[Nfbf-l] Fw: VOTER GROUPS CALL FOR ELECTION REFORM
Sherri
flmom2006 at gmail.com
Tue Nov 13 21:38:00 UTC 2012
I think this affects all of us. Florida was once again this year the last to
get all our votes counted.
----- Original Message -----
From: Samme.Ripley at ocfl.net
Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2012 4:01 PM
Subject: FW: VOTER GROUPS CALL FOR ELECTION REFORM
Sharing.....
From: League of Women Voters of Florida [mailto:lwvfcomm at gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2012 11:04 AM
To: Ripley, Samme
Subject: VOTER GROUPS CALL FOR ELECTION REFORM
Having trouble viewing this email? www.TheFloridaVoter.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 13, 2012
Contact:
Deirdre Macnab
407-415-4559
League of Women Voters of Florida
floridaleague at earthlink.net
Maribel Balbin
305-588-2594
Miami Dade League of Women Voters
info at lwvmiamidade.org
VOTER PROTECTION GROUPS CALL FOR
ELECTION REFORM TASK FORCE
Tallahassee, FL--In response to Florida's general
election disaster, a coalition of voter-protection organizations today
called urgently for creation of an election reform task force.
Gathering at press conferences held simultaneously
in Miami and Orlando were representatives of the League of Women Voters of
Florida, AARP, National Congress of Black Women, Labor Council for Latin
American Advancement, Florida Institute for Reform and Education, Florida
Coalition on Black Civic Participation, Lawyers Committee For Civic Rights
Under Law, SantLa Haitian Neighborhood Center, South Florida Jobs with
Justice, Florida Votes Count, Equality Florida and the Hispanic Coalition.
Outlining the many problems voters experienced
during early voting and on Election Day, League of Women Voters of Florida
President Deirdre Macnab said, "A week ago today, Florida voters saw the
culmination of a general election process that can be summarized in one
word: Unacceptable."
The group called today for immediate and joint
action by the Legislature and the governor: "We are formally calling on the
governor and the Legislature to follow the example of 2000 and appoint a
multi-partisan task force chaired by trusted leaders." The group recommended
appointing a cross-section of knowledgeable stakeholders with expertise in
elections, supported by adequate budget and staff, to develop a blueprint
for successful election reform.
Speaking with one voice, the group urged: "We must
finally put Florida's shameful election disasters behind us. We ask that
this task force begin its work quickly and deliver its final recommendations
to the 2013 Legislature at least two weeks before the 2013 session begins,
allowing time for bills to be filed."
The groups cited a litany of problems:
a.. Cuts in early voting days and lack of
standardization in early-voting hours across Florida's 67 counties
a.. Insufficient election budgets, facilities and
equipment throughout the state
a.. Expanded use of provisional ballots and
ill-conceived voter purges
a.. A record-length ballot overloaded with
complex, confusing amendments
a.. Lines requiring waits of up to 6 or 7 hours,
inconveniencing many and excluding many others, including the elderly,
disabled citizens, and voters who didn't have the time or stamina to wait in
hours-long lines
a.. The four-day delay in knowing the results.
Cathy Kerns, representing the AARP said, "Voting is
one of our most important rights. Florida's elected officials have a
responsibility to act to lighten the burdens and lower the barriers that
many voters encountered on Election Day 2012. Those barriers were especially
high for older voters. Lowering those barriers is important for all,
regardless of age or ability."
According to up-to-the minute research, the burden
on minority voters was disproportionate. University of Florida Professor
Michael C. Herron and Dartmouth College Professor Daniel A. Smith looked at
the racial/ethnic and partisan composition of early voters in Florida, along
with details about voters who were forced to wait in line on Saturday night
in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties, and who ended up casting their
ballots after midnight. They found that that minority voters, and in
particular black voters, suffered disproportionately from this year's unfair
practices and that minority voting was suppressed.
Victor Sanchez from the Labor Council for Latin
American Advancement, said, "Latino voters in the State of Florida deeply
cherish the right to vote. When faced with unparalleled voter suppression
efforts, we have chosen to respond by condemning efforts to place obstacles
and impede free and fair elections."
Voter activist LaVon W. Bracy added, "The entire
nation is again looking at the State of Florida. The voting process from
October 27 - November 6 was embarrassing and unacceptable. What Governor
Scott and the Florida Legislature did under the guise of protecting the vote
is immoral. The total disregard for democracy must be challenged and
changed."
Maribel Balbin, president of the Miami Dade League
of Women Voters, added, "It is clear that Florida's 2012 election process
was shameful and unacceptable. Miami Dade was one of the worst, with some of
the longest lines and most lengthy delays in counting ballots."
League President Macnab said, "The state simply
can't afford to be in the national spotlight once again--as a punch line for
late-night comedy--as this could have a profound and damaging impact on our
ability to compete for jobs and new businesses moving to Florida."
After the election fiasco in 2000, a bipartisan task
force similar to the group's proposal was assembled by then-Governor Jeb
Bush, with almost all of its recommendations implemented under Governors
Bush and Charlie Crist.
All this changed in 2011 after the Legislature
passed HB 1355, which reduced early voting hours and instituted the other
provisions that led to this year's problems.
Macnab stressed that immediate attention is
necessary: "We must move forward together to put Florida's election
disasters behind us."
###
The League of Women Voters of Florida, a nonpartisan
political organization, encourages informed and active participation in
government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues,
and influences public policy through education and advocacy. For more
information, please visit the League's website at: www.TheFloridaVoter.org.
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