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| Democrats mull new Florida vote | Democrats mull new Florida vote |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| 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. | 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. |
| Florida and Michigan were stripped of delegates to the national convention, where the party's presidential nominee is chosen, after breaking party rules. | Florida and Michigan were stripped of 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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' | '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. | 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. |
| DEMOCRATIC DELEGATE RACE BARACK OBAMA: 1,596 Delegates won on 11 March: 17Total states won: 26 HILLARY CLINTON: 1,484 Delegates won on 11 March: 11Total states won: 16 Delegates needed to secure nomination: 2,025. Source: AP at 0530 GMT 12 March Denver horse-trading ahead | DEMOCRATIC DELEGATE RACE BARACK OBAMA: 1,596 Delegates won on 11 March: 17Total states won: 26 HILLARY CLINTON: 1,484 Delegates won on 11 March: 11Total states won: 16 Delegates needed to secure nomination: 2,025. Source: AP at 0530 GMT 12 March Denver horse-trading ahead |
| 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. | 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." | 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. | 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. | "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." | "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. | 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. | 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. | 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' | '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. | 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. |
| Barack Obama has concerns about whether a postal ballot will be fair | Barack Obama has concerns about whether a postal ballot will be fair |
| 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. | 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." | "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. | 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 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 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. | The successful candidate needs 2,025 delegates to secure the Democratic nomination. |
| Sensitive issue | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| Are you in Florida or Michigan? Do you think the states should hold new primaries? If so, when should they be held? How important a decision is this for the two states involved and the Democratic race? Send us your comments using the form below. | |