WTF?: AP reports on Ohio hearings today

[kuozzman]

No link, I got it through a news database via my University, but there will likely be some soon...

Why do they say things like this:
Many of the election complaints, such as disparities in vote totals and a shortage of voting machines in Democratic-leaning urban precincts, have already been cited and explained.

And why don't they simply explain they lines were extremely longer in Ohio and that it was not an accident. This gets me so worked up!
"Ohio had a great election. There were issues with long lines but I think you'll find the entire country experienced delays," spokesman Carlo LoParo said, dismissing reports of Election Day irregularities.

The Associated Press
December 8, 2004, Wednesday, BC cycle
5:08 PM Eastern Time
SECTION: Washington Dateline
LENGTH: 426 words
HEADLINE: Democratic congressman, Jackson vow to continue inquiry of Ohio vote
BYLINE: By MALIA RULON, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
BODY:
A Democratic congressman and Jesse Jackson said Wednesday they will continue to investigate complaints of election irregularities in Ohio, but they won't call for a delay in the official certification process.

Ohio officials declared President Bush the winner of the state's 20 electoral votes Monday after the ballot count showed a 118,775-vote lead over Democratic Sen. John Kerry. The Electoral College meeting is scheduled for Monday, despite a recount starting as early as next week.

Rep. John Conyers of Michigan, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, convened a hearing to examine accusations of voting problems in Ohio. Many of the election complaints, such as disparities in vote totals and a shortage of voting machines in Democratic-leaning urban precincts, have already been cited and explained.

Conyers promised that Democrats on the committee will review each problem even though the Government Accountability Office has said it will study the 2004 election. He plans to hold a session in Columbus, Ohio.

"The legal challenges cannot stop. There should be a debate in Congress about what happened," said Jackson, a former Democratic presidential candidate.

He brushed aside questions about whether a delay in Bush's inauguration next month was warranted.

Meanwhile, Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, chairman of the House Administration Committee, said he will hold hearings on the election early next year.

"Election reform is a serious issue that requires serious, bipartisan examination and debate. It does not deserve what we are seeing today - partisan attacks and unsubstantiated claims disguised as fact in a faux hearing," Ney said regarding Conyers' session.

Ohio Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell was invited to the forum but did not attend.

"Ohio had a great election. There were issues with long lines but I think you'll find the entire country experienced delays," spokesman Carlo LoParo said, dismissing reports of Election Day irregularities.

Kerry issued a statement in response to Wednesday's session, saying he supports an investigation into reported problems to ensure there are no doubts in future elections.

"It's critical that we investigate and understand any and every voting irregularity anywhere in our country, not because it would change the outcome of the election but because Americans have to believe that their votes are counted in our democracy," said the Massachusetts senator.

The Kerry campaign is supporting an Ohio recount sought by two third-party candidates.

GRAPHIC: AP Photos WCAP101-102

LOAD-DATE: December 8, 2004

[Eric J in MN]

1. In Minnesota, no one had to wait over an hour to vote,

as far as i can tell from asking people. I asked people in the city and the suburbs.

We use optical-scan (SAT-style) ballots, so many people can vote simultaneously.

The number of tables in the room where we vote is how many people can vote at once.

While I consider HAND-COUNTED PAPER BALLOTS to be the better than any voting-machines, I urge people in states deciding on voting machines to contact your state reps. for optical-scan ballots.

[tsuki]

2. What the AP is not reporting is in the Suburbs, and Refundican strongholds

waits were less than an hour.

In the inner city and Democratic strongholds, waits were 2-6 hours in the pouring rain, and cold.

So much for the librul press.

And further, the yellow-back Refundicans didn't even show up at the hearings (like Bush and Cheney, they had something more important to do) so how would they know if it was partisan or not.

[AirAmFan]

3. Here's a link to your AP story, from San Diego

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/federal/20041208-1406-ohiovote.html

[robbedvoter]

4. No one in NY had to wait for hours in line either - in spite of heavy turn

20 minutes tops. I'd love to hear stories of GOP-ers having to stand hours in line too, anywhere in the country.. Anyone knows any?