Election Reform, Fraud and Related News. Thursday 5/15/08

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Voting Rights Advocates: America Not Prepared for Big Turnout Nov. 4
by Hazel Trice Edney
NNPA Editor-in-Chief
Originally posted 5/14/2008

WASHINGTON (NNPA) – Record turnouts at polling places across the nation during the Barack Obama-Hillary Clinton battle for the Democratic nomination have revealed a continuation of serious flaws in America’s electoral process that could cause a fiasco Nov. 4, according to a non-partisan report.

“The report demonstrates that most of the state and county and local election machinery was unprepared for a real heavy turnout,” says Barbara Arnwine, executive director of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law, a primary partner in the Election Protection Coalition that has manned voter protection hotlines since January. “It really demonstrates that our democracy has deep fault lines and is not being administered well…We are not prepared. We actively count on a low voter turn out and count on voter apathy.”

The 15-page, “Election Protection 2008 Primary Report”, jointly compiled and distributed by the Lawyers Committee and the National Campaign for Fair Elections, says lawyers and other volunteers who manned voter question and complaint hotlines over the past five months fielded more than 5,000 calls that include complaints and charges revealing everything from serious mechanical flaws to apparent intentional shenanigans and voter intimidation at the polls.

Few problems have occurred in affluent areas, but they are mainly happening in low income, Black and Hispanic
neighborhoods. Because Black voters typically cast 90 percent of their ballots for Democrats, mishaps at the polls could cause another Election 2000-styled fiasco in the event of a close race between the Democratic nominee and Republican John McCain.

http://www.btimes.com/News/article/article.asp?NewsID=15756&sID=3



1. Post stories and announcements you find on the web. Here's the link to the News Directory:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x407240

2. Re-post stories and announcements you find on DU, providing a link to the original thread with thanks to the Original Poster, too.

3. Start a discussion thread by re-posting a story you see on this thread.


Recommendations are much appreciated. :hi:

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1. National.

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28. The good (and bad) news about electronic voting

The good (and bad) news about electronic voting

Following the February 5 presidential primary, several county clerks in New Jersey asked an independent researcher to study the vote results on the state's electronic voting machines. The vendor, Sequoia, has threatened legal action, but so far hasn't taken any. Initial results suggest that there were some inconsistencies in vote tallies, although none were enough to reverse the election results themselves.

Since last year, several states have requested audits of electronic voting systems. In California, the audits resulted in some systems being scrapped for the 2008 presidential primaries. As we turn our attention to the fall 2008 presidential election, several security researchers have come forth with their own studies and suggestions. One of them is Brian Chess, chief scientist at Fortify.

Below is a transcript of part of my interview. The entire podcast can be heard here.

To start, I asked Brian what his take is on the whole electronic voting issue.

http://www.news.com/8301-10789_3-9945115-57.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1009_3-0-10

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39. Rove refuses call to testify under oath

Rove refuses call to testify under oath

By Ben Evans • The Associated Press • May 15, 2008

WASHINGTON -- A House Judiciary Committee deadline passed Monday with former White House adviser Karl Rove standing by his refusal to testify about allegations that he pushed the Justice Department to prosecute former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman.
Advertisement

In his latest offer to settle the matter, Rove sent the panel a letter offering to respond to questions in writing, according to his attorney. But he reiterated that he would not testify publicly and under oath.

Committee leaders did not immediately answer questions about how they will respond. Earlier this month, they threatened to subpoena Rove if he did not agree to appear voluntarily by Monday.

The dispute is the latest in a standoff between President Bush and Congress over testimony from current and former White House staffers on a variety of issues.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080515/NEWS02/805130317

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40. Conyers: "We're closing in on Rove."

Conyers: 'We're Closing In On Rove'
By Ryan Grim

May 15, 2008

The Politico) Just off the House floor today, the Crypt overheard House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers tell two other people: "We're closing in on Rove. Someone's got to kick his ass."

