The long term results of the 2010 elections in Florida have yet to be decided, but these facts have already played out:
1) Marco Rubio (Republican) ( www.marcorubio.com ) was elected by 2,645,743 votes out of a total of 5,338,749 total votes cast. That was a total of 48.89% of the total votes cast. 5,817,031 registered voters did not vote in the election, so the big fact is more people did not vote than voted.
2) Rick Scott (Republican) ( www.rickscottforflorida.com ) was elected by 2,619,335 votes for a total of 48.87% of the vote.
Neither of those two elected officials received an overwhelming majority of voter’s support from all registered voters. There was 11,155,780 registered voters in Florida as of 08/24/2010. In fact, Senate-elect Marco Rubio only received 23.71% voter support from all registered voters, and Governor-elect Rick Scott only received 23.47% voter support from all registered voters. Neither of those two elected officials received even 25% of all voters’ support. Did they win by a majority? Not by a long shot.
The fact is more people did not support them by either a vote against or by not voting at all. The big question is, “What does this mean?”
I think this means that the elected officials need to pay attention to all their constituents, because public opinion and the people’s will does not stop at the voting booth. The people who voted against those elected still have a voice, and if those who are elected fail to realize it, then they will suffer in the next election cycle.
The so called “political capital” that elected officials perceive they possess will be lost without sound fiscal and environmental policies that reflect the true nature of today’s politics. No politician, regardless if they are Independents, Republicans, Democrats, Tea Party, or other parties, can ignore the facts of the elections.
1) Marco Rubio (Republican) ( www.marcorubio.com ) was elected by 2,645,743 votes out of a total of 5,338,749 total votes cast. That was a total of 48.89% of the total votes cast. 5,817,031 registered voters did not vote in the election, so the big fact is more people did not vote than voted.
2) Rick Scott (Republican) ( www.rickscottforflorida.com ) was elected by 2,619,335 votes for a total of 48.87% of the vote.
Neither of those two elected officials received an overwhelming majority of voter’s support from all registered voters. There was 11,155,780 registered voters in Florida as of 08/24/2010. In fact, Senate-elect Marco Rubio only received 23.71% voter support from all registered voters, and Governor-elect Rick Scott only received 23.47% voter support from all registered voters. Neither of those two elected officials received even 25% of all voters’ support. Did they win by a majority? Not by a long shot.
The fact is more people did not support them by either a vote against or by not voting at all. The big question is, “What does this mean?”
I think this means that the elected officials need to pay attention to all their constituents, because public opinion and the people’s will does not stop at the voting booth. The people who voted against those elected still have a voice, and if those who are elected fail to realize it, then they will suffer in the next election cycle.
The so called “political capital” that elected officials perceive they possess will be lost without sound fiscal and environmental policies that reflect the true nature of today’s politics. No politician, regardless if they are Independents, Republicans, Democrats, Tea Party, or other parties, can ignore the facts of the elections.
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