Vote-Count ‘Shenanigans’ Trigger Recounts, Lawsuits, Republican Outrage In Florida

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After seeming victories in the Florida governor’s race, the U.S. Senate race, and the Florida agriculture commissioner race last Tuesday, Republicans in the Sunshine State spent the last two days dumbfounded while Democrat election supervisors in deep-blue Broward and Palm Beach Counties added tens of thousands of previously uncounted votes to the statewide tally.

The newly counted ballots, which are breaking almost 3-to-1 in favor of Democrats, have triggered a likely hand recount, a machine recount, a lawsuit, a law enforcement investigation, and accusations from Republicans that Democrats are literally trying to steal the election.



At midnight on election day, Florida Gov. Rick Scott led incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson in the U.S. Senate race by just under 60,000 votes, just outside the margin for a mandatory machine recount. Meanwhile, Republican Rep. Ron DeSantis led Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, the Democrat, by about 80,000 votes. Gillum conceded his race that night, but Nelson refused.

In a secluded room away from the well-wishers gathered at his victory party in Naples, Florida, Scott’s team did some basic math and determined the remaining uncounted precincts couldn’t possibly contain enough Democrat votes for Nelson to overcome the 60,000-vote deficit. At midnight, Scott claimed victory in a subdued speech, then retired to bed.

When Republicans woke the next morning, they were stunned to learn Scott’s lead had shrunk  by 22,000 votes, a seemingly impossible mathematical feat. Most of the newly counted ballots came from Broward County, but some were added from Palm Beach County (yes, that one). With Scott’s lead now down to just 38,000 votes, murmurs of a potential recount began to build. By mid-afternoon, more cartons of Democrat-leaning ballots had been added to the statewide total, trimming Scott’s margin over Nelson to around 30,000 votes.

Even at that point, Republicans didn’t seem overly concerned. After all, 30,000 votes is a lot to overcome, especially when all that remained to be counted were a few handfuls of provisional ballots, overseas military ballots likely favoring Republicans, and some straggling vote-by-mail and early ballots. And while the governor’s race had also tightened, it remained outside the mandatory recount margin.

That all changed on Thursday morning, when Republicans woke for the second day in a row to learn that overnight, still more Democrat votes had been dumped into the system, cutting Scott’s lead by 8,000 votes, putting it well within the mandatory hand-recount range.

Reporters, by now curious about why Broward County was still counting ballots when hurricane-ravaged Bay County had their work wrapped up on election night, asked Broward County Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes if she knew how many uncounted ballots remained.

“Not sure. I’m really not sure. But we are working on those,” she told CBS 4 News in Miami.

A few hours later, Snipes posted another 11,300 ballots to the state’s Division of Elections. Those new votes favored Democrats by more than 2-to-1, helping Bill Nelson close the gap even further, but also triggering mandatory recounts in the governor’s race, and flipping the race for agriculture commissioner from Republican to Democrat.

By 8 p.m. on Thursday, Scott had seen enough. With his lead now down to 15,092 votes, he filed a pair of lawsuits against the Broward and Palm Beach County election supervisors. The suits demand access to public records in an effort to find out how many ballots have been cast, how many have been counted, and how many ballots remain to be counted.

“I will not sit idly by while unethical liberals try to steal this election from the great people of Florida,” Scott said during an emergency press conference on the front steps of the governor’s mansion late Thursday.

Amid reports that a teacher in Broward County found an abandoned ballot box in a storage area, Scott ordered the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate Broward County’s handling of ballots and verify that the chain of custody has been properly maintained.

President Donald Trump also got in on the action, firing off a tweet in support of Scott:

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Well now, here’s the deal: if Democrats win, no matter how shady or fraud-riddled the campaigns and voting was, it is a sin against democracy to question it. However, when Republicans win, all the ballots held in reserve are pulled out, ballots are destroyed and liberal interpretation of what voters “meant” is used to add to the Democrat totals, and questioning THAT is also a sin against democracy.

Seriously, Democrats should not be trusted with ANY power.

The Dems may have just cheated their way to voter ID required by federal law in all elections…goodjob DEMS!
Keep a Snipe in charge after she was caught multiple times being incompetent or cheating. Then send attorneys from the same firm that was involved spying and election tampering 2016 Presidential election.
Hint its cards up your sleeve not pulling them out of the deck in front of the other players.

@kitt:

Keep a Snipe in charge after she was caught multiple times being incompetent or cheating.

You say that like you think Democrats regard cheating as “bad”.

@Deplorable Me: So when Broward County “Found” those 46,000 Democrat votes 2 days after election, why wasn’t there ONE single Republican one?!! Who is behind this democrat voter suppression!!!?

