Governor signs controversial elections bill

There are now some major changes to Florida’s election law in effect. Governor Rick Scott signed the bill, passed during this year’s legislative session, into law today (Thursday). The law cuts the number of early voting days in half, but keeps the same number of early-voting hours. Voters must vote by provisional ballot if they make name or address changes on Election Day. There are also more restrictions on third-party voter registration done by organizations like the League of Women Voters. Five Florida counties are exempt from the changes, pending approval from the federal government. Election bill opponents say they’ll take the state to court. Florida Secretary of State Kurt Browning told reporters later that he thought the changes were needed.