Florida Democratic Party sues state over primary ballots.

Byline: Joni James

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. _ Two years after the butterfly ballot and faulty voting machines kept the world waiting to learn who would become the next president, Florida has produced a ballot that is once again creating mayhem.

The Florida Democratic Party on Monday sued the state. Secretary of State Jim Smith, in his post for less than a day, started emergency procedures to redo the ballots for the primary election Sept. 10. And county elections officials got a last-minute notice that they will have to change their absentee ballot mailings, which go out this week.

At issue is the state's newly written language for gubernatorial primary ballots, which this year will only affect Democrats, because Gov. Jeb Bush faces no Republican challenger.

The ballot for the Democratic gubernatorial primary _ set just last week after the end of the candidate qualifying period _ instructs voters to "Vote for One Pair," meaning a gubernatorial candidate and their designated running mate.

The problem? Just three names _ gubernatorial candidates Daryl Jones, Bill McBride and Janet Reno _ actually appear on the ballot. Underneath each of their names are the words, "Not Yet Designated," meaning none has yet named a running mate seeking the lieutenant governor's job.

Smith, whom Bush appointed last week following the surprise resignation of Katherine Harris, said he hopes to use emergency rule-making procedures to change the language voters will see in the primary.