Election Reform, Fraud, & Updates Thread for the weekend of April 23-24

[MelissaB]

In order to organize and document I thought it would be a good idea to have a daily thread to place items related to reform, fraud, protests, and other items. This also make it easier to "catch up" when we are away from the computer for a while.

Please help us. If you see something that isn't here post it with a link to the thread and a thanks to the author. Thanks to everyone who is helping with this project.


Link to the thread from Wednesday and Thursday: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x360147


I apologize for not being able to spend as much time as I want to on this thread. Between work and the kid's activities, I've had very little time.

[MelissaB]

1. JEALOUS KERRY FUMES AS DEM BOOSTS HILL

JEALOUS KERRY FUMES AS DEM BOOSTS HILL

April 23, 2005 -- WASHINGTON — A fuming John Kerry had "daggers in his eyes" after a fellow Democrat promoted Hillary Rodham Clinton for president — suggesting the 2004 loser is green with envy at a potential rival.
The flap was touched off two weeks ago when Clinton spoke at a Minneapolis Democratic dinner and Sen. Mark Dayton (D-Minn.) told the cheering crowd that he was introducing "the next great president of the United States."

Two days later, Kerry came over to Dayton on the Senate floor "with daggers in his eyes and said, 'What are you doing endorsing my 2008 presidential opponent?' . . . He was very serious," Dayton told the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Meanwhile, Kerry — and his outspoken wife Teresa Heinz Kerry — are increasingly claiming he was robbed last November and should have won.

Link: http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/45050.htm

[pacalo]

3. "NY Post" says it all.

Don't take this tabloid seriously.

[MelissaB]

5. LOL

That is a great picture.

[pacalo]

18. Keep the faith. :)

:hi:

[MelissaB]

2. Kerry Wants A Mulligan

>>>snip

The most striking thing about this story to me was that Kerry and Dayton were simultaneously present on the Senate floor. Rumor has it that Kerry is so determined to run again in three years that he has resolved, after twenty years in the Senate, to begin actually performing his duties there.

Kerry won't be the Dems' nominee in '08. If last fall's election proved anything, it was that Kerry isn't a very good Presidential candidate. The Dems weren't in love with Kerry last year, but turned to him in a panic when Howard Dean imploded. Kerry is finished as a Presidential contender, I think, but he could perform one last valuable service. If he is really so determined to run again that he is angry about losing the endorsement of Mark Dayton, who is retiring next year and by 2008 won't be in a position to influence any voters outside his immediate family, Kerry might be fired up enough to go after Clinton hard during the primaries. That would make his candidacy worthwhile.

Orin's column concludes on this pathetic note:

Meanwhile, Kerry — and his outspoken wife Teresa Heinz Kerry — are increasingly claiming he was robbed last November and should have won.

On second thought, there might be method to Kerry's madness. Normally it would be a bad idea to base one's campaign on an appeal to voters who are delusional. But at the rate the Democrats are going, by 2008 that group could represent a majority of the party.

Link: http://powerlineblog.com/archives/010252.php

Discussion here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x361685

[MelissaB]

4. Heinz squeezes blame from pope

(This is another negative article about THK, but guess what. It mentions the fixed election and that is why I'm putting it here. I think this woman is making waves.)

Heinz squeezes blame from pope

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported last month that Heinz blamed Kerry's inability to unseat President Bush on anything and everything but Kerry himself.

She implied votes might have been improperly tabulated because most optical scanning devices used to count votes in many parts of the country are owned by two "hard-right" Republicans.

>>>snip

Heinz recalls an election that might have been fixed, an election unduly influenced by a Catholic Church she apparently believes betrayed Kerry.


Link: http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/opinion/columnists/heyl/s_326763.html

[MelissaB]

6. Washington: House passes election reform; Senate vote expected today

House passes election reform; Senate vote expected today

2005-04-23
by Rachel La Corte
Associated Press

OLYMPIA -- The House overwhelming voted Friday to pass the two major bills of an election reform package, which had been held up by a battle over how voters should identify themselves at the polls.

