Florida Dems’ call for early vote extension proves they were wrong about changes

Remember all the fuss about voter disenfranchisement after Florida reformed voting protocol, partly to save money in cash-strapped times?

Democrats have conducted an ongoing disinformation campaign based on false claims that votes would be suppressed. Now Florida Democrats want Early Vote days extended.

Time proved the party of the donkey wrong. Voter turnout has been excellent and that is expected to continue through Election Day on Tuesday

Left-leaning groups like the League of Women Voters cited long lines—that in itself deflates the earlier argument that votes would be suppressed.

Technically, the total of hours devoted to early voting hasn’t changed. Former Gov. Charlie Crist expanded hours in 2008 by executive order because he said he saw long lines. Considering the mess Crist left behind for Gov. Rick Scott, who incidentally has never griped about what he “inherited,” who knows why Crist extended the hours?

I’ve never had to wait long to vote. In Duval County, our elections supervisor even posts anticipated wait times and they are updated regularly for each location. This year was no exception—it took my family about 15 minutes to vote.

The Tampa Bay Times cited some glitches in some South Florida areas most of us perceive as Leftist. The paper used this as one example:

One Broward voter encountered an unexpected wrinkle: She was purged from the voting rolls because she hadn't voted in so long and because she didn't respond to certified mail that warned her she would be removed because she had been so inactive, according to the elections office.

Think about it. The county used time and money to send her a certified letter and she allegedly chose not to respond and that choice cost her more time.  Short of driving her to the polls, what else could the county do?

Mike Grissom, chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, issued this statement in response to requests to extend early voting:

"Florida has a law in regard to early voting--this law provides for 96 hours of operation for early voting locations, the exact same amount of hours as 2008.  That same law was approved by President Obama's Department of Justice. The fact is simple as this: more Floridians have cast a ballot as of 5 days out than in 2008.  For one side to demand that we break the law because they feel like they are losing is wrong."

It’s not likely Gov. Scott will issue an order to extend early voting. There’s absolutely no reason for anyone not to vote, considering the early vote locations and hours provide anyone the opportunity to cast a vote. The weather statewide has been excellent, so there is no reason to expend extra resources on something that is not practical.

Democrats are concerned about turnout because enthusiasm isn't at the levels it was in 2008. One reason for that is all Americans know their wallets are thinner after 4 years of Democrat rule in the White House and the U.S. Senate. Democrat-allied groups even got a UN-affiliated group to intrude on U.S. elections, purely for political intent.

All voters who are in line on voting day will be able to cast a ballot. Early voting continues through Nov. 3.

(Analysis by Kay B. Day/Nov. 2, 2012)

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Disclosure: As a matter of ethics, I disclose that I voted a straight Republican ticket in this election.

Comments

[TriciaNC]

The Democrat's request has nothing to do with long lines. They want the polls open on Sunday to bus in their chuches to try to bring up their numbers. That's exactly what happens here. They bring in busloads.

[Kay B. Day]

I think they're worried about turnout. One thing that has amazed me over the last week--the number of people who voted Democrat in '08 but are voting for Romney on Election Day. Many seniors I've talked to. best, KBD