One of the few bright spots in the 2004 elections was the success of the early voting program. Basically, early voting lets people vote at designated locations up to 2 weeks before the official election day. Early voting was praised by supporters of participatory democracy as well as voters and supervisors of elections around the state. It’s especially helpful for those who find it difficult to take time off work or otherwise struggle to make it to the polls during the traditional 12 hour workday voting window. Republicans must hate participatory democracy.
A measure that would limit early voting to eight hours a day in the two weeks before election day passed the House despite protests Tuesday from Democrats, who wanted to require a backup recorder for electronic touch-screen machines.
The bill (HB 1567), sponsored by Rep. Ronald Reagan, R-Bradenton, passed on an 83-35 vote, largely along party lines.
Opponents said keeping polls open during routine working hours doesn’t make it more convenient for voters and many were disgusted that there was no interest in providing a paper backup.
“Voters have complained about one thing overall: a paper trail,” said Rep. Ken Gottlieb, D-Hollywood. “This bill doesn’t have it. We need a paper trail. We need a bunch of things to make elections better.”