A few days after the election, a CNN reporter asked Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner about long lines and other problems Florida had on Election Day: "How could this happen in 2012 in a state in the United States, that people would wait six hours and many would just abandon and not vote at all?"
Detzner responded that there were two reasons for the long lines. First, Florida had a long ballot -- 11 constitutional amendments and in Miami-Dade, a slew of local amendments -- on top of the presidential election and local races.
Second, he said, turnout "was unprecedented. It was a record year of turnout. More people voted before Election Day using absentee ballots and voting early than ever before in our history." Detzner identified some other issues throughout the interview, including that elections offices need to have sufficient equipment and the state needs more early voting locations.
Was the Nov. 6, 2012, election in Florida a "record" for overall turnout? And did Florida also break a record of pre-election day voting? Read PolitiFact for the answer.
Detzner responded that there were two reasons for the long lines. First, Florida had a long ballot -- 11 constitutional amendments and in Miami-Dade, a slew of local amendments -- on top of the presidential election and local races.
Second, he said, turnout "was unprecedented. It was a record year of turnout. More people voted before Election Day using absentee ballots and voting early than ever before in our history." Detzner identified some other issues throughout the interview, including that elections offices need to have sufficient equipment and the state needs more early voting locations.
Was the Nov. 6, 2012, election in Florida a "record" for overall turnout? And did Florida also break a record of pre-election day voting? Read PolitiFact for the answer.
If record turnout is a "problem" then he should admit that they were grossly unprepared for the obvious... Everyone with half a brain their head knew voter turnout would be significant - that is no excuse.
Posted by: David C | December 07, 2012 at 04:01 PM
Percentages are useless in this equation. Whoever is putting weight behind percentages missed the picture. Volume of time completing a ballot and total number of voters were the issue. BTW I don't think Detzner is the right person to be the Secretary of State but he was right on this issue, you got lost on the big picture trying to make a story.
Posted by: John Ellis | December 08, 2012 at 08:13 PM