Florida voters urged to cast ballots early

[Fluffybunny]

I just laughed at the idea of the voting officials trying to figures out how to spin the idea of making sure that they are not the laughing stock of the states by throwing off the elections again...

"OK, we can tell them all to go vote early to make sure we have at least a full 4 or 5 hours to trying and fix all of the mistakes before they blow up and make us look like idiots again...make up some excuse about being worried about the new systems so that we don't offend anyone..."

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 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 the 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 had a record number of 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."

Link

[Independent1]

I just laughed at the idea of the voting officials trying to figures out how to spin the idea of making sure that they are not the laughing stock of the states by throwing off the elections again...

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....

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.

313054[/snapback]

I can already see arguements about this if the election is at all close.

[Fluffybunny]

I can already see arguements about this if the election is at all close.

I am willing to put money on it...I would be totally surprised if they both didn't claim voting irregularities...

[twpdyp]

According to Neal Boortz, a local radio personality here in Atlanta, law suits are already written and waiting to be filed if the republicans win. I for one think that is awful.

[Celumnaz]

I know. The Dems have the motions in already, but they point fingers and say "The Reps have sent lawyers here en masse! (Too... now that we're here...)"

Classic, like when my kid told me the other kid hit him... back...

[twpdyp]

The Democrates said "If I don't get to win I am taking my ball and going home. And I am sending my mom over here to deal with you for not letting me win, she said I should always win."

[Babs]

I'm sick of listening to both Kerry and Bush talk, they say the same thing over and over again. Let's vote, already.

[Fluffybunny]

I'm sick of listening to both Kerry and Bush talk, they say the same thing over and over again. Let's vote, already.

313773[/snapback]

Oh...my...god...

I agree with Babs.

[Babs]

I'm sick of listening to both Kerry and Bush talk, they say the same thing over and over again. Let's vote, already.

313773[/snapback]

Oh...my...god...

I agree with Babs.

313810[/snapback]

...I'm in shock.

[Celumnaz]

They come around eventually.

I wanna vote already too!!

Having never done a write in, and remembering how our ballots are... they're the multiple choice fill in the bubble with a #2 pencil kind... wonder where I'll be able to write it in?

[Fluffybunny]

They come around eventually.

I wanna vote already too!!

Having never done a write in, and remembering how our ballots are... they're the multiple choice fill in the bubble with a #2 pencil kind... wonder where I'll be able to write it in?

313832[/snapback]

In the past, there was usually a line at the bottom of the section where you voted for the president, an before you started to vote on more local issues, the write in goes on that line...Of course the ballots keep changing so who knows. You may need to be creative...

Just remember to spell the name correctly; F-L-U-F-F-Y B-U-N-N-Y.

[twpdyp]

Just Vote Republican straight down the ballot, and you will not go wrong.

[Babs]

Cellumnaz...don't be afraid to ask the people giving out the ballots. I know I have felt uncomfortable doing this, but they are there to help. If you don't understand something, stop and get one of them to explain. (Hopefully, others that are unsure, will see you and do the same).

The most important thing is to, have your vote count.

[Fluffybunny]

Just Vote Republican straight down the ballot, and you will not go wrong.

313876[/snapback]

Or perhaps you could do a little work to study each of the candidates and ballot propositions to determine which option best suits your personal belief. Voting blindly down party lines is a mistake in my opinion and shows no willingness to find or develop an opinion of your own.

[Fluffybunny]

The most important thing is to, have your vote count.

313878[/snapback]

Babs, stop it...I can't keep agreeing with you like this...what are people going to think?

[Celumnaz]

Just remember to spell the name correctly; F-L-U-F-F-Y  B-U-N-N-Y.

rofl, couldn't be toooo much worse than what we've got!

I may talk to those people at the booths this time. I feel so awkward talking to them though. One friend of mine from a couple towns over said he voted this morning absentee. Said he didn't notice a line for a write in, that his ballot was check boxes to mark.

It is exciting though. I'm excited to vote! It's such an honor and a privilige. Ok, my eyes are going to tear up. I really enjoy it though. Yeeeehaaaaa!!!

[Fluffybunny]

I may talk to those people at the booths this time.  I feel so awkward talking to them though.  One friend of mine from a couple towns over said he voted this morning absentee.  Said he didn't notice a line for a write in, that his ballot was check boxes to mark.

Just ask, that is what they are there for. I have worked a polling place a couple of times, and that is what I looked forward to, being able to help people to vote.

It is exciting though.  I'm excited to vote!  It's such an honor and a privilige.  Ok, my eyes are going to tear up.  I really enjoy it though.  Yeeeehaaaaa!!!

It is cool...people sometimes think that it doesn't matter, but it does, it is the foundation of our political system. Always vote, and alway make up your own mind as to what you feel is the best option. Learn what your options are, and choose the best option without just voting down party lines whatever they may be...

