Florida Fair Elections Coalition

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ANNUAL ELECTION REFORM CONFERENCE

Hosted by Florida Fair Elections Coalition

“A ROADMAP TO CHANGE”

Improving Florida’s Flawed Elections

May 15-16, 2009, DeLand, Florida

Contacts:
Susan Pynchon, 386-804-3131
Kitty Garber, 386-316-2236
FFEC Office: 386-736-8086

Click here for Friday Agenda

Click here for Friday evening Banquet and Reception

Click here for Saturday Agenda

Click here for Map

Click here for Info About Accommodations

COST FOR 2-DAY CONFERENCE:

(Includes all conference sessions; Friday evening reception and dinner; Saturday Continental Breakfast and Lunch):

Non-Members…$95; Members…$85

FFEC Memberships (optional) may be purchased at the door:

Individual: $20 per year; Senior: $15 per year; Family: $35 per year

Please make checks payable to FFEC. You may pay when you arrive or send payment in advance to: FFEC, 112 New York Ave. Suite 211, Deland, FL 32720. We regret that we are not equipped to accept credit card payments.

AGENDA – FRIDAY, MAY 15
City of DeLand Conference Facility

in the heart of the historic district

120 South Florida Ave., DeLand, FL 32720

12:30 - 1:00 p.m. – CONFERENCE REGISTRATION.

Attendees register and pick up conference materials.

1:00 p.m. – WELCOME & INTRODUCTION OF ALL ATTENDEES

Attendees will have the opportunity to introduce themselves and speak for a minute or two about themselves, their organization, accomplishments, and /or their interests in the area of election integrity and election reform.

1:30-3:30 p.m. -- ELECTION REPORTS and CITIZEN ACTIVISM

The recent Grand Jury indictment of Florida Speaker of the House Ray Sansom on charges of fraud also includes a blistering “presentment” on corrupt practices in the Florida Legislature. The Grand Jury “presentment” (copies of which will be given to attendees) offers a timely introduction to this portion of the conference, which includes a series of exposés .on corruption and questionable election results uncovered by activists around the state. This segment also highlights the importance of individual and local activism. Click here for the individual reports that comprise this portion of the conference.

3:30 p.m. – 2-HOUR BREAK before start of the Reception at 5:30 p.m.

5:15 p.m. -- FFEC MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Just prior to the start of the reception, FFEC members are asked to take a few minutes to vote on bylaws changes and additions to the board of directors as well as approve our financial statement and audit report.

RECEPTION & BANQUET
The Grant Bly House
842 E. New York Ave., DeLand, FL 32724

5:30 p.m. -- RECEPTION

Conference attendees from around the state, along with FFEC members and local elected officials and activists, will meet on the veranda of this charming restored Victorian mansion for mingling and hors d’oeuvres prior to dinner (cash bar).

6:30 p.m. -- DINNER

Delicious food and good company! Buffet dinner will include a variety of entrees, including choices of beef, chicken and/or vegetarian.

GUEST SPEAKER: Attorney Cliff Arnebeck, Columbus, Ohio

“Abuses of power” – Attorney Cliff Arnebeck, featured in the documentaries Hacking Democracy and Uncounted, joins us from Ohio to relate a fascinating tale of broken laws, voter suppression, secrecy and intrigue—all part of Arnebeck’s after-dinner talk about documented abuses of power he has encountered in Ohio elections—and how those abuses relate to Florida. Arnebeck filed a lawsuit—still active—against Ohio’s Secretary of State following the contentious 2004 Presidential election. Investigations in connection with the lawsuit have led to a labyrinth of official misconduct, secrecy, and the darker aspects of American elections.

AGENDA – SATURDAY, MAY 16

City of DeLand Conference Facility

in the heart of the historic district

120 South Florida Ave., DeLand, FL 32720

8:30 a.m. – CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

Served at the conference facility -- Pastries, fruit, juice, tea and coffee

9:00 a.m. – WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

9:15 a.m. – PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY VERSUS ELITIST DEMOCRACY

We are honored to have Dr. William Nylen, professor and chair of political science at Stetson University , as our keynote speaker. Dr. Nylen is the author of the widely praised book, Participatory Democracy versus Elitist Democracy, in which he argues, in part, that "we now live in a world of 'Elitist Democracies' essentially constructed of, by and for moneyed, well-connected and ethically-challenged elites." Dr. Nylen's controversial argument is global in concept but is clearly relevant to Florida , where the Grand Jury's recent indictment of Florida Speaker of the House Ray Sansom on charges of fraud also included a blistering critique of corrupt practices in the Florida Legislature. The 2009 session of the Legislature also saw an attempt to pass voter suppression legislation, which was lambasted as "undermining voters," "a partisan power grab," and similar language in all the state's major newspapers. Dr. Nylen's talk will be of interest to all those interested in the promise, and some of the practical limitations, of efforts throughout the world to increase citizen participation and empowerment as a means to provide a necessary 'popular' check and balance on elitist tendencies in contemporary democracy.

10:00 – THE MYTH OF CIVIL RIGHTS RESTORATION IN FLORIDA

Muslima Lewis, Racial Justice and Voting Rights Project Director for the ACLU of Florida, joins us from Miami to discuss the convoluted and discriminatory system that continues to prevent civil rights restoration for hundreds of thousands of Floridians. The myth of automatic rights restoration led to dashed hopes for thousands of would-be voters prior to the 2008 election. Lewis will talk about the necessity to restore civil rights, not only for the benefit of the affected individuals, but for the benefit of our communities and society at large.

