Election Reform, Fraud & Related News Wed 9/7/06

[New Earth]

Good morning DU :)

Nope,



and one day we WILL see


don't forget:
Voter fraud=voter committed fraud; term used by the GOP to hide the real problems (machines/corrupt officials) and instead blame the voters (example: Ann Coulter - http://www.democrats.com/coulter-election-fraud )

ELECTION FRAUD=2000 and 2004 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS (covering all forms of fraud involved in an election)

and as always,

All members welcome and encouraged to participate.

Please post Election Reform, Fraud, & Related News on this
thread.

If you can:

1. Post stories and announcements you find on the web.

2. Post stories using the "Election Fraud and Reform News
Sources" listed here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x371233

3. Re-post stories and announcements you find on DU,
providing a link to the original thread with thanks to the
Original Poster, too.

4. Start a discussion thread by re-posting a story you see on
this thread.

If you want to know how post "News Banners" or other images,
go here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=203&topic_id=371233#371391




Please "Recommend" for the Greatest Page (it's the link just
below).

[New Earth]

1. OH: Elections board cuts 25 voting precincts

The elections board seeks advice from the county prosecutor on late bills.

By DAVID SKOLNICK

VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN To save money, the Mahoning County Board of Elections eliminated 25 voting precincts effective with the Nov. 7 election. It costs about $1,000 for each precinct, primarily for poll worker salaries and training and rental fees, said Thomas McCabe, elections board director. The closings are largely at polling places with multiple precincts as well as those with very low voter turnout, he said.

Of the 25 closings, seven are in Youngstown, six in Austintown, five in Boardman, three in Goshen Township, two in Campbell and one each in Craig Beach and Springfield Township.

The board plans to close two more precincts, one each in Boardman and Poland, after the November election.

more at link: http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/329371321053643.php

[New Earth]

2. OH: Ohio residents will need proof of ID in order to vote this fall

Ohio residents will need proof of ID in order to vote this fall

2006-09-05
By Nick Claussen
Athens NEWS Associate Editor

When Athens County voters go to the polls on Sept. 14 and on Nov. 7, they will have to bring some form of identification with them. Republican voters in the northern part of the county (Trimble, Dover, York and part of Waterloo townships) will vote in the special election on Sept. 14 to choose a candidate to replace Republican Rep. Bob Ney on the Nov. 7 ballot. The winner of this special vote will face Democrat Zach Space of Dover in November in the race for the 18th District seat in the U.S. House.

In order to cast a ballot in upcoming elections, voters in Ohio now have to have some sort of identification with them. The Athens County Board of Elections is sending out information cards to all registered voters in the county explaining the new rules, and those cards will go out later this month. According to the information cards, voters can use several items for identification, including:


* A current and valid photo ID card such as a driver's license.

* A military ID card that shows the voter's name and current address.

* A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows the voter's name and current address.



more: http://www.athensnews.com/issue/article.php3?story_id=25819

[New Earth]

3. Ohio Libertarians Beat Blackwell in Court

thanks to Algorem in yesterday's thread :hi:

http://hammeroftruth.com/2006/09/06/ohio-libertarians-beat-blackwell-in-court

The Libertarian Party of Ohio has won its lawsuit against Secretary of State Ken Blackwell. Ohio requires that minor political parties (1) file a petition with the Secretary of State 120 days in advance of the general election and (2) nominate their candidates by primary election. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals held that the requirements are unconstitutional together. Congratulations to the Libertarian Party of Ohio on their victory.

Moving the filing deadline closer to the date of the primary or allowing parties to choose their candidates in another manner may impose some additional costs on the state, but this is the price imposed by the First Amendment. Ohio is well within its authority to mandate primary elections, to limit all parties to one primary date, or to require filing a petition in advance of the primary for administrative purposes. Viewed individually, each of these requirements may only impose a reasonable burden on constitutional rights. In practice, however, the combination of these laws imposes a severe burden on the associational rights of the LPO, its members, and its potential voter-supporters. As the State has not shown that these laws are narrowly tailored to protect a compelling state interest, we find that the Ohio system for minor party qualification violates the First Amendment of the Constitution.

