RPOF Chairman Greer: Ensure election integrity

In a letter delivered this morning, RPOF Chairman Jim Greer asks FDP Chairman Karen Thurman to help ensure that every legal, legitimate vote counts in the upcoming election and expresses concern that Democrat poll watchers may attempt to inappropriately "assist" Florida voters. The text of the letter is as follows:

Dear Chairman Thurman:

As the election approaches, I want to personally request the opportunity to work with you to ensure that Florida’s voters are given the opportunity to cast their ballots free of any harassment or intimidation and to make sure that every legal, legitimate vote counts.

As you may recall, in 2004 a circuit judge in Seminole County entered an injunction against the Florida Democrat Party and the Democrat National Committee enjoining them from harassing Republican poll watchers. This order was prompted by threatening letters and phone calls to Florida residents who had registered to serve as poll watchers on Election Day. This injunction is still in effect.

I have recently read reports that Florida Democrat lawyers intend to serve as poll watchers in order to “assist” voters at the polls during the general election. I am concerned about these reports, given Florida law regarding poll watcher conduct. In particular, it should be noted that Florida law regarding poll watchers strictly prohibits poll watchers from “interact[ing] with voters.” Fl. Stat. § 101.131. Thus, it would be inappropriate for your poll watchers to provide “assistance” to voters at the polls.

As Circuit Judge Nancy F. Alley warned in 2004, “The election process should be allowed to proceed without any interference, intimidation, or other threats that may have a chilling effect on the free exercise of voters to cast their legal ballots.”

I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you, either privately or publically, to discuss ways that we can help ensure that Florida’s Supervisors of Elections and their staffs uphold Florida’s election laws to protect Florida voters.

Sincerely,

James A. Greer
Chairman, RPOF