|
Florida Secretary of State Joins County In Suit Against Citizens |
|
|
|
|
By Kindra Muntz, Sarasota Alliance for Fair Elections
|
|
September 04, 2006 |
Lawsuit Questioning Petition Language Could Keep Referendum Off November Ballot
Over 14,500 people from all political parties in Sarasota County, Florida submitted petitions to require voter verified paper ballots and mandatory random independent audits of election results. The number was well over the 12,030 required to put the issue on the ballot in November to amend the County Charter.
On September 1st, Florida Secretary of State Sue Cobb joined a lawsuit by the Board of County Commissioners to question the petition language prior to putting the measure on the ballot. The added support from the state could bolster an effort to kill the referendum before voters have a chance to vote on whether they want verified and audited elections or not.
Citizens are now fighting for their right to petition their government and be heard. Thomas Shults, attorney for the nonpartisan citizens’ group Sarasota Alliance for Fair Elections (SAFE), filed a simultaneous suit to force the Commissioners to place the measure on the ballot as required by Sarasota County home rule charter government. Shults will represent SAFE in the trial of the two consolidated lawsuits in Circuit Court in Sarasota County Wednesday, September 6th.
The results of these lawsuits could affect decisions on voting equipment in Sarasota County and other counties in Florida, and will show whether the voices of the citizens are being heard.
Comment on This Article
You must login to leave comments...
Other Visitors Comments
There are no comments currently....
|
