Government and politics

Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Pam Carpenter said she was excited to see this election's early voting dramatically increase from 2012.

Voter registration for the presidential primaries closed a month ago. More than 8 million Floridians are registered as Republicans or Democrats, while nearly 3 million voters in the state are registered with no party affiliation, according to data from the state Division of Elections.

Gainesville city commissioners are discussing a plan that would ban anyone who is cited for breaking the law in a city park from returning to the park for 90 days. The Parks and Recreation Committee will present the plan to the full city commission in April.

A bill prohibiting the state board from trading with companies who boycott Israel was signed into law Thursday. Governor Rick Scott said he was passionate about supporting it, but others weren't happy about it.

Gainesville registered voters will cast their ballots for mayor and District 4 city commissioner tomorrow during the regular city elections, held in conjunction with the presidential preference primary. Polls will open at 7 a.m.

Palin had been scheduled to appear on the Republican candidate's behalf at The Villages in Florida at noon.

About 700 people — including veterans, middle-aged parents and retirees — filled the Rohan Recreation Center to capacity by about 3 p.m.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for president against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, spoke to a crowd of a few thousand Thursday at the University of Florida’s University Village South Field.