A state inquiry will determine that as the county's elections office remains troubled.
By Associated Press
Published October 15, 2003
FORT LAUDERDALE - State officials will investigate whether Broward County's elections office can handle coming elections, citing concern over several recent firings by embattled Supervisor Miriam Oliphant.
Secretary of State Glenda Hood ordered a six-person team to begin assessing Oliphant's office Tuesday and continue through the rest of the week, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported.
Special elections are scheduled in four Broward communities - Cooper City, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach and Southwest Ranches - on Nov. 4.
Oliphant has fired or forced out four key personnel, including her deputy supervisor, in recent weeks, leading to concern that her office will not properly handle the demands of the coming election season, which ends with the March 9 presidential primary.
"With the number of people no longer with her, we need to look at it and make sure the process is preserved," said Kay Clem, the elections supervisor of Indian River County.
Oliphant could not be reached for comment Monday.
"Thank goodness someone is doing something," said Broward County Commissioner Lori Parrish, a frequent critic of Oliphant. "We need to know because we have elections coming up. This is the state's responsibility because she is an independently elected constitutional officer."
The state review will also examine the county's voting machinery, but not Oliphant's budget. Oliphant has threatened to sue the county if it does not provide her with $14.7-million for the 2004 fiscal year. County commissioners have budgeted $9.6-million instead.
Oliphant became a target of criticism after last year's Florida gubernatorial primary.
