Florida Democrats seek vote by mail
Concerns arise over fraud risk
TALLAHASSEE - Florida Democrats yesterday proposed a privately run vote-by-mail presidential primary to solve the high-stakes delegate dispute, but acknowledged that the plan's chances are slim.
Democrats in Florida and Michigan have been struggling to come up with an alternative to ensure their delegates are seated at the national convention this summer after the party punished them for holding early primaries in January. The pressure to resolve the issue has increased amid the protracted fight for every delegate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
Karen Thurman, chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party, offered a mail-in/in-person proposal for voting and urged state leaders, the national party, and the presidential candidates to sign on. Under the plan, estimated to cost $10 million to $12 million, all of Florida's 4.1 million Democrats would be mailed a ballot. They could send it back or cast a ballot in one of 50 regional voting centers. The election would end June 3, a week before a Democratic National Committee deadline to name delegates.
Asked whether the plan will be implemented, Thurman said, "I have a feeling that this is probably closer to not, than yes."
All nine Democratic House members from Florida oppose the idea, including Clinton backers, and Obama has also raised concerns. The Democratic National Committee won't support a plan unless both candidates back it.
Thurman will review comments from Democratic leaders and make a decision by Monday on whether to proceed with the revote. .
Clinton won Florida and Michigan; however, she was the only major candidate on the ballot in Michigan.
The Clinton campaign made it clear during a meeting with Michigan Democrats yesterday that it strongly prefers a state-run primary to mail-in voting, according to a campaign official speaking anonymously about the private talks. People involved in the private meeting said Clinton advisers favor the state-run primary because fraud would be less likely to occur.
