- Thousands of new voters might not be able to cast ballots because of discrepancies between their registration forms and government records like driver's licenses.

- An unprecedented number of new voters, combined with multipage ballots in some counties, will likely create long lines and confusion at the polls.

- And there's always Palm Beach County. Using new voting equipment mandated by the state, the county lost 3,500 ballots in a close judicial race in an Aug. 26 primary. The ballots were eventually found but it took three recounts before a winner was finally declared a month later.

Ah, Florida ...

Florida breaking for Obama?

"A new St. Petersburg Times/Bay News 9/Miami Herald poll shows Sen. Barack Obama leading McCain 49 percent to 42 percent in this state McCain cannot afford to lose. The biggest factor? Less partisan independent voters moving to Obama by a ratio of more than 2-to-1." "Polls show Obama ahead in Florida".

"Florida voters overwhelmingly oppose offshore oil drilling closer to their state's shores, a rejection of one of John McCain's [supported by Crist and Martinez] major proposals in the presidential campaign."

A statewide poll this week conducted for the Sun Sentinel and Florida Times-Union also found that most voters trust Democrat Barack Obama more than McCain to rescue the economy, aid struggling homeowners and help states recover from natural disasters.

These findings would seem to point toward a clear Obama victory in Florida. Yet the sample of 600 likely voters shows him running just slightly ahead, 49 percent to 46 percent, a difference within the poll's margin of error. ...

Obama bested McCain in the poll on other Florida concerns, though the Democrat has spent much less time campaigning in the state. ...

The poll results point to another close finish in Florida, setting up a blitz of campaigning over the next 10 days.

More "Republican attempts to suppress voting and vote-counting"

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board: "Florida's voters clearly love early voting. Florida's legislators clearly don't. Blame the Republican-led Legislature and former Gov. Bush for the long waits and inconvenient hours."

The cramped early voting rules typify Republican attempts to suppress voting and vote-counting. Republicans are behind ID laws that have the greatest impact on the poor, who tend to vote Democratic. Republicans have pushed flawed "felon purges" that kicked legitimate voters off the rolls. Republicans mount often-frivolous challenges to voter registration. Florida's early voting limits cramp the big, urban counties - which have more Democratic voters - and can discourage the elderly, who in South Florida likewise lean Democratic.

Early Voting Update"".

Adam Smith:

So far, of the more than 800,000 people who have voted by absentee ballot, Republicans have an advantage of nearly 130,000 ballots. But of the more than 482,000 who voted early between Monday and Wednesday, 55 percent are Democrats and 30 percent are Republican, a lead of 117,000 for Democrats. Of course, these numbers don't reflect how people voted, only the party affiliation of the voters.

If the trend continues, Democrats should overtake Republicans on already cast votes any day now.

"Savior"

"During the meeting, Commissioner Bob Kanjian, a Republican, jokingly referred to Obama as 'the savior.'" "Commissioner's 'savior' remark on Obama brings rebuke".

The forgotten race

The very latest from The Cook Political Report:

House Editor David Wasserman releases ratings changes in an additional 12 districts. The GOP internal “death list” memo, leaked to U.S. News and World Report’s Paul Bedard, exposes just how white-knuckled some in the Republican conference are. At this point, the choice Republican strategists face is not whether to play offense or defense, but rather where it’s still worth playing defense. All the signs of another big “wave” election are apparent, and our current outlook is a gain of 23 to 28 seats for House Democrats. ...

FL-18 Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Solid Republican to Likely Republican

While there is some empirical evidence showing Democrat Annette Taddeo closing the gap late, she started way behind. Democrats are demonstrating strength in early voting here as they are everywhere, and Taddeo has plenty of money left to spend. She will need a truly huge wave in South Florida. Otherwise, Ros-Lehtinen remains in voters’ good graces and will win a ninth term.