10:45 a.m. – BREAK

11:00 a.m. -- WINNING AGAINST THE ODDS

Heather Walker, lobbyist for the League of Women Voters, and Brad Ashwell, Democracy and Consumer Advocate for the Florida Public Interest Research Group (Florida PIRG), will share their experiences fighting against a horrific elections bill (dubbed “The Voter Suppression Act of 2009”) in Tallahassee during the 2009 legislative session. Walker and Ashwell, together with several other advocates, did Herculean work defeating legislation that appeared at first to be unstoppable—joined by the efforts of over 40 civil rights and voting rights organizations around the state. Her insights into lobbying strategies and the legislative process will be invaluable for all who would like to participate in advocating for fair and free elections in our state.

11:45 -- CATERED LUNCH PROVIDED AT CAFFE DAVINCI
With a large shaded terrace and unique statuary, this charming cafe is one of DeLand's favorites. Less than 1 block from the conference facility.

12:30 p.m. -- AN ANSWER TO POST-ELECTION AUDITS

Larry Moore, joining us from Boston, Massachusetts, will present the “Humboldt Method,” originally developed in 2008 as part of a transparency project in Humboldt County, California. Carolyn Crnich, the County Clerk and Registrar of Voters in Humboldt County, together with a dedicated group of citizen volunteers, significantly advanced the cause of election integrity. Larry will discuss what they did, the innovations that have already emerged, and how their methodology can quickly evolve to become the centerpiece of post-election audits. Moore’s presentation is important for everyone interested in election accuracy in Florida.

1:15 p.m. – PREVENTING “INVALID” VOTES

Mary K. Garber, Florida Fair Election’s Research Director, made a startling and important discovery during her research into the 2008 election that will necessarily change the way that Florida and the nation conduct elections. Garber will present the real reason behind Florida’s higher “invalid” vote” rate in 2008, refuting statements made to the New York Times by Florida’s Secretary of State. She will offer possible remedies to minimize lost votes in the future.

1:45 – 2:30 p.m. – THE “DEMOCRACY INDEX”

Ion Sancho, Leon County Supervisor of Elections, is nationally recognized for his integrity, his courage, and his commitment to fair, transparent, and accurate elections. Sancho will discuss the development of objective measures to determine how well election administrators incorporate democratic principles into the conduct of elections. The “Democracy Index” would include such fundamental concepts as transparency, citizen participation, nonpartisan election administration, equal treatment of all voters, and other basic requirements of free and fair elections.

2:30 p.m. – WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
Dan McCrea, President of the Florida Voters Foundation, will moderate an inclusive discussion about prioritizing election reform issues.

3:30 p.m. -- CONFERENCE ADJOURNED

Note: The opinions expressed by the speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Florida Fair Elections Coalition , its board of directors, its members or its funders.

ACCOMMODATIONS

The Holiday Inn is the only one of the following three hotels that

has a bar and a place for attendees to socialize. Otherwise, all

three hotels offer the same price per room and similar amenities.

We have reserved blocks of rooms at all three hotels. Please book

your room as soon as possible to get the best rate!

1) Holiday Inn, (386)-738-5200

Address: 350 E. International Speedway , DeLand , FL 32724

1.5 miles from conference location

Cost: $69/room with two double beds (can change to kingsize

bed and/or smoking room)

Amenities:

• Free wireless internet in rooms and throughout hotel

• Bar with limited dinner menu

• Restaurant open for breakfast

• Outdoor swimming pool, hot tub, fitness center

• Coffee maker iron and ironing board in each room

• Microwave and refrigerator upon request for $10 fee

• Continental breakfast, $3.95, includes fruit, danish, muffins,

yogurt, oatmeal, and cold cereal

• Deluxe Breakfast Buffet, $7.95, includes scrambled eggs,

Belgian waffles with strawberries and whipped cream, sausage

and bacon, biscuits and gravy, fresh fruit, cereal, bagels

2) Comfort Inn, (386)-736-3100 (next door to Holiday Inn)

Address 400 E. International Speedway , DeLand , FL 32724

1.5 miles from conference location

Cost: $69/room with 2 double beds (can change to kingsize

bed and/or smoking room)

Amenities:

• Free wireless internet in rooms and throughout the hotel

• Swimming pool and jacuzzi

• Each room has a refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker

• Free Deluxe Continental breakfast includes homemade waffles,

donuts, muffins, bagels and cream cheese, fresh fruit,

cereal, fresh juice, and boiled eggs

Virtual room tour at www.hotelchoice.com

3) University Inn (386)-734-5711

Address: 644 N. Woodland Blvd. , DeLand , FL 32720

2 blocks from conference location

Cost: $69/room with 2 double beds (can change to kingsized

bed and/or smoking room

Amenities:

• Free wireless internet in rooms and throughout hotel

• Very nice accommodations just 2 blocks from the conference

location

• Free Continental breakfast includes fresh fruit, muffins,

bagels with cream cheese

• Wireless internet

• Outdoor swimming pool

• Rooms have microwave, refrigerator, hair dryers, ironing

boards, coffee maker

For RSVP, questions, concerns, or to be removed from this list,

Email: FloridaFairElections@yahoo.com

Telephone:

FFEC Office.....386-736-8086

Susan Pynchon...386-804-3131

Kitty Garber....386-316-2236

The opinions expressed by the speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Florida Fair Elections Coalition , its board of directors, its members or its funders.