Miami-Dade

Miami-Dade Mayor Asks for Probe Into Party Switch Claims

Mayor Daniella Levine Cava sent an official request to investigate reports that elderly residents in the heavily-Cuban neighborhood had their party affiliation switched from Democrat to Republican without their knowledge

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The mayor of Miami-Dade County has requested that prosecutors look into allegations that elderly residents of the Little Havana neighborhood in Miami had their party affiliations switched without their knowledge.

Democratic Mayor Daniella Levine Cava sent an official request late Friday to the local State Attorney to investigate reports that elderly residents of a public housing complex in the heavily-Cuban neighborhood had their party affiliation switched from Democrat to Republican without their knowledge.

"They didn't let me know or notify me," one of the residents affected said. She claims that canvassers knocked on her door and got her information by lying about their intentions, ultimately changing her registration card to Republican.

Levine Cava did not specify how many voters had complained. Other Florida Democratic leaders also have asked for an investigation.

Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle's office has been investigating these claims for several weeks.

Democrats are pushing for more registered Democrats ahead of elections this year. NBC 6's Steve Litz reports

"Voting is one of our most sacred rights and privileges as citizens. We must all be diligent in protecting our individual rights as voters," a statement released by Fernandez Rundle said. "Our right to vote and the voting process should always be free from interference and misconduct by others."

Republican Party of Florida Executive Director Helen Aguirre Ferré told the Miami Herald that the party follows “all applicable” laws and rules as it works to register new Republican voters.

“The Republican Party of Florida is working to register new voters and conducts its voter registration operations in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations," she said in a statement. “Our program has been successful and that includes reviewing any report of concern with its program.”

If you believe that any part of your voting process was tampered with, please contact the state attorney's Elections Hotline at (305) 547-3300 and the Miami-Dade Department of Elections at (305) 499-8683.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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