On a 97-1 vote, the House passed the measures to create statewide voting standards and enhance voter registration record-keeping. The bills must now be approved by the Senate, which was expected to vote today. Gov. Christine Gregoire has said she would sign the bills.

>>>snip

The two main election reform bills do several things to streamline the election process in Washington:

SENATE BILL 5499/OMNIBUS ELECTION REFORM:

* Voters must bring to the polls a valid photo I.D., utility bill, bank statement, student or tribal I.D. or a voter registration card. If they do not have I.D., they will vote a provisional ballot.

* Provisional and absentee ballots must be visually distinguishable from other ballots. They cannot be tabulated with regular ballots.

* For absentee ballots, the return envelope must have a secrecy flap to cover the name and address.

* The penalty for double voting is made a class C felony.

* On absentee and provisional ballots, if the signature does not match, the auditor must contact the voter by phone or mail.

* All absentee ballots will be placed in a secure location.

* All counties must certify their results on the same day.

SENATE BILL 5743/ENHANCING VOTER REGISTRATION RECORD-KEEPING:

* The secretary of state is required to review voter databases quarterly, screening for felons, those who have declined to serve on juries because they are not U.S. citizens, or have been found legally incompetent to vote.

* Voter registration forms must include boxes the applicant can check to indicate that he or she is a United States citizen, and that he or she is a member of the armed services.

* When convicted, a felon must sign a statement acknowledging the loss of the right to vote and how that right can be restored.

* Voter registration forms will carry a warning that it is a class C felony to provide false information on a voter registration form.

* Licensing agents must ask whether someone is a citizen and 18 years or older before allowing that person to register to vote. If questions are answered with a ``no'' they will not be given a registration form.

* Envelopes for mail ballots must have a box for voters to check if they are overseas or military.

More: http://www.kingcountyjournal.com/sited/story/html/204952

[MelissaB]

7. Public weighs in on voting machines

Public weighs in on voting machines

By Jason Bergreen
The Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Count Votes founder Kathy Dopp was one of the first Thursday to tell Utah Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert she wants a paper trail to accompany any new voting system Utah implements - but she wasn't the last.

The majority of those attending a public meeting at the state Capitol auditorium took turns telling Herbert that security, an accurate vote count and the ability to audit any electronic vote with a printed paper ballot were their main concerns in choosing the new system.

The systems being considered use either optical scan technology or touch-screen devices.
Most at the meeting favored the optical scan machines.

>>>snip

The committee is expected to evaluate all voting systems on economy, security, privacy, accessibility and ease of use, especially for disabled voters.
The voting system is part of a federal mandate that will put Utah in compliance with the Help America Vote Act of 2002.


More: http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_2680743

[MelissaB]

8. State reviews voting machines a second time

State reviews voting machines a second time

Published: Sat, Apr 23, 2005

A consultant appeared to have difficulties getting the touch-screen system to respond.

HARRISBURG (AP) — For two weeks, Jack Gerbel has criticized the state's decision to decertify his company's touch-screen voting machines from use in Pennsylvania.

On Friday, however, a second review by the state consultant who recommended decertification of the UniLect Corp. Patriot voting machine, which has been used in three western Pennsylvania counties, did not appear to go much better.

Consultant Michael Shamos appeared to have difficulties getting the touch-screen system to respond to his touch during the four-hour review in a state Capitol hearing room. He would not, however, indicate what he planned to write in his report to state election officials.

"Humans have to live with certain inconveniences," Shamos, a Carnegie Mellon University computer science professor, told reporters after the review. "The question is, do they rise to the level of threatening the safety of the election?"

More: http://www.vindy.com/basic/news/300203430153407.php

[MelissaB]

9. Electronic voting coming soon to S.D.

Electronic voting coming soon to S.D.

By Celeste Calvitto, Journal Staff Writer

South Dakota is on track to receive electronic touch-screen voting machines and optical-scan ballot counters by the end of this year, Secretary of State Chris Nelson said Friday.

