial Officer: Adam Hattersley

Commissioner of Agriculture: Naomi Blemur

Supreme Court Justice Retentions:   NO for all justices.

Englewood Water District Seat 5: Dennis Pinkiewicz, who is qualified to serve in this role, due to educational background and prior comparable experience in coastal NJ.

The Constitutional Amendments

There are conflicting recommendations on the three amendments on the ballot. The Charlotte County Democrats suggest  NO on 1 YES on 2, YES on 3). The Sarasota County Democrats differ: they recommend NO on 1, No Recommendation on 2, and NO on 3. This morning the Sun newspaper recommended YES on 1, NO on 2, and NO on 3.

For 1, Democrats in both counties seem to think it would mostly benefit wealthy home owners who invest money in making their homes on the water more resilient. But the paper feels it would benefit all and not just the wealthy are spending money to harden their homes against flooding.   We're leaning toward yes, but it's iffy

For 2, this proposed amendment was suggested and passed by the Republican legislature with all R's voting in favor of abolishing the Constitutional Revision Commission. The Dem vote was split: 13 against, 3 in favor. The Sun feels the Commission should NOT be abolished because it is at least one small avenue to get items on the ballot, even though it has been abused in the past. (That was the time they stuffed different items together under one amendment to get something they wanted passed.) The Dem thinking is that this body is politically appointed and therefore uses its power to yes, force through some horrible idea by pairing it with something everyone wants. One interesting observation: if it doesn't get abolished, the next time it will meet is 2037. Will any of us be here to care?  

For 3, new homestead exemptions, the Sun and Sarasota Dems say no: they keep making these exemptions and it will reduce the tax base too much and prioritizes some workers over others. But the Charlotte County Dems say 'YES,' help the teachers and fire fighters.

We hope you found this discussion helpful in deciding how to vote on the three amendments.

Charlotte County Ballots

State Senate District 27: Christopher Proia

Second District Court of Appeal: YES for Northcutt who was appointed long ago by Gov. Chiles. NO for all the rest.

Charlotte County Charter Amendments: YES for all 3.

Charlotte County School School District Millage Election: Vote YES to support our schools, our teachers and our kids.

Sarasota County Ballots

Sarasota Charter Review Board District 1: Nancy M.H. Simpson

Sarasota Charter Review Board District 2: Jae Langston D. Williams

Sarasota Charter Review Board District 4: Ray Porter

Hospital Board Northern District Seat 2: No recommendation

District Court of Appeal: Vote NO on all Judges

County Bond Referendum: YES for the Charter Amendment

County Referendum: YES for the 1-cent sales tax

County Charter Amendments: No to both

City of North Port Commissioner District Seat 5: Philip Stokes

City of North Port Referenda:

Question 1: YES

Question 2: YES