Got a local election integrity group that can take on a small project?

[emlev]

Even a group of one can do this! (Now, if I watched Flight of the Conchords, I'd know that the smallest possible gang is two. But since I don't, I don't. ;))

If elections need to be challenged, sometimes it's only candidates who have the standing to initiate those challenges. Are the candidates ready? No! So we need to help them get ready!

I'm looking for people around the country who will help alert candidates to the election integrity pledge (AKA the "no concessionsl pledge") at Standing For Voters. As I'm reaching out to candidates in my area, I'm finding that they're enthusiastic about being asked to sign the pledge, and readily sign on. It's actually kind of fun to ask them.

Believe it or not, tons of candidates running for office -- for city councils, county, regional, state, and even federal offices -- have not paid any attention to the information available about the mess our election system is in. They have no idea how serious it is, and they really have no idea that they, as candidates, may be the ones in the position to challenge the elections!

That's where Standing For Voters comes in. The site has information directed toward candidates about the problems with the election system, the types of election challenges, and recent challenges initiated by candidates. And asks them to sign either the Pledge or the Super Pledge. (see below)

On the "For Voters" page of the site, you'll find tips about how you can reach out to candidates, and a card you can print and give to them. (If you PM me with your email address, I can get you an emailable version of the card.)

Standing For Voters is a nonpartisan effort. You can approach candidates of any political party as well as unaffiliated candidates and candidates for nonpartisan office. And we encourage you to do so. Once you get one candidate on board, contact their opponents and see if they'd like to match that pledge.

Candidates who pledge get a handsome emblem to post on their websites (see this example).

If you're interested in helping with this effort but contacting candidates isn't your thing, there are other ways you can get involved. PM me or contact StandingForVoters.org through our website.

The Standing For Voters Pledge

I, _________________, pledge to use my candidacy, whenever feasible, to advance the preservation of democracy. I will officially challenge the results of the election as provided by law if the combination of election conditions, incident reports, and announced election results calls into question the reliability of the official vote count. Should another candidate be declared the winner in my race, I will wait until all valid votes are counted and all serious challenges resolved before conceding defeat.

The Standing For Voters Super Pledge

I, _________________, pledge to use my candidacy, whenever feasible, to advance the preservation of democracy. I will officially challenge the results of the election as provided by law if the combination of election conditions, incident reports and announced election results calls into question the reliability of the official vote count. I will wait until all valid votes are counted and all serious challenges resolved before declaring victory or conceding defeat. I will involve my campaign volunteers in actions to enhance the accuracy and verifiability of the election in which I am a candidate. I will speak out publicly during the pre-election period about the importance of fair, accurate and transparent elections and about this pledge. I will designate a liaison between my campaign and "Standing For Voters" so that "Standing For Voters" can alert me to any red flags they are aware of regarding my election.

[diva77]

1. what about propositions - are they included in the pledge?

[emlev]

2. The pledge is specifically for candidates; however ...

I'd like to add to the site information about election challenges that can be initiated by other than candidates, including voter-initiated challenges and challenges regarding propositions/ballot measures/levies (they're called different things in different states, you're using the California term). If you (or anyone reading this) would like to volunteer to do the background research for this, it could be added to the site.

There's one example I know of where the results of a medical marijuana proposition in Alameda County, California was challenged and eventually a judge ruled that there had to be a re-vote.

The Standing For Voters pledge itself isn't exactly appropriate to use for ballot measures because there's no one person to sign the pledge. Got ideas about how to tackle that?

[diva77]

4. The proponents are named on CA SOS site

http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_j.htm#2008General

wish I had time to pursue this - can't right now; maybe someone else can take this on?

[emlev]

5. I hope someone will step forward to research this

Thanks for the link.

[GuvWurld]

3. K&R

[GuvWurld]

6. This came up on Peter B. Collins today

I called in about the unprovable results campaign getting started and Brad Friedman brought up SFV. I have excerpted the segment here.