BY LORIEN MATTIACCI
NNB Reporter
Lolita Dash-Pitts, the only voter at the Childs Park Recreation and Fitness Center at noon Tuesday, came out to support candidate Will Newton of District 7.
Residents got the chance to vote on City Council members and four city referendum questions. The referendums dealt with protections to sea grass beds, district boundaries, residency restrictions for elected officials and how to tally council member votes.
Estimated voter turnout averaged about 1.8 percent by 2 p.m., according to the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections.
Dash-Pitts did not know much about the referendums, but she felt that the ballot language explained them well.
“I was glad they clarified the referendums without my having to do the research,” said Pitts.
Of the referendums up for vote, Dash-Pitts felt most strongly about the electronic voting. She believes that this move to technology will reduce the likelihood of human error.
“I think that electronic voting is a more up-to-date approach than having a clerk register the votes,” said Dash-Pitts.
Dash-Pitts, 52, is a regular voter for more than 30 years. She is cognizant of the sacrifices made to create and maintain a democratic society, and feels it’s important that anyone who can vote, does.
“I call all my friends from the precinct and tell them to come and vote,” said Dash-Pitts. “Our forefathers had to struggle to give us the privilege to vote, and we should not waste that privilege.”