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13.03.2008 - Democrats mull new Florida vote

Democratic leaders in Florida are expected to set out proposals for a new primary ballot in a bid to resolve a dispute over whether its vote counts.

The Czech Republic news are represented by www.paristravelguide.info

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delegates to the national convention, where the party's presidential nominee is chosen, after breaking party rules.

Hillary Clinton won unsanctioned votes in both states but rival Barack Obama was not even on the ballot in Michigan.

Florida Democrats will propose holding a postal ballot by 3 June, reports say.

The issue has taken on a new urgency because of the closeness of the Democratic race, in which every delegate won by a candidate may count at the party's August convention.

Both Florida and Michigan were penalised for holding their primaries before 5 February. They had hoped to gain more sway in the nominating process by holding their votes early.

The Democratic Party is keen to find a resolution to avoid damaging in-fighting, with an eye to the general election contest in November against presumptive Republican nominee John McCain.

'Practical and fair'

The plan for a postal ballot in Florida, due to be put forward by state Democratic Senate leaders, may still run into opposition from Democrats in the state House.

It is also unclear how the multi-million dollar cost of sending ballots to all of Florida's more than 4 million registered Democrats would be met.

But state Senator Bill Nelson said in a statement: "In my view, at this late hour, mail-in balloting would be the most practical and fair way to let Florida voters have a full say in the selection of their Democratic nominees."

Senator Clinton's campaign has not yet commented on the likely plans for a postal ballot but has previously said it would consider a "do-over" vote.

"In my view there are two options - honour the results or hold new primary elections," Mrs Clinton said on Wednesday.

"I don't see any other solutions that are fair and honour the commitment that 2.5 million voters made in the Democratic primaries in those two states."

The Democratic candidates largely abided by a pledge to the national party not to campaign in either state ahead of their vote.

But Mrs Clinton, senator for New York, was the only major candidate to leave her name on the ballot in Michigan after it was penalised.

She told broadcaster NPR on Wednesday that she believed the results in the state were fair and should stand, saying it had been Mr Obama's choice to remove his name.

'Making up the rules'

Senator Obama has expressed concerns over whether a Florida postal vote could be held with fairness and accuracy if it is organised at such short notice.

He told reporters on Wednesday: "My bottom line is, I do want to make sure that the Florida and Michigan delegations have an opportunity to participate in the convention.

"And we want to figure out an equitable way to do that."

Mr Obama also questioned Mrs Clinton's apparent keenness to have the results stand or for a fresh ballot to be held.

"The Clinton campaign seems to want to make up rules as they go along on this issue," he said.

The Illinois senator currently leads the fight for delegates with 1,596 to Mrs Clinton's 1,484, according to the Associated Press.

The successful candidate needs 2,025 delegates to secure the Democratic nomination.

Sensitive issue

The issue of whether Florida's Democratic primary vote will count is particularly sensitive because of the 2000 election, when the state's result, delayed for weeks, controversially decided the presidential race.

Senior Democrats are also wary of denying Florida a voice because of the huge turnout in the 29 January primary, with a record 1.75 million Democratic voters taking part.

The state could prove key in the general election battle but party leaders fear Democrats may not turn out if they feel they were disenfranchised in the primary.

According to party rules, Florida and Michigan have until 10 June to hold a new vote.

Democrats in Michigan are currently considering several options, including holding a postal ballot or state-run primary that would take place in May or June.



(BBC)

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