The machines, designed to help disabled voters cast ballots in private without assistance, are required as part of the federal Help America Vote Act. By law, the machines must be in place for the primary elections in June 2006, but they will be used during some municipal elections in April of next year "so counties can get familiar with them," Nelson said.

Election Systems and Software is the vendor that will supply the machines for the $4.6 million program, Nelson said Friday. The federal government is funding 95 percent of the cost. Counties will pay the remaining 5 percent.

"The ES&S Automark will allow an individual with a disability to cast a private ballot without help for the first time in South Dakota history," Nelson said in a news release. "This new technology will allow South Dakota voters to mark their optical-scan ballot by touching a screen."

More: http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2005/04/23/news/local/news08.txt

[MelissaB]

10. PA: Second chance for voting machines

Second chance for voting machines

State runs more tests on touch-screen system
Saturday, April 23, 2005

By Bill Toland, Post-Gazette Harrisburg Bureau

HARRISBURG -- If you're the kind of masochist who's always wondered what it's like to attend a hearing to determine the reliability of a touch-screen voting system, just imagine four or five tense men in dark suits huddled around a computer for several hours, and you'll get the idea.

This is the laborious process by which the Department of State yesterday re-examined the computerized UniLect system, which is used in three Pennsylvania counties to tabulate votes during primary and general elections. The hired examiner found several glitches, just as he did in a review two months ago.

Following the February exam, the state dumped the system, announcing two weeks ago that the voting units can't be used in Pennsylvania until UniLect regains its certification. The case is of national interest, especially among the voter groups suspicious of computer systems that don't rely on a paper ballot.

They think electronic voting systems are easier to tamper with and prone to snafus.

Two weeks ago, the state said there was little chance that UniLect could have its equipment re-examined, and then regain its certification, in time for the May 17 primary. That announcement sent election bureaus in Beaver, Mercer and Greene counties into a scramble to set up substitute systems.

But last week, the state department reversed course and said that UniLect would be able to demonstrate its updated system prior to the primary. If it passes the test, UniLect regains its license to operate here, and the three counties don't have to replace the touch-screen units.

A pass-fail ruling is expected by the first week of May.

One of the dark-suited men at the hearing was Jack Gerbel, president of UniLect and combative from the start. He said he didn't appreciate having his company's name dragged through the mud during the last month, suggesting newspapers had their facts wrong. He also said as much of Michael Shamos, the computer whiz from Carnegie Mellon University who was hired by the state to examine, and re-examine, the UniLect system.

"The state has damaged our reputation," Gerbel said yesterday. "We, as a company, got knocked on the head."

More: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05113/493123.stm

[MelissaB]

11. New PBS chief to woo the right

'NYT' Preview: New Public Broadcasting Chief Wants Conservative Viewers

By E&P Staff

Published: April 22, 2005 12:40 PM ET

NEW YORK In this Sunday's New York Times Magazine, Ken Ferree, the new president of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, says he wants PBS, long considered a liberal bastion, to attract more conservative viewers. "Does public television belong to the Democrats?" he asks.

He also says he still has no idea what led to the recent departure of his predecessor, Kathleen Cox, which according to rumors occurred at least partly because of complaints from conservative groups and the "Postcards from Buster" flap.

"I don't know what led to what," he says.

Asked if he is worried that liberal PBS loyalists may exit, he says: "Well, maybe we can attract some new viewers." More conservative ones? Deborah Solomon asks. "Yeah! I would hope that in the long run we can attract new viewers, and we shouldn't limit ourselves to a particular demographic."

Link: http://editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000893426&imw=Y

[MelissaB]

12. Chairman of voting reform panel resigns

Chairman of voting reform panel resigns

ERICA WERNER

Associated Press

WASHINGTON - The first chairman of a federal voting agency created after the 2000 election dispute is resigning, saying the government has not shown enough commitment to reform.

DeForest Soaries said in an interview Friday that his resignation would take effect next week.

Though Soaries, 53, said he wanted to spend more time with his family in New Jersey, he added that his decision was prompted in part by what he called a lack of support.

