(photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Nov 04, 2012
The Florida Democratic Party filed a federal lawsuit on Saturday, the last scheduled day for early voting in the state, to extend early voting hours after some Florida voters spent up to seven hours waiting in line to vote which "unduly and unjustifiably burdened the right to vote."
Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith said in a statement:
Voting is a fundamental right, and we all have an interest in assuring that all Americans have effective opportunities to vote. Florida's Republican state legislature has already reduced the number of days to early vote by six days. Because of Gov. Scott's refusal to follow precedent and extend early voting hours in the face of unprecedented voter turnout in South Florida, we are requesting in federal court that more Floridians have a meaningful chance to early vote.
According to CNN,
The complaint said waits of up to seven hours in "many cases" were the "result of polling facilities that are inadequate" to meet the needs of early voting. In some cases, lines "deferred or prevented" ballots from being cast, the complaint said.
Republican Gov. Rick Scott had refused earlier requests to extend early voting.
The LA Times reports that Miami/Dade and Palm Beach counties on Sunday announced they would print out and accept absentee ballots for voters, essentially creating extended early voting, while a judge ordered an extension of early voting in Orange county after a suspicious package had closed a polling station.
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
The Florida Democratic Party filed a federal lawsuit on Saturday, the last scheduled day for early voting in the state, to extend early voting hours after some Florida voters spent up to seven hours waiting in line to vote which "unduly and unjustifiably burdened the right to vote."
Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith said in a statement:
Voting is a fundamental right, and we all have an interest in assuring that all Americans have effective opportunities to vote. Florida's Republican state legislature has already reduced the number of days to early vote by six days. Because of Gov. Scott's refusal to follow precedent and extend early voting hours in the face of unprecedented voter turnout in South Florida, we are requesting in federal court that more Floridians have a meaningful chance to early vote.
According to CNN,
The complaint said waits of up to seven hours in "many cases" were the "result of polling facilities that are inadequate" to meet the needs of early voting. In some cases, lines "deferred or prevented" ballots from being cast, the complaint said.
Republican Gov. Rick Scott had refused earlier requests to extend early voting.
The LA Times reports that Miami/Dade and Palm Beach counties on Sunday announced they would print out and accept absentee ballots for voters, essentially creating extended early voting, while a judge ordered an extension of early voting in Orange county after a suspicious package had closed a polling station.
The Florida Democratic Party filed a federal lawsuit on Saturday, the last scheduled day for early voting in the state, to extend early voting hours after some Florida voters spent up to seven hours waiting in line to vote which "unduly and unjustifiably burdened the right to vote."
Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith said in a statement:
Voting is a fundamental right, and we all have an interest in assuring that all Americans have effective opportunities to vote. Florida's Republican state legislature has already reduced the number of days to early vote by six days. Because of Gov. Scott's refusal to follow precedent and extend early voting hours in the face of unprecedented voter turnout in South Florida, we are requesting in federal court that more Floridians have a meaningful chance to early vote.
According to CNN,
The complaint said waits of up to seven hours in "many cases" were the "result of polling facilities that are inadequate" to meet the needs of early voting. In some cases, lines "deferred or prevented" ballots from being cast, the complaint said.
Republican Gov. Rick Scott had refused earlier requests to extend early voting.
The LA Times reports that Miami/Dade and Palm Beach counties on Sunday announced they would print out and accept absentee ballots for voters, essentially creating extended early voting, while a judge ordered an extension of early voting in Orange county after a suspicious package had closed a polling station.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.