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Florida Extends Early Voting Hours

Governor makes move to cut down on hours-long lines

By Katherine Thompson, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 29, 2008 10:24 AM CDT

(Newser) – Florida Gov. Charlie Crist decreed yesterday that early-voting locations stay open 12 hours a day instead of the usual eight, in an attempt to address hours-long lines at many polling places, the Orlando Sentinel reports. Crist's failure to consult with his party's leadership has ruffled some Republican feathers, but the public seems thrilled at the change.

"'We wanted to make sure we got in line early because yesterday the line was around the corner," said a voter who showed up at 5am. Nearly 1.2 million Floridians have voted so far, some facing lines of up to five hours. The extended hours have cut the wait to less than an hour in most precincts.

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Florida A & M students rally outside a voting precinct at the Leon County Courthouse for early voting, Monday, Oct. 20, 2008, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phil Coale)

Voters cast their votes in Miami, Monday, Oct. 20, 2008. The polls opened for the first day of early voting in the state of Florida, and now they will stay open longer through Sunday. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

John Cato Davis, of Hialeah, Fla., reads an Official Sample Ballot as he stands in line to vote in Miami, Monday, Oct. 20, 2008. Reports of long lines for early voting drew concern among Democrats. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

Early voters wait on Monday, Oct. 20, 2008 to cast their early ballots in Florida. Earlier in the day, mechanical problems in some voting machines caused delays of up to four hours. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)

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I want to ensure that the maximum number of citizens can participate in our electoral process. - Florida Gov. Charlie Crist

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Florida Extends Early Voting Hours