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Florida Reconsiders Allowing Federal Poll Watchers

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By BILLY HOUSE and CATHERINE DOLINSKI cdolinski@tampatrib.com

bhouse@tampatrib.com

Published: October 21, 2008

WASHINGTON - Sen. Bill Nelson is asking Gov. Charlie Crist to reconsider his administration's position against allowing federal poll watchers in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties and two other counties on Election Day.

"Given that Floridians have seen their share of election shenanigans, why would state officials reject attempts by Congress to make sure the polling places have proper access for seniors and people with disabilities?" asked Democrat Nelson, in a letter Monday to Republican Crist.

Secretary of State Kurt Browning, a Crist appointee, acknowledged Monday that his initial response to a request by the General Accountability Office was: "No, you can't come to our polling places.

"State law is very, very clear on who can and who cannot go into a polling place," Browning told reporters in Tallahassee.

Browning also said the state would reconsider that position.

Crist spokeswoman Erin Isaac said she had not yet seen Nelson's letter, and could not comment.

GAO researchers want to visit polling sites in Miami-Dade, Broward, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties and in 30 other states to examine voting access for people with disabilities, including senior citizens, based on a request early this year for such a study from the Senate Committee on Aging, of which Nelson is a member.

The effort would update a similar analysis conducted during the 2000 election. Florida participated in the 2000 study and granted GAO researchers access to polling places in four Florida counties.

The 30 other states are cooperating with the GAO study.

Upon receiving Nelson's letter, Browning told reporters, he directed his staff attorneys to reconsider the GAO's request.

"We're just not sure where we're going to go with this issue, but as soon as we do, we'll let you know."

Asked what has changed since 2000, when federal poll watchers were permitted in several Florida counties, Browning said, "I think there's a new secretary in town. And certainly when you look at the law, and you read that law, I think it's very clear as to who can come into a polling place and who cannot."

He noted that he is not a lawyer, and awaits the advice of his legal counsel.

Reporter Billy House can be reached at (202) 662-7673. Catherine Dolinski can be reached at (850) 222-8382.

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