@kitt:

Who is behind this democrat voter suppression!!!?

Here’s a clue: who is NOT protesting this disgustingly transparent attempt to defraud the election?

Kitt re cheating, media, alien voters, Soros yada yada–I told you so

@Richard Wheeler: So they dont have to follow basic rules? Court orders? When caught on film cheating and bragging about it we are just to ignore that?
Put a check on that Liberal Privilege or risk sounding like a friggin moron.

@kitt: “I told you you would complain about our cheating when you caught us cheating.”

@Deplorable Me: exactly

@kitt: Everyone has to follow basic rules count all the votes–recounts happen quite often—got W elected.
Your language has become more and more Trumpish —his specialty is attempting to demean people–not an admirable trait.

Have a great weekend—hug a Vet

@Richard Wheeler: Quit yer belly aching its always 2 counties in FL, in very close counts recounts should happen but having 110 % turnout of registered voters a rare thing next 110% of population? In FL with a high retired population they all rose from the grave, pretty halloweenish.
Dont care the agreement made with the Reagan admin is expired expect the shenanigans to be exposed more often.

@kitt: Stay off the reactionary blogs and you won’t believe in so many conspiracies against you.

BTW What happened to Trump’s voter fraud commission? Seriously

@Richard Wheeler: https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Nearly-200000-Florida-Voters-May-Not-Be-Citizens-151212725.html
There are no conspiracies unless you question the MSM?
Do you remember now how you wanted to go join them?

@kitt: No–you got my post?

Do you remember how you were lighting your torch to march with the KKK?

I thought you said you’d accept the results with grace? What happened–you’ve become as unhinges as those damn libs.

@Richard Wheeler: I never said I wanted to join any march now who is lying? I called you foolish for fearing men with patio accessories, and ill informed for not knowing what Antifa was all about. Now do you remember and willing to admit it, or will you just dodge it and project?

@kitt: Just because someone has a DD 214 and an “I was there medal” doesn’t make them a real Marine. A person has to live up to the oath they took!

Last night at our Church’s annual Veterans Day Dinner, I arranged to have one of the Tuskegee fighter pilots speak. Due to his age, I was trying to limit him to 20 minutes. WE were just thrilled to have him with us. He initiated a discussion with the youngsters in the audience and spoke for almost 40 minutes. This man at 92 years old not only related his experiences, but he provided a real lesson to everyone what a real veteran is, does and values. Also, at 92, he provided much more accurate analysis of what is happening in the world than our pretend Marine who posts here. I am trying to get him on a speaking tour to our Middle and High Schools.

@kitt: Of course you didn’t and neither did I say I wanted to go to Charlottesville or had any fear of the white supremacist marchers etc. as you wrote. Why would you make that up?

Randy Navy Commendation Medal with combat “V” is not an “I was there” medal.

@kitt:

I thought you said you’d accept the results with grace? What happened–you’ve become as unhinges as those damn libs.

Kitt, did you promise to accept Democrat fraud and corruption? I’ve warned you about that.

@Richard Wheeler: Wait til RT gets back from the beer run I remember well you having no respect for war monuments to the point of those protesting them being torn down, you wanted to go there, The lame stream hypes the numbers it was several groups gathering together not all kkk, then the police funneled the groups together and ANTIFA who was not searched for weapons began a row. The guy that decided to run his car through crowds wasnt affiliated with any of the groups on either side of history destruction. The Media lumped him in, and that is sort of like lumping you in with the C&W bar shooter cause you both served the country or the same hero status of Audie Murphy.
@Deplorable Me: Sure RW loves the fraud, and I m suppose to allow our elections to be corrupted and like it , he is a true globalist progressive, that went to Nam to protect his homeland for the new marxist party that have infiltrated and taken over the old Democrat Party.
I supposedly went back on accepting the results because I want the elections to be handled in a lawful and non biased manner.
I heard they just found enough uncounted ballots to declare George B. McClellan. President.

@kitt: Kitt You say I wanted to go and help tear down monuments, LOL
You’re just making stuff up now—Too much Trump?

@rich wheeler: I said you wanted to go punch people that have different often offensive opinions, the Tiki guys wanted to preserve history, Unite the right was a gathering or protest that wished to get together those that would protect the constitution and history. As with everything people you wouldnt have over to your house latch on. At that time you knew very little to nothing of Antifa, those are the dressed in black masked agitators that follow conservative, religious and political right rallies to create chaos, chuck bottles, fire works, rocks and carry metal batons. Antifa only wishes to silence everything they dont like. Antifa hardly ever has their own rallies, they lurk the internet organizing to flash mob every rally they personally dont like, ie pro america. While the police disarm the pro americans as they often bus to these gatherings they never demand Antifa not carry backpacks filled with weapons.
Read the whole page https://unitetherightrally.com/
Pick a side Richie
Pro America with some a$$holes that latch on
or
Violent fascists that wish to destroy history not learn from it and silence speech, with some people that dont like the a$$holes.
The pro Americans dont really like the A$$holes they just refuse to silence them, has something to do with the constitution or sumthin’.