Asked a few minutes later for a more official explanation, Conyers told us that Rove has a week to appear before his committee. If he doesn't, said Conyers, "We'll do what any self-respecting committee would do. We'd hold him in contempt. Either that or go and have him arrested."

Conyers said the committee wants Rove to testify about his role in the imprisonment of former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman, among other things.

"We want him for so many things, it's hard to keep track," Conyers said.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/15/politics/politico/thecrypt/main4099723.shtml

:rofl:

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2. By State.

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5. CA: County revises ballot that had confused crossover voters

County revises ballot that had confused crossover voters
By Troy Anderson, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 05/14/2008 10:05:06 PM PDT

Hoping to eliminate problems that caused confusion in the presidential primary election, the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's Office said Wednesday a new ballot format and instructions will be used in the June 3 statewide primary to help crossover voters.

The revised ballot will eliminate the need for voters to mark an additional bubble to vote for partisan candidates.

"The solution we prepared with the revised ballot eliminates the double bubble so the voter doesn't have to take that extra step," said Eileen Shea, spokeswoman for the Registrar-Recorder's Office.

"We now have the nonpartisan Democratic crossover ballot and nonpartisan Republican crossover ballot already premarked so the voter won't have to make any separate marks on their ballot. They simply have to go to the Democratic booth or the Republican booth and vote their ballot."

http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_9263625

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6. CA: June 3rd election catches many by surprise

June 3rd election catches many by surprise
Kurtis Alexander - Sentinel Staff Writer
Article Launched: 05/14/2008 01:32:51 AM PDT

Yes, there's an election in June.

That's the message county elections officials have been trying to send to unsuspecting voters who were picking presidential nominees just three months ago and are perplexed now by the prospect of yet another primary.

"People see signs and they come in to our office and ask what kind of election we're having," said elections official Crystal Bertheau. "One person called to complain about getting a ballot, thinking he'd received a second February ballot."

http://www.mercurynews.com/centralcoast/ci_9253668?nclick_check=1

The decision to push up the presidential primary to Feb. 5, to give Californians more say over the race for the White House, has left the June 3 state and local primaries an afterthought for many voters, political experts say.

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7. CT: Bysiewicz oversees major cleanup of voter rolls

Bysiewicz oversees major cleanup of voter rolls
By Secretary of the State's Office

Secretary of the State Hammers Final Nail in Coffin on Dead Voter Issue

Hartford: Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz today announced that over the last three weeks her office oversaw a major cleanup of Connecticut’s local voter rolls. As a result thousands of deceased voters have been removed from voter lists in advance of November’s presidential election.

“Three weeks ago I asked local elections officials to step up to the plate and investigate. They responded quickly and effectively to clean up the voter rolls,” said Bysiewicz. “Since April 20th, at the direction of my office, over 4,700 names of the deceased have been removed. This was a necessary act and major effort to ensure that integrity and security of November’s election.”

The action was triggered as a result of an April 20, 2008 Hartford Courant story by University of Connecticut students claiming thousands of dead people were registered to vote. Since April 20th 80% of the deceased voters identified by the UCONN have been removed from the voter rolls.


http://www.norwalkplus.com/nwk/information/nwsnwk/publish/News_1/Bysiewicz_oversees_major_cleanup_of_voter_rolls1337.shtml

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8. FL: Get ready for a pile of paper when you vote this summer and fall

Get ready for a pile of paper when you vote this summer and fall
By Anthony Man | Political Writer
9:25 PM EDT, May 14, 2008

LAUDERHILL - You're likely to get a sheaf of papers when you vote this fall in Broward County, as Florida shifts from electronic, touch-screen voting machines to paper ballots.

The ballot won't be as lengthy for the Aug. 26 primary, when supervisors of elections in the state's largest counties make a massive transition in voting equipment.

Broward Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes said Wednesday that a typical voter in November can expect to receive ballots that consist of four or five pages — with contests and referendums on both sides of each sheet. That's largely because of the space needed to print proposed amendments to the state Constitution.

