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Gov. Bush signs bills changing election laws

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published June 20, 2005

TALLAHASSEE - Gov. Jeb Bush signed elections bills Monday that would triple the spending cap for gubernatorial candidates to $20 million and limit early voting to eight hours on weekdays and weekends over a 15-day period before Election Day.

However, Bush had not made up his mind on another bill that would eliminate the runoff primary election, which historically has catapulted some of the state's most renowned politicians into office. He has until June 29 to decide on the runoff bill.

Much of the language in the new elections laws is aimed at meeting a January deadline to comply with Help America Vote Act requirement for a centralized voter registration system in all 50 states.

The new legislation expands the present 50-foot "no solicitation" zone to 100 feet to keep partisans carrying campaign signs and other Election Day advocates from interfering with voters at polling sites.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida hoped Bush would veto two of the bills that it felt would restrict the ability of third parties to register voters. The ACLU also questioned a provision under which the state Division of Elections would create an initial list of felons it determined should not be allowed to vote.

[Last modified June 20, 2005, 13:48:07]