Group Calls for Repeat of Florida Democratic Primary

Family Network on Disabilities of Florida issues call for an Accessible voting system to be utilized in Florida.

Photo courtesy: bradblog.com

(CLEARWATER, Fla.) - In a letter sent to United States Senator Bill Nelson, Governor Charlie Crist, Governor Howard Dean, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, and Congresswoman Karen Thurman, Chair of the Florida Democratic Party, the Family Network on Disabilities of Florida, Inc. (FND) has called for the use of a voting system that is accessible for persons with disabilities to be utilized in any possible repeat of Florida's Democratic Presidential Primary election.

The letter was copied to Senators Clinton and Obama and Florida Secretary of State Kurt Browning.

This letter follows up on reports in the media that a possible means of resolving the controversy regarding the Democratic primary in Florida is a contemplated repeat of the election to be held by mail.

Richard La Belle, the Executive Director of FND, concerned about all voters with disabilities in Florida, strongly urged the responsible officials to insure that, in any contemplated solution to this issue, the rights of all Floridians, including those with disabilities, to cast a secret and independent ballot be respected and enforced.

La Belle stated: "Simply put, voting by mail does not allow many persons with disabilities to cast a secret and independent ballot, as required by Federal and state law. I urge you to not sacrifice the rights of persons with disabilities in your efforts to reach a solution to what is a very serious and difficult situation. All voters, including those with disabilities, must have confidence in our voting systems and in our election procedures. Florida has been a national leader in making sure that voters with disabilities can vote on accessible voting systems and that polling places are accessible to them. Adopting voting by mail in this situation will be, respectfully, taking a huge step backwards. On behalf of the one in five Floridians who have a disability, I urge you not to take this step, as attractive as it may be."

Source: FND