[Celumnaz]

Problems Crop Up in Fla. Early Voting

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20041018/D85PVQOG1.html

Computer voting is the worst. Knowing what I know about computers, I don't trust em as far as I can throw em. Too many savvy hackers with an agenda.

www.votefraud.org

www.ejfi.org/Voting/Voting.htm

I say standardize it nationally, non-electronic, and teach how to cast your vote in schools and before becoming a citizen if you're an immigrant. I want my vote to count. I can't trust that it will when computers get involved.

[Fluffybunny]

Problems Crop Up in Fla. Early Voting

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20041018/D85PVQOG1.html

Computer voting is the worst.  Knowing what I know about computers, I don't trust em as far as I can throw em.  Too many savvy hackers with an agenda.

www.votefraud.org

www.ejfi.org/Voting/Voting.htm

I say standardize it nationally, non-electronic, and teach how to cast your vote in schools and before becoming a citizen if you're an immigrant.  I want my vote to count.  I can't trust that it will when computers get involved.

314020[/snapback]

I agree with you there, I think that no matter what kind of protection systems you put into place it is going to be easy for some geek to be able to hack in and add eight billion votes for Beavis and Butthead(the mtv characters, not Bush and Kerry).

Paper ballots...the only way to go.

[Babs]

Fluffy wrote:

....Voting blindly down party lines is a mistake...

...couldn't agree more.

Edited October 18, 2004 by Babs

[Talon]

Bush and Kerry renew terror focus

US presidential rivals George W Bush and John Kerry have again attacked each other over Iraq and the war on terror.

Mr Bush returned to the central theme of the campaign and told supporters in New Jersey that Mr Kerry did not understand the threats posed to the US.

Mr Kerry, meanwhile, said Mr Bush's "mismanagement" of the war had made Iraq and the US less safe.

Early voting began in Florida, one of a handful of swing states set to decide the presidential election, as in 2000.

Legal challenges

Mr Bush won the presidential election after taking Florida by just 537 votes following a controversial count in 2000.

The punchcard machines that led to "hanging chads" have been replaced but there are already a number of legal cases focusing on the new electronic voting machines, which give out no paper record of a vote, as well as allegations of disenfranchisement.

Both sides have been raising the possibility, even probability, of legal challenges if the outcome is close in Florida or any other battleground.

Mr Kerry has been telling supporters he has a "voter protection dream team" of lawyers to be called on if there are complaints of disenfranchisement.

Bush campaign lawyer Tom Josefiak said at the weekend: "If it is a close election in any one state, it may be days or weeks before we know who the actual winner is."

Florida election officials decided to allow early voting - which also goes on in many other states - in part, they said, to avoid the problems of four years ago.

Queues were reported on Monday outside the polling stations that accepted early voting and Mr Kerry urged people to cast their ballot before the general election day on 2 November.

At a rally, Mr Kerry switched his focus back to Iraq, from the social security system for senior citizens, which he had accused Mr Bush of planning to privatise.

from accusing Mr Bush of having plans to privatise the social security system that makes payments to senior citizens back to the conflict in Iraq.

He referred to a report in the Washington Post that the US commander in Iraq, Lt Gen Ricardo Sanchez, said last winter that his supply situation was so poor that it threatened the troops' ability to fight.

"Despite the president's arrogant boasting that he's done everything right in Iraq and that he's made no mistakes, the truth is beginning to catch up with him," said Mr Kerry, who will continue to campaign in Florida for the rest of the day.

'Confront dangers'

Mr Bush is also travelling to Florida on Monday, after a ceremony at the White House to approve $33bn in funding for homeland security and a speech in New Jersey on the war on terror.

Correspondents say homeland security continues to be a key concern for voters in this presidential election - the first since the 11 September 2001 attacks - and it is an area where Mr Bush may have an edge.

He told supporters that Mr Kerry said he would only respond to "imminent" threats.

"Tyrants and terrorists will not give us polite notice before they attack our country," Mr Bush said.

New Jersey, which voted strongly for Democrat Al Gore in 2000, lost more residents than any other state except New York in the attacks and Bush campaign officials say they believe their man could win there.

Various opinion polls show Mr Bush and Mr Kerry at the same level of support nationally.

A Gallup poll for CNN and USA Today suggests Mr Bush is ahead among those who consider themselves likely to vote, but other surveys indicate that Mr Kerry is leading in the vital swing states, according to Reuters news agency.

Story from BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/worl...cas/3753016.stm

[SilverCougar]

Waaa the repulicans cheat!

Waaa the democrates lie!

Give it a rest, and just vote forever who you want to. Cripes... Nothing more annoying them political mudslinging, and whining.

[Talon]

Focus on Florida as voting begins

People in Florida began casting their votes for US president on Monday, four years after a debacle in the state held up the 2000 election result.

Florida is one of 32 states where voters are allowed to make their choice before election day.

There were some reports of glitches with voting systems, including faulty ballots and a computer crash.

Both John Kerry and George Bush headed to Florida, to campaign in what is again likely to be a key battleground.

Mr Bush won the presidential election after taking Florida by just 537 votes following a controversial count in 2000.

Although the machines that caused confusion last time have been replaced, new electronic voting machines have already had problems.

And both sides have raised the possibility of legal challenges if the outcome is close in Florida or any other battleground.