The “tiki guys”–how cute– were admitted white supremacists yelling anti–semite chants
If they are your people fine.
They sure as hell ain’t mine.
I never said I wanted to punch out anybody–lol Don’t confuse me with Trump.s threats.

@Richard Wheeler: Exactly what did you say I remember well teasing you about it and astounded you knew little of the”counter protestors”
Which side dodger?

@kitt: white supremacists vs anarchists—Don’t side with either–both bad news.

@rich wheeler: So you didnt bother to read the page linked, remain ignorant my friend.

@kitt: Let me be clear–I stand against Richard Spencer, his beliefs and his supporters. What say you?

@kitt: Are you a supporter of Richard Spencer and his beliefs?

Where is RT–IS HE OK?

In So Cal Repubs. have been decimated, losing at least 5 long held seats including mine where Darryl Issa reigned. Looks now like 232 -203.
It would be foolish to claim this is not a repudiation of Trump.

@Richard Wheeler:

It would be foolish to claim this is not a repudiation of Trump.

Not as big a repudiation of Trump as it was of Clinton and Obama in their first mid-term elections.

@retire05: I’d agree that with an historically low mid term approval rating of 40%—Trump’s Party should have done worse.

Any thoughts on alt right leader Richard Spencer? Kitt has gone silent on this.

@Richard Wheeler: Dont know anything about this person, Richard Spencer will have to look into this famous personality. So Cal and all its politicians can slide off into the Pacific for all I care.

@kitt: Don’t know Richard Spencer? Talk about being politically uninformed Kitt.

@Richard Wheeler: Had a look, Spencer isnt a politician. There are some really nasty things said about this guy, and it began with his denouncing of ANTIFA, who seem to follow and harass him where ever he goes.
Seems he would like a place for white people to live and thrive. Beyond that he does not call for violence, he is worried about the calls for white genocide. I do my best to not form an opinion from media that covered and defended violent little fascists, that believe its their purpose in life to shut down all speech they dont agree with.
And what does this have to do with election fraud? No more rabbit holes when is the cut off for democrats voting? I thought everyone was suppose to counted by Nov 6. I say the elections should stand at what was called, if the voters of a district have problems with that let them choose competent people to run the polls.

@Richard Wheeler:

I’d agree that with an historically low mid term approval rating of 40%—Trump’s Party should have done worse.

You’re obfuscating again, Wheeler.

@kitt: Spencer an organizer of your TIKI PARADE–supporter of Duke and KKK—Virally anti semitic and a proud racist’
Your kinda guy?
Around long before Antifa.

Voter fraud What happened to DT’S commission?

Talk of Trump replacing Gen. Kelly—big mistake

@kitt: Yes, kitt, please. You know how bad it looks to NOT answer questions? Don’t run away from them and then later pretend you answered them. Oh, in case you were wondering, Trump’s approval is hovering around 50% and his approval among blacks is 40%, a grave concern for Democrats that rely on their traditional slave class for votes. Remember who had to be told who ANTIFA was? You’re political knowledge is just fine; I had to look the guy up, too. Aside from someone some liberals like to assign a lot of political significance to, he’s not much. But, try to get liberals to denounce Farrakhan, someone that preaches violence and racism, and HIS associates, well that’s a different story.

@Richard Wheeler: The commission, seems states did not want to cooperate. The pushback from states is a reminder that state officials are still in charge of their elections, said Michael Steel, a former senior aide to former House speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio).
Unable to get the states to cooperate, the commission was disbanded to prevent further waste of tax payer dollars.
Any district that did not fully comply or failed to meet a states procedures and rules should be fully audited by its states AG. Finding 10s of thousands or even hundreds of votes is unacceptable.
Whom ever Trump wants on his staff is Trump business. The entire executive branch is under him.

@Deplorable Me: I didnt run away I had to go to moms and remove her leaves it snowed here and then hard freeze, they dont gather the leaves from the curb where she lives, filled the pickup with trash containers and several lawn bags stuffed. She is out of furnace filters and the sump line needs to get swapped to a larger discharge hose to prevent freezing shut, you know just real life.