Snipes estimated general election turnout could hit 78 percent this November. And that means mountains of paper — "4 to 5 to 6 million sheets," she said. After the election, her office needs to hold onto all that paper for two years.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-flbvoting0515sbmay15,0,3587197.story

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9. ID: Ada voters to use new optical scan system

Ada voters to use new optical scan system

By Scott Logan
BOISE -- Early voting has started in Idaho's May 27 primary election, and in Ada County voters are casting their ballots in a brand new way.

Ada County recently switched to the optical scan ballot voting system, which means voters will use a black or dark blue ink pen to fully darken the oval next to the candidate or initiative they're voting.

The old voting method required the voter to use a stylus to punch a hole in the ballot to cast their vote. In an effort to educate voters about the new voting system, the Ada County Clerk's Office has developed a "How To Vote" brochure that will be mailed to all 185,000 registered voters in Ada County.

In addition to instructions on how to vote using the new optical scan ballots, the mailing will also include the recipient's precinct information and the address of their polling location.

http://www.2news.tv/news/local/18952254.html

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10. IL: Peoria is keeping eye on straight-party voting legislation

Peoria is keeping eye on straight-party voting legislation
Bill could create issues, election commission says

Wednesday, May 14, 2008
BY KAREN McDONALD
OF THE JOURNAL STAR

PEORIA - The city's election commission is keeping watch over a newly proposed state law to bring back straight-party voting because of certain technical issues it could create for them come election time.

Straight-party voting, which was eradicated by former Gov. Jim Edgar in 1997, allows voters to vote for all of their party's candidates in one step instead of voting for each individual race. House Bill 2673, sponsored in February by Michael Madigan, has not yet made it out of committee.

"It kind of came out of the blue," said Tom Bride, executive director of the Peoria City Election Commission. "Our software can count straight party voting, it just depends on how we have to report (the results)."

Straight-party voting was a tradition in Machine Era Chicago. In its current form, the bill would only remain valid through the November general election, presumably to help Democrats ride the Sen. Barack Obama tsunami.

http://www.pjstar.com/stories/051408/TRI_BGK96LT8.028.php

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11. IA: Auditor: New registration law could complicate process

05/14/2008
Auditor: New registration law could complicate process
by Erik Owomoyela , news reporter

On June 3, county residents wishing to vote in the primary will be able to register to vote at their polling place and still cast a ballot, under a law passed by the legislature in January.

But county auditor and commissioner of elections Hettie Maschmann recommends against it, saying eligible voters should still consider getting registration in advance.

"It's not going to be a five-minute process if you expect to come in, and register and vote at the same time," she said.

Prior to the Election Day registration law, residents had to register 10 days before federal elections, and 11 days before local or other polls - which allowed election officials to update their computer records with current voter rolls, Maschmann said.

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19690076&BRD=1142&PAG=461&dept_id=567520&rfi=6

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12. MA: City Council approves bilingual ballot petition (Boston)

City Council approves bilingual ballot petition
By John C. Drake, Globe Staff

The Boston City Council unanimously approved a petition today asking state lawmakers to pass a special law requiring election officials to translate all candidates' names into Chinese on city ballots.

The approval occurred over the objections of Secretary of State William F. Galvin, who says translating names could lead to confusion, and the city's chief elections official who said it would be difficult to translate the names in time for the November election.

The city already translates the names of candidates for local elections into Chinese characters. The measure expands the requirement to candidates for state and federal office. The petition now needs the approval of Mayor Thomas M. Menino before going to the Legislature.

"I along with the support of all of my colleagues, thousands of Chinese who live in this country, and the billion-plus Chinese who live around the world, would respectfully disagree that doing transliteration would be more hurtful than helpful," said Councilor Sam Yoon, who sponsored the measure.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/05/city_council_ap_1.html

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13. MS: Election Over... For Now As Ballot Problems Lin

Election Over... For Now As Ballot Problems Linger
[e-mail]

Tuesday's North Mississippi Congressional runoff election didn't come off without it's problems. It's been a recurring theme with the fast paced votes every three weeks since the March 11th primary.

