I've made no secret of my distaste for the FEA, but I won't rehash those complaints here. From a limited perspective of reforming elections of the House of Representatives, there are two principle reasons for moving the deadline for declarations of candidacy from 24 hours before the election to 72.
First, an earlier deadline makes it possible for citizens who are unable to vote on election weekend to be represented by casting an absentee ballot. This is currently next to impossible, because the SoFE cannot legally distribute ballots until after the deadline has passed, meaning that citizens looking to vote absentee would have to request, receive, and cast their ballot on the Thursday before the election. By moving the deadline to an earlier date, we better accommodate for the needs of all citizens and allow for maximum representation in the democratic process.
Second, an earlier deadline will require a minimum degree of forethought and decisiveness of candidates for the House. When a candidate can enter the race literally the day before the election and be listed on the ballot, it encourages candidates to treat congressional elections with a flippancy that is unbecoming to this changer and unconducive to the health of our democracy. By establishing a deadline of 72 hours before the election for declarations of candidacy, we ensure that the names appearing on the ballot were put there as the result of an (at least somewhat) thoughtful decision by a candidate with a real investment in the game, instead of someone jumping into the race at the last minute and winning election based on fame or friendships alone.
I certainly concur on the need for House candidates to start earlier and get their view out in the open through a campaign. So I think I will indeed support this both on its own merits for the absentee process, but also for this alternative reason that you state.
