Florida: The Britney Spears of the Election Process

Oh, Florida. You have this need to be at the forefront of the political scene, though always for the wrong reasons. Much like a certain blond, southern, celebrity-train-wreck who can't resist the lure of flashbulbs, you are once again emerging, legs uncrossed and knickers missing, as the center of attention.

I live overseas because my husband serves in the military and we go where they tell us. We consider ourselves to be educated and aware when it comes to U.S. politics, which can make living abroad during this important time of the year all the more challenging. We try to stay as involved as we can and consider casting our absentee ballots to be the ultimate expression of commitment to our homeland.

Let's not forget that we have come up against years of an administration that gives little more than lip service to the military members that risk their lives everyday. Let's not forget that many of us have been unwilling participants in a war that was based on lies and appears to have no end. We have been repeatedly slapped in the face, and the fact that the ballots we sent in during the Florida primary counted for nothing was yet another blow.

My husband and I have been registered "Independents" for the last several years. Last year, we decided to register as Democrats. The impetus for our party switch rested largely on the fact that we are registered in Florida, our legal US residence, and knew that we had to be a member of a particular party in order to vote in the Florida primary.

The primary race has been a dominant topic in the U.S. and no less within the circles of expatriates and service members that live overseas. We mailed in our ballots the day they arrived in our post box, even though we already knew that our vote was in jeopardy. Because of Florida's decision to hold an early primary, sparking the ensuing wrath of the DNC, our votes felt as meaningless as blank sheets of paper.

Nevertheless, we clung to hope. It was my hope that Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Rep. Alcee Hastings might have some success in over-turning the DNC's sanctions that stripped Florida of its delegations. Yet, the DNC was not exactly the target of my frustration.

I couldn't help but, once again, question Florida's political decision-making. This is a state that has endured controversy and embarrassment in its electoral past, and the primary quagmire does nothing to salvage its reputation. Visions of hanging chads dance in my head.

I know that I am not alone when I say I felt robbed of my vote. Something that should have been meaningful became a pointless and shallow show, but I resigned myself to its fate. Now, the tables have turned and it looks like Florida will have a do-over of sorts. By mail.

Call me cynical, but I have serious doubts concerning this process. Florida has not proven itself to be the savviest when it comes to voting accuracy. Just as I wouldn't trust Britney Spears to babysit my children, I can't help but cringe when I hear Floridian politicians insist that this will be a smooth process. A rush to get ballots out to every Florida Democrat within the state and abroad, get them back within the designated time-frame, and have them all accounted for? Sounds easy, right?

Believe me, I want my vote to count. So why do I feel like an enabler, hopeful that this will be the time Florida turns it around while dreading another debacle is inevitable?

Comments

[Denise Clapsaddle - Huffpost Blogger]

Hilarious! Let's hope Florida succeeds at this latest comeback attempt.