Florida’s early voting marred by computer problems

EARLY voting for the US presidential election began in Florida yesterday as activists urged people to opt for early ballots to avoid a repeat of the 2000 election fiasco, but computer problems and queues soon emerged.

With memories still fresh of 2000, when the race in the key battleground state was so close it triggered weeks of recounts and lawsuits, black and elderly voters in particular lined up to cast ballots two weeks before the November 2 election.

"It was embarrassing last time. Florida looked like a Third World country," said Marie Bond, adding she was voting early "because I want my vote to count."