Posted on 09/13/2002 12:21:25 PM PDT by Rome2000
XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX FRI SEPT 13 2002 14:09:37 ET XXXXX
GOP: MIAMI-DADE IN COUNTYWIDE RECOUNT - BROWARD SHOULD BE NEXT
TALLAHASSEE - Miami-Dade elections officials began a countywide recount at 1:00 p.m. today, due to yesterday's review of just four precincts, which revealed over 1,800 votes that had not been counted.
Given the massive and well-documented problems in Broward County, which utilized the same new electronic voting machines as in Miami-Dade, the Broward County Supervisor of Elections should IMMEDIATELY begin a recount of all their precincts, machines and tabulators, to make certain every legal vote is counted. Based on a troubling recent report that three voting machines were found THIS MORNING still at a polling place in Fort Lauderdale, the only prudent action is a full recount in Broward.
The Republican Party of Florida demands an immediate recount in Broward - forming an election oversight board is not enough - only by counting every legal vote in this election can amends begin to be made to the betrayed voters in Broward County.
END
Heh heh heh.
Miami-Dade County says only one person voted at the Sans Souci Manor precinct in the northeast part of the county on Tuesday.
Don't tell that to Jill Brothers, 63, and her neighbors. Brothers voted at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. The place was packed.
''I can't believe it, why would they say that?'' Brothers said. ``It was almost full when I was there.''
Glum-faced county election workers admitted late Thursday that they had found vote-count anomalies in four polling places: Precinct 14 at North Shore Community Center, Precinct 105 at Highland Oaks Middle School, Precinct 148 at Sans Souci Manor Apartments and Precinct 254 at Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church.
Janet Reno's campaign alleges the problems affected as many as 80 precincts, and Miami-Dade election officials are investigating.
Brothers cast her ballot at 1900 Sans Souci Blvd., north of Miami Shores. According to election results put out by Miami Dade, her precinct -- with 873 registered voters -- cast only one ballot on Tuesday. It went for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill McBride, county election returns show.
But Shari Hadani says she voted there for Janet Reno.
''There were other people there when I voted,'' Hadani said. ``In fact, there were people on both sides of me. If my vote doesn't count, it wouldn't be the first thing the state stole from me.''
In Precinct 105, the county election returns indicate no one voted.
''You are kidding. It was a mob. Every one of the machines was busy when I got there,'' said Leila Gregg, an 80-year-old Reno fan who voted at the precinct, 2375 NE 203rd St.
NOT SURPRISED
Caren Lesser was angered when she learned her vote there didn't count.
''But not surprised, given the condition of the voting process in Florida. It's just living up to its reputation,'' she said.
Silvia Fernandez called it ''a lie'' when told that only four votes were counted in her North Shore neighborhood in Precinct 14.
''They are crazy. That's a lie. When I voted, there were like 10 to 15 people there,'' said Fernandez, 65, a registered Republican. ``I can't believe they say only four people voted.''
Fernandez, among the 721 registered voters at North Shore Community Center, voted midafternoon.
Her friend Felicia Garcia, 73, also couldn't believe only four votes were counted at the center, 7250 Collins Ave. in Miami Beach.
''I know five people who voted yesterday,'' she said. ``They all live around here. What are they talking about?''
Paul Hermoza, 27, voted at Precinct 14, but only after two failed attempts. The third time, at 5 p.m., he was able to vote for Reno.
''But I saw about 40 people in line,'' Hermoza said. ``The second time I saw about 10 people. It's not true that only four people voted there.''
ALL OVER AGAIN
Across town at Liberty City's Precinct 254, where the county reported only about a 5 percent turnout, people just called it ``déj vu.''
''It's just a slap in the face,'' said Beverly Turner, 41. ``You go to vote because you are encouraged, and then your vote doesn't count for anything.''
Michele Marshall, 34, was outraged to learn that her and her daughter Cepeatria's votes for Reno may not have counted.
''It's ridiculous,'' she said. ``I live right down the street and I know there were more than 87 people who voted.''
Democratic candidate Jacqui Colyer in House District 104 -- who lost to Yolly Roberson -- said she wants a recount.
''Something is foul. Something is wrong,'' Colyer said.
``I want them to do something about it. I want them to recount all of the Northwest ballots.''
It's awfully quiet.
It wasn't GW, GOP or Florida repubs; it was stupid Dems.
Crooked socialist democrats will disenfranchise their own if it thats what it takes to defeat Jeb.
Just like in Nov. 2000.
We must count EVERY vote, even the dimpled touchscreens. :o)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.