If Black folks in Florida needed another wake up call, they got it in the recent debacle that paraded itself as an election in the Sunshine State recently. Despite a $32 million renovation, Florida's new election system cratered.
It was nearly as bad as the 2000 election. Once again, voters in Florida were left wondering whether their votes counted. And, according to press reports, many of those wondering were African-American.

As in the 2000 presidential race which resulted in a losing candidate claiming the White House, the voting problems in Florida were both technical and human error. And, once again, it was Black folks’ votes that were least likely to have been counted.
According to the Associated Press, in Miami-Dade, nearly half of the ballots that were still uncounted the day after the election were cast by Black voters. Because of problems that manifested themselves early (including Democratic gubernatorial candidate Janet Reno being unable to vote on her first attempt), Governor Jeb Bush ordered the polls to remain open two hours later.

However, it appeared that not all poll workers got that message.  In Hollywood, workers at one precinct who had not been told of the extension, allegedly held the door shut and cursed at people who were trying to vote.
In all, 14 of the state’s 67 counties --nearly 20 percent -- reported voting problems, including six of the seven counties that were sued after the 2000 presidential stalemate. Initially, Reno’s opponent, Bill McBride, had declared victory, even though nearly a week after the election, uncounted votes were still being discovered. Reno was considering a court challenge to force a recount. (Reno eventually conceded.)
Between now and November, every publisher of a Black publication needs to undertake the task of massive voter education and mobilization. Black leadership in Florida needs to call in every civil rights organization in the country to come in and set up shop to protect the rights of African-American voters.
Independent poll watchers need to be at every poll site in the state. Former president Jimmy Carter, who has monitored elections worldwide, should be invited in to oversee the November Florida election.

Voting experts from Latin America and Africa, who are managing to have cleaner elections than Florida, could be consultants, too. Late night talk show hosts have had a field day with this latest election mess. “From chad to worse,” some have said. But this is no laughing matter. People, particularly Black people, are being denied the right to vote. Too many of our ancestors fought and died for this right and we should not give up that right.
If Jeb Bush can’t run an election, why should he be given another chance to run the State of Florida?