August 16, 2004
Vote early
Starting today. All over Florida.
Beginning today, voters can cast early ballots at several polling places in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties. Early voting for the Aug. 31 primary runs every day, except Sundays, through Aug. 30.In partisan elections, only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote unless the primary determines the final outcome of the race and there is no write-in candidate. Everyone can vote in the nonpartisan school board and judicial races.
......Although early voting was scheduled to begin today in all 67 counties, it won't happen in Charlotte County, which was devastated by Hurricane Charley. Election officials planned to hold a statewide conference call today to figure out whether problems exist elsewhere.
Secretary of State Glenda Hood was also planning to assess whether the storm was going to disrupt the Aug. 31 statewide primary for the U.S. Senate and a long list of state and local offices. But the primary was not an immediate concern, Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings said.
......Early voting was launched two years ago as part of a reform package after the disputed 2000 presidential election.
Early voters can choose between an absentee ballot, which is filled out with a pencil and mailed in, or the usual voting machine methods.
Here’s a hint: if you choose an absentee ballot, you’ll be leaving a verifiable and recountable paper trail.
Posted by Norwood at August 16, 2004 06:19 AM