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Florida ditches new primary plan Florida ditches new primary plan
(1 day later)
Florida Democrats have decided not to re-stage their presidential primary. The Democratic Party in Florida has decided not to stage a re-run of the state's primary election to choose a candidate for the US presidential poll.
They had planned to re-run the ballot using mainly postal voting in an effort to resolve a row over whether the January vote in the state counts. Florida Democrats had planned to re-run the ballot using mainly postal votes to try to resolve a row over the vote.
Democratic Party presidential candidate Hillary Clinton won the January vote by a large margin. Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton won January's vote by a large margin and theoretically won many delegates.
But it did not count because Florida Democrats earlier lost the right to send delegates to the crucial summer nominating convention. It did not count as Florida Democrats had lost the right to send delegates to August's crucial nominating convention.
The Democratic National Convention (DNC) stripped Florida of its delegates because the state party held its primary early without permission.The Democratic National Convention (DNC) stripped Florida of its delegates because the state party held its primary early without permission.
Obama oppositionObama opposition
Party leaders had said they were concerned about proposals for a re-run.Party leaders had said they were concerned about proposals for a re-run.
Mr Obama voiced concerns about whether a postal ballot would be fairWith Hillary Clinton and her Democratic Party rival, Barack Obama, locked in a tight race, Florida was seen as of key importance in deciding which candidate should be the party's presidential candidate.Mr Obama voiced concerns about whether a postal ballot would be fairWith Hillary Clinton and her Democratic Party rival, Barack Obama, locked in a tight race, Florida was seen as of key importance in deciding which candidate should be the party's presidential candidate.
Supporters of Mr Obama had opposed re-staging the primary.Supporters of Mr Obama had opposed re-staging the primary.
Mr Obama expressed concern over whether a Florida postal vote could be held with fairness and accuracy if it was organised at such short notice. But had said his campaign would "abide by whatever the DNC decides".Mr Obama expressed concern over whether a Florida postal vote could be held with fairness and accuracy if it was organised at such short notice. But had said his campaign would "abide by whatever the DNC decides".
Mrs Clinton had called for the primary to be run again or the January results honoured.Mrs Clinton had called for the primary to be run again or the January results honoured.
The DNC had said it would not support the plan unless both Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton backed it.The DNC had said it would not support the plan unless both Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton backed it.
The proposed new primary would have been a combination of postal and walk-in votes.The proposed new primary would have been a combination of postal and walk-in votes.
ResolutionResolution
At the moment the votes of the 1.75 million Democrats who took part in the first primary will not count.At the moment the votes of the 1.75 million Democrats who took part in the first primary will not count.
DEMOCRATIC DELEGATE RACE BARACK OBAMA: 1,602 Delegates won on 11 March: 17Total states won: 26 HILLARY CLINTON: 1,497 Delegates won on 11 March: 11Total states won: 16 Delegates needed to secure nomination: 2,025. Source: AP at 1400 GMT 13 March Denver horse-trading aheadDelegate count overviewQ&A: Delegates DEMOCRATIC DELEGATE RACE BARACK OBAMA: 1,617 Delegates won on 11 March: 17Total states won: 26 HILLARY CLINTON: 1,498 Delegates won on 11 March: 11Total states won: 16 Delegates needed to secure nomination: 2,024 Source: AP at 0800 GMT 18 March Denver horse-trading aheadDelegate count overviewQ&A: Delegates
Karen Thurman, chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party, had urged state leaders and the presidential candidates to come on board.Karen Thurman, chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party, had urged state leaders and the presidential candidates to come on board.
Under the plan, all of Florida's 4.1 million registered Democrats would have been sent a ballot in the post and would have the choice of posting it back or casting it in person at a polling station.Under the plan, all of Florida's 4.1 million registered Democrats would have been sent a ballot in the post and would have the choice of posting it back or casting it in person at a polling station.
The Illinois senator currently leads the fight for delegates with 1,602 to Mrs Clinton's 1,497, according to the Associated Press.The Illinois senator currently leads the fight for delegates with 1,602 to Mrs Clinton's 1,497, according to the Associated Press.
The successful candidate needs 2,025 delegates to secure the Democratic nomination.The successful candidate needs 2,025 delegates to secure the Democratic nomination.
The Democratic Party was keen to find a resolution that avoids damaging in-fighting, with an eye to the general election contest in November against presumptive Republican nominee John McCain.The Democratic Party was keen to find a resolution that avoids damaging in-fighting, with an eye to the general election contest in November against presumptive Republican nominee John McCain.