@kitt: No, YOU don’t run away, but it seem those that DO demand immediate answers to THEIR questions. Sort of like the liberal states who run away from questions about voter fraud; afraid of the answers.

Have you or your mother considered screaming at the sky or hitting someone in the head with a bicycle lock? Some believe THAT solves problems. You are a good daughter, taking care of your mom.

@Deplorable Me: She is 89 and lives in her own house, in very good shape for her age, has never driven. Dad has been gone for 6 years and all of us pitch in and do a few thing to pick up the slack, you know just what normal families do. I am very lucky to have a sweetie that can do just about everything, from computer programming to plumbing and all the tools. Mom hated her red brick fireplace so we redesigned and built her a split stacked stone with new hearth, after tearing out the brick the stone was back-ordered there was a bare wall and gas insert for 6 weeks, we got some teasing for being the contractors that never finished., but got it finished well before the holidays and it turned out so perfect, she roped sister into painting, and Bro in law for new hardwood floor to replace carpet that didnt go with the colors of the fireplace.

Talk about dreaming Gallup has DT at 38% approval Ras at 45% RCP AVERAGE 40% African American approval has never been over 20%==currently closer to !5%

House looks 232-203—a wake-up for Trump

@rich wheeler: Compared to other first midterms it wasn’t a disaster, No big wave either way.
Sounds like Boltons girl Mira needs to be chucked out on her keester.

To not know about Richard Spencer and white supremacists is as bad as not knowing Antifa—There is no place in our society for either
To act ignorant of Spencer is to either be woefully uninformed OR accepting of his racism.
There is no need to “chose a side” between these two extremes
Reminder of my favorite bumper sticker “vote Trump nobody needs to know”

@Richard Wheeler: I dont know if Spencers name was all that shoved into the news, Antifa on the other hand raged in DC burning limos busting up the starbucks, fighting on California campuses everytime someone right of Mao or Chi was to just speak at campus, not rally just speak. You will take this not the way it is meant Spencer never tried to silence anyone, it was college professors at Berkley that were organizing ANTIFA Stanford, Dartmouth Berkley, Perdue and many others, they are also BDS rabidly anti-Isreal
https://legalinsurrection.com/2017/03/with-campus-shout-downs-first-they-came-for-the-jews-and-israel/
Wondering is this known to Parents that saved for the kids college education.
Who are the Nazis which side. I guess we wont know since one side will not allow the other to speak.

@kitt: One side shouts down the other, then declares THEM the Nazis. That’s how the left works and, apparently, that is quite alright for some… because, you know… Spencer.

@kitt: You are correct—I take it as support of AVOWED white supremacist Spencer and what he supports Including Charlottesville torch parade yelling racist and anti semitic chants.
I have said MANY times I DO NOT SUPPORT Antifa.
Will you say the same about Richard Spencer and white supremacists?

@Richard Wheeler: Why are you so enthralled with this nobody? If I dont know of him why would you think I would support him?
I linked to who the true anti semitics were they are teaching the kids that crap, they are in Media supporting it by not covering it. Youngsters away from home looking for a group to fit into are being sucked into this cult like Anifa movement nation wide, never allowed to hear an alternative viewpoint, being taught to never allow one.

@kitt: Again, if you were as “informed” as you continually assert, you’d know he led your TIKI March and is a leader of alt right white supremacist think tank—calls himself a white nationalist and like Avenatti–who I despise,. has been accused of spousal abuse.
In other words he’s a racist anti semite not the kind of guy Conservatives, or anyone else, should support. Because he was attacked by ANTIFA does not give him credence.

@rich wheeler: @rich wheeler: Logic use logic, If I supported his ideas I would know who this guy is. I realize this he was for uniting the right, that is something the left cannot have as they demonized the teaparty, so they demonize all conservative things. Seem you are totally disinterested in the subject of the thread you are like maost progressives the ends justify the means. How bout all those poor forest creatures burned up in your state, have the progressives learned anything about forest management yet? What also burnt is the infrastucture the things unseen that breakdown deadwood. Things that normally survive til the temperatures reach melting point of cars. Yup your progressive system really something to admire, let the conservatives build it then let it go to hell.

@kitt: Obviously you should know about those you don’t support—like Antifa for instance—to me it sounds like you support much of what Spencer and right wing white supremacists support—am I wrong?
To blame “progressives” for the tragic fires is laughable. absurd and like your idiot Trump compassionless.
Btw it would appear midterm results show many Trumpeteers are finally breaking from his rude, clownish. ignorant, hateful brand—more -especially women- will follow.

@Richard Wheeler: Hopeless

Michelle Obama whines that Melania never reached out to her for advice…like on what fashion lol.