I understand that they are trying to avoid the problems from last time, Connie, according to the reports I've seen. I don't think it has anything to do with either candidate, but it appears that the candidate that is campaigning in Florida is certainly encouraging people to go ahead and vote NOW (and he's not Republican), so surely it isn't a Republican ploy. And it isn't just Florida. There are at least 3 other states, including Texas and Arkansas (can't remember the other one right this second) that are allowing the same thing.

Just read this in an article posted at MSNBC:

More than two dozen states offer “no excuse” early voting by either mail or in person, meaning voters do not have to give a reason. Some states, such as Nevada, Iowa and West Virginia, have already begun. Texas, Arkansas and Colorado also started Monday.