Publix right to vote in Aisle 3

Palm Beach Post ^ | Sunday, June 2, 2002 | Frank Cerabino

[not-alone]

News item: Palm Beach County will have a mock election on July 13 so voters can become familiar with touch-screen voting machines before the cycle of fall elections. Most of the voting booths for the mock election will be at local Publix supermarkets.

Dear Voter/Shopper:

Thank you choosing Publix, "Where Voting is a Pleasure."

Please do not try to insert your Lotto picks into the slot in this Sequoia voting machine.

THIS IS NOT A LOTTERY AREA. If you try playing the Lotto in this machine, you will likely cause a malfunction, or possibly create an unexplained vote in the Wellington run-off.

To simulate real voting conditions, we ask that you complete the following mock election ballot without receiving help from the bag boy, your children or the woman in the lobby selling hot dogs. If the bag boy insists on helping you, please do not tip him.

If you're in a hurry, please go to one of our Express Mock Election Booths -- 3 votes or less.

When you are finished voting, you are free to proceed to our seafood counter, where swordfish steaks -- perfect for those backyard barbecues -- are on sale. And while you're there, say hi to Ping and Ichiro, who are making the sushi. And before you leave the store, stop by the customer service area for your "Yes, I voted" sticker, and a 2-for-1 coupon on Banquet frozen dinners.

On a final note, remember to maintain the integrity of this mock election. So please, one vote per customer, and don't leave your shopping carts at the polling place. We here at Publix, along with our partners at the Supervisor of Elections Office, hope that you will find this mock election whets your appetite for both the fall elections, and for our mock-election cupcakes (with confectionery chad icing) that come in our special "recount" packaging of 11 in a dozen container.

MOCK ELECTION SAMPLE BALLOT. Select only one choice for each question.

Ballot question No. 1:

What do I prefer?

I prefer...

• Paper

• Plastic

• Mark Foley

Ballot question No. 2:

Something fragile that begins with the letter "E."

• Everglades

• Eggs

• Eggleston

Ballot question No. 3:

My favorite supermarket is...

• Publix

• This one

• Pat Buchanan

Ballot question No. 4:

Term limits are a good idea

. • Agree

• Disagree

• For dairy products

Ballot question No. 5:

Most important "manager" in my life..

• County manager

• City manager

• Deli manager

Ballot question No. 6:

Thank heavens for...

• LePore

• Le Yogurt

• Labatt

Ballot question No. 7:

Something I'd like to avoid...

• Root canal surgery

•Cyclospora

• Supermarkets that start with "W" and end with "ixie."

Ballot question No. 8:

Which is better for grilling?

• Butterfly shrimp

• Butterfly pork chops

• Butterfly ballots

Ballot question No. 9:

I prefer my politicians...

• Bipartisan

• Partisan

• Parmesan •

[not-alone]

Another stupid idea by the Palm Beach Elections Office. Publix is the higher priced market in county and choosing one private company will be controversial. Mark Foley Rep.Congressman is running against Eggleston Dem., who was fired by Sheriff recently.Sadly it is also funny.

[not-alone]

FYI

[FreePaul]

If the votes go in favor of the Democrats they'll probably sue to get the results certified.

[not-alone]

Don't you mean Republicans ?

[Hotline]

Anyone who gets 25% of the vote wins, if we go by the history test standards in Palm Beach County.

[sarasmom]

Publix is indeed more expensive.The fresh vegatables purchased there seem to actually be fresh, the hamburger is the same color inside the package as it is on the outside, and the employees dont sneer at customers as a rule.

[not-alone]

Agree Publix is fresher, however this will give Dems fodder. The main issue is voter fraud and do the machines work. That will be lost.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

More expensive? Odd. When I lived in Palm Beach and now Daytona, it is less than Albertsons, Winn Dixie and Food Lion, and the others as well. Except the one on Palm Beach Island, that one is expensive. The Managers reason he gave me? The food is "imported" to the Island. No chit, that's what he said. I laughed. I suspect he fumbled with the butterfly ballot as well.

[Beach_Babe]

Publix is indeed more expensive.The fresh vegatables purchased there seem to actually be fresh, the hamburger is the same color inside the package as it is on the outside, and the employees don't sneer at customers as a rule.

I go out of my way to shop at Publix. It has been recognized by Fortune magazine as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For." It is the largest employee-owned supermarket chain in the country. The store is always clean and well stocked, the staff is friendly, they make the best onion rye bread that I've tasted since I left NYC, and they carry lamb (which a lot of other stores here in Florida don't.)