Legal Commentary

Petition Online to Seat FL and MI Delegates

By Jeralyn

An online petition drive by Florida and Michigan voters to have their delegates seated so their votes count has generated 8,500 signatures so far. The goal is 10,000. The petition will be delivered to Howard Dean and the DNC.

2.2 million voted in Florida and Michigan. The petition argues: [More...]

On January 15, 2008, 572,129 Michigan Democrats voted in the Democratic primary even though two of the three frontrunners for the nomination had voluntarily pulled their names from the ballot. On January 29, 2008, 1.7 million Floridians voted in the Democratic primary despite being told repeatedly that their votes wouldn't count.

We voted in record numbers because we are deeply concerned about the future of our country. We are thinking about the economy, national security, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, energy independence, the environment, and health care. We are not concerned with primary schedules.

We are private citizens, and we are not responsible for the tug-of-war between the state Democratic parties and the DNC. We demand that our votes be counted now before the primary season ends. We will not be subjected to another vote or a caucus.

UPDATED ON MARCH 20, 2008: A 50-50 split of delegates is also unacceptable.

It concludes:

Do not leave Florida and Michigan voters out in 2008. Count our votes now, or don't count on us to vote in November.

The Democratic party is in a pickle. Refusing to count the Michigan and Florida voters risks alienating up to 2.2 million voters in November. It's also widely perceived as undemocratic and an arbitrary punishment. I've argued repeatedly here for rescinding the penalty now, counting the votes and seating the delegates per the January primaries. If you're from Florida or Michigan, now it's your turn. Here's your chance.

The party may not listen, but maybe the superdelegates from all states will take it into consideration.

Update: Taylor Marsh asks, Why Won't Obama let Michigan and Florida revote?

bq. Every single Democratic senator and congress person is a "superdelegate." Howard Dean also is responsible for this mess. If they haven't heard from you, now is a good time to let them know that you believe Michigan and Florida's votes need to be counted. Or are we really going to let Obama give John McCain this gift?

Full post as published by TalkLeft on March 25, 2008 (boomark / email).