Reply #15: FL: Justices Hear Case on Election Rules [View All]

[livvy]

Justices hear case on election rules
Advocates say counties can enact own election reforms, but state disagrees
By Carol E. Lee
H-T CAPITAL BUREAU
Published Thursday, May 8, 2008 at 4:30 a.m.

TALLAHASSEE — Florida Supreme Court justices heard arguments Wednesday in a case that will determine how far local governments can go in setting their own election rules.

At the center of the debate is a charter amendment Sarasota County voters approved 18 months ago to adopt stricter election auditing procedures than the state requires.

The state and Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Kathy Dent say the amendment is unconstitutional because it usurps state election laws and interferes with the counting and certification of votes.

Sarasota Alliance for Fair Elections, the group that collected signatures to put the amendment on the November 2006 ballot, says local governments have the right to adopt such reforms.

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http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080508/NEWS/805080578/-1/newssitemap