Lake County, FL Results of South Lake County Hob Nob Straw Poll - Aug. 10, 2016

Below are the results of yesterday's August 10, 2016 straw poll of Lake County voters at the south Lake County Chamber of Commerce Hob Nob last night in Clermont. You have to click the three images to see them in a separate window.

 

It seems at least 435 straw votes were cast, but not for all positions.

 

These votes should NOT be considered accurate or related to the population at large because more experienced or better funded candidates will swamp the event with free tickets to vote for their supporters. We know one candidate got many local retirement community supporters to vote just for them.

 

Another issue is that unlike the real upcoming August 30 primaries, this Hob Nob let all party members vote without identifying themselves, thus their votes could distort what the true results will be when only single party members can vote for partisan candidates in their party.   For instance, in this HobNob, many Democrats could vote for OR AGAINST a Republican and skew the results which would not be possible in the primaries.  

 

Then, there are some positions that are partisan, such as the "State Committeeman" which are for the Republican Party, but other party members could vote and distort the vote results.

 

Finally, people voting here are either already supporters of a candidate, or decide after talking to them, but in the primaries, many ill informed voters may vote just based upon name, gender or weather patterns.

 

When the local papers or press report the Hob Nob results, they won't warn readers how they are rigged or biased, so be ready for uninformed people to think results are accurate.

 

So, consider it a popularity contest among just those who were encouraged or bribed (free food) to attend. This event was free. Notice Dem Alan Grayson got few votes, Hillary got few Dem votes, but Chuck Broadway got many Dem votes, telling you there wasn't a consistent pattern.

 

Next week there is a NORTH Lake County Hob Nob at Lake Sumter State College on Thursday, Aug. 18 in the evening.  THAT Hob Nob costs $12 but you get to vote in the straw poll and they have GREAT food and complimentary beer and wine.  Look for candidates to give supporters tickets to go and vote for them.  You can get tickets at local USB branches.  The Hob Nob is run by Leadership Lake County, so many of their alumni will be there.   You won't find many retiree communities represented because the food isn't free, but the results can still be skewed by who has the funds to buy and give tickets to supporters.   I will see you there.  

 

Vance Jochim

FiscalRangers.com