Romney takes Florida primary

The Republican Party is one state closer to determining its presidential nominee after Florida's decision in the 2012 primary.

This win with 46 percent of the votes proves crucial for former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney. With this win, Romney gained traction and momentum leading into the next caucus. Each of the prior primaries and caucuses have resulted in different winners.

Former Speaker of the House and South Carolina primary winner Newt Gingrich came in second with 32 percent of the votes. Former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum and Congressman Ron Paul placed third and fourth, respectively. Both have already begun campaigning in Nevada for Saturday's caucus.

Elections in the Sunshine State never cease to entertain. Not an election goes by without a reminder of the 2000 presidential election debacle. Florida will forever be known as the home of the re-count. As if the electoral points were already enough reason to campaign heavily, with the 2010 Census results, Florida has been awarded two more electoral votes. This brings the count to 29.

This year the uproar stemmed from the decision to once again move the primary to late January. After facing ridicule and punishment for choosing an early primary date in 2008, Florida politicians continued to defy both the Republican and Democrat party rules.

"I think it shows that Florida is and wants to be a big player in electoral politics," said Ida Eskamani, president of the College Democrats at UCF. "We have some of the most electoral points. We're one of the largest states. We are a really important swing state."

Despite being reduced to 50 delegates for the Republican National Convention, Florida is still the state to win with the most delegates at stake thus far. And the biggest challenge for candidates looking to win those delegates came from right here in Central Florida's own backyard.

According to The Washington Post, Orange County is one of a few counties to keep an eye on during the Florida primary, and for good reason. Interstate 4 serves as a political border for the state, and it runs clear through Orange County. To the north of what has been dubbed the "I-4 Corridor," voters typically swing right, while just south they sway left. This leaves the region stretching from Tampa to Daytona hanging and if past elections serve as any indicator, it also makes them unpredictable.

The demographic most difficult to predict is the young vote. The youth might be the first to participate in demonstrations, but they're the last ones to the polls. CNN exit polls show voters ages 18-29 made up 6 percent of the voters in Florida. Only 3 percent of the voters Tuesday were between the ages 18 and 24.

The Venue at the UCF Arena served as a polling place for students registered to vote in Orange County who are assigned to precincts 535 and 541. According to the Orange County Supervisor of Elections reports available online, precincts 535 and 541 had a 1.1 percent and 3.86 percent voter turnout.

"I think, especially in the presidential election, young voters are going to play a huge role," said Chris McGee, Chairman of the College Republicans at UCF. "They played a huge role last time, and I think that's a huge reason why President [Barack] Obama was elected. He was able to reach out to young voters and people who don't ordinarily vote."

There is a new generation of voters who weren't yet eligible to participate in the previous presidential elections. This newly eligible group will have some challenges with the new modifications to early voting and change of address at the polls on Election Day. Yet young voters like freshman emerging media major Cayla Massarelli show promise with a positive attitude.

"I'm excited, but nervous of course," Massarelli said. "It is such an important thing to vote for the next president of the United States. It is very new to me. When I was younger, I never followed the candidates more closely. I'm excited to learn, excited to vote."

Due to Florida's closed primary policy, registered Democrats and Independents were unable to participate in the GOP primary. However, Orange County registered voters were able to vote on a tax referendum that would grant the Board of County Commissioners the authority to grant property tax exemptions for new businesses and expanding existing businesses that are expected to create new, full-time jobs.