Florida Republican Party Vice Chairman Michael Barnett disputed claims on Tuesday morning on “The Laura Ingraham Show” that there is no evidence of voter fraud in response to the ballot controversy in the Sunshine State.
Palm Beach and Broward Counties have been at the center of a national uproar since finding additional ballots after the deadline to turn them in had arrived.
The uncounted ballots were enough to trigger a recount for some key races by narrowing the margin of votes. Outgoing Gov. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) filed a lawsuit in response as he continues to fight Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) to become a senator from the state.
Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum (D)(shown above right), in the other major race, conceded defeat but quickly jumped back in when the votes were uncovered.
He has been running against Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.)(above left) to become the next governor in the state.
The media have largely rejected the idea that there could be voter fraud, but Barnett counters there are plenty of irregularities that show otherwise.
Related: Florida Teacher Discovers ‘Provisional Ballot Box’ in Storage Room
“There are definitely irregularities that we have seen,” Barnett told host Laura Ingraham on Tuesday morning. “We have seen Democratic leaders from the Nelson campaign fighting to include votes from non-citizens at the provisional canvassing board meeting a few days ago. We’ve seen evidence from 2016 of the county supervisor destroying ballots.”
Scott also filed the lawsuit in response to the controversy alongside the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC). They’re alleging that officials in Broward County and Palm Beach County are hiding critical information about the number of votes cast and counted in the Democrat-heavy districts.
He also alleged rampant fraud by the Democratic county officials.
“They are not applying the law when it comes to counting,” Barnett told Ingraham. “They did allow counting to continue after the deadline past. Attorneys were not allowed to exercise their right to see what was going on in the supervisor’s tabulation center in Broward County. And there are plenty of irregularities and problems, not just in this election, but going back years.”
Barnett added that both counties are also not likely to meet the deadline to finish the recounts on Thursday. Palm Beach County Elections Supervisor Susan Bucher already said the county is unlikely to meet the deadline, according to Fox News.
Broward County Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes is also running out of time as well.
“I am looking at the statute now,” said Barnett, who also serves as the Palm Beach County Republican Party chairman. “If they are unable to complete the recount, if Susan can’t complete the recount by the deadline, then her second unofficial count has to be identical to the first unofficial count that was submitted on Saturday.”
Related: Trump: Florida Ballot Scandal Is an ‘Embarrassment to our Country and to Democracy’
President Donald Trump made similar fraud allegations last week while dubbing the recounts in the state and elsewhere “The Broward Effect.”
He also said law enforcement is looking into the alleged corruption scandal in the state. The president questioned why people never seem to find extra Republican votes in these situations.
Florida Circuit Chief Judge Jack Tuter said during an emergency hearing on Monday that there was no wrongdoing. He also urged all sides to tone down the political rhetoric.
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