Read the full decision here (PDF). (Hat tip: Jonathan Adler)






Defining Ken Blackwell A deep look at GOP governor candidate's past and present

http://www.athensnews.com/issue/article.php3?story_id=25814

2006-09-05
By Lew Moores
Cincinnati CityBeat


He is both maverick and doctrinaire, one who as a college student in the late 1960s came across as something of a black radical, then matured politically into a collegial Charterite, and within a few years morphed into a conservative Republican who today invokes the rhetoric -- it's evident in his just-published book, "Rebuilding America" -- of the '60s paranoid right.

Yet he bucks the Republican establishment of Ohio, tries to distance himself from what many regard as its culture of corruption, and strives to become the first African-American governor of Ohio.

Upon his primary victory May 2 over Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro, J. Kenneth Blackwell, Ohio's secretary of state, turned his sights on U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland, who won the Democratic primary for governor.

"Message to Brother Strickland: You can run but you can't hide," he announced triumphantly...

[New Earth]

4. Ohio-Fair poll is bad news for board of elections

thanks to Algorem again :hi:

http://www.mariettatimes.com/news/story/new33_97200674755.asp

By Diana DeCola, [e-mail]

Washington County residents overwhelmingly support the resignation of the four Washington County board of elections members as recommended by the Secretary of State’s office.

That’s according to The Marietta Times’ 2006 Fair Poll conducted over the weekend. While the poll is not scientific, it has in the past been a good indicator of local opinion and how people will vote in the fall.

The poll, which only represents the views of those who filled out the survey at the Washington County Fair and in the newspaper, showed that 62 people said the board members should resign, while only 22 people said the members should not.

Statewide, it appears as though U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland, D-Lisbon, the area’s representative in Congress, will narrowly win the gubernatorial vote in Washington County...

[New Earth]

5. anyone notice

my obsession with Ohio?
that damn Blockwell :mad:

[New Earth]

6. FL: Scholar For 9/11 Truth Lt. Col. Bowman Wins Democratic Primary

Scholar For 9/11 Truth Lt. Col. Dr. Robert Bowman Wins Democratic Primary!!

Guest blogged by Winter Patriot



Late Tuesday night, after the numbers coming in from the Florida primaries had told their story, many BRAD BLOG readers were happily celebrating Clint Curtis' win in the 24th district, and we were blogging about it quite a bit. If you drew inspiration from the events of the evening; if you thought it was very important, and very encouraging: Congratulations! Your heart is still beating and your blood is still red — and American!

In the barrage of Curtis-Feeney blogging, I neglected to mention another Democratic primary victory which in its own way was equally important and perhaps even more encouraging: Robert Bowman's victory in Florida's 15th district was a powerful shot in the arm for those of us who agree with what Bowman says about 9/11.

more at Brad Blog: http://www.bradblog.com/?p=3404#more-3404

:bounce:

[kpete]

7. #5

Keep it up

[Kurovski]

8. Ohio-Fair poll is bad news for board of elections

(originally posted by DUer Algorem)

http://www.mariettatimes.com/news/story/new33_972006747...

By Diana DeCola, [e-mail]

Washington County residents overwhelmingly support the resignation of the four Washington County board of elections members as recommended by the Secretary of State’s office.

That’s according to The Marietta Times’ 2006 Fair Poll conducted over the weekend. While the poll is not scientific, it has in the past been a good indicator of local opinion and how people will vote in the fall.

The poll, which only represents the views of those who filled out the survey at the Washington County Fair and in the newspaper, showed that 62 people said the board members should resign, while only 22 people said the members should not.

Statewide, it appears as though U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland, D-Lisbon, the area’s representative in Congress, will narrowly win the gubernatorial vote in Washington County...

[Kurovski]

9. Ohio candidate Sykes sues racist Republican push-polling opponent

(originally posted by DUer Algorem.)

http://www.cleveland.com/weblogs/openers /

Sykes takes fight to court


Democrat Barbara Sykes has sued her opponent in the state auditor’s race, Republican Mary Taylor, claiming her civil rights are being violated by a racially charged question in a poll of voters Taylor’s campaign is conducting.

“What we want is for her to stop doing this push poll,” Sykes said. “I can compete for this office, but the fact that I am African-American is not something I can change. It’s not something I run away from and shouldn’t be used against me in this race.”

