Early Voting for the entire state of Florida has just been extended.
Every Early Vote location in Florida will now be every day from 7am-7pm up through November 2.
Please pass along this great news to everyone you know who will be voting in Florida. Click here to find your nearest early vote location.
Here's the release:
GOVERNOR CRIST EXTENDS EARLY VOTING HOURS ~~ ~Ensures maximum number of Floridians can exercise right to vote~ ~~October 28, 2008Contact:GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE(850) 488-5394TALLAHASSEE - Governor Charlie Crist today signed Executive Order 08-217, extending the hours for early voting during the current General Election. Effective immediately, early voting sites will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., through Friday, October 31, 2008, and for a total of 12 hours between 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, and 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2008. "I have spoken with the Secretary of State and members of the Florida Legislature and have concluded that it is always the right thing to do to give voters every opportunity to cast a ballot," Governor Crist said. "I have a responsibility to the voters of our state to ensure that the maximum number of citizens can participate in the electoral process, and that every person can exercise the right to vote." Prior to the 2008 General Election, Florida has seen historic numbers of Floridians registering to vote for the first time. In addition, record numbers of voters have chosen to cast a ballot during early voting. Early voting began on October 20 and runs through November 2. Current Florida law allows for early voting to be conducted eight hours per day on each weekday, and for a total of eight hours during both weekends during the early voting period. Floridians can contact their county's Supervisor of Elections for dates, times and locations of early voting. Florida voters can also request absentee ballots to be mailed to them until October 29. Please see the attached Executive Order 08-217. STATE OF FLORIDA OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 08-217 WHEREAS, early voting is scheduled to end November 2, 2008; and WHEREAS, early voting turnout has already reached record levels and is forecast to continue with record turnout. There are only 267 early voting sites throughout the state and long lines have formed at many of the early voting sites; and WHEREAS, a historic number of Floridians have registered to vote for the first time in this election; and WHEREAS, new voting equipment is being used in 15 Florida counties; WHEREAS, as a result of this unique combination of circumstances resulting from the historic voter turnout in this election, there is a possibility that election officials will be unable to conduct an orderly election, and thus residents in our state could be deprived of a meaningful opportunity to vote; andWHEREAS, because of the existing and continuing possibility of an emergency occurring before or during the regularly scheduled election, and in order to ensure maximum citizen participation in the electoral process, and provide a safe and orderly procedure for persons seeking to exercise their right to vote;NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHARLIE CRIST, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section 1(a) of the Florida Constitution, by the Florida Elections Emergency Act, and by all other applicable laws, issue the following Executive Order, to take immediate effect:I hereby declare that, based on the above-described conditions, a state of emergency exists. It is hereby found and declared to be necessary to extend the voting hours during early voting. Accordingly, I order the Supervisors of Elections to open early voting sites from 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. through October 31, 2008 and open early voting sites for a total of twelve (12) hours between 7 a.m. November 1, 2008 and 7 p.m. November 2, 2008.IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed, at Tallahassee, the Capitol, this 28th day of October, 2008. GOVERNORATTEST:SECRETARY OF STATE
GOVERNOR CRIST EXTENDS EARLY VOTING HOURS
~~ ~Ensures maximum number of Floridians can exercise right to vote~ ~~
October 28, 2008
Contact:
GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE(850) 488-5394
TALLAHASSEE - Governor Charlie Crist today signed Executive Order 08-217, extending the hours for early voting during the current General Election. Effective immediately, early voting sites will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., through Friday, October 31, 2008, and for a total of 12 hours between 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, and 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2008.
"I have spoken with the Secretary of State and members of the Florida Legislature and have concluded that it is always the right thing to do to give voters every opportunity to cast a ballot," Governor Crist said. "I have a responsibility to the voters of our state to ensure that the maximum number of citizens can participate in the electoral process, and that every person can exercise the right to vote."
Prior to the 2008 General Election, Florida has seen historic numbers of Floridians registering to vote for the first time. In addition, record numbers of voters have chosen to cast a ballot during early voting.