It's over for now, and both the candidates and election officers are taking stock, and taking a deep breath before preparing for the fall campaign.

NewsChannel 3's Dennis Turner looked into ballot problems in DeSoto County, and spoke with both candidates about the near term.

DeSoto election commissioners gave me today. It shows the recent history of the elections, which guided their decision making process. Unfortunately one precinct still came up short on ballots for a short time.

http://www.wreg.com/Global/story.asp?S=8325608

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14. MO: Voter I.D. up for debate

Voter I.D. up for debate
Maria Hickey, KWMU


ST. LOUIS, MO. (2008-05-14) The U.S. Supreme Court ruling last month upholding Indiana's voter photo I.D. law has renewed debate on the issue.

Missouri is one of a dozen states attempting to get similar legislation passed this year.

A proposed constitutional amendment made its way quickly through the House last week, but the Senate has only until Friday evening to pass the measure.

There are still a lot of questions, though, about what the proposal might mean for voters.

http://publicbroadcasting.net/kwmu/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1278170§ionID=1

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37. PR Wire: Proposed Voting Requirement Could Disenfranchise More Than 200,000

Missouri's Proposed Voting Requirement Could Disenfranchise More Than 200,000 U.S. Citizens
To: STATE EDITORS

Contact: Shannon Spillane of Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, [phone], [e-mail]

Rural, Low-Income, and African American Residents Among Most Affected

WASHINGTON, May 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Missouri's legislature is considering a constitutional amendment permitting the state to require residents to provide documentary proof of their U.S. citizenship in order to vote. If implemented, it risks disenfranchising large numbers of Missouri residents who are U.S. citizens, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

The amendment does not specify the forms of documentation the state would accept as proof of citizenship, but it appears likely that residents would have to produce a certified birth certificate or passport. Proof of citizenship is generally established in one of two ways, either through production of a birth certificate or passport or through production of certain forms of government-issued photo ID, but these IDs themselves generally cannot be obtained without a birth certificate or passport.

Results from two national surveys show that a large number of citizens lack birth certificates or passports including disproportionately large numbers of people in potentially vulnerable groups such as low-income, African American, and elderly residents. In addition, a similar requirement recently imposed in Medicaid effectively pushed tens of thousands of eligible people off the program and demonstrated that obtaining the documents can prove difficult, time-consuming, and, in some cases, essentially impossible.

Large Numbers of Missourians Lack the Required Documents

http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20080515/pl_usnw/missouri_s_proposed_voting_requirement_could_disenfranchise_more_than200000_u_s__citizens

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15. MO: Photo ID compromise would delay effects until 2010

Photo ID compromise would delay effects until 2010

By JASON ROSENBAUM of the Tribune’s staff
Published Wednesday, May 14, 2008

JEFFERSON CITY - As debate winds down over a photo identification requirement for voters, the Republican handler of the bill hopes to allay fears the requirement would take effect this year.

Republican lawmakers want the photo ID requirement because they say government-issued ID - such as a driver’s license - would eliminate any potential questions of voter fraud. Democrats argue voter impersonation fraud has not occurred, nullifying the need for a constitutional amendment. They also contend the requirement is meant to stifle voting by students, the elderly and the disabled.

Delaying implementation of the photo ID rule until after 2008 could help lawmakers avoid an acrimonious showdown.

Language in a House resolution would call for a vote on a photo ID amendment to the Missouri Constitution in November or at any special election approved by the governor. Another statutory bill in the works could be amended to include language implementing the photo ID rule.

http://www.columbiatribune.com/2008/May/20080514News004.asp

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16. NV: Recalls rules tightened

Recalls rules tightened
By BRENDAN RILEY Associated Press Writer
Article Launched: 05/14/2008 01:43:34 PM PDT

CARSON CITY, Nev.—A new interpretation of Nevada election law that makes it tougher to recall elected officials was endorsed Wednesday by Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto.

In an opinion requested by Secretary of State Ross Miller, the attorney general agreed with Miller that voters can sign a recall petition only if they voted in the election that put the targeted official into office.