Neither Taylor nor her campaign manager could be reached for comment Wednesday.

Sykes’ request for a restraining order was filed in U.S. District Court in Cleveland and accuses Taylor of “race-baiting” for political purposes...

[Kurovski]

10. Ohio Libertarians Beat Blackwell in Court

(Originally posted by DUer Algorem.)

http://hammeroftruth.com/2006/09/06/ohio-libertarians-b... /

The Libertarian Party of Ohio has won its lawsuit against Secretary of State Ken Blackwell. Ohio requires that minor political parties (1) file a petition with the Secretary of State 120 days in advance of the general election and (2) nominate their candidates by primary election. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals held that the requirements are unconstitutional together. Congratulations to the Libertarian Party of Ohio on their victory.

Moving the filing deadline closer to the date of the primary or allowing parties to choose their candidates in another manner may impose some additional costs on the state, but this is the price imposed by the First Amendment. Ohio is well within its authority to mandate primary elections, to limit all parties to one primary date, or to require filing a petition in advance of the primary for administrative purposes. Viewed individually, each of these requirements may only impose a reasonable burden on constitutional rights. In practice, however, the combination of these laws imposes a severe burden on the associational rights of the LPO, its members, and its potential voter-supporters. As the State has not shown that these laws are narrowly tailored to protect a compelling state interest, we find that the Ohio system for minor party qualification violates the First Amendment of the Constitution.

Read the full decision here (PDF). (Hat tip: Jonathan Adler)






Defining Ken Blackwell A deep look at GOP governor candidate's past and present

http://www.athensnews.com/issue/article.php3?story_id=2...

2006-09-05
By Lew Moores
Cincinnati CityBeat


He is both maverick and doctrinaire, one who as a college student in the late 1960s came across as something of a black radical, then matured politically into a collegial Charterite, and within a few years morphed into a conservative Republican who today invokes the rhetoric -- it's evident in his just-published book, "Rebuilding America" -- of the '60s paranoid right.

Yet he bucks the Republican establishment of Ohio, tries to distance himself from what many regard as its culture of corruption, and strives to become the first African-American governor of Ohio.

Upon his primary victory May 2 over Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro, J. Kenneth Blackwell, Ohio's secretary of state, turned his sights on U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland, who won the Democratic primary for governor.

"Message to Brother Strickland: You can run but you can't hide," he announced triumphantly...

[Kurovski]

11. Ken Blackwell has a gigantically fat ass

(Originally posted by Algorem.)

According to a photo in the Cleveland Plain Dealer yesterday,Ken Blackwell has a gigantically fat ass.He is a "pear-shaped loser",as Mr. Krueger would say.Maybe from way too many hours sitting at his Central Scrutinizer Tabulator drinking the kool-aid.


AP
Republican Ken Blackwell, left, shakes hands with Democrat Ted Strickland at the start of the debate.

Uncle Hypocrite

http://www.clevescene.com/Issues/2006-09-06/news/firstp...

Secretary of State Uncle Tom Blackwell is a man of principles. Namely, the principle that he has none.

Four years ago, Blackwell was one of the most vocal advocates for a law forcing shadowy political-action committees to reveal their donors. Now he's benefiting from a loophole he helped create...

GOP punks PD
Speaking of Common Sense 2006, it turns out that the man running it has a second job duping The Plain Dealer.

In an August 20 story about swing voters in Ohio's coming elections, PD political scribe Mark Naymik introduced us to Nathan Estruth, a man who claimed to be a Republican thinking about voting Democrat this year...


Strickland leads money race
He, Blackwell waging Ohio’s most expensive run for governor

http://www.columbusdispatch.com/?story=dispatch/2006/09...

Thursday, September 07, 2006
Mark Niquette
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH


Democrat Ted Strickland widened his fundraising advantage over Republican J. Kenneth Blackwell last month in what already has become the most expensive governor’s race in state history, reports filed yesterday show.

Strickland reported raising $2.4 million during August, which included contributions from former Vice President Al Gore and his wife, Tipper. That compares with $1.6 million that Blackwell raised during the month, and nearly a quarter of Blackwell’s total came from the Ohio Republican Party.

