Incumbent Alachua County supervisor of elections Kim Barton is seeking re-election this year. Barton, a Democrat, will face Republican Judith Jensen in the general election in November. As each party only had one candidate file for the race, there will not be a primary for this office.
News4Jax sent a questionnaire to each candidate asking about their background and their views on several issues. Scroll down to read the responses of those seeking your vote -- in their own words.
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Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically by party and are presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4Jax staff.
| DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE |
Kim Barton
The incumbent Democrat has not yet responded to email and phone invitations to complete the News4JAX candidate questionnaire. If any responses are received, they will be promptly added to this space.
Campaign website: None found
Campaign social media: Facebook
Judith Jensen
Occupation: Registered Nurse. Career caing for mothers and babies in Labor and Delivery, Postpartum, and Neonatal Intensive Care. Currently work with Medicaid longterm care clients
Age: 67
Family: Married 47 years to Calvin, mother of 2 adult sons.
Education: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: Bachelors 1977 and Masters of Science in Nursing 1988, with >20 credits toward PhD.
Political experience: Elected Secretary of Alachua County Republican Executive Committee. Participated in High Springs city campaigns. I have not been a politician prior to feeling a responsibility to provide a choice to voters for this important office.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
1. Polls show the majority of Americans distrust election results as determined by voting machines and unverified vote-by-mail ballots. I will utilize robust audits to confirm that paper ballot totals equal those reported to reassure voters that their vote counted.
2. Citizen analyses of voter rolls show many questionable registrations. Proactive scrutiny of voter ID when identity, qualification, or citizenship is in doubt will keep the rolls accurate. Any vote made by an unauthorized person cancels a legitimate vote, which is unacceptable.
3. Because elections are supposed to belong to the People, Sunshine laws should provide public access to information. Unfortunately, VR systems and the Florida Supervisors of Elections organization provide roadblocks to ready access, claiming that requests violate their “proprietary” security. Transparency and partnership with citizen stakeholders is a priority.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I am very used to working with diverse groups of people, respecting and incorporating all viewpoints. I have been in management of busy hospital units, thriving on stressful long shifts and rising to challenges. My life has been one of solving tough problems, service, kindness, and collaboration.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
Residents of Alachua County will have full confidence that their vote was counted accurately and the results are trustworthy.
Campaign website: VoteJensen2024.com
Campaign social media: Facebook