A stroll down memory lane reminds us that DOJ is trying to block Florida from reforming its early voting period. The law allows fewer days but overall equal and more convenient hours of voting, Such a reform also allows for necessary preparations on the Sunday before a busy Election Day. Such a reform allows 8am-5pm voters who usually work during the early voting day to have a few additional hours before or after normal work hours to drive to the early voting site and vote.
Frankly, this type of reform should be called the “Middle Class Voter Convenience Act.” Despite the opposition of DOJ, the vast majority of counties in Florida are using the new early voting timetable. Based on the statistics and reporting from Florida, it appears that with equal but more convenient hours, there is significantly higher turnout and better preparations for Election Day. And what do the Democrats led by Representative Corrine Brown do? File a lawsuit, accuse Governor Scott of “not wanting people to vote”, and demand that every county go back to the old inconvenient timetable for early voting.
“The big story I have been fascinated with over the early voting period is how
we were able to nearly double the number of early voters from the 2008 primary,
even with the decreased number of days,” said Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Mike Ertel.
Seminole reported about 7,800 early voters, and by Monday it had received
about 15,000 absentee ballots — also about twice the rate of 2008.
In Orange County, almost 18,000 people cast ballots by the close of early
voting on Saturday, compared with about 10,000 in 2008, said Orange County
Supervisor of Elections Bill Cowles.
More here.