Strickland, a congressman from Lisbon, has raised $11.2 million from all sources since entering the race in May 2005. Blackwell, the Ohio secretary of state, has raised $9.7 million since January 2005, records show.

With two months to go until the Nov. 7 election, the combined amount raised by both candidates already exceeds the record $18 million spent by Republican Bob Taft and Democrat Lee Fisher in the 1998 governor’s race (although donors can give more now)...


August donation totals in Ohio's major races
9/6/2006, 8:53 p.m. ET
The Associated Press

http://www.cleveland.com/newsflash/cleveland/index.ssf?...

(AP) — ...

Democrat Ted Strickland:

...• $7.5 million on hand

Republican Kenneth Blackwell:

...• $5 million on hand...


ELECTION
ROUND 1
No knockouts as Blackwell, Strickland spar in first of four planned statewide debates

http://www.columbusdispatch.com/election/election.php?s...

By Joe Hallett
The Columbus Dispatch
Wednesday, September 6, 2006

YOUNGSTOWN — The first gubernatorial debate stuck to the usual story line: a few substantive proposals, a handful of clever lines, the occasional testy exchange.

And as often happens when nervous and risk-averse candidates meet for the first time on television, there was no clear winner. After an hour, neither Republican J. Kenneth Blackwell nor Democrat Ted Strickland was bloody and unconscious on the studio floor at WFMJ-TV here.

Pre-debate spinmeisters agreed that the onus was on Blackwell, trailing by double-digits in the polls, to shake up the dynamics of the race with a decisive win — or, lacking that, a serious gaffe by Strickland. And while Blackwell, considered the better orator, registered a competent performance, Strickland more than held his own.

When it was over, both candidates said they looked forward to the rematch on Sept. 20 in Cleveland, second in the four-debate series to continue defining the differences in their visions for Ohio...

[New Earth]

14. hahahah

[Kurovski]

19. Blackwell's Baby Huey-bottom is not as bad as his fat head,

fat-headedness is the real danger in drinking right-wing Kool-Aid!:D

[New Earth]

12. D.C. Voters Directed to Wrong Polls

D.C. Voters Directed to Wrong Polls

By Nikita Stewart
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, September 7, 2006; Page DZ03

About 158,000 voters received D.C. Voter Guides in the mail that told them to go to the wrong precincts during the Sept. 12 primary.

D.C. voters registered as Democrats or Republicans or with the Statehood Green party -- all eligible to vote on primary day -- last week received the guides, which had labels listing their precincts.

All multiple-digit precincts were listed with only the first digit, said Bill O'Field, spokesman for the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics.

"The first call I got was from someone who belonged to precinct 80 and wanted know why we were sending them to precinct 8," O'Field said.

more at washingtonpost.com: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/06/AR2006090600650.html

[Kurovski]

13. Good morning to you as well, Faye!

And thank you for bravely stepping into ERD duty! Job well done, I love your OP. Nope, we are not fooled by the fraud--not one bit! :patriot:

[New Earth]

15. thanks

i'm trying. first time i've ever done this, i feel like i'm on stage :rofl:

[Kurovski]

17. ..

:applause: :-)

[New Earth]

16. FL: New screens spark delays, confusion

New screens spark delays, confusion

Robert Perez | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted September 7, 2006

Touch-screen machines tripped up election-night results in several Central Florida counties, delaying victory parties and causing confusion for candidates.

Results trickled out of Seminole County at an exasperating rate, while Orange and Osceola counties struggled to get results transmitted from several precincts.

Touch-screen questions also sparked controversy in Volusia County, where some voters said they got the wrong ballot, and changing vote totals vexed candidates.

Tuesday's primary election was the first widespread test of touch-screen machines in Florida. Federal voting rules that require touch-screen machines at each voting location -- in addition to existing optical scanners that read marked ballots -- effectively doubled the number of precinct reports pouring into election headquarters across the state.

The problems emerged despite low voter turnout at the polls statewide.

The bigger challenge will come in November, when many more voters will choose a governor, senator and other statewide officeholders.

Seminole County's top election official offered no apologies for being the last county in the region to complete its tally.

"I'd rather be methodical, accurate and secure than win a race to see who can get their results in first," Michael Ertel said.

