Florida Democratic Party's Mark Bubriski Has the Answers

1. Isn't federal money required to pay for a federal election? And won't it be close to impossible to raise the necessary millions of dollars under federal fundraising rules?

No. The primary can be paid for with non-federal funds, according to the DNC's legal department and other legal experts.

2. How late will they have to hold the election to allow for overseas military voters to have time to send their ballots back?

We have until June 10, according to DNC rules. Ballots for military/overseas would be sent approximately 45 days prior to the election.

3. How will the state get U.S. Justice Department sign-off fast enough, since Florida, as a "pre-clearance" state, is required to show that any election rules meet federal Voting Rights Act standards?

This is a very inclusive process and, per Section 2, ballots would be printed in English, Spanish and Creole. Specific consideration has already been given to the five Florida counties affected by Section 5.

4. How long a lead time will be needed to allow for voter registration?

Generally, 30-45 days are needed.

5. Can the state and state Democratic Party successfully negotiate with all 67 county supervisors of elections to even hold a statewide election?

If a plan is developed and agreed upon by Democratic leaders in Florida, the DNC and and the candidates, it would be conducted by the Florida Democratic Party with the oversight of a reputable accounting firm. The government's only role would be to perform signature verification, which groups pay them to do.

6. Will Republicans and independents who already voted in the January 29th Republican primary be allowed to switch their registration and vote in the new contest?

No one who voted in the Republican primary on Jan. 29 will be eligible to vote in the Democratic primary, even if they switch parties. Our voter file enables us to identify these voters.

7. Will the state's first-ever such vote-by-mail election produce anything like the record turnout that Democrats saw in January? And what if they fall fall short?

We hope that the extraordinary excitement around the campaigns for Senators Clinton and Obama result in considerably higher turnout, but, even if that doesn't happen, Florida voters will have been full participants in the nominating process. 

8. Is vote-by-mail event legal under Florida law, which states "(2) The following elections may not be conducted by mail ballot: (a) An election at which any candidate is nominated, elected, retained, or recalled. . . ."? Read full statute here.

This would be a party-run process. State election law does not have jurisdiction over it.