"All four of us had to work without staff, without offices, without resources. I don't think our sense of personal obligation has been matched by a corresponding sense of commitment to real reform from the federal government," he said.

Link: http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/11466516.htm

[MelissaB]

13. Discussion

here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x361577

[MadSal]

14. Wisconsin Editorial response to Voter ID bill

http://www.jsonline.com/news/editorials/apr05/319973.asp

Wisconsin has had its own problems with the election. Remember that after the election, about 6 Democrats were arrested for slashing tires of Repubs who were "giving rides to citizens to the polls" but other sources suggested they were actually Repubs who were 'poll-watching' ie. 'poll intimidating.'

Wisconsin's Republican statehouse's response to this: require voters to have IDs. Go figure. Anyway we do have a Dem. Governor (Doyle) who has vowed to veto it.

The Milwaukee Journal's editorial about this is given in the link.

[MelissaB]

16. Thanks, MadSal, and welcome to DU!

:hi:

Since the art ice requires registration, I'll post the first 4 paragraphs.

Editorial: Voter ID the wrong course
From the Journal Sentinel
Posted: April 20, 2005
The Legislature is wrong on mandating photo IDs to vote, and Gov. Jim Doyle is right to oppose the rule.


The Legislature would require residents to show a Wisconsin driver's license or a state or military ID card before being allowed to cast a ballot. Commendably, Doyle has vowed to veto the measure. Here's why lawmakers should uphold that veto:

Repetition is not proof. Backers of a photo ID requirement have asserted again and again that it would have prevented many of the problems that came to light in Milwaukee and around Wisconsin after the 2004 presidential election. Yet, they have put forth not a single case where such a requirement would have actually helped.

Republicans suggest, for instance, that a photo ID rule would have stopped felons from voting last November. Yet the felons the Journal Sentinel documented as having voted gave their correct names and addresses. How, pray tell, does requiring them to show photo IDs with their correct names and addresses keep them from voting?


More at link

[Wilms]

15. Lawmakers In Albany Struggle To Come Up With Voting Reform Plan

Lawmakers In Albany Struggle To Come Up With Voting Reform Plan

April 22, 2005

Kristi Berner NY1 News

New York is the only state in the nation that doesn't have a plan to modernize voting procedures. But it's no surprise old-style politics is keeping state lawmakers from reaching an agreement, even with $$200 million in federal funding in jeopardy.

"They're arguing in Albany about what kind of machine or system will replace what we have right now, how they'll divide up the money, in terms of how many machines will go to New York City as opposed to other parts of the state," says Neal Rosenstein of the New York Public Interest Research Group.

The federal Help America Vote Act, or HAVA, was passed in response to Florida's bungling of the 2000 presidential election.

The act requires states to modernize voting machines and to create state-wide voter databases, among other things.

-snip-

http://www.votersunite.org/article.asp?id=5254

[MelissaB]

17. John Conyers blog: Outrageous New Georgia Voter ID Law Must be Stopped

Outrageous New Georgia Voter ID Law Must be Stopped
Let meOutrageous New Georgia Voter ID Law Must be Stopped
Let me Know if You can Identify the Documented Vote Fraud the GOP Complains Of

Yesterday, GA Gov. Sonny Perdue signed an outrageous bill that would mandate state approved photo ID's, such as drivers licenses, in order to vote. I blogged my concern over this bill before it was signed on this site several weeks ago. Now that it has been signed, I have led a group of 21 Members of Congress, including Sen. Russ Feingold, in asking the Department of Justice to throw out this discriminatory piece of legislation. The Atlanta Journal Constitution has a story on the bill (registration requred).

It is quite an amazing and discouraging development, and one that we are seeing in other "Red" States. The GOP is clearly engaged in a power ploy, and they are stopping at no means in their effort to eradicate all political opposition. We began with the ruthless effort to stop the Florida recount. Than we had the amazing mid-decade gerrymands in Texas and Colorado (the latter thrown out by the courts), which singlehanded gave the GOP 5 seats in the 2004 elections. We all saw what Ken Blackwell accomplished in Ohio for Bush-Cheney, and this year Georgia has redistricted and is now enacting a new "poll tax" in disguise. Many other states are planning the same discrminatory ploy, such as Indiana.

