Letter: Election Reform in Florida

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"Florida Lawmakers Approve Overhaul of State's Problem-Ridden Voting Process" (news article, May 4) paints a sunny picture of Florida's elections bill. But this legislation falls woefully short of achieving the kind of election reform that Florida citizens need.

It fails to reach the bare minimum of reversing the damage caused by Florida's 2011 law, which cut early voting nearly in half. Rather than fully restore the mandatory 14 days of early voting that Florida citizens enjoyed before 2011, it allows elections supervisors to offer 8 to 14 days at their discretion.

The full early voting period is too important to leave as a choice for individual counties — especially when hundreds of thousands of black and Latino voters were forced to wait for many hours to vote last year, or walk away without casting their ballots.

The legislation also does nothing about polling place resources. A formula based on anticipated turnout would lead to shorter lines by ensuring adequate poll workers, machines and translators per polling place; yet the bill does not take this common-sense step. It's no wonder then that every member of the Florida Legislative Black Caucus in the Senate voted against it.

Last year's outrageously long lines required bold reforms, not tinkering around the edges. The disappointing bill only underscores the need for a state law guaranteeing the fundamental right to vote, so that every citizen can vote in elections that are free, fair and accessible.

JUDITH BROWNE DIANIS
Washington, May 7, 2013

The writer is co-director of the Advancement Project, which works on civil rights and justice issues.

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