The Florida House kicked off the legislative session by passing an elections bill aimed at eliminating the long lines of voters that embarrassed the state last year.
The bill passed 118-1. It expands early voting from 8 to 14 days, expands voting locations, and limits the length of some ballot items.
House Speaker Will Weatherford acknowledged that lawmakers shared the blame for the election fiasco.
"I think the Legislature has some responsibility for some of the challenges we had in 2012. I readily admit that, and that's why we passed it on the first day", said Weatherford. "We were not going to let any grass grow under our feet. This is a bill and an issue that needed to be addressed early, and we've done so today."
The bill rolls back some provisions of a 2011 law that shortened early voting days and made other controversial changes to the state elections law.
Democrats also want other changes, such as early voting sites on college campuses, as the session unfolds.