"No, you're not stuck in a time warp"

"The 2008 race for the District 11 congressional seat includes the same players as the 2006 contest: lawyer Kathy Castor and business owner Eddie Adams Jr." "Rep. Castor defends record against familiar rival".

McBush om a McMission

"Starting from a popular blue-collar beach, Republican John McCain barnstormed through Central Florida on Thursday, casting himself as the defender of small businesses and a fighter for regular Joes." "McCain plugs 'Joe' reforms in Florida". See also "McCain travels I-4 in hunt for votes" and "McCain rallies Florida faithful".

"Not once has a fiend leaped from the shrubbery"

Daniel Ruth on his marriage: "The last thing we ever needed is some dubious law, pushed by a bunch of Bible thumpers that pretends our marriage should be 'protected.' Protected? From what? During our years of marital bliss, not once has a fiend leaped from the shrubbery, put a gun to our heads and demanded we get divorced." "Marriage Protection? From What?".

"And then there's Mahoney"

Cook: "This race is the GOP’s only slam dunk."

With Mahoney in hiding following admissions of multiple affairs and amid an ongoing FBI investigation, it’s unclear whether he would even withdraw from the ballot to let another Democrat inherit his votes. In any case, early voting is underway and it’s too late.

No "false light"

"Florida residents cannot win damages in court simply because unwanted publicity casts them in a false light, the Florida Supreme Court ruled today, saying that legal standard 'has the potential to chill speech without any appreciable benefit to society.'"

The Supreme Court sided with Florida newspapers, saying that the state's current case law on defamation is enough to protect individual rights. Plaintiffs can win defamation cases if the published material was untrue, caused harm and was disseminated with "reckless disregard" in the case of a public official or "negligence" in the case of a private citizen.

Safe food

"University of Florida lands contract to ensure U.S. soldiers get safe food".

Amendment 2

"Whether Florida bans gay marriage in its state Constitution could be decided by how much presidential candidate Barack Obama drives turnout among African Americans, according to a new poll underwritten by a trio of news organizations." "Amendment 2 fate lies with black voter turnout".

"Expensive hot air"?

Mike Thomas "Florida's global-warming goals look like expensive hot air".

Still waitin'

pThe Palm Beach Post editorial Board: "Three years ago today, Wilma capped two awful back-to-back storm years and helped to push Florida into the downward economic spiral that is testing the state as never before. Just months after Wilma, the air began coming out of the housing bubble. Artificially high property-tax bills from the bubble years began arriving, along with dramatically higher insurance bills. School enrollment, tourism and in-migration from other states all have declined since Wilma."

Florida did learn from Wilma. Florida Power & Light determined that its grid should be considerably stronger, and that work continues. There was a post-Wilma fuel crisis, but now select gas stations have generators, as do many Publix stores. The My Safe Florida Home program provided thousands of free inspections that helped homeowners harden their property and get insurance discounts.

But the state still hasn't dealt fully with the insurance price spike that followed 2004 and 2005. Though almost every leading Florida politician supports national disaster insurance, creation of such a plan depends on Congress and the White House. A state-financed incentive plan has drawn more private companies to write hurricane coverage, but the state-run insurer of last resort, Citizens, still has nearly 1.2 million policies - almost 400,000 of them in the state-designated high-risk wind areas.

For all the talk about taxes, insurance is the bigger issue for Florida and should be a priority for next year's Legislature. The 2007 plan that offered private companies more state-subsidized reinsurance needs to be updated, especially given the problems in the credit markets. The Hurricane Catastrophe Fund depends on the state being able to sell bonds. But the state's defeat of Allstate's 47 percent rate request, achieved by threatening the company with loss of its lucrative auto coverage, means that Florida doesn't have to be defensive.

Mail ballots

"More Hillsborough sites to drop off ballots".

Did you say Pasco?

