Florida Mail-In Do Over For Democratic Party Primary Scratched

March 19, 2008

(Long Island, N.Y.) Clearly frustrated by the lack of support shown by Florida’s Democratic Party congressional members, State Democrats decided to shut down its bid to do a mail-in voting for Florida’s Democratic Party primary which would have represented 210 national delegates.

Democratic Party chairwoman Karen L. Thurman provided a written statement to the Associated Press voicing out her party’s frustration on their failed attempt. “A party-run primary or caucus has been ruled out, and it’s simply not possible for the state to hold another election, even if the party were to pay for it,” Thurman said. “… This doesn’t mean that Democrats are giving up on Florida voters. It means that a solution will have to come from the DNC Rules & Bylaws Committee.”

Both Florida and Michigan were disqualified by the Democratic Party national committee for holding their respective primaries too early which violated Party bylaws thereby forfeiting any representation the state held to the Party’s national convention this summer. Democrats at Michigan were successful in its attempt to have a do-over election after Legislative leaders evaluated a new measure last Monday which could allow a privately funded, state-administered do-over primary on June 3.

Phil Singer a spokesman for Hilary Clinton’s camp expressed dismay on Florida’s decision. “Today’s announcement brings us no closer to counting the votes of the nearly 1.7 million people who voted in January. We hope the Obama campaign shares our belief that Florida’s voters must be counted and cannot be disenfranchised.”

Meanwhile , IL. Sen. Barrack Obama’s camp was optimistic that Florida Democrats and national Party leaders could reach an agreement on the current situation in the sunshine state. “We hope that all parties can agree on a fair seating of the Florida delegates so that Florida can participate in the Democratic Convention, and we look forward to working with the Florida Democratic Party and competing vigorously in the state so that Barack Obama can put Florida back into the Democratic column in November,” said Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor.

Posted by News LI Editor · Edited by Brianna - Filed Under Politics