AP News - from Tampa Bay Online - Florida Republicans and Democrats trade pre-election accusations

Oct 29, 1:42 AM EDT

By TIM REYNOLDS
Associated Press Writer

MIAMI (AP) -- Claims of voter intimidation. Problems with absentee ballots. Republicans and Democrats accusing one another of election fraud. The scene in Florida days before the presidential election was reminiscent of the recount chaos from 2000.

State Republican leaders said Thursday they are protecting the election process by compiling a list of voters whom they say are improperly registered and should not be allowed to cast ballots Tuesday. The list was based on a database of suspected felons that state officials discarded in July because it was riddled with flaws, but GOP officials said they updated it.

'I presume they will use it as a basis for challenges,' said Howard Simon, the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union in Florida. 'And when they're using a list that's very likely inaccurate for challenges, I think we're in for hand-to-hand combat at the precincts.'

Republicans also said they identified 925 convicted felons who've lost voting rights and have either already voted or have requested absentee ballots for this election. The party alerted the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Republican National Committee chairman Ed Gillespie said he was 'disconcerted' by claims that supporters of Democratic challenger John Kerry are clogging early voting locations and attempting to dissuade backers of President Bush from voting.

'Some folks have been intimidated to the point where they turned away from the lines,' Gillespie alleged.

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