In Palm Beach County, within an hour of polls opening, a Democratic state legislator claimed to have received an incomplete ballot, saying it was "not a good start".

In Orange County, the touch-screen system crashed.

Elsewhere, queues more than an hour long formed.

Lucien Gennaro, a police aide in Coral Springs, had to leave the queue to get to work, and said: "A lot of people who were waiting just left. I'll try again tomorrow. It was a little frustrating after what happened in 2000."

Key concerns

Presidential rivals George W Bush and John Kerry have again attacked each other over Iraq and the war on terror, the central theme of the campaign.

Before heading to Boca Raton in Florida, Mr Bush told supporters in New Jersey that Mr Kerry did not understand the threats posed to the US.

He also held a ceremony at the White House to approve $33bn in funding for homeland security.

Correspondents say homeland security continues to be a key concern for voters in this presidential election - the first since the 11 September 2001 attacks - and it is an area where Mr Bush may have an edge.

He accused Mr Kerry of being stuck in a pre-9/11 mindset.

"Tyrants and terrorists will not give us polite notice before they attack our country," Mr Bush said.

Running close

At a rally in Tampa, Mr Kerry switched his focus back to Iraq, from the social security system for senior citizens, which he had accused Mr Bush of planning to privatise.

He referred to a report in the Washington Post that the US commander in Iraq, Lt Gen Ricardo Sanchez, said last winter that his supply situation was so poor that it threatened the troops' ability to fight.

"Despite the president's arrogant boasting that he's done everything right in Iraq and that he's made no mistakes, the truth is beginning to catch up with him," said Mr Kerry.

Various opinion polls show Mr Bush and Mr Kerry at the same level of support nationally.

A Gallup poll for CNN and USA Today suggests Mr Bush is ahead among those who consider themselves likely to vote, but other surveys indicate that Mr Kerry is leading in the vital swing states, according to Reuters news agency.

Story from BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/worl...cas/3753016.stm

[Talon]

Early problems hit Florida voting

Technical glitches and long queues took the sheen off the first day of early voting in the US state of Florida.

The system - used in many other states - was introduced after the fiasco in the 2000 presidential election led to a controversial recount.

Both President George W Bush and his challenger John Kerry are encouraging people to vote early where possible.

But the problems encountered on the first day in Florida have led some to predict a repeat of the chaos.

Any controversy in Florida is set to be particularly acute as it is seen as one of the swing states that could be won by either main candidate.

Whoever wins takes all of the state's 27 electoral college votes - 10% of the total needed to become president.

Mr Bush will be in Florida for most of Tuesday, and Mr Kerry campaigned there on Sunday and Monday.

Frustrations

Florida opened its 15-day voting period without the punch-card machines and ballot papers that caused confusion in the 2000 election.

But problems with computer connections used to confirm voter identities caused problems in at least two counties.

Long queues were reported to have deterred several would-be voters, but they will have until polling stations close on 2 November to have their say in the presidential election.

There have also been concerns - and some legal cases - about the replacement touch-screen machines and the lists of people allowed to vote.

In Palm Beach County, within an hour of polls opening, Democratic state legislator Shelley Vana claimed to have received an incomplete ballot, saying it was "not a good start".

In Orange County, the touch-screen system crashed.

But voter Robin Punches in Palm Beach County told the Associated Press: "It tells you exactly what to do. It's idiot-proof."

Elsewhere, queues more than an hour long formed.

Lucien Gennaro, a police aide in Coral Springs, had to leave the queue to get to work, and said: "A lot of people who were waiting just left. I'll try again tomorrow. It was a little frustrating after what happened in 2000."

Split surveys

Mr Bush is to attend at least three election rallies across Florida on a day when new polls gave conflicting opinions on his standing.

A survey for the Washington Post put Mr Bush's job approval rating at 54% and the newspaper reported that, in the modern era, all presidents with approval ratings above 50% have won their re-election bids.

But another poll released on Tuesday for the New York Times and CBS News said Mr Bush's rating was at 44%, which the newspaper called "a dangerously low number for an incumbent president, and one of the lowest of his tenure".

National polls continue to show opinion effectively split between Mr Bush and Mr Kerry, with Mr Bush leading in some surveys.

The Washington Post said though its survey gave Mr Bush a slender lead, Mr Kerry was ahead in 13 swing states by 50% to 46%.

Story from BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/worl...cas/3755710.stm

[Angelofmercy]

I heard about problems on the radio this morning

Apparently the elderly are already complaining that they don't understand teh touchscreens (This is not a joke, they really don't understand that you just have to TOUCH THE SCREEN)

Geez it's gonna be dangling chads allover again, only this time

"I "fat fingered" it and accidently voted for Walter Mondale!!"

"I Was "scratching my nose" and I accidentally voted for everybody!"

"I "slip fingered" and only grazed the screen, then i hit cancel and left! THis isn't fair, i should get to vote AGAIN!"

Does any one else feel even slightly that if you can't figure out how to vote correctly (and really its not that hard) then maybe you shouldn't be voting in the first place?