Voting early

Officials expect ‘record turnouts’

Changes in state law make it easier, elections officials say.

More early-voting options could help Broward and Palm Beach counties avoid the balloting delays of the last presidential election, elections officials say.

Early voting bogged down in 2012, leaving some voters in Broward and Palm Beach counties wait- ing for hours to cast ballots prior to Election Day.

This year, expanded inperson early voting combined with an emphasis on using vote-by-mail ballots are billed as ways to accommodate the crowds that presidential contenders Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton could lure to the polls.

Early in-person voting starts Monday and lasts until Nov. 6. That’s nearly twice as many days as in 2012.

And vote-by-mail ballots ballots have already arrived at many voters’ homes.

“It’s certainly going to give more voters an opportunity to be part of the process,” Broward County Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes said about early voting options. “I think we could have a record-breaking turnout.”

In 2012, state-imposed limits on the number of days and hours allowed for early voting, and the approved facilities, made it harder to accommodate the crowds, Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher said.

Changes in state law in response to the 2012 delays has increased the allowable days and times for early voting.

In addition, the state’s changing limits on the types of locations that can be used for early voting is allowing for larger venues. Being able to use fair-