Complete travesty happening in Florida

[Mojo2]

The lines to vote early continue to be long and the wait unbearable just as the Florida GOP had planned. Both the Florida State Dems and The League of Womans Voters have petitioned Gov. Scott to extend the early voting period with an Emergency Order just as Charlie Crist had done in 08. There is about a 0% chance that this will occur since Scott is one of the most partisan Govenors in the country. My questions is: Is there nothing that the Federal Government can do to step in abd force the early voting to remain open to insure that many working people are not disenfranchised?

[LisaL]

1. I don't think so, since EV will be closed for everyone.

How about some demonstrations to demand Gov Scott extended it?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

2. The People Should Stay. Force Scott To Call In The Guard.Create A National Incident

Akin to George Wallace standing at the door at the University Of Alabama to prevent an African American student from entering.

[Inuca]

3. Most likely, the answer

to your question is NO. Unfortunately.

[Mojo2]

4. Tampa Times (old St. Pete Times)

One of the better papers in the country in my opinion, has this as their lead story on the front page today.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

5. Scott Is A Total Douche. He Lucked Out By Running In A Wave Election Against A Weak Opponent.

Thank God I'm in Los Angeles now.

[LisaL]

6. They should call some media, make some signs, and demand he extends early voting.

[Cha]

34. Good for them! Thanks Mojo. I didn't know the St Pete Times was

no more. I use to like reading that online during the bushcoup error.

[yodermon]

7. occupy n/t

[DemocratSinceBirth]

8. Make Him Call Out The Guard To Prevent People From Voting

The attendant bad publicity will make the Chamber Of Commerce crowd apoplectic.

[LonePirate]

9. Why don't they add more machines or booths?

Don't local election officers have control over the number of machines/booths?

[LisaL]

11. FL drastically shortened EV days from 2008.

All Scott needs is to order EV continue through Sunday.
He needs to be shamed into it.

[LonePirate]

12. That doesn't answer my question. If an EV site has 4 machines, why not add 4 or more machines?

[LisaL]

15. Do you think I am in charge of EV in FL, or what?

All of this appears to be designed to suppress the vote.
Which benefits republicans.

[AmBlue]

45. There could be space constraints, for one thing.

Each county SOE decides in advance how many early voting sites they will have, but the state dictates how many days of EV will take place in all counties. Most Floridians will vote paper ballots which they will deposit into optical scanners, which means one scanner per every 20-30 privacy booths. It's not more machines they need, it's more privacy booths, more early voting locations, and more days to vote.

To make matters worse, Florida's Republican-dominated legislature loaded up the ballot for this election with about 10 constitutional amendments-- which btw the LWV recommends voting NO on ALL of them. In my county of Pinellas we had a 4-page ballot. In my parents' county-- Miami-Dade-- their trilingual ballot was 10 pages long! A voter can easily need 30 minutes to vote one of these monster ballots. (I made sure my parents requested absentee ballots 2 weeks ago, which they promptly voted and personally took back to the elections office.)

Sadly, all of it adds up to disenfranchisement. I wish the DOJ would come rescue Florida from this terrible governor we have!

[kansasobama]

10. If they turn you away, form a line at 4 am on Tuesday

And teach them a lesson when the GOP voters come early in the morning. Also, long lines starting at 3 PM when GOP voters flock to polls.

[ProudProgressiveNow]

13. Voting Rights Act: The State of Section 5

Section 5 applies to nine states — Texas, South Carolina, Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Virginia and Alaska — and currently to parts of Florida, California, New York, North Carolina, South Dakota, Michigan and New Hampshire.

http://www.propublica.org/article/the-state-of-section-5

Section 5 preclearance – Under Section 5, specific states and counties are covered using a formula designed to capture jurisdictions with a history of discrimination. These covered jurisdictions must receive federal preclearance before they implement any change affecting voting. The jurisdiction must demonstrate to the Department of Justice or the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that the change does not have a discriminatory purpose and will not make minority voters worse off (“retrogressive effect”). Voting changes are defined broadly, including but not limited to: polling place or precinct changes, changes in candidate qualifications, changes in methods of election, and changes in voting equipment. If the covered jurisdiction has not submitted a voting change, a Section 5 “enforcement action” can be brought to enjoin implementation of the change until it is precleared. The jurisdictions covered under Section 5 are listed at: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/voting/sec_5/covered.htm.

http://www.lawyerscommittee.org/projects/voting_rights/page?id=0005

DOJ may use section five to insure voting is not impacted.

[AmBlue]

46. In Florida, pre-clearance applies to ONLY five counties.

The move to reduce EV days applies to all of Florida's remaining 62 counties.

[patricia92243]

14. This type of thing is why I worry about Obama being able to win. No matter how far ahead he is in

the polls, if people can't vote, he will lose. Pubs know this, and unfortunately, they are right.

[LisaL]

16. Very true.

Scott needs to be shamed into extending EV.

[Michigan Alum]

50. That guy has no shame. He ran for Gov. even though his company was sued for Medicare fraud.

[Baitball Blogger]

17. How is it possible for eight, or so, days of long DEM lines can't counter one day of Republican

voting? What am I missing here?

