By Fallan Patterson
Staff Writer

More people have taken advantage of early primary voting this year than in 2008, with 2,647 voters going to polling spots through Aug. 17, according to the Osceola County Supervisor of Elections office – a 10 percent jump over the 2008 election.

In addition, 3,538 voters had already sent in absentee ballots as of 6 p.m. Tuesday.

As of July 26 – when registration for Tuesday’s primary election closed – Osceola County had 144,929 registered voters, Mary Jane Arrington, Osceola County supervisor of elections, said.

“We have not had the turnout we had hoped for during the first week of early voting,’’ Arrington said. “I am hoping this last week of early voting will pick up and more people will take advantage of the opportunity to vote prior to Election Day.’’

Early voting ends Saturday.

Arrington said she didn’t think the low volume so far would be a sign of a small turnout Tuesday, mainly because of the high interest in local races.

“We want to encourage people to take advantage of their privilege to vote,’’ Arrington said. “The state races are interesting. All we are hearing is the negative. If someone doesn’t have the money to advertise, then you don’t hear from them. I have heard a lot of comments from people about needing to do their homework on the state candidates. I think local candidates have worked hard to get the word out.’’

Several local races will be decided Tuesday. Other races will move to a run-off on to Election Day Nov. 2.

The district 4 Osceola County Commission race will be narrowed to one Democrat and one Republican for the general election, with a no-party candidate thrown into the mix at that time. The winner of this race will replace County Commissioner Ken Smith, who is not running for re-election.

The district 2 commission race goes directly to the general election, since only one Democrat and the Republican incumbent – are vying for the office.

Three seats on the Osceola County School Board are up for grabs in non-partisan races.

Jay Wheeler, seeking a third term, is campaigning to keep representing district 1 against Nancy Gemskie, while Barbara Horn hopes to defeat David Stone, who is seeking his fourth term, representing district 4. Both of these races will be determined Tuesday.

The third School Board race, for district 5, has three people fighting to oust incumbent John McKay, who currently serves as chairman of the board. The top two candidates in this race, unless someone garners a majority, will go to a run-off Nov. 2.

Kissimmee residents have two district non-partisan races to consider. The seat 2 commissioner race has five contenders, and the top two candidates, unless someone gets a majority, will move on to a Nov. 2 run-off. Incumbent Cheryl Grieb, seeking a second term, is running against challenger Jorge Miranda for seat 4. That race will be decided Tuesday.

St. Cloud City Council races will not be on the ballot Tuesday since that municipality's first election will be Nov. 2, followed up with a December run-off, if needed. Qualifying for candidates in these races runs from Aug. 30 to Sept. 3. Three seats are up for grabs, including mayor.

This year, due to the large number of elected positions open, the Supervisor of Elections office created 35 different ballot styles based on each individual registered voter's party affiliation and what races are in that person's precinct. The personalized sample ballot registered voters received in the mail is the same ballot they will see at the polls, said Amber Smith, community relations coordinator for the supervisor of elections office.

In addition to selecting candidates in the various races, Kissimmee residents also will voice their opinions in the primary on city referendums.