Karen Thurman Press Release

Florida Democratic Party chairwoman Karen Thurman praising Governor Charlie Crist and urging Republicans to give citizens better access to vote. At issue is the No Match, No Vote law being enforced by Sec. of State Kurt Browning.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - Today the Florida Democratic Party joined two Florida citizens in taking legal action against the Republican Party of Florida and the Republican National Committee to prevent mass frivolous challenges against Florida voters in the presidential election.

Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen Thurman issued the following statement:
"All Floridians who are eligible to vote deserve the opportunity to have their voices heard and their vote counted. That is our guiding principle, and we applaud the Governor's decision, which allows more Florida voters to exercise their right to vote.

"It is in this spirit that we ask the Governor, the Republican Party of Florida and the Republican National Committee to join us in preventing frivolous challenges against voters in this election by members of their party.

"We are confident that this action today will help prevent baseless and frivolous mass challenges. Florida voters should feel certain that the necessary steps have been taken to run an effective voting process and that their votes will be counted.

"I call on the Governor, the Republican Party and voters of all parties across the Sunshine State to disavow these dishonest tactics so that we can rebuild Florida's electoral integrity and maintain the rights of our citizens to vote in a fair and open election."

County Supervisors of Elections prefer to have voters correct their information.

"We're trying to avoid all provisional ballots, at all costs," Volusia County Supervisor Ann McFall said. "It's a lot of extra work."

Browning threatened Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections Deborah Clark with legal action. Now the other counties are allowing voters to make corrections before voting. With Crist extending early voting hours, Browning is having a hard time obstructing voters.