Editing City of Pensacola annexation referendum, 1988

A '''referendum''' was held on [[November 8]], [[1988]] concerning the '''annexation''' of two areas, identified as Annexation Area #1, and Annexation Area #2, into the '''[[City of Pensacola]]'''.

The areas were identified, and referenda provided for, by Ordinance #37-88 and Ordinance #38-88, which were both approved on [[September 22]], [[1988]].

The referendum required approval of residents within the areas proposed to be annexed, as well as of residents in the existing [[Pensacola city limits|City limits]]. Existing City residents approved the proposed annexations by an overwhelming margin; residents in Annexation Area #1 approved annexation by a slim majority; and residents of Annexation Area #2 rejected annexation.

Accordingly, Area #1 was annexed into the City of Pensacola effective [[November 10]].

==Annexation Area #1==
[[Image:Annexationarea1-1988.PNG|thumb|right|Map of Annexation Area #1]]
Annexation Area #1 included the [[Cordova Mall]] area as well as areas northeast of the [[Airport Boulevard]] and [[9th Avenue]] intersection.

==Annexation Area #2==
[[Image:Annexationarea2-1988.PNG|right|thumb|Map of Annexation Area #2]]
Annexation area #2 included areas around [[Woodchuck Avenue]], [[Baywoods Drive]], and [[Whisper Way]].

==Election results==
===Existing city residents===
Regarding annexation of Area #1:
{| class="wikitable"
|'''For annexation'''
|'''13,662'''
|'''82%'''
|-
|Against annexation
|2,971
|18%
|}

Regarding annexation of Area #2:
{| class="wikitable"
|'''For annexation'''
|'''12,991'''
|'''81%'''
|-
|Against annexation
|3,066
|19%
|}

===Residents of Area #1===
Residents of Area #1 approved annexation by a slim majority:
{| class="wikitable"
|'''For annexation'''
|'''186'''
|'''51%'''
|-
|Against annexation
|178
|49%
|}

===Residents of Area #2===
Residents of Area #2 rejected annexation:
{| class="wikitable"
|'''For annexation'''
|'''102'''
|22%
|-
|Against annexation
|353
|78%
|}

==Legal challenge==
On [[November 14]], Mr. Eugene Blanck, a resident elector of Precinct 64 in Annexation Area #1, filed an official protest against the election returns. Mr. Blanck alleged that some individuals who were not residents of Annexation Area #1 were permitted to vote on the annexation question, and that some who were residents were not permitted to vote. He further alleged that the City of Pensacola had failed to identify all electors residing in Annexation Area #1, and that said failure had "unlawfully deprived <nowiki>[some electors]</nowiki> of the means and opportunity to express a full, free, and open choice."<ref>Complaint for Declaratory Judgment, ''Blanck v. City of Pensacola et al.'', November 21, 1988.</ref>

Circuit Court Judge [[Nicholas Geeker]] ordered the election's canvassing board to investigate the allegations. The canvassing board, which consisted of County Judge [[George J. Roark III|George "Jim" Roark III]], [[Escambia County Board of County Commissioners|Escambia County Commission]] chairman [[Kenneth Kelson]], and [[Escambia County Supervisor of Elections|Supervisor of Elections]] [[Joe Oldmixon]], performed a recount confirming the election results. They also clarified that it was the Supervisor of Elections, not the City of Pensacola, who had authority and responsibility for determining the eligibility of electors.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:1980s elections]]