Rain kept voter turnout low despite predictions of record-breaking participation, Secretary of State Dawn Roberts said after the polls closed this evening.

Roberts said she’s had no reports of systemic problems with voting equipment, long lines or other complaints that have plagued Florida since the protracted 2000 presidential election.

“It’s been a great day. It’s been a wet day. So a little slow,” Roberts told reporters during a brief press conference after the polls closed at 8 p.m.

A handful of voters in Palm Beach and Broward counties were given “No Party Affiliation” ballots and cast their votes before complaining to elections workers that they were unable to vote in the hotly contested gubernatorial primary between Attorney General Bill McCollum and Rick Scott or the Democratic U.S. Senate primary between U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek and Palm Beach millionaire Jeff Greene.

“That unfortunately happens every primary,” Roberts said. “It’s a training issue…Also, voters need to pay attention.”

She said voters should familiarize their sample ballots before going to their polling place and should alert workers before voting if they think they have the wrong ballot.

Nearly 1 million voters voted early or by absentee ballot, Roberts said.

Elections results are available online and should be finalized in by 11 p.m. or earlier if no problems arise.

Tags: 2010 campaigns, 2010 elections, Dawn Roberts, Department of State, elections, Palm Beach County

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