Our local state Senator, Baxley, has
introduced a bill which will very significantly make it harder for all of us to vote. One would think with a huge percentage of Villagers voting by mail he'd think twice about introducing new hoops. There have been no allegations of problems in Florida with the system as it now exists.
His bill makes two very significant changes. Presently you need to make your request for a mail ballot every four years. His bill changes that to every other year. The county will need to notify you by mail paying the postage cost if you have failed to renew. This will be very expensive for the county.
And the present system where there are ballot drop boxes at all early voting locations and the very heavily used one at the Gold dome building will be eliminated. The only place you will be able to drop off an absentee ballot will be directly at the office of the Supervision of elections. Here is the language from his bill:
Quote:
THE
230 COMPLETED MAILING ENVELOPE CAN BE DELIVERED TO THE OFFICE OF THE
231 SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS OF THE COUNTY IN WHICH YOUR PRECINCT IS
232 LOCATED ,
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And this language from present law is deleted:
Quote:
OR DROPPED OFF AT AN AUTHORIZED SECURE DROP BOX,
233 AVAILABLE AT EACH EARLY VOTING LOCATION.
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So thank you Senator Baxley for making it harder to register and vote in Sumter county, a county with no recognized or alleged problems with the system now in place.