Embarrassing Delay a Result of Gov. Scott’s Refusal to Extend Early Voting, FL Dems Call for Voting Reforms in Upcoming Session 

TALLAHASSEE, FL – The Florida Democratic Party issued the following statement on the Presidential election in Florida: 

STATEMENT FROM FL DEMS CHAIR ROD SMITH:

“On behalf of Florida Democrats, I wish President Barack Obama congratulations on his re-election and on winning Florida’s 29 electoral votes.

“Florida Democrats ran the strongest, largest ground game this state has ever seen: out-registering Republicans for 8 consecutive months, cutting the GOP’s  historical absentee ballot advantage in half, requesting over a million Democratic absentee ballots for the first time in history, and out-pacing Republicans during every day of early voting, and this hard work has paid off. 

“It is appalling that two days after the election, Florida was not able to report our Presidential election results.  This embarrassment lays at the feet of Governor Rick Scott who made a decision to cut early voting in half and continually refused to extend early voting hours in light of the record turnout.  Clearly, has move was a serious mistake that should and must be corrected.  We call on Gov. Scott and the Legislature to reform Florida’s voting systems in the upcoming legislative session to ensure that we correct this affront to our system of democratic participation.

“But over the last few days, I, like so many here, was moved watching Floridians stand in record long lines and inclement conditions – doing everything they can to overcome the obstacles to participating in our democracy placed in their path by Governor Rick Scott and the Republican Legislature.” 

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