ORANGE PARK, Fla.-- Only one more day to cast your ballot early in Florida, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference isn't happy about it. In fact, the group is calling on Governor Rick Scott to step up and get involved.
"It has nothing to do with Republicans or Democrats. It's about getting everybody an opportunity to go to the polls and vote," Pastor R.L. Gundy said.
Gundy and several other leaders in the community had a news conference this morning in front of the Duval County Supervisor of Elections Office.
They're worry is that with only eight total days of early voting in Florida, there will be a backlog come Tuesday, and some voters may be left in the cold.
In 2011, Republican lawmakers decided to cut early voting days from 14 to eight days and they decided to end early voting the Saturday before the election.
"I would hope he would listen to the people of the state and people of the community and extend this early voting," Gundy continued.
We took those concerns to the governor himself this afternoon.
"Has it been a consideration? What do you think about that?" we asked.
"Right now that's something that the Secretary of State's office looks at. I'm focused on making sure we have fair, honest elections," Scott replied.
The governor was asked again, and this time responded by saying that everyone in line on Election Day will have a chance to vote as long as they're there before the polls close.
On Thursday, the President of the League of Women Voters of Florida, sent a letter to Scott claiming six-hour wait times should be a good enough reason to extend voting through Sunday in counties with "high-voter traffic."
Pastor Gundy and Congresswoman Corrine Brown say they aren't giving up.
"He has an opportunity to step up and say this is just the right thing to do," Gundy said.
"I approve this message and people died, so I have the right to say it," Brown said.
Early voting in Florida ends Saturday, November 3. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you're in Duval County and need a ride to the polls, call (904) 765-0100.
