http://www.drudgereport.com/matt.htmXXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX SUN OCT 17, 2004 19:04:58 ET XXXXX
CONTROVERSY ERUPTS AS VOTING BEGINS IN FLORIDA: DNC/KERRY BALLOT COLLECTION CALLED 'UNLAWFUL'
**Exclusive**
As early voting begins Monday in the sunburn state of Florida controversy has already developed around a Democratic National Committee/Kerry-Edwards election manual.
The election manual titled -- "FLORIDA VICTORY 2004" -obtained by the DRUDGE REPORT, advocates an apparent unlawful "BALLOT PICKUP" drive by campaign volunteers.
The DNC Kerry/Edwards manual states:
"In Florida, it is legal to handle ballots. This means it is possible for the campaign to canvass base neighborhoods, pick up completed ballots and deliver them to Early Vote locations. We will incorporate these deliveries into our Early Vote canvassing program."
But Florida State election law - as detailed at: http://election.dos.state.fl.us/absenteevoting.shtml - is in sharp contrast and conflicts with the Dem plan.
"A designee may pick up an absentee ballot for a voter on election day or 4 days before election day. A designee may only pick up two absentee ballots per election, other than his or her own ballot or ballots for members of his or her immediate family. Designees must have written authorization from the voter, present a picture I.D. and sign an affidavit. Candidates may pick up absentee ballots only for members of their immediate family."
It is not clear as this transmits, if any Dem operatives have yet collected ballots. A legal challenge will be filed to stop any action, top Republican sources tell DRUDGE.
Dem officials point to difference between blank and completed ballots.
The exhaustive how-to FLORIDA VICTORY 2004 manual runs 26 pages with an 18 page appendix. It is signed by the DNC, Kerry Edwards, Florida Democrat Party, Kerry Edwards Campaign Chair, Florida Victory 2004, Florida AFL-CIO, Florida Education Association, Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, and Florida SEIU.
Developing...
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Filed By Matt Drudge
Reports are moved when circumstances warrant
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(c)DRUDGE REPORT 2004
Not for reproduction without permission of the author
This is going to be the ugliest election ever.