"City officials and local politicians prepped Thursday for a possible visit by a member of a presidential campaign ticket — and this time, it's actually a Democrat. Vice presidential nominee Joe Biden was making plans for a rally Monday at Sims Park, local officials said, setting the stage for the first major appearance by a Democratic contender since Jimmy Carter noshed on peanut butter ice cream during a stop at Southgate Plaza three decades ago. " "Biden may visit North Suncoast".

"Triple dipping"!!!

"County Commission challenger accused incumbent of 'triple dipping'".

The poll, done by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research Inc. for The Tampa Tribune and other news agencies, shows McCain ahead by 46-45 percent, with 7 percent undecided and 2 percent “other” responses.

The error margin is 4 points, meaning the poll statistically shows a tie.

- In early October, Obama led McCain 48-46 percent.

- In September Obama led 47-45 percent.

- In August Obama led 45-44 percent.

The difference, Mason-Dixon pollster Brad Coker suggested, may be that in the Tampa Bay area, home to about a quarter of the state’s voters and the state’s largest swing area, McCain has moved into the lead, 47-44 percent.

"One remains torn"

Adam C. Smith: "For one batch of Tampa Bay swing voters, John McCain has already lost."

Two months ago, the undecided voters convened for a focus group at the St. Petersburg Times were decidedly antagonistic toward Barack Obama and in several cases leaning toward McCain. Today, just one of the 11 voters is backing McCain, nine expect to vote for Obama, and one remains torn.

"Skeptical"

"Jacksonville's black voters skeptical about ballot".

"Lines were so long ..."

"Elections supervisors are adding new equipment, updating Web sites with wait times and handing out fans and water to people standing in long early voting lines. Lines were so long in Broward County on Monday that the last person cast their ballot at 10:20 p.m., hours after the polls closed." "Florida Elections Officials Dealing With Long Lines".

More: "Big Bend early voters turn out in record numbers" and "Early Voters Lining Up Again In Tampa Bay Area".

"Something isn't right"

Joel Engelhardt: "In a recent court-sanctioned test, 102 ballots were fed through two Palm Beach County vote-counting machines."

The first machine found 13 valid votes and 89 invalid votes. The other machine, counting the same ballots, found 90 valid votes and 12 invalid ones. It's hard to blame the ballots. Something isn't right with at least one of those two machines.

Today, Palm Beach County voters get answers. Representatives of Sequoia arrive to explain the machines' deviant behavior. At least, voters hope they explain the machine's deviant behavior.

Sequoia has a lot at stake. Palm Beach County is one of only two Florida counties, along with Indian River, that use Sequoia. The rest use Election Systems & Software and Premier Election Solutions, formerly Diebold. And Sequoia, which has sold the county millions in election equipment, has to firm up relations with a new elections supervisor, to be elected Nov. 4.

The reputation of optical-scan voting, pushed by Gov. Crist and U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler, also is at stake. Sequoia representatives have tried before to explain their machine's inconsistencies. But they always sounded as if they were defending an irrefutable system. That's fine for sales, but it doesn't do much to put voter fears to rest. Or silence the Republicans.

"Don't let just anyone cast your ballot" [sic]

"Early voting is under way, and problems -- from blank ballots to line-cutters -- are surfacing throughout Central Florida." "Just say no to strangers, line-cutters at polls".

Ain't this grand: "OrlandoSentinel.com is inviting readers to make us aware of any problems encountered at the polls." "Problems at polls? We investigate and get answers".

Big of 'em

"Florida Cabinet votes to expunge Crotzer's other convictions". See also "Wrongly convicted man pardoned".

Obamamania

"Democrat Barack Obama's two-day sweep across Florida showed he can whip up overflow crowds, orchestrate a massive early-voting blitz and rattle off the state's grim economic statistics to drive home his indictment of the Republican Party." "Democrats determined to win Florida".

