Voting starts today in Florida ...

Almighty Colin · 10-18-2004

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (AP) -- The deciding votes in this critical battleground state could be cast long before President Bush and Sen. John Kerry make their final pleas to voters.

Election offices across the state will open Monday to give voters the option of casting their ballots ahead of time.

Some groups are urging voters to cast paper absentee ballots because of concerns over the state's new touch-screen voting machines and any potential recounts.

Others are touting that early voting option as a chance for busy voters to avoid waiting in line November 2. And with few voters still undecided, both campaigns are emphasizing it in a bid to dramatically increase voter turnout.

Early voting was introduced after the 2000 election, in which Florida decided the results by only 537 votes and introduced topics such as butterfly ballots and hanging chads.

Across Florida, Democratic college students planned to camp overnight at election offices to be the first in line Monday. Members of the state's congressional black caucus scheduled visits to five cities over four days to emphasize early voting and voter protection.

Both presidential campaigns planned rallies, mass mailings and telephone campaigns to call attention to early voting.

"It's going to be changing the way candidates campaign because they have to get their message out to people two to three weeks earlier than in the past," said Palm Beach County elections supervisor Theresa LePore, who has record requests for absentee ballots this year.

Election officials say although the early voting efforts create more work in a busy election year, they're pushing for voters to get to the polls and make their voices heard any way they can.

"As long as people vote, we're happy," said LePore, who lost her re-election bid in August. "But if something really bad happens about a candidate two days before an election, you can't change your vote."

Lee · 10-18-2004

Call my synical but...

After they started this in 2000 wouldnt it be an idea to stop using this method based on all the controversy surrounding the 2000 elections?

Im the first to admit i know less than i should about the US electoral procedures but it just strikes me as crazy that half the ballot machines dont work how they should and that they are still using a method that caused so much grief the first time around.

10-18-2004	#1
Almighty Colin Members Want to see your own Advertising Here! Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 8,059	WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (AP) -- The deciding votes in this critical battleground state could be cast long before President Bush and Sen. John Kerry make their final pleas to voters. Election offices across the state will open Monday to give voters the option of casting their ballots ahead of time. Some groups are urging voters to cast paper absentee ballots because of concerns over the state's new touch-screen voting machines and any potential recounts. Others are touting that early voting option as a chance for busy voters to avoid waiting in line November 2. And with few voters still undecided, both campaigns are emphasizing it in a bid to dramatically increase voter turnout. Early voting was introduced after the 2000 election, in which Florida decided the results by only 537 votes and introduced topics such as butterfly ballots and hanging chads. Across Florida, Democratic college students planned to camp overnight at election offices to be the first in line Monday. Members of the state's congressional black caucus scheduled visits to five cities over four days to emphasize early voting and voter protection. Both presidential campaigns planned rallies, mass mailings and telephone campaigns to call attention to early voting. "It's going to be changing the way candidates campaign because they have to get their message out to people two to three weeks earlier than in the past," said Palm Beach County elections supervisor Theresa LePore, who has record requests for absentee ballots this year. Election officials say although the early voting efforts create more work in a busy election year, they're pushing for voters to get to the polls and make their voices heard any way they can. "As long as people vote, we're happy," said LePore, who lost her re-election bid in August. "But if something really bad happens about a candidate two days before an election, you can't change your vote." __________________ Almighty Content. Your one stop for live content. Secret Friends, LATINA Secret Friends , My Cam Friends

10-18-2004	#2
Lee Banned Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 539	Call my synical but... After they started this in 2000 wouldnt it be an idea to stop using this method based on all the controversy surrounding the 2000 elections? Im the first to admit i know less than i should about the US electoral procedures but it just strikes me as crazy that half the ballot machines dont work how they should and that they are still using a method that caused so much grief the first time around.