The majority of voters will have access to the maximum

Early voting in Florida begins Saturday, nearly a week later than in past years — and with wide variations in hours from county to county.

The majority of voters will have access to the maximum possible hours of 96, spread over eight straight 12-hour days. That's because supervisors of elections in all large counties chose that schedule, seeking to maximize turnout and reduce chances of long lines on Election Day and confusion from the change in early voting days.

The Legislaturelast year reduced the number of days from 14 to eight, ending on a Saturday three days before the Nov. 6 election. The state had required 96 hours of early voting but the law was changed to allow at least 48 hours and a maximum of 96, while eliminating early voting on the last Sunday before Election Day.