Early voting began on October 20 and runs through November 2. Current Florida law allows for early voting to be conducted eight hours per day on each weekday, and for a total of eight hours during both weekends during the early voting period. Floridians can contact their county's Supervisor of Elections for dates, times and locations of early voting.
Florida voters can also request absentee ballots to be mailed to them until October 29.
Please see the attached Executive Order 08-217.
STATE OF FLORIDA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 08-217
WHEREAS, early voting is scheduled to end November 2, 2008; and
WHEREAS, early voting turnout has already reached record levels and is forecast to continue with record turnout. There are only 267 early voting sites throughout the state and long lines have formed at many of the early voting sites; and
WHEREAS, a historic number of Floridians have registered to vote for the first time in this election; and
WHEREAS, new voting equipment is being used in 15 Florida counties;
WHEREAS, as a result of this unique combination of circumstances resulting from the historic voter turnout in this election, there is a possibility that election officials will be unable to conduct an orderly election, and thus residents in our state could be deprived of a meaningful opportunity to vote; and
WHEREAS, because of the existing and continuing possibility of an emergency occurring before or during the regularly scheduled election, and in order to ensure maximum citizen participation in the electoral process, and provide a safe and orderly procedure for persons seeking to exercise their right to vote;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHARLIE CRIST, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section 1(a) of the Florida Constitution, by the Florida Elections Emergency Act, and by all other applicable laws, issue the following Executive Order, to take immediate effect:
I hereby declare that, based on the above-described conditions, a state of emergency exists. It is hereby found and declared to be necessary to extend the voting hours during early voting. Accordingly, I order the Supervisors of Elections to open early voting sites from 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. through October 31, 2008 and open early voting sites for a total of twelve (12) hours between 7 a.m. November 1, 2008 and 7 p.m. November 2, 2008.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed, at Tallahassee, the Capitol, this 28th day of October, 2008.
GOVERNOR
ATTEST:
SECRETARY OF STATE
The DNC has a PArty Builder site for Democrats to blog and support their Party.
After the Convention many Democrats and Independents and even some Republicans will come to the Party Builder site to learn more about our Party and blog..or just read the blog.
Obama will need all the Democrats he can get at all elevels of the ticket. The DNC Party Builder site helps one to promote support for local and sate candidates. National and world topics are discuissed on thsi blog as well.
Please create a profile and blog with us to spread the positive Democratic message and support of Obama. We need help.
http://www.democrats.org/page/content/partybuilder/
In swing-state Colorado, the Republican Secretary of State conducted the biggest purge of voters in history, dumping a fifth of all registrations. Guess their color.
In swing-state Florida, the state is refusing to accept about 85,000 new registrations from voter drives – overwhelming Black voters.
In swing state New Mexico, HALF of the Democrats of Mora, a dirt poor and overwhelmingly Hispanic county, found their registrations disappeared this year, courtesy of a Republican voting contractor.
In swing states Ohio and Nevada, new federal law is knocking out tens of thousands of voters who lost their homes to foreclosure.
My investigations partner spoke directly to Barack Obama about it. (When your partner is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., candidates take your phone call.) The cool, cool Senator Obama told Kennedy he was “concerned” about the integrity of the vote in the Southwest in particular.
http://www.gregpalast.com/obama-doesn%E2%80%99t-sweat-he-should/
There is only one candidate in this race who thinks it was a mistake to go to war with Iraq in the first place. There is only one candidate in this race who stood up against the war before it even started. And now, more than five years later, there is only one candidate in this race who is pushing to end it.
The other candidate advocated waging a war that claimed the lives of more than 4,000 American troops and caused injuries to tens of thousands more.
For that candidate to attack the other's commitment to the troops is the ultimate dishonor and disgrace. It reveals the sinister ambition that has invaded his soul.
http://www.jedreport.com/2008/07/mccains-respons.html
I'll take judgement over experience any day.
We will have a forum on woman's rights Friday night, begining at 6 Eastern time.
Please join our discussion on this very important issue at PB Bloggers on the Obama site.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/PartyBuilderBloggers
Want to know if a celebrity is playing both sides of the fence? Whether that new guy you're seeing is actually a Republican or just dresses like one?
