Yahoo! News Message Boards Politics News
Yahoo! News Message Boards Politics News: "Thu Jun 3,12:32 PM ET
By DAVID ROYSE, Associated Press Writer
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - CNN has sued Florida's elections office to get access to a state list with names of possible felons who may need to be deleted from voter rolls. The state uses the list to provide names of possible felons to county elections officials, who must review them to determine if individuals should be removed from the rolls. The list is of interest to journalists because of the potential for mistakes.
After the 2000 election, in which George W. Bush was declared the winner in Florida by 537 votes following five weeks of recounts and challenges, there were widespread claims around the state by people who said they were prevented from voting even though they weren't felons.
CNN said 'there is enormous public interest in scrutinizing the potential disenfranchisement of such a large pool of citizens in what portends to be a closely contested presidential race.'
The lawsuit was filed after the Atlanta-based news organization was told May 24 that a representative would have to travel to Tallahassee to view the list in person and may not make a copy.
The list is a public record. But state law allows only certain people and groups ? such as political parties or candidates ? to make copies. Others may view it, but may not make copies.
The lawsuit in state circuit court claims the requirement is unconstitutional and irrational and says some people on the list have no way of knowing it unless someone contacts them.
Jenny Nash, a spokeswoman for the Florida Department of State, said allowing anyone to make copies of the list could 'potentially violate "
By DAVID ROYSE, Associated Press Writer
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - CNN has sued Florida's elections office to get access to a state list with names of possible felons who may need to be deleted from voter rolls. The state uses the list to provide names of possible felons to county elections officials, who must review them to determine if individuals should be removed from the rolls. The list is of interest to journalists because of the potential for mistakes.
After the 2000 election, in which George W. Bush was declared the winner in Florida by 537 votes following five weeks of recounts and challenges, there were widespread claims around the state by people who said they were prevented from voting even though they weren't felons.
CNN said 'there is enormous public interest in scrutinizing the potential disenfranchisement of such a large pool of citizens in what portends to be a closely contested presidential race.'
The lawsuit was filed after the Atlanta-based news organization was told May 24 that a representative would have to travel to Tallahassee to view the list in person and may not make a copy.
The list is a public record. But state law allows only certain people and groups ? such as political parties or candidates ? to make copies. Others may view it, but may not make copies.
The lawsuit in state circuit court claims the requirement is unconstitutional and irrational and says some people on the list have no way of knowing it unless someone contacts them.
Jenny Nash, a spokeswoman for the Florida Department of State, said allowing anyone to make copies of the list could 'potentially violate "
posted by Gary at 3:36 PM
<< Home