Lynda Bell got 650 more absentee ballots than Eugene Flinn taking her over the top to win the election. It is amazing she got so many absentee ballots in the primary and the election with no cost recorded in her campaign report. In the County Commission District 8 race we had the cream of the crop of campaign consultants including Steve Marin, Al Lorenzo and I suspect that Lynda Bell had Armando Gutierrez helping her through Natacha Seijas. Al Lorenzo helped Mayor Manny Diaz's campaign, Armando Gutierrez helped Tomas Regalado's and Steve Marin worked for Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Marc Sarnoff in the past. All of these consultants know how to get absentee ballots and all know the importance of them. So what went wrong for Eugene Flinn? How did Lynda trounce him in absentee ballots? Was her consultants just better at calling people to return their ballots? I don't think that is the case.
I don't mind consultants making sure people return their absentee ballots but it crosses the line when you use oldsters to your advantage. It crosses the line when you assist a voter to fill out their form. It crosses the line when you mail the form for a voter. I don't believe anyone should touch another persons ballot and I consider it stealing a vote if you do.
Do I believe that lines are crossed in Miami Dade elections? Yes, I do. I think that some consultants hire people who get absentee ballots any way they can. I also think some of these same people --lets call them canvassers -- go directly to the candidates and offer them absentee votes for money and then somehow manipulate the ballots.
I call the manipulation of absentee ballots stealing an election and I don't want it to happen anymore. The question is, what can be done to stop it? How did amassing absentee ballots become a cottage industry?
25 comments:
Don't be so sure that Marin was not working for Bell. He is a smart guy and got beat by her once in Homestead. His bread and butter is lobbying and if he thought she would win, then.....
Your Photo: Fat head vs. fat head? If so, Marin is clearly the winner.
My mother-in-law once pushed two absentee ballots at my husband and me to sign, already filled out. Of course we refused. Think about the close-knit Hispanic family elders doing this to their adult children. How many of these children would sign just to keep the peace? I think a very large percentage.
It is clear that having campaigns doling out absentee ballots is the problem. A simple solution is if it is not a ballot requested of elections by the registered voter it is not valid.
If not you might want to have campaigns start to staff the polling places. Ultimately this would be the same thing.
In the City of Miami Richard Dunn got vastly more absentee ballots than his opponents. The absentee ballots allowed Dunn to avoid a runoff. Steve Marin worked for Dunn. See a pattern?
Who is monitoring the illegal gathering of absentee ballots?
A simple solution is if it is not a ballot requested of elections by the registered voter it is not valid.
The voter is asking the elections Department ... they are doing it by mailing back to Elections the forms/mailers the candidates provide...
My bigger concern is people taking the voter lists with the personal info on it and asking for the ballots via phone, and then intercepting them at the door of the large complexes...
The senior doesn't think to ask for one, doesn't think to ask where it is, or thinks that she/he is asking for one via mail by signing the back of the certification envelope, which later is stuffed with her ballot and mailed.
The photos show such round fat men.
The "handlers" who request the seniors ballots -- and now I'm referring to the lady who's in charge of the "comedores" -- are in possession of the information needed to request that ballot. Are you telling me these
"handlers" are against impersonating the seniors when they make the request? Don't make me a laugh!!! Are you part of the gullible ones who swallow that no one lies under oath? Don't make me laugh again! Wake up, people. And yes, not only is Gutierrez an expert in the absentee ballot process -- although, his method is not that of impersonating the seniors -- he also has incredible expertise in organizing phone banks and, if necessary, he's not against knocking door-to-door with the candidate. Ask Dermer! I don't think Al Lorenzo is as good as Gutierrez -- look at the mess he made with the Cancela mayoral bid. Maybe that's why Pino continues to use Gutierrez for many of his political projects. It's possible that both, Marin and Gutierrez, have helped Bell because they realize they need a replacement for the Wicked Witch of the Southwest, vile Natacha! LOL
Actually, there is only one way of controlling this situation. Eliminate absentee ballots and the situation will change. The absentee ballot process, in Miami- Dade, has been abused since the days when Steve Clark was first elected.
