Jacob Ogles
Gov. Rick Scott today called on sheriffs in Florida’s 67 counties to watch for elections law violations as recounts take place.
“I am urging every Sheriff in the State of Florida to watch for any violations during the recount process as outlined in Florida law,” Scott said Saturday.
Of course, the personal stakes of a recount for Scott remain high. The Republican challenged Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson this year and holds just a 12,562-vote lead for the seat, as of 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
The urging from the governor for law enforcement to keep an eye on the recounts comes despite the fact enforcement of election law in Florida falls under the jurisdiction of county election supervisors.
Florida Statute 98.015 says supervisors of elections “shall ensure that all voter registration and list maintenance procedures conducted by such supervisor are in compliance with any applicable requirements prescribed by rule of the department through the statewide voter registration system.”
The enforcement of federal voting laws also falls under the supervisor. The law also puts authority over deputy supervisors and elections oversight in the hands of the elected or appointed supervisor for each county.
Scott, though, noted pointed to another statute granting sheriffs certain election oversight authority.
“The sheriff shall exercise strict vigilance in the detection of any violations of the election laws and in apprehending the violators,” the law reads.
“The Governor may appoint special officers to investigate alleged violations of the election laws, when it is deemed necessary to see that violators of the election laws are apprehended and punished.”
Scott’s directive comes as Florida prepares for an unprecedented three statewide recounts to take place simultaneously. The races for U.S. Senate, Governor and Agriculture Commissioner all had margins so small state law calls for automatic recounts.
That’s a margin of 0.18 percent. Florida law calls for a machine recount with a margin of 0.5 percent or less, and a hand recount for margins under 0.25 percent.
Scott’s Senate campaign this week filed lawsuits against elections supervisors in Broward and Palm Beach counties.
5 comments
Ray Tampa
November 10, 2018 at 11:57 am
This is so ironic and pathetic. The man whose massive wealth appears to be ill gotten on so many fronts is surrounded by a group of ethically challenged sheriffs who are charged with being on the lookout for law violators.
Also, the man who took the 5th 75 times in order to deny officials in their search for truth is now asking for transparency and openness while referring to people as fraudsters. He is suggesting that there is an attempt by some to STEAL an election. Like Mayor Gillum was so fond of quoting his grandma I want to offer a quote from my grandma. She said, “It takes a thief to know a thief.”
God WeTrust
November 10, 2018 at 12:40 pm
It’s clear you favor “Dummos” who try to cheat when they lose
Joseph Felice Wilson
November 10, 2018 at 12:50 pm
Democrats are always cheating in Elections. I thought Federal Law says these ballots were suppose to be turned in 30 minutes after the polls closed. Since they didn’t follow US Law why are we even counting the ballots now? For all we know Votes could have been thrown away or altered by now. This is insane whats going on in Florida. The Democrats can’t accept the outcome of the Election. They pulled this nonsense in 2000 too. Florida typically votes Republican even if it’s only a slight lead. Trump won Florida, Georgia, and Arizona in 2016 and his approval numbers from Republicans is at an all time high. What’s up with Democrats pulling these shenanigans once again? Why do they always feel the need to cheat to win Elections? These NPC’s barely show any emotions and they shout racist and sexist all the time and act like a MOB when they don’t get their way.
Elizabeth Warren's DNA Test Failed
November 10, 2018 at 1:12 pm
How do we know some of these Votes didn’t come in after the Election was over? From my understanding these ballots are from the day of the Election if I’m not mistaken? This is ridiculous and Democrats are trying to steal Florida once again. A state that not only usually votes Republican but also voted for Trump.
pat
November 11, 2018 at 4:22 am
Dems are openly trying to steal the Florida Senate election. They may have the media on their side but everything Broward and Palm Beach officials have done is in violation of existing laws. Senator Scott will be a great advocate for all Floridians.
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