Wexler Rejects Calls for Florida Mail In Proposal

Joins Entire Florida Democratic House Delegation Opposing Re-Vote

(Washington, DC) The Members of Florida’s Democratic Delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives met on Tuesday night and unanimously agreed to a statement in opposition to a new mail-in election or re-do election of any kind in Florida.  The Democratic Members from Florida include both those who have endorsed Senator Obama, Senator Clinton, as well as Members who remain uncommitted.

Wexler strongly opposes the mail-in election proposal that has been suggested to ensure that Florida’s delegates are seated at the Democratic convention.  “I am fully committed to ensuring that Florida’s delegates are fully represented in Denver.  However, the mail-in proposal is misguided at best, and would likely result in an unmitigated disaster in Florida,” Wexler said.

“A mail-in election has never tested or attempted in Florida.  It took Oregon over ten years to perfect their system.  A mail-in election would raise significant issues of fraud – especially in this short window – and such an election could disenfranchise many Floridians by disproportionately limiting voting access to seniors, minority voters, young voters, lower income voters, new voters, and new residents.  Also, a mail-in election pulled together at the last minute would surely lead to numerous lawsuits and controversy following the result.  Another election controversy in Florida is the last thing anybody wants.

“Finally, fifteen of Florida’s largest counties are actively transitioning away from touch screens into an optical scan system with a voter verified paper trail.  Any re-do election will jeopardize efforts to have this transition finished by the November Presidential election,” Wexler said on Wednesday.
 
The Statement by the entire Democratic House Delegation is printed in full below.  Reps. Boyd, Brown, Castor, Mahoney, Meek, Wexler, Wasserman Schultz, Klein, and Hastings released the following joint statement.

“We are committed to working with the DNC, the Florida State Democratic party, our Democratic leaders in Florida, and our two candidates to reach an expedited solution that ensures our 210 delegates are seated.

“Our House delegation is opposed to a mail-in campaign or any redo of any kind.”

 Congressman Wexler is Chairman of the Europe Subcommittee and a senior member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Judiciary Committee; and he also sits on the Financial Services Committee.

###

back to Front Page Entries