Jacob Ogles
Results from a straw poll conducted Saturday by the Republican Party of Sarasota County will not be released following accusations of ballot-stuffing.
A statement from the party puts some blame on left-wing activists who came to the event and disrupted a speech by Republican Gov. Rick Scott, a U.S. Senate candidate. But it also acknowledged accusations a supporter of gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis allegedly stuffed the ballot for her candidate.
The statement, released by Republican Party of Sarasota Vice Chairman Jack Brill, reads: “After the hugely successful rally, the problem was discovered that the disruptions by left-wing groups who snuck in, jumped on tables and tried to shout down Gov. Rick Scott, combined with accusations of ballot-stuffing, allowed the vote to be tainted and left the Party with no option but to not release results that it could not verify as accurate.”
DeSantis and primary opponent Adam Putnam both spoke Saturday at the Primary Election Grassroots Straw Poll. But several eyewitnesses said DeSantis supporter Elizabeth Cuevas-Neunder grabbed a stack of ballots and passed them around to those sitting near to her.
She admitted as much to Florida Politics, but said neither she nor any of the people around her voted more than once. Rather, she blamed a procedure that required voters to get in a line and pick up their ballots along with a free slice of pie.
“Why ruin my body and get a piece of pie,” she said.
Of course, the straw poll included a number of races besides governor, including tight primary races.
Republican candidates for Congress in Florida’s 17th Congressional District, including Greg Steube, Julio Gonzalez and Bill Akins, all spoke at the event.
So did Tommy Gregory and Melissa Howard, the Republican candidates in state House District 73.
Two years ago, straw poll organizers for this event stamped individuals’ hands to ensure everybody only voted once, but saw many people come to vote and immediately leave. This year, the pie-and-ballot system was employed to keep people there to hear speeches.
The party statement today made clear the sanctity of the straw poll would be reassessed.
“The Party will institute stricter voting controls over the next straw poll, and have even more security in place, because unfortunately disruptions are now the primary tactic of the left and Democrats,” it reads.
2 comments
Jim Roberts
July 29, 2018 at 11:27 pm
That’s too bad. Mike McCalister for Agriculture Commissioner had a huge showing and support. He sure would like to know how he did.
Aa
July 30, 2018 at 6:35 am
It is unconscionable that the party should blame the hecklers for any part of the falsified voting, and the ensuing inability to provide the results. It had nothing to do with the hecklers, and everything to do with those who stuffed the ballots. It is a shameful reflection of the destruction of the voice of the people. All those in attendance, all the candidates, they’re volunteers, supporters, friends, family, law enforcement on site, organizers, and anyone in attendance have been robbed of their voice. It is more than shameful, it is unconscionable.
Comments are closed.