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14.03.2008 01:59 - category: World News : BBC News
- Source: BBC NewsDemocratic 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. 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. 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. Fraud concerns 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. 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 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. "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. 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' 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". 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 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 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.www.free-voipservice.net
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