Dear friends,
With the holidays approaching – and so much activity going on with the election contest – I wanted to provide you with an update.
This past week, MIT Professor Charles Stewart and Rice University Professor Dan Wallach presented evidence in court about widespread machine failure that suppressed thousands of votes and changed the outcome of this race. With nearly 40 percent of Americans using touch screen voting machines, an independent examination of these machines, as we’ve requested, is the only way to end the crisis in confidence about our voting system.
While fighting in Tallahassee for a thorough review of our voting system, I also took the step this Wednesday of filing a Notice of Contest with the U.S. House of Representatives. This allows the U.S. House to continue to monitor the legal proceedings in Florida while leaving open the possibility of a Congressional investigation if the Florida courts fail to provide the type of full investigation that will serve to restore voter confidence in the nation’s voting system.
I would also like to take this opportunity to reflect on the importance of our fight. As I have said many times over the past six weeks, this contest is not about Vern Buchanan or me. It’s not about Democrats, Republicans or Independents. It’s about restoring confidence in our Democracy, and ensuring that every American has the opportunity to vote in elections that are both fair and accurate.
Our vote is too precious not to fight for what’s right. On behalf of the voters of District 13, I will see this through and will provide the answers that Sarasota and the rest of the nation are forcefully demanding.
Thank you all for your support throughout this fight. And Happy Holidays to you and your families.
Sincerely,
Christine Jennings
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P.S.-Hi, everyone. JR Lentini, Blogosphere Outreach guy for the Christine Jennings campaign, reporting live from my parents' house. Before I tuck in for the night and wait for Santa (though my wife assures me that there's no way I made the 'nice' list, my mother disagrees), I wanted to share this note from Christine. And, if anyone is interested in getting us presents, the best gift of all would be a letter to your Congressman or Congresswoman asking for justice for the voters of Sarasota County. (Barring that, there's always ActBlue.)
Happy Holidays to all,
JR