The opinion, written by Senior Deputy Attorney General Nhu Nguyen, was sought after a group of Boulder City residents started a recall move against two city council members, Travis Chandler and Linda Strickland.

Miller's interpretation, based in part on a 1994 state Supreme Court ruling, also requires that the address included with a signature on any ballot petition match that voter's registration information. If it doesn't, a clerk must notify the voter and clear up the discrepancy before counting the voter's signature.

http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_925846

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17. NJ: County Clerk's Office Primary Preparations Back on Track

County Clerk's Office Primary Preparations Back on Track
By Susan Avedissian

COURT HOUSE — The Cape May County Clerk’s office is back on track preparing ballots for the June primary after a statewide lawsuit forced County Clerk Rita Fulginiti’s work on the absentee ballot mailings to halt, literally, in mid-print.

A lawsuit filed by Senatorial candidate U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews (D-1st) in April against 21 county clerks’ offices complained of various alleged irregularities in the clerks’ procedures that determined where his name would appear on the ballot.

The Appellate Division ordered clerks to redraw their ballots, which Fulginiti did on April 29.

Fulginiti originally drew the ballot placement on April 17, which was one of 21 drawings Andrews complained of. The ballot drawing process is mandated to be “fair and reasonable.” Candidates can also request in advance to be “bracketed” or listed along with others of the same political affiliation. If the affiliate’s designated leader approves, those requests are routinely granted. Andrews originally ended up bracketed in Column 2, with Lautenberg in Column 1 here. Andrews is now in Column 1.

http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/article/28395-county-clerks-office-primary-preparations-back-track

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18. NY: Two counties receive new voting machines

Two counties receive new voting machines
'BALLOT-MARKING DEVICES': St. Lawrence, Jefferson will use them for disabled this fall
By JUDE SEYMOUR
TIMES STAFF WRITER
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008

Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties received the first batch of new voting machines Tuesday — big, black, boxy devices that feature computer monitors and flashing lights.

The new "ballot-marking devices" make the push-lever variety now in service look like relics. And their arrival signals a sea change in how the north country will vote, starting with the September primary.

Sean M. Hennessey, Jefferson County Democratic elections commissioner, tried a Sequoia machine during a testing phase.

"It actually works fairly well, and it's a time saver," he said.

http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20080514/NEWS03/606171951

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19. NC: Columbus plans hearing on vote-buying charges

Columbus plans hearing on vote-buying charges

By Deuce Niven
Correspondent

WHITEVILLE — The Columbus County Board of Elections plans to look into allegations of vote-buying, improperly influencing voters and improper campaigning at a polling place.

Elections Director Carla Strickland said the elections board is expected to hold a special hearing on the complaints. A time and date for the meeting has not been set.

Board members discussed the allegations and accepted a complaint from Doris Strickland of Tabor City during their meeting Monday. Doris Strickland is not related to Carla Strickland.

The complaints filed with the county Board of Elections have been forwarded to the State Board of Elections and to County Attorney Steve Fowler.

http://www.fayobserver.com/article?id=294051

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20. OH: Elections board considers new paper supplier to avoid delays

Elections board considers new paper supplier to avoid delays

By TOM GIAMBRONI
POSTED: May 14, 2008

LISBON —The Columbiana County elections board is taking steps to prevent a repeat of the March primary election when voters were late receiving absentee ballots.

On Tuesday, the board met with Bill Glaros, a sales representative for City Printing of Youngstown, which is interested in being the elections board’s new paper ballot supplier. Glaros said they could guarantee meeting the delivery date, thereby avoiding the problem that occurred prior to the March 4 primary election, when the printing company used by the elections board was two weeks late delivering the absentee ballots.

By then, more than 1,000 people had applied to vote absentee, creating a backlog that took the staff weeks to address, frustrating voters who were concerned if they would receive their absentee ballot in time for the election.

