Calls For Longer Voting Hours Continue Amid High Turnout
POSTED: Tuesday, October 28, 2008
UPDATED: 1:06 pm EDT October 28,
2008
MIRAMAR, Fla. -- More than 1 million people have cast their ballots in Florida during early voting so far, and one week before Election Day, the calls for longer hours continue.The line outside the Miramar City Hall snaked around the building Tuesday morning as early voters waited to cast their ballots. It took between 2½ and three hours of waiting before citizens could perform their civic duty.
Early Voting Tracker"They should put more hours," said early voter Eddie Montez. "I think more people would come out and vote. It's a long process, but if they give us more hours, more people will come out and vote early."Democratic congressional campaign committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen and Democratic congressional candidate Raul Martinez arrived at the precinct to see if things were going smoothly. Once again, they urged Gov. Charlie Crist to expand early voting hours."I don't know why people are afraid to provide more of an opportunity and access to the ballot," Van Hollen said. "That's what this country is all about."Martinez said he thinks longer hours and more voting machines are necessary no matter what the cost."What is the cost of democracy?" Martinez said. "We are spending billions of dollars to bring democracy to Iraq and other countries. What about our own country? This is democracy. Democracy doesn't have a price."Gov. Charlie Crist said on Tuesday the law is too restrictive. The statute says polling sites shall be open eight hours each weekday and a total of eight hours on weekends -- no more, no less.Crist, though, reminded voters they can cast absentee ballots by mail, whether they'll be absent or not, or go to polling places on Election Day. He said Florida has never before had so many voting opportunities.More than 90,000 people have cast their ballots in Broward County since the beginning of early voting. In Miami-Dade County, more than 137,000 people have voted so far.Early voting locations in Broward County are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. In Miami-Dade County, polling locations are open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Early Voting Tracker"They should put more hours," said early voter Eddie Montez. "I think more people would come out and vote. It's a long process, but if they give us more hours, more people will come out and vote early."Democratic congressional campaign committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen and Democratic congressional candidate Raul Martinez arrived at the precinct to see if things were going smoothly. Once again, they urged Gov. Charlie Crist to expand early voting hours."I don't know why people are afraid to provide more of an opportunity and access to the ballot," Van Hollen said. "That's what this country is all about."Martinez said he thinks longer hours and more voting machines are necessary no matter what the cost."What is the cost of democracy?" Martinez said. "We are spending billions of dollars to bring democracy to Iraq and other countries. What about our own country? This is democracy. Democracy doesn't have a price."Gov. Charlie Crist said on Tuesday the law is too restrictive. The statute says polling sites shall be open eight hours each weekday and a total of eight hours on weekends -- no more, no less.Crist, though, reminded voters they can cast absentee ballots by mail, whether they'll be absent or not, or go to polling places on Election Day. He said Florida has never before had so many voting opportunities.More than 90,000 people have cast their ballots in Broward County since the beginning of early voting. In Miami-Dade County, more than 137,000 people have voted so far.Early voting locations in Broward County are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. In Miami-Dade County, polling locations are open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Previous Stories:
- October 28, 2008: Poll: McCain, Obama Tied In Florida
- October 28, 2008: Celebrities Campaign For Candidates In S. Fla.
- October 28, 2008: Democrats Cry Foul When Crist Won't Lift Voting Hour Restrictions
Copyright 2009 by Post-Newsweek Stations.
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