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| Democrats mull new Florida vote | Democrats mull new Florida vote |
| (19 minutes later) | |
| 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. | 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. | 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. |
| A decision on the new vote is due by Monday, based on how party leaders and the Clinton and Obama campaigns react. | A decision on the new vote is due by Monday, based on how party leaders and the Clinton and Obama campaigns react. |
| 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. |
| Hillary Clinton won the unsanctioned votes in both states, but rival Barack Obama was not even on the ballot in Michigan. | Hillary Clinton won the unsanctioned votes in both states, but rival Barack Obama was not even on the ballot in Michigan. |
| Fraud concerns | Fraud concerns |
| Presenting the proposal, Karen Thurman, chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party, urged state leaders and the presidential candidates to come on board. | Presenting the proposal, Karen Thurman, chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party, urged state leaders and the presidential candidates to come on board. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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 The process would conclude on 3 June, a week before the Democratic National Committee (DNC) deadline to name delegates to the convention in Denver. | 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 The process would conclude on 3 June, a week before the Democratic National Committee (DNC) deadline to name delegates to the convention in Denver. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 Democratic National Committee (DNC) 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 the state 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. |
| 'Making up the rules' | 'Making up the rules' |
| 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. | 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 fair | Barack Obama has concerns about whether a postal ballot will be fair |
| But, he told reporters on Thursday, his campaign would "abide by whatever the DNC decides". | But, he told reporters on Thursday, his campaign would "abide by whatever the DNC decides". |
| 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. | 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 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. |