Democrats in Pinellas County, Florida, are objecting to a string of voter registration drives held at local Chick-fil-A restaurants, describing the location choice as “inherently unfair” and “overtly partisan.”
Chick-fil-A, which proudly supports various conservative causes, was chosen as the location for nine voter registration drives in the Tampa Bay area by Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections Deborah Clark, a Republican.
Susan McGrath, leader of the Stonewall Democrats and head of the Pinellas Democratic Party, wrote Ms. Clark a letter, saying the decision to hold the event at Chick-fil-A is as partisan as holding it at Planned Parenthood, the Tampa Bay Times reported.
“As an elected official, you have a duty to be evenhanded and fair,” Ms. McGrath reportedly wrote. “Surely, you and your office staff do understand that using Chick-Fil-A as the base for voter registration activities is not only inherently unfair but overtly partisan as well. This company has a strong and well-understood history of anti-LGBT activism and is publicly associated with Republican Party values.”
“While some Democrats may occasionally dine at Chick-fil-A (and perhaps even members of the LGBT community), the coordination of Pinellas voter registration activities with this right-leaning business very clearly conveys that your office is targeting Republican-leaning voters,” she added.
Jason Latimer, Ms. Clark’s spokesman, declined to comment to the Tampa Bay Times about Ms. McGrath’s letter.
Mr. Latimer said the office will hold 350 voter registration drives this year.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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