National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Demands Investigation [FL and Reno]

www.commondreams.org ^ | Sept. 10, 2002 | National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

[summer]

Home > Progressive Community > NewsWire > For Immediate Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 10, 2002

CONTACT: National Gay & Lesbian Task Force
Miami Action and Media Center: Jubi Headley of the NGLTF,
202-320-1869

Ballot Debacle Again in Florida Election: National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Demands Investigation Into Apparent Voter Fraud

MIAMI - September 10 - In today's Miami-Dade election that featured a historic gay rights ballot measure, registered voters have once again been denied the right to cast votes. Rampant breakdowns in new touch screen voting machines, failure to open polling places in a timely manner, untrained personnel, and refusal by election officials to provide paper "provisional" ballots when voting machines have malfunctioned have left voters and observers alike stunned and angered.

Worst of all, numerous complaints have been registered by voters who went to the polls to vote NO on the anti-gay ballot measure, but were prevented from doing so. In some precincts, there was no ability to vote on any initiatives. In others, voters have complained that when they voted NO on the anti-gay ballot measure, YES votes appear to have registered instead. Many polling places were not operative until after 1 p.m., more than 5 hours later than the scheduled 7 a.m.

"In 2000, African Americans in southern Florida were denied the right to vote and to have their votes counted. In 2002, the gay and Jewish communities are facing the same inexcusable fate," said Lorri L. Jean, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

While irregularities have been reported in precincts countywide, Miami's Jewish and gay communities have been disproportionately hit by voter machine malfunction and other irregularities. These communities represent some of the strongest opposition to a measure on the ballot that, if passed, would remove discrimination protections based on sexual orientation from the County's human rights ordinance.

"How many times must historically oppressed communities be denied the right to participate in elections under the watch of Jeb and George W. Bush?" demanded Jean. "Hundreds and potentially thousands of people in Miami-Dade have been unable to vote today because of malfunctioning machines and then have been provided no alternative means of voting. This is not a partisan failure, this is a leadership failure."

"After the last Florida voting fiasco, Jeb and George Bush promised the American public that they would make every vote count," Jean continued. "They have had two years to create a system that guaranteed full participation in the democratic process to all people and, as we now know, they have failed to deliver on their promise."

Therefore, NGLTF is demanding that the Governor employ all available communication devices and personnel at the state's disposal to let voters know that voting hours have now been extended until 9 p.m. and to encourage them to return to the polls.

"Further, we are demanding full and immediate investigations by the Governor's office and the U.S. Department of Justice into the failures of the Florida election system so that the gay community and indeed all Floridians will never again be denied that opportunity to vote and have those votes counted," Jean concluded.

[summer]

complaints have been registered by voters who went to the polls to vote NO on the anti-gay ballot measure, but were prevented from doing so. In some precincts, there was no ability to vote on any initiatives. In others, voters have complained that when they voted NO on the anti-gay ballot measure, YES votes appear to have registered instead.

I think this is another reason why Reno will fight in court and demand a recount - her gay supporters demand it because of that ballot initiative. Meanwhile, Bill McSlide has consistently refused to back gays on this issue. FL's Dem gay voters know he will not represent them. Reno is the only hope for these voters, so she will keep the Dem Party divided. There will be no political price for Gov. Bush, but the Dems will be in disarray in FL, as usual.

[rdb3]

Well, this should forever put the "Bush stole Florida" nonsense to bed.

[summer]

This is what I think is going on. Reno will fight to the end because of this amendment for her base. McSlide will not touch this issue.

[summer]

What is the latest news on that anti-gay amendment? How did the vote go in Miami?

[A CA Guy]

Should be a great lawsuit against the companies who provided the machines I think.
That would be where the guilt belongs.

[Shermy]

In some precincts, there was no ability to vote on any initiatives. In others, voters have complained that when they voted NO on the anti-gay ballot measure, YES votes appear to have registered instead.

Hmmm, it seems the "dark forces" behind the electronic voting screwed up in their voter fraud - the machines should appear to work correctly, and not tip off the voter his vote is counted otherwise. I'm sure some 18 year old techie can fix that.

Without paper ballots, no recounts. Very, very convenient.

[RightOnline]

Amazing. Yet more voting machines that can automatically detect gays, Jews, or blacks. Incredible. They oughta patent that.

[summer]

You know, the machines worked great when I voted - there is even a "review" feature so you can change your vote before casting it. I can't understand why these new multi-million touch screen machines worked fine in 65 counties, but bombed in Broward and Dade counties.

[Hacksaw]

Those new voting machines must make it hard to vote 10 times.

[Jorge]

This is great. Another post election circus in the sunshine state.
Floridians wouldn't be happy if they weren't embarrassing themselves.

[txzman]

LOL...er, the one common denominator is that the same people who are voting are also the same people running the precincts. These are the same folks who can't punch a ballot square. I love it!!

[twyn1]

"In 2000, African Americans in southern Florida were denied the right to vote and to have their votes counted.

And another disproven myth becomes the truth in the minds of the "oppressed"...

[TexasCajun]

Which state should be most embarrassed?

Florida or South Dakota?? Hard choice....

[sunshine state]

Did none of these people participate in the process of learning how to use the new voting machines? In my Florida county we had publicity about the new voting machines almost a year ago. Then the election officials took them to public places such as libraries, where people could check them out and ask questions. Plus, we had a one issue vote in March on a school levy (which passed unfortunately!), so people had the opportunity to try out the machines in a trial run so to speak.

So what happened? Did other counties not do the publicity and the education? Or were the voters not interested until Election Day?

[Dimensio]

Well it's technically accurate. There were surely some black voters who weren't allowed to vote. They might have been underage or they might have been convicted felons (yes, I know that some felons manage to slip by, but not all of them) or they might not have been properly registered. Just like there might have been white voters with the same situation.

[PhiKapMom]

Thanks for the info! Sure sounds like a plan to me from the Reno camp!

[twyn1]

true, true....we really gotta' let those felons vote...eh ? I do remember reading that many of the "complaints" came from college-age kids who had never bothered to register...like d'uh !!!

[Marauder]

Well, this should forever put the "Bush stole Florida" nonsense to bed.

Logically, yes; but since when have liberals ever been consistent?

[A CA Guy]

Just the two counties? Maybe the inhabitants are lacking common sense and are sometimes too old or dumb to attempt a vote.

[A CA Guy]

What happended was some people were to lazy to go or WANTED the issue!