Voters in the Nov. 4 general election can begin picking up absentee ballots on Sept. 30, and Glaros said his company needs only two weeks advance notification to have the ballots ready by then. There are 67,000 registered voters in the county, and 70,000 ballots were ordered for the March election at a cost of about $20,000.

http://www.morningjournalnews.com/page/content.detail/id/501689.html

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21. OH: Richland County elections board merges some polling places

Richland County elections board merges some polling places

By LINDA MARTZ • News Journal • May 14, 2008

MANSFIELD -- The number of voting precincts in Richland County has been reduced to 102 after the Board of Elections voted Tuesday to eliminate 11 precincts through mergers.
Advertisement

The board also moved polling locations for several precincts to solve parking and other logistical problems.

"We're finished now. We won't do any more for at least a year," Elections Director Paulette Hankins told the board.

Each eliminated precinct will save the county $800 per election, around $17,500 annually, not counting additional savings in years special elections are held, Hankins said.

http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080514/NEWS01/805140311/1002

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22. PA: Wyoming Area classes say ‘yes’ to e-voting machines

12:50 AM
Wyoming Area classes say ‘yes’ to e-voting machines
Secondary students hold class elections on county’s electronic voting machines.

By Steve Mocarsky [e-mail]
Staff Writer

EXETER – Wyoming Area Secondary School students on Wednesday cast their votes on Luzerne County’s electronic voting machines in a real, honest-to-goodness election.

Members of next school year’s freshmanthrough senior classes used the machines to elect class officers – and Election Bureau Director Leonard Piazza hopes all county high schools will eventually participate.

The initiative not only gave the students experience in the electoral process at an earlier age, it also gave Election Bureau employees a chance to practice the complicated process of programming the machines.

The county has been outsourcing the programming of the machines to Election Systems and Software. Programming for April’s primary election cost about $26,000. Piazza hopes to perform the work in-house after employees become more confident with the software.

http://www.timesleader.com/news/20080515_15_Elections_ART.html

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23. TN: Election administrator skeptical about bill

Election administrator skeptical about bill
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
From staff and Associated Press reports

A proposal that would require a paper record for voters' ballots in Tennessee has passed the state House, but Bedford County election administrator Summer Leverette is skeptical.

The measure sponsored by Rep. Gary Moore, a Joelton Democrat, was approved 88-6 on Tuesday. The companion bill, sponsored by Sen. Joe Haynes, D-Goodlettsville, is scheduled for a full Senate vote on Thursday.

The bill would require that the paper trail process be in place no later than 2010.

Besides verifying a voter's selections, the paper trail would also be used in recounts or random samplings testing the accuracy of electronic voting machines.

http://www.t-g.com/story/1402558.html

[Fly by night]

42. TN: Voter Confidence Act passes both houses of TN legislature

http://wpln.org/newstranscripts/?p=2315

State Senate Approves Paper-Trail Voting Machines Requirement

Thursday, May 15th, 2008

The state Senate approved a requirement today that all Tennessee elections use paper-trail ballots. The Senate then sent the measure back to the House for agreement on a minor amendment.

Advocates for voting machines with a verifiable paper trail had hoped to get new machines in place by the November elections. But the bill sets 2010 as the deadline for counties to comply.

Bernie Ellis of the group “Gathering to Save our Democracy,” says they’re disappointed with the delay, but glad the legislature took action.

“Even though the bill allows counties until 2010 to implement it, our position is, the near-unanimity of support for this bill suggests that there’s no controversy, that paperless voting machines never had a place in our elections in this country.”

Ellis says there’s no reason counties can’t go ahead and upgrade to new machines right now.

The House is expected to agree to the newest amendment, which says the changeover must be financed by federal funds from the Help America Vote Act.

WEB EXTRA

The bill is SB13643 Haynes, Burchett/HB1256 Moore, Sontany.

The bill passed in the House on Monday 88-6 after being amended in the House Budget Subcommittee to put off compliance until November 2010.

The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) and its impact on Tennessee may be reviewed at this link on the Tennessee secretary of state’s page.

