CRIST CARES.

Reacting to the news that Republican Governor Charlie Crist has extended early voting in Florida upon anticipation of extended turnout, David Kurtz asks:

That seems notably, even surprisingly, non-partisan and inclusive. Is there a catch?

On the contrary, Crist appears to be that rare politician in either party that seems to care more deeply about American citizens excercizing their right to vote than in giving his party a political advantage. Crist has done a great deal of work to lift procedural barriers to voting for the formerly incarcerated. Last year, Crist issued an executive order that voter registration applications be included along with rights restoration certificates sent to former convicts, in order to make it easier for them to vote. Crist did this despite a longstanding Republican hostility to ex-felons voting, believing the formerly incarcerated should be further punished beyond their prison terms by being denied one of their most fundamental rights as American citizens. There could be a catch, but it wouldn't be out of character for Crist if there wasn't.

--A. Serwer