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I find it offensive of Mr. Satcher to claim that by changing my party affiliation I am among those trying to "rig" the election. It is my constitutional right to be able to cast a vote in elections. As Manatee County has a Republican board and Republican constitutional officers, in order to be able to vote in the primary it was necessary to change. If there was no "write-in" and we had open elections it would not be necessary to change. It is the fault of Pedicini and many of the candidates that by using the write-in, only Republicans can vote. They effectively lock out many citizens who are Democrat, Independent, or non affiliated from exercising their right to vote. Based on the SOE website (7/28/2024) more than half the registered voters (Rep. 131,822 to Dem. 69,548 and Others 73,114, total 142,662) in Manatee County cannot vote in most primaries. To me this is "rigging" the elections.