Florida Legislature Joins Election Fray
Nov. 30 -- While the presidential candidates tangle in legal disputes, the Republican-dominated Florida Legislature is set to meet in a special session to consider whether to bypass the courts and appoint the state’s 25 members of the Electoral College.
A select legislative committee called today for lawmakers to meet in special session “as soon as practicable.”
No date was set, although the plan was for lawmakers to convenesometime before Dec. 12, the date fixed in federal law for appointment ofpresidential electors.
Disputed Move
By picking a slate of electors to send its votes to Washington, the Legislature would presumably hand the presidency to Republican George W. Bush, brother of Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. Florida’s 25 electoral votes would give either Bush or Democrat Al Gore the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency.
But Democratic vice-presidential candidate Joseph Lieberman today urged Florida lawmakers to rethink the move, warning of dire consequences if they take such an unprecedented step.
“I do think this action by the Florida Legislature really threatens the credibility and legitimacy of the ultimate choice of electors in Florida,” the Connecticut senator said. “It threatens to put us into a constitutional crisis.”
Republicans say the Legislature may have no other option to ensure Florida is represented when the Electoral College votes Dec. 18. They say the U.S. Constitution and federal law allow the state lawmakers to act because the legal wrangling over who won Florida could drag past Dec. 12.
The vote to meet in special session came over the objections of the body’s Democrats, who said thereshould be no legislative interference in the election controversy.
Can Legislature Act?
In fact, some Democrats and independent legal scholars say the move may be unnecessary or possibly illegal because a winner already has been certified in Florida’s presidential race. Bush was declared the winner Sunday, although Gore is contesting that certification in court. Regardless, they say, there almost certainly will be a certified winner on the books as of Dec. 12.
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