Florida Division of Elections still can't get it right.

[Dr.Phool]

These people take incompetence and stupidity to an art form.

First, this, or something similar, will go out as a press release.

www.johnrussellforcongress.com


Attention: All Voters in Florida’s Congressional District 5 race. The State of Florida’s Election Procedures found to be Lacking once again!

This is an urgent notification to inform the voting public of those who will vote in the eight counties that comprise Florida’s Congressional District 5. To the voters of counties: Levy, Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Sumter and as well as portions of Marion, Lake and Polk counties.


In the seemingly never ending saga of the State of Florida’s Elections Division, yesterday, it was discovered that Candidate John Russell’s name was incorrectly placed on the Democratic Primary Ballot as John T. Russell. This name change to John Russell was executed without the candidate’s knowledge, and demonstrates, once again the flawed manner in which the Division of Elections conducts its operations and procedures.

Every election cycle the Florida Division of Elections requires each candidate running for office sign and submit “The Candidate’s Oath Document.” This document clearly states that the name provided by the candidate on this specific document will be the name on the ballot. In the past, candidates that have omitted to submit this form have been disqualified from appearing on Florida’s election ballot, so as you can see, this document is considered extremely important to the Division of Elections office. The State of Florida, Division of Elections Department has, as of Aug. 1, 2006, admitted that they have placed John Russell’s name on the ballot as John T. Russell, that this did not match “The Candidate’s Oath Document” submitted by John Russell, and that they take full responsibility for this error.

However, this morning, Aug. 2, the legal counsel for the State of Florida contacted the candidate and told him that because they believed any effect on his candidacy, due to their error, was negligible. As the Democratic Primary paper and absentee ballots have been printed the legal counsel for the DOE represented that their was no opportunity to make any correction. When asked, by the candidate , if the Division of Elections could issue a public service announcement, to help clarify any confusion they may be experienced by the voters of Florida’s Congressional District 5, their response was negative.

Clearly, this positioning by the State’s legal counsel does not take into consideration, first and foremost the voting public. It is the responsibility of the Florida State Department, Division of Elections to operate utilizing policies and procedures that ensure all voters in Florida are provided accurate election information. One would hope the accurate spelling of John Russell’s name according to the Florida’s required “Candidate’s Oath Document” which requires the exact spelling of the candidate’s name and EXACTLY how it will appear on the ballot would fall into this category! Further the Division of elections is charged with the responsibility “To protect the integrity of the election process, and promote public awareness…” Unwillingness to issue a public service announcement and make the effort to inform the public of the Florida Secretary of State’s Election Division’s error to clarify that John Russell and John T. Russell are one in the same, represents a failure to provide these fundamental tenants to the public, and reflects badly on the Secretary of State and the Division of Elections she oversees.

This situation begs many questions on behalf of the public.

How often has this happened in Florida?

How could the ballots be printed without anyone double checking the names of the candidates, cross referenced with the “Candidate Oath Document” form signed and submitted by each candidate with the correct spelling of their names, and EXACTLY how it shall appear on the ballot?

As a fail-safe, why hasn’t the Division of Elections, or the Secretary of State implemented procedures to provide notification to each candidate as to exactly how their name will appear on the ballot….how hard can this be, just pick up the phone… and call?

How can the Divisions of Elections Legal Counsel make the determination that the ballot name change would have a negligible effect on any race? What documentation and/or research does she have to make this statement?

Why would the Florida Division of Elections fail to make every possible effort to inform the voters of this error in the Congressional District 5 race for U.S. House of Representatives, and thereby clarify any confusion that may be experienced by the electorate, when casting their ballots in the Democratic Primary?

If you have any questions regarding the casting of your vote in the upcoming Democratic Primary, or in which district you reside, please contact the Supervisor of Elections for clarification.

Their contact numbers are as follows:
Levy County Supervisor of Elections: Connie Asbell [phone]
Citrus County Supervisor of Elections: Susan Gill [phone]
Hernando County Supervisor of Elections: Annie Williams [phone]
Pasco County Supervisor of Elections: Kurt Browning [phone]
Sumter County Supervisor of Elections: Karen Krauss [phone]
Polk County Supervisor of Elections: Lori Edwards [phone]
Marion County Supervisor of Elections: Dee Brown [phone]
Lake County Supervisor of Elections: Emogene Stegall [phone]


And in further news.....



The day after tomorrow (Fri., August 4th) is the last day to change party affiliation or register to vote in the Sept. 5th primary.

My wife was registered as No Party Affiliation, but decided to change over to Dem, so she could vote for Rod Smith in the Governor's primary. I mailed the change in last week, on Thursday, and she received her absentee ballot on Monday, for non-partisan races. I called them up and asked why they were sending out ballots before the deadline.

They said, "Oh, we're just so busy, we have to get them out right away". They did finally assure me, that yes, she is a Democrat now, and said I should destroy her ballot, and they'll send a new one. But, I'm gonna keep it, because I just don't trust them.