FundRace makes it easy to search by name or address to see which presidential candidates your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors are contributing to. Or you can se if your favorite celebrity is putting money where their mouth is.
http://fundrace.huffingtonpost.com/
Can we affird another preident who thinks its smart to be dumb?
Well worth the watch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsiADdmoh3E
As I browsed through the morning news articles today I came across one from the upcoming Newsweek titled "Iraq, Anything Not to Go Back." While it is a short piece it highlights something that has been overlooked by many people, except the families and soliders who are suffering these potentially deadly injuries.
While the article is short it highlights where this country has gone since our invasion of Iraq and the total mismanagement of the war. Our pround servicemen and women are self inflicting injury on themselves; what more can be said. I strongly doubt it is their mental state since it takes a good deal of though and planning to carry out some of these actions. This last line of the piece really strikes me saying they hope that they talk to someone instead of inflicting self harm. I would think that they have already thought of this but know what the answer is going to be, sadly.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/140478
This evening I attended a Town Hall Meeting in Parma Hts, Ohio, about fifteen minutes from home. Barack Obama arrived at 8pm and spoke for about an hour and a half, including a question and answer period. As one would expect since I am on this site, I agree with him on the issues. What I was most impressed with was his discussion about participation, transparency, and reaching out to others. He encouraged all Americans to participate in their government and said it was important, not only to voice an opinion but also to hold government officials accountable. He talked about transparency in government, and used as an example holding his health care policy meetings on C-Span, so all voters can see how the process works and where their elected officials, lobbyists, drug companies, insurance companies, and his administration stand. He talked about reaching out to those who disagree, ranging from Republicans to Iran. In his speech he mentioned something JFK said about not negotiating out of fear, but also don't fear to negotiate.
Through my work as a police officer, I had an opportunity to hear John McCain speak when he came to the city I work in earlier in the week. The two events don't compare. Although Mr. McCain gave a good speech, and I respect him but disagree with many of his positions, he did not have the same presence Mr. Obama had. He did not seem to motivate, encourage, or inspire the wey Mr. Obama did. Even if all else were equal, that quality of Mr. Obama, his ability to inspire and create hope when many had stopped looking for it, is the reason he needs to be the next President of the United States of America.
Now that New Hampshire has announced January 8 as Primary date, let's ask Governor Lynch to endorse Senator Obama. Below is a sample letter.
Office of Governor John Lynch State House, Room 208 107 N. Main Street Concord, NH 03301
DATE
Dear Governor Lynch:
Please consider making a public announcement that you endorse Senator Barack Obama for President. Senator Obama has shown the leadership and integrity that this country needs. Our country needs new direction and hope for the American people.
I encourage you to support and publicly endorse Senator Barack Obama for President of this great nation and help make a difference in our country. Sincerely, [type your name here] [type your phone number too if you wish]
Even if you are not from New Hampshire, write the Governor a note, and let's start reaching out to other political leaders in other states as well
**************Eli RiveraJoin the Barack Obama Wall of Supporterswww.obamanh.com
Florida people: here is a great new way to make a huge diffence in this campaign. Make phone calls to voters in the early states:
The National Call Team is comprised of hundreds of supporters across the country who are dedicated to making at least 100 phone calls each week on behalf of the campaign. By committing to make calls every week, they play a critical role by spreading the word on important volunteer opportunities, community events and letting folks know when Barack is coming to their neighborhood. Last month we were able to make over 28,000 calls and our goal is to double our impact during the month of October. When your volunteers join the National Call Team they will receive a call from us welcoming them to the group and we will let them know how they can get started by using the phone banking tool on their My.BarackObama dashboard. Our Team receives e-mail updates about the calling campaigns that are in progress and we will have weekly conference calls as well. Your volunteers can sign up here: http://my.barackobama.com/callteam
Now is the time to make a difference. You have the power to make it happen.
The Barack Obama Wall of Supporters reached 1003 supporters today. Visit the wall at www.obamanh.com and have your name listed. Our next goal is 1500 supporters by the New Hampshire Primary in January 2008.
Reach out to your MYBO friends, family and friends and invited them to join the wall.
