Elections Officer in Florida Brenda Snipes Revokes Resignation

Battling Broward County, Florida, election supervisor Brenda Snipes announced Saturday that she was canceling her resignation. A day after Republican Gov. Rick Scott, citing "malfeasance, incompetence and negligence in duty," issued a decree to dismiss her and replace her immediately.

Snipes' lawyer, Burnadette Norris-Weeks, said Saturday that Scott had kidnapped her because he wanted to put her in embarrassment and "tarnish her record".

"… and we will fight against that," said Norris-Weeks. "On top of that, Dr. Snipes is canceling his resignation."

Republican leaders, including President Trump blame him for running the Nov. 6 poll in which Scott defeated Democratic Senator Bill. Nelson for the US Senate. Some in the GOP made unsubstantiated allegations of election fraud.

Snipes is also criticized for not providing data quickly on the count of votes and for 22 canceled ballots accidentally mixed with valid ballots.

Snipes resigned Nov. 18, claiming that she was deeply troubled by the GOP's allegations during a tumultuous election where the Democratic nominee for the governorship, Andrew Gillum, yielded to the Republican Ron DeSantis. His resignation was to take effect in January.

But Scott announced Friday that Snipes was to leave immediately, and replaced it with Peter Antonacci, head of Enterprise Florida, a public-private joint venture that promotes business development in that state.

"After a series of inexcusable actions, it is clear that an immediate change must take place in Broward County and taxpayers should no longer be burdened by the payment of a salary to an election supervisor who has already announced her resignation, "said Scott. Friday.