Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jacob OglesNovember 13, 2018

Republican Matt Caldwell says he thought it was mathematically impossible for him to lose the Florida Agriculture Commissioner race when he declared victory a week ago. He was up 40,000 votes and believed about five Broward County precincts and a maximum 33,000 votes remained untabulated. Now he’s 5,326 votes behind Democrat Nikki Fried and wants […]

Jim RosicaNovember 13, 2018

After a public scolding of the statewide police agency, Attorney General Pam Bondi now says her office is “actively engaged” with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to watch for recount shenanigans. Several recounts are underway, including in the U.S. Senate, Governor’s and Agriculture Commissioner’s races. A joint Attorney General’s Office/FDLE statement released Monday night said […]

Jacob OglesNovember 12, 2018

Bay County Supervisor of Elections Mark Andersen illegally accepted more than 140 electronic ballots on or before the Nov. 6 election, citing concerns that Hurricane Michael may have displaced voters. But so far, three other North Florida elections chiefs in the Category 4 storm’s path have denied doing the same. And no officials besides Andersen have […]

Jacob OglesNovember 12, 2018

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Bay County Supervisor of Elections Mark Andersen confirmed to Florida Politics that his office accepted more than 140 vote-by-mail ballots by fax machine or email, despite an executive order explicitly prohibiting the practice. “This office’s job is to ensure voters have the opportunity to cast their ballots,” Andersen explained. The elections official confirmed his office spoke […]

Jacob OglesNovember 12, 2018

Elections officials in Bay County, a Republican stronghold recently battered by Hurricane Michael, accepted votes via email. The catch: That’s counter to state law. NBC-7 WJHG interviewed Bay County Supervisor of Elections Mark Andersen about how he dealt with voters displaced by Hurricane Michael. Andersen said he worked with 147 voters who returned ballots by […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 12, 2018

On MSNBC Monday morning, Democratic candidate for Governor Andrew Gillum‘s recount attorney, Barry Richard, suggested the gubernatorial candidate was seriously considering legal action. Host Hallie Jackson noted that some counties will struggle to meet the 3 p.m. Thursday deadline for completing the recount. Richard said that, if that happens, “the candidates involved have to decide which way to […]

Jim RosicaNovember 12, 2018

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A federal judge says he will subpoena Leon County Supervisor of Elections Mark Earley to testify at this Wednesday’s hearing in Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson‘s lawsuit to count votes on provisional and mail ballots invalidated because of mismatched signatures. “This court will elicit testimony from Mr. Earley to provide an example of one process a county […]

Jacob OglesNovember 12, 2018

Outgoing Attorney General Pam Bondi on Sunday scolded the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for declining so far to investigate the tabulation of votes in Broward and Palm Beach counties. Bondi, a Tampa Republican, also demanded Secretary of State Ken Detzner report all election irregularities in the Democratic-leaning counties to the Office of Statewide Prosecution, […]

Joe HendersonNovember 12, 2018

Since declaring things seems to be the rage in the Florida election during these tense days, I am declaring everybody involved in the whacked-out mess needs to shut up. Yes, it’s a debacle. More than likely some heads need to roll. But it wouldn’t hurt for those seeking some of the highest offices on the ballot […]

Jacob OglesNovember 11, 2018

Republican Ron DeSantis said he is moving forward with his transition into the Governor’s Mansion, even after Democratic opponent Andrew Gillum withdrew his concession from Tuesday’s election. “With the election behind us, it’s now time to come together as a state as we prepare to serve all Floridians,” DeSantis said in a video statement (below). […]

Headlines

Matt Caldwell doesn’t want to win recount by ‘legal loophole’

Pam Bondi, FDLE now watching recounts for ’criminal activity‘

Other counties in Hurricane Michael’s path deny accepting electronic ballots

Bay County supervisor unilaterally accepted votes by fax, email

Bay County accepted ballots through email—which state law doesn’t allow: report

Lawyer says Andrew Gillum mulling legal action amid Florida recount

Judge lays down law in Bill Nelson ballot lawsuit

Amid recount, Pam Bondi raises prosecution threat for Broward, Palm Beach officials

Declarations won’t win Florida election, so everyone just chill

Ron DeSantis calls election ‘clear and unambiguous’ ahead of recount