In recent years, the chore of counting ballots has often been completed before election-night victory parties kicked into high gear.

more: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-glitches0706sep07,0,5671971.story?coll=orl-home-headlines

[New Earth]

20. FL: New technology poses challenges on election day

New technology poses challenges on election day

By MARCIA LANE
[e-mail]
Posted: Thursday, September 7, 2006 ; Updated: 7:54 AM on Thursday, September 7, 2006


New type voting machines, modem problems and caution in counting delayed getting election results out in Tuesday's St. Johns County primary, say election officials.

Poll workers were facing major challenges in the primary election because this was the first year for touch screen voting and the first time poll workers have used modems to send back results to the main election office.

St. Johns County Supervisor of Elections Penny Halyburton was quick to praise poll workers.

"I think with all the new procedures, the changes in the law, the new equipment, my poll workers did a great job," Halyburton said Wednesday.

"There were several precincts with questions about the touch screen set-up in the morning and then, last night, the same thing again, calling before sending (results). Because it was the first time they have had the modem the poll workers were overwhelmed," Halyburton said, describing the workers as "conscientious."

This was also the first time workers have dealt with a blended system of electronic and touch screen voting.

"Some did bring (the results) in, because they didn't get the phone lines to work," Halyburton said.

She did not have exact figures but said fewer than 10 of the 63 precincts ended up unable to get their results sent over the phone lines, including one in Ponte Vedra Beach. In those precincts, two poll workers, one Republican and one Democrat, had to drive the results to the elections office.

link to full story
(Requires registration)

[New Earth]

18. CA: HAVA forces vote system change – Sept. 5, 2006

HAVA forces vote system change – Sept. 5, 2006

Daniel Mintz
Eye Correspondent


HUMBOLDT – The low-cost, low-tech disabled voting system thought to be the best way to comply with federal law has been rejected by the secretary of state, forcing the county to pursue a vastly more expensive electronic system.

Federal money – hundreds of thousands of dollars of it – will be used to pay for a new system that complies with the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). But the deadline for compliance was last January and Humboldt and other counties zig-zagged from one system to another as local controversy and statewide lawsuits from voter advocacy groups emerged.

And at a Sept. 1 special meeting of the Board of Supervisors, county Clerk-Recorder Carolyn Crnich reported that what was believed to be simplest and most cost-effective means of accommodating disabled voters has been snubbed by the secretary of state.

Known as vote-PAD, the cheap and low-tech system uses conventional ballots fitted inside plastic sleeves. At a cost of $65,000, vote-PAD would have been far simpler – and far less controversial – than electronic machines said by some to be susceptible to errors and manipulation.

But Crnich told supervisors that the state refused to certify vote-PAD due to the outcome of testing done in July. A state hearing last month featured lots of speakers – including system specialists and the disabled – who supported vote-PAD, and Crnich questioned the validity of the state’s testing.

The testimony at the hearing suggested that vote-PAD might be certified. The dashing of that hope “has kind of put us in a tailspin,” said Crnich.

With the HAVA deadline already in the past and vote-PAD disqualified, the county is scrambling for compliance by this November’s election. Now the county will pursue an electronic system called e-Slate, manufactured by Hart Intercivic. Buying enough machines to install one at each of the county’s 65 or so handicapped-accessible voting sites will eat up much of the $900,000 the feds have given the county for HAVA compliance.

link

[New Earth]

21. Georgia steps up voter ID education

Georgia steps up voter ID education

Associated Press
Wednesday, September 06, 2006

ATLANTA - The state of Georgia is hoping to avoid another court order blocking its latest attempt at requiring photo IDs at voting places by working to educate the public sooner about the measure before the year's remaining elections.
Get local breaking news alerts from The Chronicle

Opponents of the voter ID law are vowing a fight, and the issue could be headed to the state Supreme Court before Nov. 7 general elections.

The state has already lost its argument twice in federal court and once in state court. At a hearing Friday, opponents will ask for another injunction against the latest version of the state's voter ID law, this time for the state's Sept. 19 special elections and November general elections. A ruling is not immediately expected, but will likely come in the next 10 days - before the special elections.

"Both sides are prepared to take this all the way to the Supreme Court," said Jennifer Jordan, a lawyer working with former Gov. Roy Barnes on the challenge in state court.

