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Democrats mull new Florida vote Democrats mull new Florida vote
(about 1 hour later)
Democratic leaders in Florida have set out a proposal to re-stage the state's primary in a bid to resolve a row over whether its January ballot counts.Democratic leaders in Florida have set out a proposal to re-stage the state's primary in a bid to resolve a row over whether its January ballot 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.
A decision on the vote is due by Monday and depends on how the Clinton and Obama teams and party leaders react.A decision on the vote is due by Monday and depends on how the Clinton and Obama teams and party leaders react.
Local officials in Florida warn that it is not a done deal.Local officials in Florida warn that it is not a done deal.
Under the plan, a combined postal and in-person vote would be held by 3 June.Under the plan, a combined postal and in-person vote would be held by 3 June.
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 concernsFraud 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.
DEMOCRATIC DELEGATE RACE BARACK OBAMA: 1,602 Delegates won on 11 March: 17Total states won: 26 HILLARY CLINTON: 1,497 Delegates won on 11 March: 11Total states won: 16 Delegates needed to secure nomination: 2,025. Source: AP at 1400 GMT 13 March Denver horse-trading aheadDelegate count overviewQ&A: DelegatesDEMOCRATIC DELEGATE RACE BARACK OBAMA: 1,602 Delegates won on 11 March: 17Total states won: 26 HILLARY CLINTON: 1,497 Delegates won on 11 March: 11Total states won: 16 Delegates needed to secure nomination: 2,025. Source: AP at 1400 GMT 13 March Denver horse-trading aheadDelegate count overviewQ&A: Delegates
"Let me be clear. This is by no means a done deal," she was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency."Let me be clear. This is by no means a done deal," she was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency.
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.
The process would conclude on 3 June, a week before the Democratic National Committee deadline to name delegates to the convention in Denver.The process would conclude on 3 June, a week before the Democratic National Committee 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."
'Making up the rules''Making up the rules'
The two candidates largely abided by a pledge to the Democratic National Committee not to campaign in either state ahead of their vote.The two candidates largely abided by a pledge to the Democratic National Committee not to campaign in either state ahead of their vote.
Barack Obama has concerns about whether a postal ballot will be fairBarack Obama has concerns about whether a postal ballot will be fair
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.
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.
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 1,602 to Mrs Clinton's 1,497, according to the Associated Press at 1400 GMT on Thursday. The Illinois senator currently leads the fight for delegates with 1,602 to Mrs Clinton's 1,497, 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 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 are 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 are disenfranchised in the primary.