"From Palm Beach County to Miami, Democrat Barack Obama sought to win crucial Florida votes Tuesday by playing to his strengths: a focus on the faltering economy and a crowd-winning charisma." "Obama pushes economic agenda on swing through South Florida". See also "Obama scrambles to sway Florida", "Obama event gives backers a peek at 'history'", "In South Florida, Obama focuses on economy", "Thousands attend Obama rally in Miami" and "Obama rouses campus, nominee sticks to his message about economy".

ECOs

The Orlando Sentinel editorial board: "You may not know much about ECOs, but you've seen their handiwork. They crawl out of the woodwork during elections, specializing in attack ads that use a grain of truth to create a twisted picture of the unfortunate candidate who finds himself in an ECO's cross hairs. ECOs, which hide behind high-minded names like Keep our Families Safe and Our Elders Count, can't contribute to candidates. And their ads can't say 'vote for' or 'vote against.' But in the world of dirty politics those are minor details." "Legislators need to close yet another loophole in Florida's campaign finance laws".

A Jax thing

"Duval County officials locate polling problems".

Poor lil' "Helen the yacht crew outfitter"

"Bryant the IT guy, Helen the yacht crew outfitter [who runs Smallwood's Yachtwear employs 30 workers] and Josh the patient transporter gathered in Pompano Beach on Tuesday for a news conference in support of Republican presidential hopeful John McCain." "Three business owners echo concerns of Joe the Plumber".

Amendment 8

"Amendment 8 would benefit community colleges".

Get a life

"Opponents of an amendment that would define marriage in the Florida Constitution said they sent a complaint to the state Tuesday saying supporters have hidden campaign donations and are improperly running television ads ahead of the Nov. 4 election. The opponents, Florida Red & Blue, are asking the Florida Elections Commission to investigate the actions of Amendment 2 sponsor Florida4Marriage.org, its chairman, and a group that donated large amounts to the campaign." "Fla. Amendment 2 opponents ask for investigation". See also "Gay marriage ban tactic questioned" and "Marriage amendment backers accused of election fraud".

Miscellaneous

"Feeney, Kosmas talk bailout, veterans during testy debate", "Fringe candidate Steve Villard returns to politics, this time with GOP", "Election Preview: U.S. House, 6th District" "Cunha, Stearns face off in race for District 6 seat" and "".

KKK in the news

"School named after KKK leader could be renamed".

Good luck

"Environmentalists turned up the heat Tuesday on Florida regulators ahead of next week's crucial vote to adopt California-style auto emission standards." "Environmentalists, auto dealers clash over emission standards".

Too much "sunshine"?

"State agencies would have to justify gathering personal information on you, and let you see what the government has on you, under proposals made Tuesday by a special panel studying Florida's 'sunshine" laws.'" "Panel: Agencies should show need for private data".

Water

"Utility managers preparing legal fight against water limits".

'Ya reckon

The Tallahassee Democrat editorial board: "Here's one of those rare ideas that all campaigns should have no problem unconditionally agreeing on: the need to recycle signs and campaign litter after Nov. 4." "Campaigns should try recycling signs".

Finally

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board: "Yes, Abramson is the winner".

"Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton wave to a crowd estimated at 60,000 as they leave Orlando on Monday"

Reputedly the largest campaign event in Florida history

In the meantime, "Republicans are scrambling to limit Americans' right to vote in Florida"

The Palm Beach Post editorial Board this morning: "Under the rubric of voter fraud, which they cannot demonstrate, and in the face of a massive and successful Democratic voter registration campaign,"

Republicans are scrambling to limit Americans' right to vote in Florida and other key Electoral College states. These anti-democratic efforts put more pressure on voters to make sure that they are registered properly and know where to vote.

