Election Reform, Fraud, & Related News Monday 8/15/05

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Election Reform, Fraud, & Related News Monday 8/15/05

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



All previous daily threads are available here:
http://www.independentmediasource.com/DU_archives/du_2004erd_el_ref_fr_thr_calenders.htm

Please

"Recommend"

for the Greatest Page (it's the link just below). Atlanta Journal Constitution: Tens of Thousands March Supporting Voting Rights Act

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1. Huge Legal Victory in WA State--Paves way for access to vote machine code!

OK, its DU Pride time…These are our people doing this and they’re winning.

THEY ARE SEEKING ACCESS TO “PRIVATE SOURCE CODE” for voting machines. THIS IS *THE* BALLGAME. If they win, the voting machine companies will find it much harder to fulfill their stated political missions

Who says DU doesn’t make a difference? 2004 Elections and Results Forum is the home to some serious activists fighting election fraud and promoting voting rights.

Lehto and Wells v. Sequoia and Snohomish County
On April 7, 2005, Paul Lehto and John Wells filed a lawsuit in King County Superior Court against Sequoia Voting Systems, Inc. and Snohomish County, Washington.

http://www.votersunite.org/info/lehtolawsuit.asp

Lehto and Wells v. Sequoia and Snohomish County

On April 7, 2005, Paul Lehto and John Wells filed a lawsuit in King County Superior Court against Sequoia Voting Systems, Inc. and Snohomish County, Washington.

The brief introduction follows, with highlighting added.

I. INTRODUCTION

1.1 This case arises out a dispute concerning a contract between defendants Snohomish County and Sequoia Voting Systems, Inc. for the purchase of Sequoia touch-screen voting computers employed in the 2004 elections (hereinafter “the Contract”). <snip>


1.2 Plaintiffs Wells and Lehto, as citizens and voters, object to provisions of the contract between Snohomish County and Sequoia Voting Systems, Inc. attempting to shield from public view and verification the means by which votes are recorded, counted, tabulated, and reported on the grounds that they contain “trade secret,” “confidential,” or “proprietary” materials. Plaintiffs contend, among other things, that provisions of the contract ought properly to be set aside based upon contractual, statutory, Constitutional and public policy grounds.

1.3 This case implicates questions concerning the proper balance to be struck between a free people and their government, recognizing the inherent tension between appropriate delegation of regulatory and administrative functions respecting the conduct of elections by the people to the agencies of their government, on the one hand, and the danger that lack of transparent, accurate, and verifiable elections could undermine accountability and lead to rule by self-perpetuating incumbents with the resulting damage to our democracy, on the other.

1.4 Access to Sequoia Voting Systems, Inc. information is essential to insure the transparency and verifiability of elections at the precise nexus of the exercise of the voting franchise (vote counting) and the essential legitimacy of government (i.e. election results). Accordingly, the court must apply strict scrutiny to all acts or contracts tending to impair the right of the people to supervise and review their elections in order that public confidence is sustained respecting the accuracy, integrity, transparency, and verifiability of voting systems. Such scrutiny supports the public policy of Washington State, as stated in RCW 42.30.010:

The people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may retain control over the instruments they have created.

1.5 This action seeks to vindicate the proposition that no contract, public or private, shall be permitted to undermine Article I, Section 1 of the Washington Constitution: “all political power is inherent in the people”. Plaintiffs seek relief herein based upon past damages sustained and the threat of future injury.

To ADD 2004 Elections Results and Discussion Forum to your “Latest” page as an automatic reminder, simply CLICK HERE

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2. 10,000 Voter Reg. Docs. Shredded in OH--Hey Corp Media, Where are You

Corporate Media. Why is this not all over the front pages of Ohio and other newspapers? Well, golly gee, maybe there is something to that rumor that there’s a lock down on media coverage of real election fraud

Ten Thousand Voter Registration Documents May Have Been Shredded in Hocking County, Ohio

http://www.freepress.org/columns/display/3/2005/1164

Columns
Bob Fitrakis

July 13, 2005

Members of the Progressive Ohio Backbone Campaign traveled to Hocking County on Monday morning, July 11, and filed an affidavit of fact alleging criminal conduct with the Hocking County Sheriff’s Department against the county’s Board of Elections (BOE) Director Lisa Schwartze.

