JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Eight out of 10 eligible voters in Duval County  did not participate in the primary election. That means that more than 418,000 eligible voters did not cast a ballot.

Election officials had to validate just 500 provisional ballots Wednesday morning after the primary. They expect to validate more than 4,000 for November's general election.

"Any time you prepare for everyone and only see 1/5th of the people come, it is very disappointing," said Duval County Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland. 

RELATED: Voting by mail encouraged by Duval Supervisor of Elections in November election

Roger Bezona did not vote. In fact he never votes, due to his total frustration with the politicians.

"I think all politicians are morons and liars. I don't believe in anything they do," Bezona said.

Larry Hayes did vote, but he believes negative campaigning kept people away from the polls.

RELATED: Low voter turnout meant 'bored' poll workers

"I know for me personally, I got kind of tired of hearing about what an idiot, how bad they other guy was," Hayes said. "Tell me what you are going to do, tell me why you are the right guy, not why the other guy is not."

Florida State College Political Science professor Dr. Marcella Washington agrees negative campaigning is a factor, but also believes voters are confused and don't really understand the primary election and it's relevance to their lives.

"I think the fact they are not knowledgeable about the system. They are confused about who these officials are. They don't see the political efficacy, it's not there. They don't see how it effects their lives directly and so why bother?"

Holland predicts an 80% turnout for the Nov. 6 presidential election,  but that still means more than 105,000 eligible voters in Duval County will not cast a ballot in the presidential election.

First Coast News