E-mail from Alaska Democratic Party - suit filed

[Blue_In_AK]

Democrats File Lawsuit To Get 2004 Election Records


Anchorage - The Alaska Democratic Party filed suit in Superior Court today seeking to force the Division of Elections to release public records needed to verify the 2004 election results.

"We are asking the court to release these public records so that the people of Alaska can be assured that their votes were counted correctly," said Alaska Democratic Party Chair Jake Metcalfe. "The Division of Elections' numbers do not add up. The Division has refused to release the public records that would allow us to verify the results. All we ask is that the Lt. Governor and the Director of Elections follow the law and meet their obligation to Alaskans so every one knows why these numbers don't add up."

The Alaska Democratic Party has been trying since last year to get the public records of the election in order to find out why there are numerous errors and discrepancies in the state’s reported results of the 2004 general election. The Division of Elections’ latest excuse for refusing to release the election information is that it would create “security risks."

"Nothing we have asked for compromises security," Metcalfe said. ""Why is the Division of Elections is so reluctant to provide these public records? What are they trying to hide?"

According to the Division of Elections' vote reports that were produced by the state's Diebold computer system and are posted on the Division's official web site, a far larger number of votes were cast than the official totals reported in the statewide summary. In the case of President George Bush’s votes, the district-by-district totals add up to 292,267, but his official total was only 190,889, a difference of 101,378 votes. In the U.S. Senate race, Lisa Murkowski received 226,992 votes in the district-by-district totals, but her official total was only 149,446, a difference of 77,546 votes.

In 20 of the 40 State House Districts, more ballots were cast than there are registered voters in the district, according to information on the state's web site. In 16 election districts, the voter turnout percentage shown is over 200%.

"Alaskans must have an accurate accounting of the 2004 election results. "The accountability of our election system is at stake. Confidence in the integrity of our elections is fundamental to our democracy," Metcalfe said.

The ADP filed a formal public records request on Dec. 19, 2005, seeking the "central tabulator data file" taken from the Diebold-supplied computer used to run the "GEMS" (Global Election Management Software) application. This is the electronic file containing all final vote tallies for the 2004 General Election.

Under the public records regulations, the Division was supposed to release the data file on Jan. 4. On Jan. 4 the Division extended the deadline until Jan. 19.

In a Jan. 19 letter, the Division asserted that the file was proprietary information belonging to its contractor, Diebold Elections Systems.

In a Feb. 3 letter, the Division advised the Democrats that Diebold had agreed to waive its proprietary rights to the GEMS database files, and said that the records would be provided if it determined that the integrity of the election system could be protected. In the Feb. 3 letter the Division asked for an additional 10-day extension until Feb. 13, and the Democrats agreed. On Feb. 13, the Division again extended the deadline to Feb. 27. In a letter dated Feb. 22, the Division denied the Democrats' public records request, citing "security risks."



Several of us showed up downtown today for a protest, and I have photos which I'll post later.

[katinmn]

1. Whoo-hoo! Go get 'em!

:yourock:

We must pursue all avenues to expose the fraud.

[MissWaverly]

2. Kicked to the Greatest Page

Good, keep it up, don't give them a break, the dirty cheats.

[mod mom]

3. Excellent news! Keep up the fight! nt

[northofdenali]

4. YESSS!!

When not even Diebold objects... but the Repukes are scared....

Wonder if Lisa really was elected?

[Demrock6]

5. How could the people no want to know the truth?

Go get 'em

[melissinha]

6. OMG!

Haven't heard anything about this happening in Alaska.. I'm sorry but voterturnout of 200% is clear fraud. The GOP just thinks that stonewalling can keep them in power don't they.... I have to say that the privatization of election systems is very alarming. There is no way that a company can have proprietary ownership over a system that carries the very pillars of our democracy. It just can't.

[EFerrari]

7. Take it to them.

Thank you and great work!

:hi:

[Blue_In_AK]

8. Photos...

Taking it to the street





My husband proudly sporting his ITMFA button. :)


In Town Square




Jake Metcalfe, chairman of the Alaska Democratic Party


Steve Cleary, Alaska Public Interest Research Group, and friend


Self-explanatory - I love these ladies. :hug:

[katinmn]

9. Great pics! Great turnout, too

:kick:

[northofdenali]

11. Thanks for the photos, Blue!

Good turnout - and did I notice no snow? Crap. We still have snow. I want it to GO AWAY!!

[Blue_In_AK]

16. Not much snow left downtown...

...but there's still some left here and there around the city. We still have quite a bit in the middle of our back (north) yard.

[intheflow]

19. Good photos!

It always disturbs me how few people come out for these events, but I think they're having their impact on the national psyche. For every one person who comes out to a rally, I'll bet there are at least 10 who would be there but can't for some reason, like work or they don't know about the rally, or they're afraid of being put on some kind of list. And I know from the many small rallies i've attended over the years, many passerbys are exposed to and enlightened on a topic they didn't even know existed.

So right on, Blue! :yourock:

[Blue_In_AK]

20. Thanks, ITF...

We were well received downtown, and had some informative hand-outs for people, plus there was a good article in this morning's newspaper about the lawsuit and a story on one local newscast last night, so I think we made a little impact anyway. Nobody's really implying that the election was corrupt (not out loud anyway), just that we want to see why there are such discrepancies in the district tallies as opposed to the state-wide. It just doesn't look right, and our fundy Lieutenant Governor's explanations come up way short.

[MelissaB]

21. I just found the photos!

Thanks so much for posting these.

[nicknameless]

10. Very good news! Thanks for posting it.

Recommended

[Amaryllis]

12. You think they will try to alter records?

[Amaryllis]

13. So what happens if they get the records and find out Murkowski didn't

win?

[Wilms]

14. Well, A. A certified election result no longer requires accuracy.

Unless Alaska has a different law, I imagine she stays unless impeached.

[Blue_In_AK]

15. Yes, I think the main emphasis

is just to assure that nothing like this happens again, with elections coming up this year and again in '08. A lot of us feel like Lisa may not have won fair and square, although it was a very close race.

[Wilms]

18. Would be a great headline for bringing voting peril to light.

Your senator isn't your senator.

K&R

[grannylib]

17. I hope they keep the pressure up; how the hell can the MSM be ignoring

not only this but the many many many reports of reThuglican sElection fraud and theft?
Where the hell are all the JOURNALISTS these days?? Is there anyone in the press interested in informing the American people about happenings in our country and with our democracy?

Is there a provision in the No Child Left Untested thingy for Civics?? I bet not. Subversive, dangerous stuff. If the sheeple in this country knew how the government was supposed to function, and knew anything about the Constitution, you can bet these thieves would never have been allowed into office.

[worldgonekrazy]

22. Division of Election officials appointed by the Governor

That being Governor Frank Murkowski (R), father of Lisa Murkowski, who defeated(?) Democrat Tony Knowles in the 2004 Senate race. And they won't release the election results. Doesn't that stink a bit?

[Blue_In_AK]

23. Loren Leman, fundy extraordinaire, lieutenant governor,

in charge of elections -- adding to the stench.