Schwartze had previously admitted at the July 5 BOE meeting that she had used the office to promote a Republican Party fund-raiser last fall. The affidavit of fact alleging criminal conduct filed against Schwartze, however, does not to pertain to Schwartze’s use of the BOE office for partisan political fund-raising. Rather, the affidavit filed pertains to her alleged illegal shredding of election documents, the Free Press has learned.

Sherole Eaton, the fired Hocking County BOE deputy director and Congressional whistleblower, who swore an affidavit against a Triad company technician for allegedly offering a cheat sheet and replacing the county’s central voting tabulator hard drive during last year’s presidential recount, says that Schwartze may have destroyed up to “ten thousand documents.”

“I told her that she couldn’t shred and delete the changes of addresses that were coming in from registered voters during the election year, but she wouldn’t listen to me,” Eaton explained, “In order for Lisa to destroy those documents, she’s got to go to the Board of Elections, state officials, and then ask the Ohio Historical Society if they want them. And even then, she can only destroy them according to a public records retention schedule that requires they are kept for four years.”

To ADD 2004 Elections Results and Discussion Forum to your “Latest” page as an automatic reminder, simply CLICK HERE

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3. NH Dem State Senator Gets It -- Paper Ballots

NH State Rep Suzanne Harvey says paper ballots are a must. To have a recount, you need something to count. She could also help Donna Brazile and the DNC folks by teaching them the difference between “voter fraud” (rare and difficult) and “election fraud” (common and devastating in scope). DNC “buy a vowel, please, on election fraud.

N.H. should keep paper ballot system

http://nsnlb.us.publicus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050814/OPINION02/108140070/-1/news

State Rep. Suzanne Harvey, D-Ward 2 Nashua
Published: Sunday, Aug. 14, 2005
New Hampshire is on record as having the most election recounts, conducted painstakingly by hand with the actual ballots, often revealing final results that differ from the optically scanned results on election night.

Compare this to a recount from an electronic system, which would yield exactly the same results as shown on election night because there are no actual ballots!

There is an important distinction between voter fraud and election fraud.

There’s a lot of noise in this state and across the country about voter fraud, accompanied by a determined effort to put statutes in place that would make voter registration more cumbersome and ultimately discourage many new voters regardless of age.

Granted there have been examples of voter fraud over the years in the United States. Luckily, in our state, Secretary Gardner could only think of two instances in his three decades as head of the department. Bottom line – we don’t have a voter fraud problem here.

Now think about the implications of electronic voting and the potential for election fraud.

I and many others are convinced that the potential for fraud using an electronic system is huge, starting with the small number of companies that manufacture the machines and their crackerjack programmers who develop the secret software.

Rather than being transparent, this type of programming fraud would be impossible to detect, hence the growing, realistic mistrust of these systems.
To ADD 2004 Elections Results and Discussion Forum to your “Latest” page as an automatic reminder, simply CLICK HERE

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4. Salt Lake Pissed: Had to Buy Diebold, City Lobby Firm tied to Diebold

OK, follow the bouncing ball. Salt Lake buys Diebold machines, which they don’t like and which cost too much. Then the city finds out that their lobbying firm also works for Diebold and will make money on the deal from Diebold. Yehaaa, welcome to the Help Ameirca Vote Act…sham of the new century, lobbyist and corporate slush fund

Lobbyist challenged on voting machines
Legal. But ethical? S.L. County's lobbying firm also works for the devices' manufacturer

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_2941848?rss

By Derek P. Jensen
The Salt Lake Tribune

Salt Lake County leaders continue to unleash a litany of complaints about the $10 million load of fancy electronic voting machines they must use by next year.

Problem is, the counties own powerful lobbying firm, The Tetris Group, helped do the deal.

Turns out, Tetris doubles as a lobbyist for Diebold Election Systems, whose touch-screen voting machines the firm helped prod the state to buy.

Tetris' role is not a legal violation. But the relationship is raising questions of a possible conflict, particularly given the cost.

County Mayor Peter Corroon and Clerk Sherrie Swensen cite sticker shock and the furious pace of the plan as a problem.

