Anti-slots group sues county over absentee ballots

Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2004 | 9:09 a.m.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Gambling opponents said Monday they are taking their fight against South Florida slot machines to the courts, arguing there's something "bizarre" about a batch of 78,000 absentee votes in Broward County that tipped the scales.

No Casinos and Heather Veleanu, a Broward voter who is managing director of an animal rights group, have sued county elections officials. The suit was filed late Friday in Tallahassee.

"The integrity of the election can be assured only by a recount of the absentee ballots in Broward County for Amendment 4," the lawsuit reads.

State Rep. Randy Johnson, a central Florida Republican who chairs No Casinos, told reporters Monday that questions about the 78,000 votes remain unanswered.

A spokeswoman for Broward County supervisor of elections didn't immediately return a phone call Monday seeking comment.

Earl Bender, the manager for the slots campaign, said lawyers for the campaign were still reviewing the lawsuit but that the campaign was "not terribly worried."

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