Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections Deborah Clark released updated vote by mail numbers for the St. Petersburg Special Referendum election Tuesday, May 2.
On Monday, of the 68,694 mail ballots sent, just over 31 percent – 21,756 – have returned. By party, 9,904 Democrats, 7,804 Republicans and 4,048 NPR/other have cast ballots.
Turnout now stands at just under 13 percent of the 168,145 registered voters eligible to vote in this election: 46,658 Republicans, 77,825 Democrats and 43,662 No Party Affiliation/other. The City of St. Petersburg will not conduct early voting as provided in Florida Statute.
Residents will decide whether to allow the City Council to approve extending the Al Lang Field lease with the Tampa Bay Rowdies for up to 25 years, part of a plan by the Rowdies to attract a Major-League Soccer expansion team.
According to the referendum language: “These conditions include but are not limited to: term not exceeding 25 years; primary but not sole purpose is a home field for a Major-League Soccer expansion team; and City funding shall not be used for stadium upgrades or expansion proposed in bid for expansion team or required for award of expansion team.”
Rowdies owner Bill Edwards is also paying for the referendum itself.
Mail ballots must be received by 7 p.m. election day at one of the Pinellas elections offices: 315 Court St, Room 117, in Clearwater; 13001 Starkey Rd, Largo (Starkey Lakes Corporate Center) and 501 1st Ave. N (5th St. N Entrance), St. Petersburg. Office hours are Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Election day hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