"It's just so new and it hasn't been tested," Swensen says. "I'm a little frustrated that we're being forced to make it before that technology has been perfected."

County taxpayers' tab: at least $5 million more than what the federal government or state will cover, according to Corroon.

Conversely, Tetris associates Dan Hartman, Blaze Wharton and Paul Rogers will profit "hand over fist," says Deputy District Attorney Gavin Anderson

To ADD 2004 Elections Results and Discussion Forum to your “Latest” page as an automatic reminder, simply CLICK HERE

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5. Despite New Election Fraud "front" group, RNC paid NH Defense of Fraud

Question: Will one of the Corporate Media folks ask Ken Mehlman about the obvious contradiction between the facts of this story and his charm offensive last week to be a “voting rights” kind of guy? All at once, the answer is NO!

Republicans Defending Bush Campaigner Charged with Election Fraud

http://newstandardnews.net/content/index.cfm/items/2217

by Brendan Coyne (bio)
Aug 12 - Officials with the Republican Party reversed course this week and admitted to the Associated Press that they paid over $700,000 toward the defense of a former Bush campaign official charged with mid-term election fraud and tampering in New Hampshire.

James Tobin, the New England Chairman of the 2004 Bush reelection campaign, is accused, along with two others, of trying to keep voters from the polls during the 2002 elections. The indictment charges that Tobin, a former state party official and a Virginia lobbyist, attempted to jam the lines of union and Democratic get-out-the-vote phone banks during the election.

Allegedly, the plan involved contracting a telemarketing company to place enough calls to five state Democratic Party offices and the Manchester Firefighters Association, which was offering transportation to the polls, according to the indictment.

The National Republican Party has spent over $722,000 defending Tobin against the charges, the AP said.

To ADD 2004 Elections Results and Discussion Forum to your “Latest” page as an automatic reminder, simply CLICK HERE

[mod mom]

6. Let's get this out on the greatest page for all to read! recommended.

[dandrhesse]

7. Week 21 of our letter writing campaign

At a listening session Russ Feingold suggested writing to Trent Lott the Chair of the Rules Committee to pressure him to call for hearing on the election reform legislation sitting in his committee. I am the organizer of an email group and we have been writing letters for 20 consecutive weeks. Please join us in writing to Trent on a weekly basis. We mail our letters or postcards on Mondays and your letter can include whatever information you find pertinent to the week. Cindy Sheehan now knows that one person can make a difference, I hope she inspires some to join us in trying to make a difference! And for anyone who decides to join us, Thanks for answering the call!

August 15, 2005



The Honorable Senator Trent Lott
Chairman, Senate Rules Committee
305 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510



Dear Senator Lott –



This past week President Bush refused to do the right thing. In his, by now infamous style, Bush refused to give an inch and speak with Cindy Sheehan and the result is equally formulaic: Bush made a fool of himself and was an embarrassment to our nation.

When a Commander-in-Chief makes the decision to send troops into battle he simultaneously accepts full responsibility and accountability for any and all consequences of said decision.

Speaking with the mother of a fallen soldier and answering her questions as to the veracity of his statements is the VERY LEAST he could do for someone who has lost her child as a direct result of his decision.

The window of opportunity is closing fast Senator Lott, the ship has sprung some major leaks and it is going down. Are you going down with the ship or are you going to save yourself and be the hero who saves our nation?

The choice is clear and the ball is in your court Senator Lott. You can choose to call for the selection of a joint subcommittee on election reform and kick it into high gear or you can choose to do nothing. If you choose the first you will be remembered as the Republican Senator who had the guts to save the country or you can choose the second and be remembered as one of many gutless Senators who laid down for a power hungry president at the expense of our great nation.

Which will it be Senator Lott, a hero or a goat? The choice is yours.


Do the right thing
Answer the call

[GuvWurld]

8. Sent to the Greatest page - Nominated and Kicked (eom)

[paineinthearse]

9. Thanks for the daily digest.

Keeps my hope alive.

[Nightjock]

10. Thanks and nominated

Even some very smart people here at DU need to be informed.

[meganmonkey]

11. Kick and nom! - Thanks autorank!!!

:patriot:

[freedomfries]

12. KICK

[dchill]

13. Nominated; kick