Broward Politics: Candidate Persists Pushing Illegal Proposal

 

BY BUDDY NEVINS

 

There she goes again.

Jennifer Gottlieb, who is running for Broward Supervisor of Elections, keeps repeating the same pledge during her campaign…despite being told it is illegal. 

“I’m committed to proactively sending every active eligible voter a Vote-by-Mail ballot,” she wrote again in a fund raising letter this week. 

Her proposal is an attempt to pander to Democratic activists. Just what we need in a non-partisan elections office — a supervisor who panders to Ds. 

 

Jennifer Gottlieb

 

Here is the thinking behind Gottlieb’s illegal proposal: Broward could have a bigger Democratic turnout by sending everyone a ballot. That bigger turnout could turn Florida blue. 

There is only one big problem. Her proposal is illegal….and she has been told that numerous times.

Don’t take my word for it. Take the Sun-Sentinel political writer Anthony Mann’s word.

 

 

Anthony Mann

 

 

 

 

On July 7, the Sun-Sentinel ran an article by Mann about Gottlieb’s illegal proposal. It was headlined: 

“Candidate’s Plan To Make Voting Easier Hits Snag – Automatically Sending Mail Ballot To Every Voter Isn’t Legal”

Mann’s piece quoted two lawyers working for the Broward elections office and a third with the Florida State Association of Supervisor of Elections.

These lawyers said that blindly sending out ballots is not permitted. 

Gottlieb’s proposal is verboten. A no-no. Illegal and would violate Florida’s election laws.

Two of her opponents in the Democratic primary — lawyers Mitch Ceasar and Chad Klitzman — also told the Sun-Sentinel that Gottlieb’s proposal is illegal.

But Gottlieb told the Sun-Sentinel that she knows better than the elections lawyers and her opponents.

“I also believe that I have demonstrated knowledge of the Florida statutes,” Gottlieb is quoted. “If I were supervisor of elections, I would mail out a, not a request, but a vote-by-mail ballot to every voter in Broward County, especially during these covid times.”

There are 32 lawyers named Gottlieb in Florida. None of them are named Jennifer. 

She was a school union lobbyist, a School Board member and a legislative aide. Lawyer is not part of her resume.

Yes, Gottlieb may have absorbed some knowledge of criminal law since she was investigated for illegalities during her tenure on the Broward School Board a decade ago. 

(She was never charged with any crime. She quit her School Board post in the fallout from a critical Florida Grand Jury report, which criticized some of her actions.) 

But does she know election law?  

Her persistence in promoting an illegal act proves she doesn’t know what she is talking about….and apparently doesn’t care. 

At the very least, if Gottlieb is elected she will embroil Broward County in a quixotic costly lawsuit against her illegal distribution of vote-by-mail ballots.   

Browardbeat can already guess two of the deep-pocketed plaintiffs filing suit against Broward: 

  1. The State of Florida, and 
  2. The Florida Republican Party. 

Any lawsuit will be bog down the elections office in another embarrassing and needless controversy.  

And guess who will pay for this mess? You and me.

Voters will decide whether in the August 18th Democratic primary whether Broward deserves another elections supervisor who doesn’t know election law.

Voters will decide whether we can afford Gottieb. 

 

*****

 

From a reader sent to Browardbeat from an early voting location today:

“Question…

Is this?

 

 

 

A) homeless person

B) retired circuit court judge

C) candidate for clerk

D) all of the above.”

(The answer is B and C)



14 Responses to “Broward Politics: Candidate Persists Pushing Illegal Proposal”

  1. David Brown says:

    Who do you think GOTTLIEB will hire as outside counsel to defend the supervisors office against the lawsuits? Just look at her early fundraising reports.

  2. Count LF Chodkiewicz Chudzikiewicz says:

    Why do people support candidates that are full pf b.s. like this LAW BREAKING pledge? I blame ANY VOTERS who swallow this ILLEGAL nonsense by a candidate

  3. Never Jennifer says:

    Seems Jennifer would be happier in Portland, Seattle, Atlanta, Chicago, Baltimore,St. Louis, New York, or any other city run by politicians who make up their own rules.

    Broward County does not need a person with such a warped mentality running the SOE office. Voters in Broward have suffered enough at the hands of other bozos. It is time for competence and sanity in that office.

  4. Ha Ha Ha says:

    Either Mr. Speiser is trying to repel voters by dressing up as a COVID-19 super-spreader, or he really doesn’t know that the mask has to be worn over both mouth and nose at all times. Leadership by example?

  5. Give Me a Break says:

    The Sun Sentinel put it best – it’s time to put competence over politics in this office. Proudly cast my ballot for Chad Klitzman earlier this week.

  6. John Piccoloino says:

    Vote Republican to save our country!

  7. City activist Robert Walsh says:

    Obviously it’s apparent many do not like this Mrs.Gottlieb.Anyhow I think Mitch Ceaser is the one to go with.Will see.Im more concerned w/ King Carlos ripping off my Spainards.

  8. Laurie says:

    I’ll be voting for Jennifer as I think everyone should be able to vote by mail all the time and it should be easier to do so. Vote Democratic to save our country and prevent our social programs from being gutted by Republicans. Cutting payroll taxes cuts programs like social security. Vote for Jennifer Gottlieb!! Florida was Democratic for decades. Turn Florida blue again to help it’s people!!

  9. Jen Jen ... No ... No ! says:

    Glad to see that you clarified that Jen Jen was not an attorney. I am absolutely stunned that Ms. Gottlieb would have the temerity to offer herself to the public. It’s just so galling. Not a red or blue issue. It’s a matter of competency and integrity in the office. To paraphrase attorney, Joseph Welch in the Army-McCarthy hearings, has she not done enough ? Has she no sense of decency ? I guess I should not be surprised at @8 in a county that elected Brenda Forman … (“the most hated woman of color in Broward County”). Just want to be clear though. I’m not mad. Animals get mad … people don’t.

  10. Marie says:

    She was trash before when in office and still is. Can we please elect people in this state who actually care about doing the right thing, or am I just too “old school” when it comes to ethics and honesty?

  11. Count LF Chodkiewicz Chudzikiewicz says:

    #8 HOW DOES VOTING FOR A QUESTIONABLE CANDIDATE LIKE GOTTLIEB HELP INCREASE MAUL VOTING? Your reason for voting for her makes mo sense; it’s UNRELATED to her race n candidacy. AS I SAID IT IS THE VOTERS WHO SCREW UP BROWARD GOVERNMENT.

  12. All Knowing says:

    Examine the relationship between Barbara Miller, once a chief lobbyist at the School Board, and Gottlieb. They are tied together. Miller encouraged her to run and dragged along all her Hollywood clique. I notice Larry Davis on Gottlieb’s list. Davis=Miller.

  13. Count LF Chodkiewicz Chudzikiewicz says:

    Question: what do Gottlueb, Larry Davis (who he?) Barbara Miller know about EDUCATING CHILDREN?

    FROM BUDDY:

    Larry Davis is a Hollywood-based attorney and a long-time political player in the Democratic Party in South Broward. He is best known recently for successfully defending Hallandale Mayor Joy Cooper and Tamarac Mayor Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco against corruption charges. He and Miller have supported candidates in lockstep for years.

  14. Just Say No says:

    Please say No to Jen-Jen, imagine the lobbyist lined up to bang her to get business. Only in Broward…