Feds keep an eye on voting in 2 cities
NATALIE P. McNEAL
Miami Herald
Mar 13, 2007
Four election monitors from the U.S. Justice Department will monitor polls in Miramar and Hallandale Beach today, as voters in 12 Broward cities head out to vote.
Miramar officials said that the two cities were chosen for monitoring because of their high percentage of Spanish-speaking voters. Federal law requires that all election information and ballots be provided in Spanish as well as in English.
Census numbers reflect that Miramar's population was 34 percent Hispanic in 2005. The most recent numbers available indicate that in 2000, Hallandale Beach was 19 percent Hispanic.
Last year, the Broward Supervisor of Elections office came under Justice Department scrutiny for not having enough Spanish-speaking poll workers and not enough election materials translated into Spanish. The SOE office disputed the allegations, but still launched a push to do more Hispanic outreach.
These days, the Supervisor of Elections sends a representative to all local Hispanic events and is in close touch with organizations such as Hispanic Unity and the Latin Chamber of Commerce, said spokeswoman Mary Cooney. Every precinct in every city will have at least one Spanish-speaking poll worker, she said.
Deerfield Beach has an election in which no commission seats are at stake, but voters will decide whether to move toward a deal with the Broward Sheriff's Office for fire service.
Deerfield voters also consider issuing bonds for public safety and parks.
Other municipalities holding elections today are: Cooper City; Davie; Dania Beach; Hillsboro Beach; Oakland Park; Pompano Beach; Sea Ranch Lakes; Sunrise; and West Park.
Each year, the Justice Department deploys hundreds of federal observers to monitor elections across the country.
