© 2024 WFSU Public Media
WFSU News · Tallahassee · Panama City · Thomasville
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Fla Dems: 'Gov. Scott, Extend Early Voting Hours'; Scott Says It's Working Fine

Sascha Cordner
/
WFSU-FM

There are several complaints in Florida about early voting lines forcing people to wait three to four hours before casting their votes. Voting groups and Democrats are calling on Florida Governor Rick Scott to extend the early voting hours.

Barbara King is on her work break, and had plans to vote early. But, as she looks at the long line circling around the Leon County Courthouse building, her only thought is:

“Oh my God! I don’t know if I want to wait that long! I still have to go pick up my grandbabies.”

By mid-afternoon Thursday, the wait times were 30 minutes to an hour at the courthouse, and King says she’s frustrated because she’s made multiple unsuccessful attempts to vote early.

“I think they need to extend the days because this is my second attempt to do the early voting," said King. "Saturday, I stood in line about an hour and half, but I got tired. So, I said ‘bump that. I’ll come back.’”

The Florida Legislature cut early voting days from 14 to 8 last year. Now, the League of Women Voters and the Florida Democratic Party say that was a mistake and the Governor should make up for it by extending early voting. But, a spokeswoman for the Governor's office says the current early voting process is working.

And, in a statement, Republican Party of Florida Executive Director Mike Grissom says "Florida has a law in regard to early voting...For one side to demand that we break the law because they feel like they are losing is wrong."

The last day for Floridians to early vote is Saturday. Times may vary by county.

For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on twitter @SaschaCordner.

Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.