The Washington Post claims: “Meanwhile, in a number of states efforts are underway to shorten or abolish the early voting period. A new law in Florida
substantially cuts the early voting period, while lawmakers in Ohio are
contemplating legislation that would slash their state’s pre-election
registration period from 35 to 14 days.” and then “making early voting more difficult for
people who may not be able to turn out on Election Day (a workday for
most) also will suppress turnout…. and will dampen
participation in a chilling way.”
Analysis: While Florida decreased the total number of days available for early voting (normally two weeks), they significantly increased the hours each day to include the pre and post-work population of voters who work outside the traditional 9-5 work period. In the end, the proposed hours equal the same hours under the old law so unless someone has some right to have 14 instead of 8 days to vote during an early voting period, it is hard to see any harm. Often, these working voters are unable to take off from their duties to stand in line or vote at an early voting site during work hours. The voters most positively impacted will be those blue collar voters who are simply unable to vote during normal voting hours because of restrictions at work. The Washington Post also claims that early voting changes may increase or decrease overall voter turnout. In truth, while early voting may be a convenience to voters, virtually every study available shows that early voting has not impacted turnout in either a positive or negative manner. With the exception of Presidential elections, the early vote period has very low turnout and an extended period of time is a waste of resources. The truth is that too many hard-working Americans simply want to exercise their right to vote but have to put off their voting franchise during the early voting period because they cannot make enough time during the daily work period to drive, stand in line and vote at a early voting site. Election officials will tell you that the biggest turnout is at the
beginning and end of each day as people flock to the polls before work or before the polls close. The Florida bill simply allows some time prior to and after the normal work day to accommodate these voters. This law will allow election officials to go the extra mile with longer working hours during the day and early evening and allow adequate time for these working voters to participate in the electoral process.
It appears the Washington Post simply copies Democratic Party press releases for their editorials.