Russ Willard, spokesman for the state attorney general's office, did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

Supporters of the voter ID law say it is needed to protect against voter fraud. Opponents argue that it disenfranchises poor, elderly and minority voters who are less likely to have a driver's license or other valid photo ID.

full story
(Requires Registration)

[New Earth]

22. Wisconsin: Primary to test new voting rules

Primary to test new voting rules

Confusion on registering feared

By Ryan J. Foley
Associated Press

Republicans are worried about voter fraud. The League of Women Voters fears a "de facto disenfranchisement." And municipal clerks are concerned about following all the new state and federal election mandates.

The Sept. 12 primary election will feature the most sweeping election reforms in the state in decades.

The changes include a statewide voter registration system being used in hundreds of municipalities for the first time, new standards for registering to vote on Election Day, and a number of new state and federal laws. Some worry the changes will confuse voters and poll workers across the state.

"My biggest concern is that people will feel discouraged from voting," said Andrea Kaminski, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin. "It could be a de facto disenfranchisement."

The biggest area of confusion, Kaminski and others said, for voters and poll workers could be the requirements to register to vote on Election Day.

That's because the state Elections Board, the U.S. Department of Justice and Republican politicians went back and forth for months over the details of the requirements before reaching a compromise this summer.

link: http://www.madison.com/tct/news/index.php?ntid=97533&ntpid=2

[New Earth]

23. OH: Fighting escalates over money for voting machines

Fighting escalates over money for voting machines

'These childish games have to stop,' the auditor says.

By DAVID SKOLNICK

VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — The fight among Mahoning County officials over paying about $450,000 to its voting machine provider is escalating with name-calling and accusations that the battle could cause an Election Day disaster.

County Commissioners Anthony Traficanti and David Ludt are refusing to pay the elections board bill. That's because county Auditor Michael Sciortino, the former elections board director, won't write a $75,000 check to pay for the county's purchase of the Oakhill Renaissance Center.

The property purchase comes with more than $1 million worth of debts, Sciortino said.

Election Systems & Software is owed the money toward the 2004 purchase of voting machines compliant with the federal Americans With Disabilities Act as well as maintenance contracts for the past two years.

The Nebraska-based company won't do business with the county until the bills are paid.

A number of the county's voting machines need to have their batteries replaced because they've met their useful life. Without the batteries, numerous voting machines won't be useable Nov. 7, elections board officials say.

Playing politics?

The elections board can have its money once Sciortino writes the check for Oakhill, Traficanti said.

Traficanti said Sciortino is playing politics with the Oakhill money. .

http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/35195706804236.php

[New Earth]

24. CA: San Mateo County readies for election with new machine

San Mateo County readies for election with new machine

By Marc Longpre
[e-mail]

A small group of people, sitting around a table in an otherwise empty room, labors through a pile of ballots one by one, examining each with care before passing it along.

They are bleary-eyed and growing exhausted with a process that is dragging into the third day. But the recount is narrowing the spread between the candidates and political power hangs in the balance.

No, the people in the room aren't with the Bush and Gore campaigns, and the setting isn't the state of Florida, circa 2000.

It's the San Mateo County Elections Office just months ago, and two camps represent Bonnie McClung and Mike Ferreira, two candidates for City Council in Half Moon Bay.

Last autumn's local election concluded in a lengthy recount process and a slim majority for McClung. While no one alleged irregularities at the voting booth in that election, it was a reminder that a handful of election office mistakes or fraudulent votes could turn the political fortunes of the town.

Today, the heart of the election reform debate is centered on electronic ballot stations, and San Mateo County has been right in the middle of that debate in recent weeks. On Aug. 15, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors approved a $10.5 million purchase of a new electronic ballot system, including the voting devices themselves and back office software and support to help run the system.

It was overdue; the existing system was 14 years old and the passage of the Help America Vote Act in 2002 significantly changed ways in which elections were run. But not everyone agrees that Warren Slocum, the county's chief elections officer, made the right decision when he chose Hart InterCivic to supply the county with its electronic voting machines.

