When I moved to Florida in 2003, the odds of being blasted by a blizzard seemed better than witnessing another election in which Floridians’ votes would not count. Boy, was I wrong!
After the presidential ballot fiasco here in Florida in 2000, this should be the last place where voters should have to worry about the validity of an election. Anyone with half a brain would think that every aspect of any election - local, statewide and especially one with national ramifications - would be inspected under the media microscope and all votes would count. So, what do the powers that be do? They concoct the perfect political storm and play the blame game.
The Republican Party decided to allow half of the delegates selected in the January primary to be seated at their convention. The Democratic Party, ironically known to be progressive, decided to stick strictly to their rules and refuse to seat any Florida delegates.
And who made the decision to cut in line and move up the primaries? The Florida legislature, with its Republication majority. And who signed off on the jump-the-gun, January date? The Republican governor, Charlie Crist.
The notion that certain states must hold their primaries first and in a specific order seems archaic and so childish, at first glance. But behind the bragging rights and brief time in the spotlight every four years are some big bucks.
Hundreds and sometimes thousands of media members flock to these states at primary time. They stay in hotels, eat in restaurants, take taxis, rent cars and spend lots of money, boosting the local economy wherever they gather. And the money that is pumped into TV, radio and print advertising has that happy ka-ching sound that all cash-strapped states love to hear.
At this point, I’ve heard enough about who is at fault about this situation. I’m looking for a solution. Somebody, fix this. Please! I used about $2 worth of gas to drive to and from my polling place and vote in January. And all that I got was a crumby sticker that said that I voted.

Governor Charlie Crist
http://www.flgov.com/
Election 2000 Florida
http://archives.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/12/13/got.here/index.html