Early Voting May Change
April 19th, 2011 by Mike VasilindaMore than half of all votes in the two thousand eight election were cast early or by absentee. But legislation to be considered this week in Tallahassee would cut early voting down from two weeks to six days.
In 2008, long early voting lines from one end of Florida to the other caused then Governor Charlie Crist to keep polls open not eight…but twelve hours a day. In making the announcement, Crist said “Early voting sites will be open from 7am to 7pm.”
More than half of the votes cast in 08 were cast early or by absentee. Current law allows local supervisors to set the days, locations, and times of early voting over a two week period. But pending legislation sponsored by Rep. Dennis Baxley would cut early voting down to just 6 days before an election.
The intention, really, is less days with more complete hours, and I think that’s the direction we’ll see this move”, says Baxley.
The bill also says students could no longer change their address from one county to another on election day.Under the proposed changes, neither the media, party activists, or a candidate could talk to any voter in line, anywhere.
“This bill would lead a lot of third party voter registration groups to just not operate in this state. It creates a timeline that’s just unworkable” says Ashwell.
Shortening the amount of time for early voting is opposed by most elections supervisors. The legislation also creates a Presidential Preference Primary Commission to work with other states in setting an early date for a Presidential Preference Primary that will not cost the state delegates at a national convention.
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