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Democrats mull new Florida vote Democrats mull new Florida vote
(about 6 hours 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 have set out a proposal to hold a new primary ballot, in a bid to resolve a dispute over whether the state's vote counts.
Under the plans, a combined postal and in-person vote would be held by 3 June.
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. A decision on the new vote is due by Monday, based on how party leaders and the Clinton and Obama campaigns react.
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. Hillary Clinton won the unsanctioned votes in both states, but rival Barack Obama was not even on the ballot in Michigan.
'Practical and fair' Fraud concerns
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. Presenting the proposal, Karen Thurman, chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party, urged state leaders and the presidential candidates to come on board.
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 class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7291158.stm">Denver horse-trading ahead Under the plan, all Florida's 4.1 million registered Democrats would be sent a ballot in the post and would have the choice of posting it back or casting it in person at a polling station.
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. 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 class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7291158.stm">Denver horse-trading ahead The process would conclude on 3 June, a week before the Democratic National Committee (DNC) deadline to name delegates to the convention in Denver.
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." The BBC's James Coomarasamy in Florida says that with Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton locked in such a tight race, Florida could play an important role once again in deciding who wins the US presidential election.
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. The state's Democratic Party says the proposal is the only plan that is fair and reasonable, our correspondent says, although they admit it is not a done deal.
Many questions remain, not least who will foot the estimated $10m-12m bill for the new election, as well as issues of trust and concerns about voter fraud, our correspondent adds.
Mrs Clinton's campaign would prefer a state-wide primary vote to a postal ballot, according to the Associated Press, because of concerns over possible fraud.
"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 Democratic National Committee (DNC) 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 the state 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''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. Mr 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 fairBarack 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. But, he told reporters on Thursday, his campaign would "abide by whatever the DNC decides".
"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 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.
The Democratic Party is keen to find a resolution that avoids damaging in-fighting, with an eye to the general election contest in November against presumptive Republican nominee John McCain.
Sensitive issueSensitive 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.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.
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