Florida elections supervisors, Florida Republicans...not so happy with Charlie

[madfloridian]

Many county supervisors of elections are not at all happy with Charlie Crist's edict to keep the polls open for early voting 12 hours a day.

Florida's early voting hours are extended

Volusia County first said no deal, then she decided to keep them open. She had harsh words for Charlie.

Ann McFall, Volusia County's Supervisor of Elections, questioned Crist's overriding of the Legislature. She initially said she couldn't comply with the order at four of her county's five voting sites because she was short-staffed. Later, she changed her mind. Still, she closed four voting sites at 4 p.m. Tuesday -- despite the governor's immediate order. ''The governor expects me to keep them open till 7 because he thinks there's an emergency?'' McFall asked.

Another Republican speaks out against the extended hours.

Leading Republicans were split on Crist's decision, which was largely applauded by Democrats who say limiting hours amounted to voter suppression. Republican Ellyn Bogdanoff of Fort Lauderdale called the governor's order an infringement on legislative authority.

''In the middle of an election, who's going to get in the middle of this battle?'' she asked. ``There could be tremendous tension at the polls. Poll workers are exhausted.''

No kidding, Ellyn. The voters waiting for hours are a little exhausted also...trying to vote to change their country.

Democrats were applauding the move. Nine Congressional Democrats had urged Crist to extend the hours, and one even threatened a lawsuit.

Last week, U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, D-Miami, threatened a lawsuit if the voting strain didn't ease. Then, nine Democratic congressional leaders and state Sen. Bill Nelson penned a letter to Crist and Secretary of State Kurt Browning demanding hours be extended. Meek called the governor's decision ``common sense.''

Crist said he made up his mind after viewing news reports and talking with state House Democratic leader Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, who also applauded Crist's decision.

FLorida House Speaker, Marco Rubio, Jeb's crony, had trouble getting through the long lines. He said he felt that Crist overstepped, but they could not say anything or they would be considered suppressing the vote.

Rubio said Tuesday that Crist may have exceeded his constitutional powers, but “time constraints” and political calculations made it impossible for the Legislature to press the point. Rubio's term in the House ends Tuesday.

Asked if there was a question that Crist may have violated the separation of powers, Rubio said, “I think there is one, but we’re not in a position right now to assert it … I think the cost of doing that would outweigh the benefits and the public would see the Legislature as an entity that is trying to prevent people from voting.”

Rubio said he has also been dissuaded from voting due to long lines in his neighborhood. He said Crist was correct in protecting the public’s faith in the voting process and he denied that the longer voting hours would benefit either party.

I doubt any of the Republicans will overtly pose a challenge until after the election, but many are upset.

Dade and Broward are huge in voting numbers, and they could have been prepared this time. It could have been a state coordinated effort with the Republicans leading the way. Instead they chose to limit hours and voting places in 2005.

All are to blame because they knew and did not speak out until now. Three years ago. Could have been fixed if those in both parties had been outspoken early enough.

[madfloridian]

1. Repercussions coming for Charlie, most likely.

.

[ej510]

3. How dare he give people a chance to vote!

:sarcasm:

[JohnnyCougar]

2. Crist really is not that bad at all for a Republican.

When I first moved down here, I was prepared for the worst, but it never came.