You Will Not Vote
October 3rd, 2013 by flanewsFor the second time in two years, a review of voter registration is being touted as a way to keep eligible voters on the rolls – and weed out the people who are trying to vote illegally. Opponents say its just a way to suppress the minority vote.
For years – Florida voters have been plagued with problems at the polls. Now Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner is traveling across the state to meet with local Supervisors of Elections.
“We’re encouraged that he’s working directly with the Supervisors of Elections because that’s where the rubber this the road,” said Lisa Hall, League of Women Voters.
The League of Women Voters says the group has mixed reactions about the tour. “We’re skeptical because the state really doesn’t have a good track record of doing this appropriately,” said Hall.
Opponents held a phone conference Thursday morning to call the tour a “voter purge” and is a way to deny minorities the right to vote.
“This is an effort by Rick Scott to send his lieutenant out to convince his Supervisors of Elections they need to do a purge,” said Allison Tant, Florida Democratic Party Chair.
Detzner wasn’t available to talk on-camera – but in a press release he says: “…it is my duty to defend the right to vote in Florida. Project Integrity will provide needed information on the process used to safeguard our voter rolls.”
“This is a waste of time and money. This is tax dollars being spent that’s unnecessary,” said Tant.
The last time the state tried to track down non-eligible voters, it found 182-thousand potential non-citizens — the number was eventually reduced to fewer than 200.
“They need to leave it to the Supervisor of Elections to do their job. They’re doing an outstanding job in Florida,“ said Hall.
The tour started in Panama City before moving to Jacksonville, Orlando, Sarasota and Fort Lauderdale.
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