Or... how about asking Norman Braman to finance an investigation over the irregularities of this last election? Too bad he might not want to destroy what his money helped create! Who was largely responsible for the election of Marco Rubio and Miguel Diaz de la Portilla?
Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference. The last one is the hard part.
I think the ballot collectors will do whatever it takes to harvest the ballots.
The seniors are doing whatever it takes to get some attention and hopefully relief from their day to day routine. Those seniors are merely pawns and they think they are helping someone gives a crap about them.
Watch out people, the lobbyist gang are all working with Oscar Braynon campaing "Steve Marin, Armando Gutierrez, Al Lorenzo, Ron Book, (Meek's - Opal Jones), Lorie Flink and Suzan Fried".
The only time you see all these characters on the same bandwagon is when their comon special interest is in jeopardy. They could care less about the people in district 33, it's all about the mighty DOLLARS.
So. Which one is it, is Oscar Braynon on the take or is he a SELL OUT? from the look of this picture, seems like the people of district 33 has been brought and sold, and these lobbyist are waiting to cash-in after the election.
My advise to the voters of district 33, is don't get fooled by the gang of lobbyist and the self interest baby face Braynon who would do whatever it takes even selling you out to win the state senate seat.
Remember the saga of voters fraud and absentee ballot. Don't be fooled!..
I do believe that the absentee ballots were handled in all the races right down to the small town municipal races. Easy solution: get the list of those who voted absentee and call them. Ask if they were handled and then take the appropriate action. Very simple. The list costs pennies to solve the problem if you have a dedicated team. Go for it! I dare you!
Do you have to have a double chin to be a political consultant?
People are hesitant to speak up when called - they worry about getting in trouble... so they give you half truths or outright lie or get angry when you ask the more pointed questions.
If you want to make calls email or help fund it.
Oscar is a stand-up guy and contributor to this forum. I hope he gets elected and regret that I don't live in his district.
@Anonymous of 11 December 2010 re: State Representative Oscar Braynon and his campaign for State Senate District 33. Oscar Braynon has never been bought or sold. His record in the State House is impeccable. He has passed numerous bills during three sessions, which benefit his district and many others throughout the state. His declared opponents have a cumulative total of 18 years in the state house and Oscar has passed more bills than all three combined!
Oscar's action really don't reflect a sell-out or on the take. His representation of his residents has been honest, forthright and productive. Too bad his opponents can't say the same!
Hey Oscar is not part of this post, how did we get off subject?
I guess people got off the subject because it's alarming to know that as we are trying to figure out the AB problem in the electoral process, here are all the key players of the Absentee Ballot Scheme bunched up in Oscar Braynon's campaign.
Actually the subject is not off track, it's a warning sign to be aware of potential corrupt AB plans in Oscar's campaign for the up-coming special election.
looking at his key players says a lot. Were there's rumers, there's an element of thruth!...
Okay, spelling does not count, but you seriously need to use spell check:
Truth
Rumors
We know you are from one of the other campaigns...so I take your warning with a grain of salt...so far.
Genius,
Sorry about the spelling mistake, my fingers were moving faster then my brains, and no, I'm not working on any camp. I'm simply an educated voter who pay closer attention then most.
This is certainly something the Grand Jury should investigate, and make recommendations as to how to deter voters from giving away or even selling their votes. The threat of criminal sanctions may deter at least some of the voters from continuing to support this corrupt industry. It would take a large scale Public awareness/ education campaign to frighten seniors enough to avoid participation.
Can we also talk about the Mayor's Recall and how absentee (AB's) ballots will play a big role in that election?
Oscar Braynon is slated to replace Congresswoman-elect Frederica Wilson by the usual suspects, the lobbyist who defends nonthing but their interest, and the Meek's who want to continue their under handed dealings and exploitation of the black community.
If you all think Oscar is a candid politician, wake up and smell the coffee, same old games different player.
The State Senate District 33 is a diverse district which consists of more then just Miami Gardens. We the people of district 33 will not tolerate the exploitation scheme. Thank God it's a new era
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