Even with the low turnout with just 12.6 percent of qualified voters who cast their votes, Belle Glade’s City Commission election last Tuesday concluded with 12-year incumbent Michael Martin as the winner with 490 votes, defeating Robert Mitchell by 22 votes for Seat A.
The city’s election board allows victory to the nominee with the most votes. The election results will be finalized by next week after securing any signature matters.
Martin is not available for a statement as of the moment. Mitchell, on the other hand, when asked for his comment the following day after election, said that he would try to work together with Martin.
Mitchell, who have been criticizing the city manager position for its high salary, have also been eyeing the said position. He mentioned that he would not be a city manager anywhere else but Belle Glade because it is home and “home is where the heart is.”
He also shared his concerns that not all residents knew about the June election since it was supposed to be held last March 17. He felt the coronavirus pandemic also diminished the voter’s turnout. He also said that many of the residents are migrant workers who have already traveled to other states for their work.
The election results showed that more people voted for Mitchell on Election Day garnering 319 votes against Martin’s 265 votes, but Martin acquired 225 votes by mail against Mitchell’s 149 votes. Votes for Martin totaled 490 against Mitchell’s 468 votes.