[LisaL]

18. It's been cut to 8 days of EV.

[Baitball Blogger]

19. Corrected my header. Thank you.

[eomer]

28. There are many more polling places on election day than during early voting.

In Miami-Dade County, for example, there are 20 early voting sites and over 700 election day polling places.

[AmBlue]

47. Dems made a Herculean effort to turn out absentee voters.

And they did an outstanding job. Last I saw, absentee D ballots outnumbered Rs 4 to 1.

[Baitball Blogger]

58. Major coup. Job well done.

[JohnnyBoots]

20. It took me 15 minutes in Escambia County

and the ballots were paper/scantron. Of course this is the reddest of red parts of FL. Pretty much south Alabama.

[LisaL]

23. Well, I don't find it surprising that red parts of FL are taken care of.

[courseofhistory]

21. I suggested the officials take matters into their

own hands and distribute early voting/absentee paper ballots for people to use while they're standing in line and drop them off inside.

[LisaL]

24. Haven't you ever voted?

They have to make sure a person is a registered voter and obtain their signature.
How do you propose that be done if they are distributing ballots to people standing in line?

[barbiegeek]

22. Once you are in line--Fed laws says they have to take your vote

[AmBlue]

48. If you are elderly and collapse from exhaustion...

...while waiting in line like some EV voters did today, then you might have a problem actually filling out your 10-page ballot. It has become a fitness marathon!!

[Hutzpa]

25. This is the result of the 2010 election

when most democrats stayed home throwing temper tantrums about Obama not doing enough. This is what happens, that is why we are here today. This jerk is acting exactly as some here on DU predicted back then.

[LisaL]

26. We can't undo the past.

But something needs to be done now for people who want to vote to be able to vote.

[Hutzpa]

32. Of course we can't undo the past, but

we sure can learn from it. There is nothing more motivational than knowing this guy is there obstructing every move made by democrats.

[LisaL]

41. ITA.

I can't believe Gov. Scott can't be shamed into extending early voting.
It's outrageous.

[zipplewrath]

27. 3rd times a charm

First two time I tried, at the library, the line was over an hour long. The third time I went to the Supervisor of Elections office after 5 and walked right in. They said the libraries were having long lines, but they were moving quickly, especially after 5. "Shopping around" might be a good idea for those that can. Those that do and can "free up" a spot in the long lines for those that can't. We're all in this together.

[Mojo2]

29. Scott Announced

that the polling hours will not be extended, but he hopes people do get out and vote. This is the same guy that embezzled 81 million from Medicare then refused t oanswer in court 81 times.

[LisaL]

30. Not surprising.

But he needs to be shamed over it.

[Mojo2]

31. Hillsborough County

It is being reported on NPR today that the lines to vote in Hillsborough Counties minority area are up to 5 hours long. Many voters are becoming frustrated as they have shown up on their lunch breaks and are walking away. There willbe no early voting in Hillsborough on Sunday, which is the traditonal "Souls to the Polls" voting day where churches show up in large masses to vote. Keep in mind that Hillsborough is one of the 5 counties in Florida that has a bad track record of discrimination against minority voters. As far as shaming Scott, this guy has no shame, he is a theif that lies better than Romney. Scott, at one point, considered running for President this year, as he is a darling of the Tea Baggers. I don't care if Charlie Crist was a Republican before, and only joined the Dems for publicity, but if he can beat Scott as a Dem in 2014 then he has my vote.

[TroyD]

33. I know I sound like a broken record

But this is why Elections Laws must be changed to be brought into line with those in other Western countries.

Partisan political officials (eg. Governors, Secretaries of State etc.) who want their own parties to win elections by restricting voting, manipulating ballots etc. should not be in charge of making decisions about elections.

The power must be vested in an independent government agency or civil service who do not have a loyalty to one political party over another or the temptation to manipulate the results.

[AmBlue]

52. The sad truth is this:

Most Americans only give a crap about crappy election administration laws in the very few weeks preceding a big election. Changing laws takes a year-round full court press. When elections are over people go back to their busy lives and don't have the time or the stomach for it. We're up against deeply entrenched and well-monied interests that have no shame and won't go away.

[brooklynite]

35. No - this is strictly a State decision...

Don't forget the ELECTION is TUESDAY, and was exclusively the voting date for decades. Early voting is a supplemental program, and there are many States that don't even offer it. Should the Feds demand Early voting in NY/NJ/CT/PA etc?

[LisaL]

42. All states should have early voting.

I have no idea why they don't offer it already.

[AmBlue]

54. The reason for early voting is lines on Election Day were long....

...and voters had trouble voting when limited to only one day in the middle of the work week to vote. As long as populations are on the rise there should always be efforts to expand venues for voting.

[ffr]

36. Sweep the GOP out! 3 hrs in line to vote. I've never heard of such a thing.

It's anti-democratic and it's a disgrace!

Miami-Dade line wait times

All those people in those long lines are true patriots and heroes in my mind. Thank you x 1,000,000

[mnhtnbb]

37. What? Do you remember Ohio in 2004? People waited in line for 10 hours or more...in freezing rain

to cast a ballot.