Those machines will be put to the test for the first time this November, as residents of San Mateo County head to the polls to cast their votes on a wide variety of elections and measures.

http://www.hmbreview.com/articles/2006/09/06/news/local_news/story04.txt

:grr: :grr: :grr:

[New Earth]

25. why didn't anyone tell me

i left the title as "Wednesday"
:blush:
oops

[Melissa G]

26. Yea!!! Faye!!! Yea Faye!!! Great work!!! You Rock!!!

A very fine premier edition of the Election Reform News as edited by Faye the Great!!!:toast:

[New Earth]

27. only one problem

forgot to change title to Thursday :cry:

[Melissa G]

28. Not to worry.. It happens.. those 15 minutes scoot by fast..n/t

[rumpel]

29. great job Faye!

thanks for doing this -

I am stuck with a sudden development on personal matters -

not much help but a big :kick:
:toast:

[livvy]

30. Nice job! K&R

A wonderful maiden voyage!

A perfect launch and smooth sailing right through!

And I can't stand Blackbully either.

[freedomfries]

31. K & R

thanks for doing the thread, Faye! Interesting stuff!

[New Earth]

32. OH: Federal Judge Orders 2004 Ohio Ballots Preserved!

thanks mod mom :hi:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x448499

U.S. District Court Judge Algenon L. Marbley today issued an order directing all 88 county Boards of Elections in Ohio to keep all ballots and miscellaneous other election material from the 2004 election.
In response to a lawsuit filed Thursday by King Lincoln Bronzeville Neighborhood Association et. al. v. J. Kenneth Blackwell, and a subsequent petition by citizens and neighborhood groups, Marbley ordered the "preservation of certain evidence."
In his attached one-page decision, Marbley ordered all Boards of Election "to preserve all ballots from the Presidential election, on paper or in any other format, including electronic data, unless and until such time otherwise instructed by the court."
preservation%20order.pdf
Under federal law, county boards can destroy voting records 22 months after the presidential election, or this past weekend. On Friday, Secretary of State Blackwell directed boards to voluntarily save the records, although officials in Hamilton and Clermont counties conceded they already discarded unused ballots from Nov. 2, 2004.
Columbus attorney Clifford Arnebeck and other complainants said an ongoing investigation has found a pattern of tampering, that punch-card ballots in at least six urban counties including Hamilton show a systematic pattern of multiple punches or so-called overvotes that disproportionately favored President Bush over Democratic Sen. John Kerry.

http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/gov

[New Earth]

33. OH: Free Press uncovers Evidence of Ballot Tampering in Warren Co

thanks again mod mom!!! :hug:
some good news coming today....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=203&topic_id=448499&mesg_id=448505


Free Press uncovers evidence of ballot tampering in Warren County, Ohio
April 19, 2006

After locking out all media observers and declaring a Level 10 Homeland Security Alert, the Republican-dominated Warren County, Ohio reported the vote tally in the wee hours of the morning on November 3, 2004 -- and gave George W. Bush a surprising 14,000 vote boost. Two election workers told the Free Press that the ballots had been diverted to an unauthorized warehouse where they had been possibly stuffed. That is, punched for Bush only. Maps were supplied to the Free Press showing the locations of the warehouse and the Board of Elections.

Warren County officials refused to allow the Columbus Institute for Contemporary Journalism to handle the ballots, but they did allow us to photograph a few. Richard Hayes Phillips, Ph.D., has analyzed the ballots for the Free Press and concluded that there is evidence of fraud in Warren County. The ballots as photographed with Dr. Phillips' commentary below each ballot are included here for the first time.

The Free Press predicted early on that the ballots would be found punched only for Bush in Warren County. The Moss v. Bush lawsuit pointed to Warren, Butler and Clermont Counties as the three counties that provided more than Bush's entire margin in the Buckeye State: Bush won Ohio by 118,000, and 132,000 votes were supplied in these three southwestern Republican counties.

Now, for the first time, the Free Press is releasing images of the obvious election fraud in Warren County. The Free Press will continue its ongoing investigation in Ohio despite stonewalling by Republican state officials. See the images by clicking on the link below.

<View ballots + read commentary at the link>

http://www.freepress.org/columns/display/3/2006/1355

[New Earth]

34. oops, this is from April?

oh well, still good news posted today :shrug: