By RedBroward, Special to SouthFloridaReporter, June 8, 2015 – Under tough questioning from County Commissioner Mark Bogen, Broward Supervisor Of Elections (SOE) Brenda Snipes admitted she was unaware her “right hand lawyer” gave money to candidates with legal matters involving her office. Snipes’ comments came during a budget workshop with Broward County Commissioners earlier this week. While controversial County Commissioner Dale Holness told Snipes she was doing a “great job,” other commissioners questioned Snipes’ budget, early voting plans and methods to increase voter turnout.
Commissioner Bogen focused on ethics and the law. Snipes agreed with Bogen’s assessment that SOE’s main goal is to “run efficient and unbiased and impartial elections.” Bogen stated commissioners are prohibited from sitting on the county elections canvassing board if they gave money or endorsed a candidate.
Snipes claimed Bogen’s line of questioning stemmed from his messy District 2 election.
Last June, REDBROWARD reported District 2 write-in candidate Tyron Francois did not live in the District. Florida Statute 99.0615 states, “At the time of qualification, all write-in candidates must reside within the district represented by the office sought.” In campaign paperwork, the 25 year-old Democrat listed his address as 4019 NW 37th Terrace in Lauderdale Lakes. This address is not within the boundaries of District 2.
Francois’ entry into the race kept Republicans and Independents from voting in the District 2 primary.
At first, Snipes appeared to support an open primary. But, at a July 10 emergency hearing, Snipes’ “right-hand lawyer” Burnadette Norris-Weeks fought to keep non-Democrats from voting in the Broward Commission District 2 primary. She gave Judge Sandra Perlman a myriad of excuses of why it was too late to open the August 26 primary to Republican and Independent voters. On July 11, Francois testified he did not live in District 2 at the time of qualifying. Francois admitted under oath that he knew Dale Holness’ daughter. Superlawyer William Scherer produced a photograph of Francois and Damara Holness.
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