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Frequently Asked Questions About Race and the Equal Right to Vote
What are the possible solutions for resolving problems associated with these allegedly racially-biased voting methods used throughout the state?
As stated in previous sections of this Case of the Month, several civil rights organizations, including the N.A.A.C.P. and the ACLU, have filed a legal challenge to force reforms to improve voting methods. Remedies to resolve the racially-based voting discrimination mechanisms used throughout the state may include: decertifying the punch-card voting method under Florida law, requiring state officials to maintain a list of inactive voters at polling placed along with an official list of eligible voters, developing timely ways to check the names of voters who do not appear on the list of registered voters, designing a plan for the future provision of language assistance to Kreyol-speaking voters. Other more expensive high-tech remedies include using digital recording equipment with easy-to-use touch-screen computers.
Can voters request a new ballot or request assistance if they are confused at the polls?
Yes. Federal and state law provides that any voter requiring assistance by reason of blindness, disability or inability to read/write must be given assistance by a person of that voter's choice. The laws also say its within the voters' rights to step away from the voting booth to ask questions or to request a new punch card at any point until the voter drops their ballot into the locked ballot box. In the November election, however, there were reports of poll workers failing to provide adequate information or duplicate ballots upon request. In addition, the Department of Election is required by law to properly explain to voters why they were not allowed to vote and to provide interpreters in precincts where a significant number of voters speak a second language and are not as proficient in English.
Who is responsible for administering election laws and implementing voting methods in Florida?
The Division of Elections of Florida's Department of State is responsible for adopting uniform rules for the purchase and use of voting equipment in the state. Clay Roberts is the Director of the Florida Division of Elections. He is responsible for the Bureau of Voting Systems Certification within the Division of Elections, which by law is required to provide technical support to the supervisors of elections and which is responsible for voting system standards and certification. The director also is responsible for administering the statewide central voter file and for contracting with a private company to compare voter registration lists with other computer databases. The Secretary of State is the chief election officer of the State of Florida and is responsible for general supervision and administration of the election laws. Katherine Harris currently occupies that position. She also oversees the Division of Elections of Florida's Department of State, which makes her responsible for maintaining uniformity in the application, operation and interpretation of election laws.