What really saddens me is that the GOP is doing this with no solid evidence of vote fraud -- that is to say individuals knowingly going to the polls who are not entitled to vote. Please let me know of any documented cases of this occuring in the last decade. I know the new photo id laws will prevent legal voters from voting, but I doubt it will prevent a single case of the intentional vote fraud the bills claim to be aimed at. Is it any wonder minorities are so alienated by the Republican Party? Know if You can Identify the Documented Vote Fraud the GOP Complains Of

Yesterday, GA Gov. Sonny Perdue signed an outrageous bill that would mandate state approved photo ID's, such as drivers licenses, in order to vote. I blogged my concern over this bill before it was signed on this site several weeks ago. Now that it has been signed, I have led a group of 21 Members of Congress, including Sen. Russ Feingold, in asking the Department of Justice to throw out this discriminatory piece of legislation. The Atlanta Journal Constitution has a story on the bill (registration requred).

It is quite an amazing and discouraging development, and one that we are seeing in other "Red" States. The GOP is clearly engaged in a power ploy, and they are stopping at no means in their effort to eradicate all political opposition. We began with the ruthless effort to stop the Florida recount. Than we had the amazing mid-decade gerrymands in Texas and Colorado (the latter thrown out by the courts), which singlehanded gave the GOP 5 seats in the 2004 elections. We all saw what Ken Blackwell accomplished in Ohio for Bush-Cheney, and this year Georgia has redistricted and is now enacting a new "poll tax" in disguise. Many other states are planning the same discrminatory ploy, such as Indiana.

What really saddens me is that the GOP is doing this with no solid evidence of vote fraud -- that is to say individuals knowingly going to the polls who are not entitled to vote. Please let me know of any documented cases of this occuring in the last decade. I know the new photo id laws will prevent legal voters from voting, but I doubt it will prevent a single case of the intentional vote fraud the bills claim to be aimed at. Is it any wonder minorities are so alienated by the Republican Party?

Link: http://www.conyersblog.us/

[MelissaB]

19. Discussion

here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x362116

[Wilms]

20. (TX) DisInfo Alert: Local Counties Racing To Update Voting Machines

KXAN.com

Local Counties Racing To Update Voting Machines

04/20/05 - 4:19 pm

The deadline is approaching for counties throughout Texas to add electronic voting devices to polling places.

The required federal mandate is expected to make polling places more accurate and accessible.

-snip-

The Help America Vote Act mandated new voting requirements such as electronic devices.

-snip-

http://www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp?S=3238121&nav=0s3dYu8k


My letter to the station:

Dear KXAN,

I was alarmed to see this particular error in the "Local Counties Racing To Update Voting Machines" story.

The article states, "The Help America Vote Act mandated new voting requirements such as electronic devices."

That's a very common misconception.

HAVA 2002, The Help America Vote Act defines new requirements for voting machines in SEC. 301. <<NOTE: 42 USC 15481.>> VOTING SYSTEMS STANDARDS.

FEC HAVA 2002 Page:
http://www.fec.gov/hava/hava.htm

While electronic voting machines are currently allowed, they're not mandated, or secure.

[Wilms]

21. KXAN Responds

Dear ----

You are right. The law does not specifically say that states must implement electronic devices. It even mentions the continued use of paper and punch card ballots. Local jurisdictions and states will make these decisions.

Many, if not most, jurisdictions are choosing electronic voting devices because they seem to satisfy the requirements of the law. The main requirement is voting for the disabled. Paper and punch card methods don't allow a voter to make choices in private, without the help of somebody else.

The sentence you cite says, "...such as electronic devices." That sentence is true. I stand by the story.

Thank you for taking the time to write us.


Jim McNabb
Managing Editor