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.
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