No, not that one (yet) ... the Florida Democratic Party, and Democratic members of Congress and the state legislature push Charlie Crist to do the right thing:
Long lines at the polls prompted Gov. Charlie Crist to sign an executive order on Tuesday, extending voting times to 12 hours a day. Effective immediately, early voting sites statewide will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Oct. 31. Sat., Nov. 1 and Sun., Nov. 2, polls will be open a total of 12 hours, to be determined by the supervisors of elections in the individual counties. “I have a responsibility to the voters of our state to ensure that the maximum number of citizens can participate in the electoral process, and that every person can exercise the right to vote,” Crist said.
The Obama-Biden campaign in Florida released the following statement: TAMPA – Obama-Biden State Director Steven Schale issued the following statement regarding the extension of early voting: “We applaud Gov. Crist for responding to the overwhelming enthusiasm shown by Florida voters during this election season. To this point, an estimated 2 million Floridians have already cast a ballot over the last eight days. “It is critical that everyone who is eligible and eager to vote be able to participate and have their voice heard. And now with the extended hours, thousands more will have that opportunity.
“We encourage Floridians to continue casting their votes before Election Day, either at an early voting location or by mail, and to participate in this election – because voting is democracy in action.”
And state Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen Thurman added this:
"With a record number of voters across the Sunshine State turning out to early vote, Governor Charlie Crist did the right thing today by extending early voting hours. I want to thank the members of our Congressional Delegation, who after witnessing long lines throughout Florida, worked with the Governor to make it easier for Floridians to cast their ballots by expanding early voting. This action will help ensure that a record number of Floridians can participate in this historic election and should ease the lines that have been seen across Florida at polling places. We will continue to work with election officials throughout Florida to make it easier for every eligible voter to cast their votes. It is now incumbent on our Legislature to permanently ease the restrictions on early voting moving forward." Dems are already winning the early vote, so this is GREAT news. In case you forgot, first four days of voting:
2008
Total Ballots Cast
Voted Early
| Dem | % | Ind | % | Rep | % | Total |
| 336720 | 53.57% | 96530 | 15.36% | 195253 | 31.07% | 628,503 |
Returned Absentee Ballots
| Dem | % | Ind | % | Rep | % | Total |
| 316,853 | 35.13% | 127,606 | 14.15% | 457,395 | 50.72% | 901,854 |
Total Ballots Cast
| Dem | % | Ind | % | Rep | % | Total |
| 653,573 | 42.71% | 224,136 | 14.65% | 652,648 | 42.65% | 1,530,357 |
Labels: 2008 campaign, Florida, voters |
