Democrat Vote Suppressed in Gainesville City Election?
WASHINGTON (AP) – Florida Democrats would forfeit their votes in selecting a presidential nominee unless they delay their state election by at least a week, the national party said in a stern action Saturday meant to discourage others from leapfrogging ahead to earlier dates.
The Florida party has 30 days to submit an alternative to its planned Jan. 29 primary or lose its 210 delegates to the nominating convention in Denver next summer
The state party chairwoman, Karen Thurman, said she would confer with state officials about the ultimatum. “It’s going to be a difficult discussion,” she said, because Floridians are wary of having their votes taken away.” More
And why does this matter to Gainesville City Elections? Because the city holds its elections on the same day as the planned Presidential Primary. And if the Florida Democratic Party either backs down and holds its primary later, or defies the National Committee and loses its delegation to the National Convention, it’s a windfall to local Republicans. Since the Republicans will be coming out in larger than usual numbers on January 29, they will weigh more heavily in a town where they are greatly outnumbered. However, the overwhelmingly Democratic city commission might try to move the city election to the day the Democrats choose, thus suppressing an already beleaguered minority, the Republicans.
So, is the January 29 Election Day set in stone? Stay tuned.