The ruling won't stop the hyperbole from the Republican National Committee [and their RPOFer adjuncts], which is making the liberal group ACORN its latest nonissue against Barack Obama. Without adequate federal monitoring, The New York Times showed, states are purging voters from registration lists over minor discrepancies. The errors are due to a system burdened by overly narrow readings of requirements ostensibly designed to keep people from voting under another name.

overwhelmed election officials also are struggling to clear up no-match, no-vote discrepancies. It can take days or even weeks to rectify a single error in the law that Secretary of State Kurt Browning decided in September to enforce. Gov. Crist and Mr. Browning, however, have not overreacted. They ignored Republican talking points, refusing to accuse ACORN of voter fraud.

And so it begins

"As Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton barnstormed Florida on Monday to remind people that voting is under way and continues for two weeks, it was clear voters are already turning out in record numbers." "Obama blankets Florida".

See also "Early voting opens in Broward County sees three-hour waits", "Early voters crowd polls as registration swells", "Early voting off to a booming beginning", "Palm Beach County sees only a few voting glitches", "Early voting in Broward, Palm Counties" and "Early voting in Florida".

Background: "Past voting gaffes put Palm Beach County in spotlight" and "If Election Day is boring, that's good".

Yee Haw!

Over the week end, "the state's top Republican leaders sketched out a strategy here this weekend that they say could allow John McCain to carve out a narrow victory in the Sunshine State: full-throated attacks on Barack Obama and a strong voter-turnout effort." "Florida GOP hopes to swing state to McCain in final days".

The most recent polls should give them some comfort: "Republican presidential nominee John McCain may be behind in the money race and have a smaller organization in Florida, but the latest polls put him slightly ahead in the must-win state. A Fox News/Rasmussen Reports survey, released on the first day of early voting, puts McCain up 49 percent to 48 percent over Democratic rival Barack Obama." "McCain ahead of Obama in Florida in latest poll" (a survey of "1,000 likely voters on Oct. 19 and the margin of error is 3 percentage points.")

An irrelevant man

Rumor has it that this idiot has a paying job somewhere: "Crist spent the first day of early voting Monday flying around the state and telling small crowds to vote for Republican candidates like Nancy Detert, Carl Domino, Laura Benson and Thad Altman. Oh yeah, and John McCain, too." "Fla. Gov. Crist promotes early voting, GOP picks".

Game over ... man

"Barack Obama has political stars fanning across Florida on his behalf this week, but none with the glow of those hugging him Monday in Tampa: members of the World Series-bound Tampa Bay Rays."

"What an exciting day for Tampa Bay," outfielder Fernando Perez told thousands of Obama supporters at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the morning after winning the pennant.

"We can change the nation, but people like you need to help us do it. Barack Obama will take this country in a new direction, but we're going to have to make sure that every voice is heard," said Perez, joined on stage by teammates Carl Crawford, Cliff Floyd, Jonny Gomes, Edwin Jackson and David Price, who introduced the Democratic nominee.

but it's unlikely management will be bent out of shape.

Principal owner Stu Sternberg wrote a $2,000 check to Obama in April, and Rays president Matthew Silverman donated $1,000 to Democratic Rep. Kathy Castor, co-chair of the Obama campaign in Florida.

McCain couldn't cover the spread

The Zell corporation insists on tagging the attendance at the Obama rally in Orlando as a mere 40,000. "40,000 cheer Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton in Orlando". It was actually 50, or 60,000.

Why should one care about a difference of 10 or 20,000? Well, jus' 'cause it is kinda funny to realize that, if McBush held a rally (as opposed to a silly "town meeting" staffed with Bushbots) attendance probably wouldn't cover the spread.

Gun safety

"Moose minding its own business Hunter killed when gun goes off".

Arrest somebody

The RPOFers - who are big into absentee balloting - are apparently worried about early voters, even their own: "RPOF mailers have wrong early voting addresses" ("The Republican Party of Florida sent out mailers to voters, including some Democrats ... but included the wrong locales of early voting sites in several counties").

More to come

"In a state ravaged by plunging home values and foreclosures, where early voting started Monday, Barack Obama hit both subjects hard at a rally in Tampa. There was good reason for Obama to talk about both as he began blanketing Florida with three days of campaign appearances." "Obama Begins 3-Day Florida Push".