Ellis’ comment below about elections in 2009 refers to “off-year” city elections.
“We’ll have some challenges both in 2008 and 2009, continuing to use this unsafe equipment. But we do believe the legislature has now sent a strong signal to the counties and to the state Election Commission to let our votes count.”

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24. WV: Paper problems, low turnout in Hancock County primary

Paper problems, low turnout in Hancock County primary
By EMILY SCOTT ([e-mail])
POSTED: May 15, 2008


NEW CUMBERLAND — Some of the electronic voting machines used in Hancock County’s primary election Tuesday were temporarily out of service due to their running out of the paper used to back up voters’ selections.

County Clerk Eleanor Straight said the paper rolls are supposed to hold the votes of about 250 voters but that some had only 90 or 100.

“People were trying a lot of different things on the voting machines,” Straight said, meaning voters may have changed their minds repeatedly. Since “every little action gets recorded,” Straight said “it uses up quite a bit of paper.”

Another factor may have been that “it was a good-sized ballot,” Straight said.

http://www.reviewonline.com/page/content.detail/id/502106.html?nav=5008

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25. WV: Glitches delay Mercer results

Glitches delay Mercer results
By SAMANTHA PERRY
Bluefield Daily Telegraph

PRINCETON — As the midnight bell tolled early Wednesday morning, those awaiting results of Tuesday’s Mercer County primary election were a day late and several thousands votes short of being counted.

A glitch in the electronic voting counting system early in the evening resulted in a domino effect that delayed final results of elections across the county and the region.

Slightly before midnight, only 34------ percent of the county’s votes had been counted — 20 precincts out of the county’s 61.

Onlookers at the Mercer County Court House reported seven precincts had been counted early in the evening when the machine “locked up.” After this occcured, the county was instructed by the Secretary of State’s office to recount the votes.

http://www.bdtonline.com/local/local_story_135003213.html

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26. WV: A few problems on Election Day

A few problems on Election Day
Even so, Wood county clerk says things overall went well during West Virginia primary voting

By BRETT DUNLAP
POSTED: May 15, 2008

PARKERSBURG — With the May primary wrapped up, Wood County experienced a few problems, but County Clerk Jamie Six said things went well.

Early in the day Tuesday, Six had to go out and replace and repair a number of printers on the voting machines. Also, the city started a water line repair on 16th Street that caused some problems for people to reach a polling location at Woodman Hall at 15th and Lynn streets.

There were also some electronic issues with some of the voting machines that caused a delay in tallying the votes. Six said they had the usually concerns of keeping campaign materials the proper distance from polling locations and other concerns.

However, one of the biggest problems some voters faced was people who were not affiliated with a particular party being able to get the primary ballot they wanted to vote on.

http://www.newsandsentinel.com/page/content.detail/id/505395.html?nav=5061

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27. WI: Wisconsin elections chief questioned at congressional hearing

Wisconsin elections chief questioned at congressional hearing about controversial police report
By Diana Marrero
Wednesday, May 14 2008, 05:33 PM

A routine congressional hearing about how state elections chiefs can handle weather emergencies or terrorist attacks got a little more interesting Wednesday during an exchange between Kevin Kennedy, who serves as director of the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, and Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.

As the state's top elections official, Kennedy was testifying in front of the House Administration Subcommittee on Elections about the state's contingency plans. But McCarthy asked to introduce into the congressional record a copy of a controversial police report on the 2004 election.

The 67-page report, released this year, generated controversy because it was seen as a political report by the Milwaukee Police Department. The report, which identified problems in Milwaukee's 2004 election, recommended that the state eliminate same-day voter registration and require voters to show photo identification before they could cast a ballot. Incoming Milwaukee Chief Edward Flynn, who did not see the report until it was released publicly, later said his agency should not be in the business of making policy recommendations.

