St. Lucie County election process sparks protest

FORT PIERCE, Fla. - On the street outside of the St. Lucie County Supervisor of Elections Office, just over a dozen veterans and other protestors stood, waving "recount" signs and patriotic flags.

They say they were not there for any candidate. Rather, they were there because, once, they fought for our country, and this time, they're fighting for the right of a fair vote.

Coast Guard veteran Fred Perry said he has more questions than answers about the recent election results.

"It's all about procedure and the process, not about who wins," he explained.

So, the father of a Marine serving overseas "gathered his troops" and began protesting what he calls dirty election summaries.

"They're over there fighting for this, and this is not what they deserve and what the people of St. Lucie County deserve," he said. "This is where we can take a stand, and we can take our process back. We may not like the candidate who wins, but we'll know it was a clean process."

Fort Pierce resident Mary Burton said she's emailed Supervisor of Elections Gertrude Walker over concerns that her vote may not have counted.

"We have the optical scanners," she said. "We usually don't have any problems. But now, I'm really concerned, now it hits home."

Perry even goes so far as to call for Walker to step aside and allow someone else to take over, so the district can get closure.

"Somebody that knows what they're doing, independent and non-partisan, must step in now and finish this process," he said.

"It's not about partisan politics, it's not a personality issue, it's just time for the people who have let this get away from them to step aside."

Phone calls to Walker went unanswered.

The protesters say they will be back out first thing Tuesday morning, and they will keep protesting until election results are proven to be accurate.