Eli Riverawww.obamanh.com
The great thing about grassroots campaigning is that every little thing each and everyone of us do can make a diference.
On Saturday October 6, I headed out for my first "Jeeping for Barack" in Peterborough, NH. I arrived around 12:00 and started making my rounds through Main Street, downtown and local shopping plazas. At first I was a little hesistant, but after a few waves, thumbs up and honks, I new Barack had a strong showing in Peterborough.
I did this for an hour, finally parking on Main Street for another 30 minutes. People would wave, take pictures of my Jeep and trailer, encouraging my "visibility campaign" for the Senator.
Every little thing we do brings us closer to electing Barack as our President.
You won't believe but my MyBO event "Jeeping for Barack" made it on one of the top political websites: www.politico.com
See here:
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1007/Remainders_Dodd_campaign_sheds_staff.html#comments
You just never know what political websites will pick up.
Well contacting my congressmen must have done some good because I was surprised the other day by a phone call from Todd Tiarht to participate in a telephone forum. I waited through the usual questions about the evil Dems trying to destroy the world and when it was my turn I asked the question that they should have anticipated had they read any of my emails.
“Why are we still staying the course in Iraq and how can Republicans hope to have any part in government if we do?”
His answer, after hearing “you have been placed in listen only mode” was we are making progress in Iraq and a member of congress who voted against the war now supports our continued presence to fight the terrorists there instead of here. Then addressing the second part of the question he said that he would rather not have his seat in government than fail at protecting our children.
Four years ago I think I would have fallen for it. But I know today that this war is not about fighting terrorism it was an unjustified war about securing oil and continued power over the Middle East. What worries me about the way they want to protect my children is that someone else’s children have to go die or come back without limbs so we can continue a conflict that should have never been started.
Here is an idea, lets protect the homeland here at home. The GAO released a report giving our borders with Canada and Mexico failing grades. We continue to cut funding of police agencies (you know the only guys looking for terrorists in America). And yet all I hear is lets fight them over there. All fighting them there does is take money away from defending this nation. I will shout this: IF WE WEREN’T IN IRAQ WE WOULD FIGHT TERRORISTS IN AFGANISTAN NOT IN AMERICA!!
What a novel concept fighting terrorists in Afghanistan.
If I were lost and not sure where to go would I “Stay the course” and if I did wouldn’t I still be lost?
I will continue to try to convince people of three things.
1) Iraq will not stabilize while we are there.
2) Barack Obama is the best candidate to find a way out of Iraq.
3) There will not be a Republican in Federal government if the only answer they can give is “stay the course”.
David Lux
As the campaign for Presidency moves on, and as I continue to read articles from diferent sources, it appears that the only issue other candidates and there supporters go after is there claim of Barack's lack of experience in Washington. I have to say that what they are truely afraid of is change in Washington, the end to a game that has been going on inning after inning with the only loosers being the American people.
Barack will bring an end to this, bring the American People's interest to the forefront and return the White House to the People. A new breath of fresh air and an end to a corrupt and troubled adminstration.
This so call claim, could be almost interpreted as Barack not being part of the Washington clic or the good old boys network, were Barack will be looking out for the interest of the American people and not particular individuals or lobbyist.
Hillary Clinton during a debate at St. Anselm College in New Hampshire, she said something that has stayed with me and that was something to the effect, as President we don't tell the American people everything. This is totally contrary to Barack's position of openess and communications with the American people. I do understand National security and confidential matters, but there are tons of issues that our President should be upfront with the people.
Barack is one of us, a person who started at the bottom as a community activist. His passion and leadersip, will bring a new America. Do you Believe?
Eli Rivera www.obamanh.com
Huge event coming to Keene New Hampshire on October 20, 2007. Keene was the holder of the most Pumpkin lit at over 30,000 at one time for over 8 years straight. With over 75,000 people coming to the event from all over the US, what a great opportunity to show our support for Barack. Carve several pumpkin with a message of HOPE , wear your Barack buttons, t-shirts and hats and spend a day or two in beautiful Keene NH. Stop by an visit the Barack Obama Campaign Office in Keene. As we get closer to the event, look for events in the area.
