Local 10 Uncovers Big Ballot Mystery

October 27, 2004

Elections Office Says Situation Is 'Odd'

POSTED: 4:10 pm EDT October 26, 2004

UPDATED: 6:14 pm EDT October 26, 2004

BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. -- Local 10 has received many phone calls from

viewers in Broward County who say they have not received the absentee

ballots –- and the news from the elections office doesn't sound good.

Local 10 has learned that many as many as 58,000 ballots that were

supposed to mailed out on Oct. 7 and 8 could be missing.

The Broward County Supervisor of Elections office is saying only that

the situation is " unusual, " and they are looking into it.

Gisela Salas, Broward Deputy Elections Supervisor, said, " I hate to

say 'missing' at this time because that has not yet be substantiated.

Some ballots are starting to arrive. But there is an extraordinary delay. "

An elections office representative told Local 10 that the office has

investigated with the U.S. Post Office what might have happened to the

ballots, but so far, no one has been able to figure it out.

" It is unusual. It's a puzzle on the part of our office and the postal

service, " Salas said. " Our office did make the delivery and the post

office assures us they were processed. What happened is in question. "

The postal service told Local 10 late Tuesday that they don't have

58,000 ballots floating around. They did say that they have several

employees assigned to deal only with ballots and they are being

delivered in one to two days -- once they get them.

How Will You Vote?

As far as the voters go that haven't received their ballots, the

elections office is now suggesting that they take the opportunity to

vote early.

Since many who request absentee ballots cannot physically vote in

their county, there are likely to be some angry voters.

If you are able to and would like to vote early in Broward County,

click here to find a voting location.

Watch Local 10 News for more coverage of this missing ballot controversy.

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