OH SOS Brunner Calls for a Clean Slate in Cuyahoga County:

[mod mom]

BRUNNER CALLS FOR CLEAN SLATE IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY

For Immediate Release


Columbus, OH – March 19, 2007 – Pledging to restore trust to elections in Ohio amidst the myriad of challenges facing the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, the state’s chief election officer, Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, has asked for the resignation of the four-member board, two Democrats and two Republicans, effective the close of business March 21, 2007.

“Cuyahoga County has historically faced challenges with its board of elections, but we are at a time when these challenges are so great that extraordinary measures are needed to improve the election process in the state’s most populous county,” said Brunner.

The Director and Deputy Director positions in the office are currently vacant, with an interim director serving until these positions are filled. The third in charge position is vacant due to a criminal conviction in January. A search committee from the community is interviewing candidates for the top two positions.

“I want the search committee’s efforts to be met by a board that is poised to move forward with a fresh approach to ensuring access, accountability, security and convenience in making elections work in Cuyahoga County,” said Brunner.

Brunner made calls to the four board members Sunday evening, asking them to resign no later than close of business on Wednesday. Secretary Brunner recognized these individuals for their service and commitment to the citizens of Cuyahoga County. She contacted the chairmen of the Republican and Democrat parties in Cuyahoga County to inform them of her action. Should members resign or be removed from office, the local political party would need to recommend replacements. The Secretary of State appoints members of boards of elections after reviewing recommendations made by county political parties, with two from each party serving on a board of elections.

“With maximum 18-month prison sentences being handed down to two Cuyahoga County election workers last week for their roles in the 2004 Presidential recount, the tremendous problems that surfaced in the May 2006 primary that delayed even the unofficial vote count for 5 days, and the uncertain future of this board as another Presidential election looms on the near horizon, it is incumbent on me as Secretary of State to provide the direction needed to get this troubled board on track. The voters of Cuyahoga County deserve it,
the citizens of Ohio expect it, and the rest of the nation will be watching,” said Brunner.

With this action Secretary Brunner has asked for the resignation of the following:

Board Chair Robert Bennett, a Republican - term ending February 28, 2010
Member Edward Coaxum, Jr., a Democrat - term ending February 28, 2010
Member Sally Florkiewicz, a Republican - term ending February 28, 2008
Member Loree Soggs, a Democrat - term ending February 28, 2008


Those who do not resign by Wednesday will face a complaint and public hearing to be conducted in Cleveland by the Secretary of State’s office at a time and date to be determined. Under state law the Secretary of State may “summarily remove” board members for cause.

--30--

Media contact:

Patrick Gallaway, Director of Communications [phone]
Jeff Ortega, Assistant Director of Communications–Media [phone].




:woohoo:
bye-bye bob bennett-and don't let the door slam your sorry ass on the way out!

[Greeby]

1. Now who says election choices don't matter

:bounce:

[mod mom]

2. watch OH become a BLUE state with fair and verifiable elections! (like the voters

wanted in the past)

[stevenstevensteven]

3. Adele Eisner

Folks that frequent this forum should know that Adele Eisner
has been leading the struggle for fair elections in Cuyahoga
and was instrumental, behind the scenes, in much of the
progress that has taken place.  If you don't know Adele, her
blog with videos is at http://citizensboe.blogspot.com/

[JimDandy]

4. Good for Brunner, because, yes, the "rest of the nation is watching."

U (Utah) knew Cu would rue VU. Okay, okay it doesn't quite rhyme. No eggs please.

[BillORightsMan]

5. Brunner: New Sherrif in Town

Those who do not resign by Wednesday will face a complaint and public hearing to be conducted in Cleveland by the Secretary of State’s office at a time and date to be determined. Under state law the Secretary of State may “summarily remove” board members for cause.

The Cuyahoga BoE have turned a blind eye to every concern of voters. What happened in 2004 WAS criminal! And you don't have to dig too far to see Bob Bennet's "influence".

Nice to see SoS Brunner taking action here.



:kick: and rec!

imbillorightsmanandiapprovethismessage

[Kolesar]

6. Former SOS Blackwell has removed BOE members in Washington County, Ohio

So this is hardly unprecedented. Ohio gop head Robert Bennett is refusing to leave the Cuyahoga Cty BOE.

http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/17/ddn031707gop.html

State rarely orders election board change, official says
Montgomery County GOP chairman wants to take the seat held by a fellow Republican.

By Lynn Hulsey

Staff Writer

Saturday, March 17, 2007

The removal of a county board of elections member by the Ohio Secretary of State is a rare occurrence and it must be for cause, according to Jeff Ortega, a spokesman for Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner.

"It's not frequent, but it has happened," he said, pointing to the December removal of all four board members of the Washington County Board of Elections.

Former Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell ordered them removed for failure to secure ballots, problems on election day and failure to provide security and accountability for funds, Ortega said

...more...

[Wilms]

7. K & R n/t

[L. Coyote]

8. SoS may “summarily remove” members for cause = NO PROBLEM

Not counting votes as cast should be sufficient cause.
How did this happen? Who is responsible?

OHIO 2004: 6.15% Kerry-Bush vote-switch found in probability study
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x259620

[Contrite]

9. The DEMOCRAT party? Who wrote this?

They need a correction!