Technically Speaking
By Perry Busby
I have never run for political office, but I’ve been intimately involved with enough campaigns over the years to know how chaotic and mind-numbing of an experience it can be. I have no doubt those experiences pale in comparison to what candidates and staffers must be going through currently, as Florida prepares to conduct two critical elections within ninety days.
Getting your message out and mobilizing supporters are challenging under any circumstance. Attempting to achieve that while a monthslong pandemic rages on uncontrollably, takes a herculean effort, I’m sure.
When you factor in how COVID-19 is altering the way voters will cast their ballot, and how President Trump is using his political power to undermine the Post Office while spreading disinformation about voter fraud with mail-in voting. Not to mention, the Broward Supervisor of Elections office is currently listed as a defendant in a lawsuit to prevent election offices from destroying digital ballot images. It is quite easy to understand why many campaigns feel good about their chances but are far from certain about any polling data.
With so much uncertainty you would think campaigns might approach the start of early voting with a modified game plan.
Early voting began Saturday in Broward County. According to the supervisor of elections website, the average number of ballots cast each day is a little more than 3,500 and the average number of vote-by-mail ballots dropped off at each site is 1,246.
I visited several early voting locations on Saturday and Sunday, for “Souls To The Polls”. Each site I attended was bursting with supporters waving signs, handing out palm cards and engaging in spirited debate. What I didn’t see was anyone attempting to keep count of the number of voters.
Renowned statistician and business management consultant Edwards William Deming once said, “Whenever there is fear, you will get wrong figures.”
So, to all of the great candidates and trusted campaign managers, I ask why in the midst of such uncertainty, are you not attempting to gather and review your own voter data? How can you lead, if you don’t know who’s following?
Let me know what you think. Email me at perrybusby03@gmail.com. As always stay tuned to the Westside Gazette for more information about your vote.
