Precinct Preview Pushes Passion for Voting as Primary Draws Near

At Precinct 825 in Brandon, Travis Abercrombie accompanied his boss, Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Earl J. Lennard, for a media viewing of the setup of an Election Day polling place.

On hand, too, were Frank Behrendt and his wife of more than 50 years, Anne.  

And Ray McDonald, who graduated from Brandon High School in 1964, a year after Lennard himself graduated as an Eagle.

As they set about their business, they took time to reflect on what it means to be able to vote in America, a story that transcends who votes and why along ideological and party lines.

For this group of die-hards, it’s not about who you vote for, but rather that you do, indeed, vote, whether it’s at the GOP Presidential Preference Primary tomorrow, Jan. 31, or for any other primary or general election in the future.

 “I believe in the privilege to vote,” said Frank Behrendt, the assigned clerk for Precinct 825 at , 910 Bryan Rd. “I spent 27 years in the military defending my country and the right to vote. I believe it’s a cherished right not to be ignored, and that’s why I volunteer, to make sure everyone who can, does vote.”

Abercrombie, a spokesperson for the supervisor of elections office, said he, too, believes in the right to vote, calling it: "Incredibly patriotic."

"It was important to my grandparents that my mother and father voted," said Abercrombie, an African American. “Growing up I learned I could be a part of the problem or be a part of the solution. I decided I was going to try to be a part of the solution.”

Still alive is his grandmother, who Abercrombie said takes great pride in her grandson’s chosen course of life.

“She was thrilled, absolutely thrilled,” Abercrombie said, when she learned of her grandson’s job as a public information coordinator for the supervisor of elections office. “She grew up in a time when she couldn’t vote, and now here I am, in charge of making sure the information gets out there. I take my work very seriously.”

So, too, does Lennard, who started his job as an educator in the Hillsborough County School District, where he attended school throughout his childhood and from which he retired as the superintendent of schools in 2005.

As a social studies teacher, his passion was for history, and he instituted a course at East Bay High School called, “Problems of American Democracy.”

“History tells us a lot about the future,” Lennard said. “My kids will tell you I love history because I lived so much of it, and that I love history today because when I went to school there wasn’t so much of it.”

Don’t let his light-heartedness fool you: Lennard is a staunch believer in the study of history — and in the right to vote.

“It’s not just your right to vote,” he added. “It’s your responsibility. All of us should, and must, take part in the democratic process.”

Don't like the field of candidates?

"No excuse" not to vote, Lennard said. "If you don't find a candidate you like then go out there and encourage people you do like to become candidates, and work for that candidate."

As for the Jan. 31 primary, McDonald's message is clear: "Do your civic duty and make sure you vote."

The GOP Presidential Preference Primary is for registered Republican voters to help select their party’s candidate for president.

The Democrats are not voting in the Presidential Preference Primary because their party’s candidate has already been determined. President Barack Obama has no Democratic opposition in his bid for re-election.

Voting Jan. 31? Here’s What You Need To Know:

• You must vote in your precinct. There are 383 precincts in Hillsborough County, and some 70 to 80 precincts in the Greater Brandon area alone, Lennard said. If you can’t find your voter registration card, which designates your precinct, visit the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections website. Where Do I Vote? is a page to help you determine just that.
• Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• You can still request and receive a ballot by visiting one of four election offices. Ballots must be returned in the official election envelope to any of these Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections offices by 7 p.m.
• Bring with you to the precinct a current photo and signature ID. Your driver’s license has both a photography and a signature, so that alone would suffice. If you do not have a driver’s license, you will need to show one or two forms of identification to meet the requirements.