See also "Hillary to 2,000 in West Palm Beach: 'Close the deal' for Obama", "Both parties' campaigns plan a heavy presence in Florida this week" and "Hillary Clinton was in Broward and Barack Obama is expected in Miami Tuesday as the Democrats draw big crowds".

More: "Presidential campaigns hone in on battleground state Florida".

The numbers are in!

"The final numbers are in: 11.2 million Floridians registered to vote in time for the historical presidential election on Nov. 4 -- up almost a million from four years ago. Thanks to a robust voter-registration effort, Democrats racked up a 650,000-voter advantage statewide, with 4.72 million registered voters compared to 4.06 million Republicans. In 2004, when President Bush carried Florida handily, the Democrats had an edge of 369,000 voters." "11.2 million register to vote in Florida". See also "Democrats outregister Republicans in Florida".

Plus there's the part where he's real smart and stuff

"In Palm Beach County today, Barack Obama will assemble a group of financial experts and swing state governors to focus on the economic issues that Democrats hope will deliver him the White House in two weeks." "Obama, ex-Fed chief to discuss economy at PBCC forum today". See also "Obama to hold jobs summit in Fla. with governors".

More: "Obama to speak Tuesday at PBCC in Lake Worth", "Obama Discusses Mortgages As Florida Trip Begins" and "Obama To Hold Jobs Summit In Florida With Governors".

Eyes will roll

"Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin says she supports a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, a break with John McCain who has said he believes states should be left to define what marriage is." "Palin breaks with McCain on gay marriage amendment".

Not a typo

"Mahoney fallout affecting Mahoney".

"A challenge"

Michael Mayo: "Voting in Florida can be a challenge. It's not just figuring out who to vote for or how to vote on amendments, but how to vote, period." "Many choices during Election Fortnight". See also "Tips for casting your ballot efficiently".

"Free trade"?

"Environmentalists are warning that China's new hunger for Florida freshwater turtles could doom the species and that new harvest limits that take effect on Thursday don't go nearly far enough." "Environmentalists call for heightened regulation of Florida turtle harvesting".

To retain, or not to retain

"For 30 years, Floridians have had the chance to give a thumbs down to sitting appeals and supreme court judges. This year's general election ballot includes a retention vote on one Florida Supreme Court justice and 23 appeals judges from around the state." "Florida judges up for retention".

Signature dispute

"Supporters of a constitutional amendment that would let communities vote on big growth issues claimed on Monday to have enough petition signatures for a spot on Florida's 2010 ballot." "Signature dispute arises over proposed amendment".

The River

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Once a dream, dredging of the Miami River finished at last." "On time, on budget".

One vote he can't count on

"Mahoney wife files divorce petition".

You kinda get what you vote for

"Already, class sizes are growing and plans are under way to put the constitutional class-size mandates on hold. School districts are cutting back on reading and math coaches, those specialists who teach the teachers how to teach. Summer reading camps and tutoring sessions are being cut or are on the chopping block. So are field trips. That's not a big deal for my kids because we take them to science centers, museums, zoos, art camps and so on. But it is a big deal for kids in impoverished neighborhoods who see little more than their own block."

All true, courtesy of the Maitland housewife's beloved RPOF; but he can't resist foisting this fiction upon us: The "crusade [of 'conservative school reformers'] is paying off, with state and national test scores rising." "School-funding cuts jeopardize student gains".

A reality check: ""State Board In Tampa To Discuss Poor Performing Schools".

Homeowners associations

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial board: "It shouldn't matter whether you own a condo or a house. You should be able to rest assured that the association representing you and your neighbors is being run efficiently and ethically. That's why it makes no sense that members of condominium associations in Florida operate under a set of regulations, and those belonging to homeowners associations don't." "Homeowners associations should be regulated".