Welcome to America. Land of the free and home of the brave. And government by a$$hole Republicans.

[Beowulf]

38. Many observers of the Supreme Court expect it to strike down the Voting Rights Act in its next term.

That may be the price for Roberts' support of the ACA, he now has some cover to rejoin his conservative compadres.

[UCmeNdc]

39. Anything to make sure less people vote is the GOP MO

It is a shame that people who want to vote are note given the opportunity to vote. You would think people would rise up against such a system but they take it up the behind.

Are there no leaders in Florida that will stand up to this injustice?

[dubyaD40web]

40. hopefully....

More Dems will stay in line and the pukes give up and leave. It's very possible that the elderly gop'ers will not stand in line that long.

[Mojo2]

43. Reply to above poster

It is a shame that people who want to vote are note given the opportunity to vote. You would think people would rise up against such a system but they take it up the behind.

Are there no leaders in Florida that will stand up to this injustice?

Down here in Florida, we have a very strange political set-up! There are more registered Dems than Repubs by quite alot, but the GOP just rolls over the Dems. I think last year in the FLA Senate and House the GOP controlled so many seats that they were filibuster proof. It's absolutely amazing but the GOP can pass anything they want and no one can do anything about it. They have passes such unfriendly consumer laws such as: I live in Dunedin, Florida which is Pinellas County and we have a nuke plant in a county about 100 miles away. The nuke plant (Crystal River) has been broken for years, but the GOP passed a law that citizens in the adjecent counties have to pay around a billion dollars to Progress Energy in case they decide to build a new one. Keep in mind, they don't have to build a new one, as they can use the money they see fit. In the past year they have passed laws that take voting rights away from minorities, gave additional gun concealment rights such as having the right to carry a gun into a bar or school. They passed a law which forbid Doctors from asking if a depressed or suicidal person owned a firearm and they have cut the funding to public schools to the bare bone, but gave those funds to charter schools which are mostly owned by Republicans in the Florida House or Senate. As far as having a Dem stand up, there currently is no one, they have been marginalized, Sen Nelson really is the only high profile DEM left in FLA and he rarely meddles in FLA political skirmishes. The Dems have resorted to taking everything to court which has had mixed results. The only saving grace for me is that I live in one of the few "liberal" communities left in Florida which is Dunedin. A nice little arts and outdoor area right on the ocean with three craft beer breweries all within walking distance.

On my lunch break I went by the voting center in Tampa and the line stretched for 6 blocks, such a shame.

[dubyaD40web]

44. keep fighting!

It's a shame, yes! Hope they allow the long lines, no matter how long, when the polls close!

[Jack Sprat]

49. Maybe Florida needs Freedom Riders

to give the people some backup during election season. It seems Floridians are afraid to challenge this abuse of authority by their governor king.

[LisaL]

51. Seems like that to me too.

No protests? Why should some people stand in line for hours and hours just to vote?

[Jack Sprat]

53. That's just it. They shouldn't.

They should get out of those long lines and storm the county election supervisor's office in mass as an angry mob. I'm 63 years old and I have never heard of such unadulterated voter suppression going on in my lifetime. If their governor is responsible, they should start a recall on his seat.

[LisaL]

55. I don't think they should be storming anything-but why not organize a protest or a demonstration?

Gov Scott refuses to extend EV to Sunday.
It's outrageous in my opinion.

[Jack Sprat]

57. If I'm standing out on the sidewalks

for 4 or 5 hours, then I think it warrants some hostility toward the source of the stupidity. They should start with the county election office and proceed to the state office from there. Governor Scott is just one man and the voters number the millions. People need to renew their sense of unification and use the force of numbers to get their message across. Scott works for them. He works for the people, not the other way around.

[AmBlue]

56. good idea! Tell 'em to bring pizzas and bottled water....

...for our poor voters standing in long lines!!

[Jack Sprat]

59. You know something?

If people are docile enough to stand in voting lines in Florida during the heat of a Florida day for 4 and 5 hours, then maybe they deserve Scott. Some of these people are saying that after standing in line awhile, many just give up and go home. What a depressing state of affairs that people cannot even vote during election time. This is becoming Soviet Amerika.

[LisaL]

60. I don't think we should be blaming people standing in line for hours.

Most of them obviously don't give up.

[Jack Sprat]

61. Oh I know you don't Lisa.

You think they should just take their medicine like bad children should, take their daily spanking from the Man, and thank God above for the opportunity of having their asses kicked regularly.

I don't agree.

[AmBlue]

62. At this point, if they want to vote, there's not much else...

...they can do. As I said upthread, election time is not the time to change laws. Changing horrific and oppressive laws takes all year long, full court press effort. The people of this state have been struggling with high unemployment and are lucky if they are able work, pay their mortgage and feed their kids. This is how it goes when you have a state government that is corrupt. There are only so many hours in a day and unless you have pockets full of money and a cadre of lobbyists, you're SOL.

Thank goodness for the LWV, PFAW, ACLU and all the other good orgs fighting these battles!!