CHAIRWOMAN CAUTIONS LOCAL OFFICIALS TO SECURE INTEGRITY OF FLORIDA 13 ELECTION RESULTS
| Immediate Release |
Contact: Kyle Anderson and J.R. Crump |
| February 02, 2007 |
(202) 225-7476 and (202) 226-3355 |
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) In an effort to maintain security over the evidence currently under review in the election that took place in Florida's 13th Congressional District in November of 2006, Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald who chairs the Committee on House Administration (CHA) issued a cautionary letter to Sarasota County Elections Supervisor, Kathy Dent. The CHA has authority over House contested elections.
The letter issued by Millender-McDonald said in part, "Under Article I, Section 5 of the Constitution of the United States, the U.S. House of representatives shall be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its members. Pursuant thereto, the House of Representatives has directed the Committee on House Administration to review the election in the 13th Congressional District of Florida."
"It is our duty to see that the right to vote, and have that vote counted, is protected. It is the practice of the House to conduct a fair and balanced investigation when there is a credible challenge to the results of a federal election," said Millender-McDonald.
As is customary, Millender-McDonald also requested that the Supervisor of Elections preserve the integrity if the evidence. "In conjunction with its review, the Committee also asks that you protect and keep safe all originals and copies of books, records, correspondence, memoranda, papers, equipment, and documents in your actual or constructive possession, custody or control relating to the general election held on November 7, 2006, including but not limited to all papers and electronic ballots, certifications, poll books, logs, tally sheets, machines, and software," her letter to Dent stated.
Congresswoman Millender-McDonald noted that Florida Election Code 101.545 requires local officials to maintain and preserve election material for at least 22 months after the results of a federal election have been certified. Nonetheless, discussions have begun to ensure Sarasota municipal elections will proceed as scheduled in the spring.