AN INTERESTING CONCEPT

Eliminating the whole concept of precincts? Doing away with a single election day?

It could happen, if an idea by the Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections catches on. Of course, it has to receive legislative approval as well.

The whole idea came about because of the success of the "early voting" concept, which was used for the first time in Florida during the recent election. It worked so well that the state SOE association wants to put it to use as part of an overall election reform package that would eventually eliminate the idea of going to a designated precinct to vote, instead having a certain number of voting stations throughout the county open for 11 days that would have enough machines and parking to reduce lines and traffic. The 11 day idea is to ensure that the period includes two weekend periods.

I don't have a problem per se with the basic idea, at least continuing the early voting concept. But in doing so counties want to ensure that the process is open to everyone and that voting stations are set up in areas which are accessable to minorities, the poor, and elderly who may not be able to get there otherwise. This was a significant issue in Duval County (Metro Jacksonville) during the recent election, when originally the only early voting station was at the SOE office in downtown Jacksonville. Only after significant pressure was brought to bear by civil rights organizations, the media, and even Jeb! (not to mention a personal visit from Secretary of State Glenda Hood) did additional early voting stations spring up.

In Polk County, which is rather large in terms of area, there were three early voting stations at the SOE offices in Bartow, Winter Haven, and Lakeland. The poor schmuck in Lake Wales, Hanes City, or Fort Meade had to drive in some cases 20-25 miles if they wanted to take advantage of the opportunity, and if the citizen were invalid...out of luck. And we won't even get into the issue of absentee ballots. SOE Lori Edwards is among the best in the business, and her staff is among the most experienced in Central Florida BAR NONE! I've always said that, and always will. But it seems that this idea needs to be looked at some more.

Actually, it's not a new idea. Several other nations do this same thing, spread their election out over a period of several days.