In the Arena: Interesting Election Facts

In the Arena: Interesting Election Facts

Most party members, whether Democratic or Republican, tend to vote for the head of their ticket for President. There is a defection rate but usually it is in single digits. In Leon County there were 78,207 Democrats who voted, 48,957 Republicans, 28,294 No Party Affiliation (NPA) and, 3,757 minor party voters for a total of […]

Jon Ausman: Is there a Secret Agent in Tallahassee?

Jon Ausman: Is there a Secret Agent in Tallahassee?

It may be time that Republican County Chair Evan Power publicly declare Leon County Democratic Chair Ryan Ray as their Most Valuable Republican Secret Agent. What facts suggest such a possibility? For the first time going back to the 1980 Presidential elections (this is as far back as I have voter registration records), Democrats have […]

Jon Ausman: Charter Review Committee Should Recommend City Districts

Jon Ausman: Charter Review Committee Should Recommend City Districts

There are twenty-two municipalities in the United States that have populations within ten thousand (10,000) people of the population of the City of Tallahassee. The average size of the city commissions of these municipalities, including Tallahassee, is 8.2 members.  The largest commission is Overland Park (Kansas) which has thirteen commissioners. Four other cities, including two city-county […]

In the Arena: General Election Turnout Indicators

In the Arena: General Election Turnout Indicators

With seven days to go before election day the auguries in Senate District Three look bad for incumbent State Senator Loranne Ausley.  The stars are aligned for Republican challenger Corey Simon to take the win. There are thirteen counties in Senate District Three.  All but one county, Wakulla, have a higher percentage of Republicans voting […]

In the Arena: Wednesday Early Voting Update

In the Arena: Wednesday Early Voting Update

Over seven million registered voters in Florida have already cast their ballot as of Wednesday morning.  This means statewide 65% of the likely total voter turnout has already been cast.  In Leon County 58% of the projected vote is already in at the Supervisor of Elections’ Office. Republicans are turning out at a higher rate […]

In the Arena: November 3rd is Almost Here

In the Arena:  November 3rd is Almost Here

Over six million registered voters in Florida have already cast their ballot as of Monday morning.  This means statewide 57% of the likely total voter turnout has already been cast.  In Leon County 50% of the vote is already in at the Supervisor of Elections’ Office. The numbers are interesting and a projection of what […]

In the Arena: Pre-Election Voter Turnout

In the Arena:  Pre-Election Voter Turnout

Over the last four Presidential general elections 74% of Florida’s registered voters turned out to cast ballots.  When the Florida Division of Elections and Leon County Supervisor of Elections report a percentage of the vote is in, they are running that number against 100% when it should be put against the last four average turnouts […]

In the Arena: William F. Buckley and Civil Discourse

In the Arena:  William F. Buckley and Civil Discourse

In the late 1960s as a teenager I lived in the small city of Olean, New York, located in Cattaraugus County.  Olean was in the western tier of New York and located on the Allegheny River just north of the Pennsylvania border. Olean, when I lived there, had a population of 19,000.  Currently the population […]

In the Arena: Should the President be Impeached?

In the Arena: Should the President be Impeached?

The reason for impeaching a President is specifically stated in Article II, Section 4, of the Constitution: “The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.” On 17 May 2018 the acting Attorney […]

In the Arena: Are Legacy Newspapers in Hospice?

In the Arena:  Are Legacy Newspapers in Hospice?

The current President of the United States has a very strong ability to discern weakness in long-unchallenged institutions.  For example, the President often attacks the news media as “dangerous and sick”.  He has stated the news media are the “enemy of the people”. This column will explain why the President feels both comfortable and safe […]