Broward Election Chief Brenda Snipes Likely to Be Ousted: Report

Broward County Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes is likely to be ousted by either Florida Gov. Rick Scott or his likely successor, Ron DeSantis, amid statewide recounts for the Senate, governor, and agriculture commission races for last week’s midterm elections.

Snipes, a controversial figure in Florida, is “losing support from fellow Democrats and faces the increasing likelihood of an embarrassing suspension” from Scott or DeSantis, Politico reported, citing unnamed sources. The report didn’t say when it may happen.

“This is not just the most troubled elections office in the state, it’s the most troubled elections office in the nation,” said Sen. Marco Rubio, a Republican, according to the website. He said she should be removed from office immediately after the recounts are finished.

Brenda Snipes, Broward County Supervisor of Elections, during a canvassing board meeting in Lauderhill, Fla., on Nov. 10, 2018. Joe Skipper/Getty Images

“She has shown she’s incapable of conducting a large and important election in a way that inspires public confidence and trust,” Rubio told Politico. “She’s been found to have destroyed ballots, in violation of the law. Opened absentee ballots early, in violation of the law. Misprinted ballots that have gone out.”

Snipes’ attorney, Burnadette Norris-Weeks, told the website that the attacks are politically motivated.

“Political gamesmanship at its best,” Norris-Weeks said. “The Broward County and Palm Beach County Supervisors of Elections (and the canvassing boards for both counties) have done nothing more than count all votes as required by law. Ridiculous!”

However, she’s been the subject in previous elections. In 2018, a judge ruled that Snipes destroyed ballots from a 2016 Congressional race too quickly.

“She has had a horrible history … and all of a sudden they’re finding votes out of nowhere,” President Donald Trump said of Snipes on Nov. 9, Newsmax reported. “The Florida Election should be called in favor of Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis in that large numbers of new ballots showed up out of nowhere, and many ballots are missing or forged. An honest vote count is no longer possible-ballots massively infected. Must go with Election Night,” Trump also tweeted Nov. 12

Scott also has accused Snipes of being “unwilling to disclose records revealing how many electors voted, how many ballots have been canvassed and how many ballots remain to be canvassed.” He said that the uncertainty ”raises substantial concerns about the validity of the election process.”

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush also called for Snipes’ resignation.

“There is no question that Broward County Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes failed to comply with Florida law on multiple counts, undermining Floridians’ confidence in our electoral process. Supervisor Snipes should be removed from her office following the recounts,” Bush wrote.