McCarthy asked Kennedy about the report and questioned the wisdom of same-day registrations. Kennedy, who says he was surprised by McCarthy's actions, said the exchange raises questions about "how much this is going to play in the elections in the fall."

http://blogs.jsonline.com/allpoliticswatch/archive/2008/05/14/wisconsin-elections-chief-questioned-at-congressional-hearing-about-controversial-police-report.aspx

[EFerrari]

29. AR: Most early voters favor electronic option

Most early voters favor electronic option

By Gary Lookadoo Staff Writer // [e-mail]
Posted on Thursday, May 15, 2008

BENTON COUNTY - Introduced in the county in recent years, electronic voting machines appear to be popular, at least with most of this year's early voters, a worker in the Benton County Clerk's Office said Wednesday.

Early voting for the Tuesday primaries, which started May 5, will continue through election eve on Monday. Eligible voters may vote early at county clerk's offices in Bentonville, Rogers and Siloam Springs.

Political parties will hold partisan primary elections Tuesday, the same day that nonpartisan judicial elections will be held.

Since early voting began, more than 1, 800 people have voted in one of the county clerk's offices using one of the county's iVotronic electronic voting machines, said Tena O'Brien, administrative assistant to Benton County Clerk Mary Lou Slinkard.

http://www.nwanews.com/bcdr/News/61806/

[EFerrari]

30. CO: Voting-machine critics see a possible November surprise in Colorado

Voting-machine critics see a possible November surprise in Colorado

By ANTHONY LANE

It's Nov. 4, and you're primed for the election season to finally end. You kick back on the couch to watch results tumble in as TV pundits try to predict the next president.

For a while, it looks good for Republicans as they rack up victories in Michigan, Ohio and much of the South.

But the Democrats come back, taking Pennsylvania, New York and California. A close race in Florida means delays, but the Democrats triumph there, too.

You hear reports of huge lines and voting machine problems here in Colorado, but forget them as the drama plays out across the country. Electoral maps start looking much like 2004, with the midsection of the country running red and the edges mostly blue.

http://www.csindy.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A25311

[EFerrari]

35. Election board to consider complaint (student vote)

Election board to consider complaint

THE STAR PRESS • May 15, 2008

MUNCIE — The Delaware County Election Board on Friday will review why more than 40 Wapahani High School students reported they were denied the right to vote in the primary election.
Advertisement

The students said they registered to vote with Barack Obama campaign workers.

A handful of students, however, were turned away at the polls because they were not in the poll books. Many other students abandoned plans to vote that day after hearing news that others had been denied.

The registrations might not have been submitted by the Obama campaign.

http://www.thestarpress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080515/NEWS01/805150356

[EFerrari]

3. International.

[EFerrari]

Electronic voting system tested by Newcastle University

Electronic voting system tested by Newcastle University

An electronic vote capture and counting system, designed to overcome the problems which have dogged computerised voting systems throughout the world, notably the touch screen voting machines in the US and pilot schemes run in the UK , was given its first major test at Newcastle University on Tuesday, 13 May 2008.
The 'Pret a Voter' system was invented by Prof Peter Ryan (pictured) of Newcastle University and implemented by a team of computer scientists at Newcastle and Surrey Universities. It is hoped that that once the system is tried and tested it could attract global interest.

Click here to find out more!
The designers say that Pret a Voter is far less prone to error, hacking and corruption, than either manual counting or the electronic systems which have been tried before. In addition, individuals can check that their votes have been cast and auditors can easily verify that voting has been fair and error-free.

Many countries have tried electronic voting systems, with little success. Last year, the Electoral Commission said that web and phone voting experiments in the UK should be stopped following widespread concern over security of pilot schemes run during the May 2007 elections.

http://www.physorg.com/news129995929.html

[EFerrari]

34. Myanmar says constitution gets OK in criticized election

Myanmar says constitution gets OK in criticized election

ASSOCIATED PRESS • May 15, 2008


YANGON, Myanmar — Myanmar announced today that a constitution critics say will cement nearly four decades of military rule was overwhelmingly approved in a referendum held while the country reeled from a devastating cyclone.
Advertisement

The document was approved by 92.4% of the 22 million eligible voters last Saturday, said Aung Toe, head of the Referendum Holding Committee on state radio. He put voter turnout at more than 99% in areas that went to the polls.

Human rights organizations and anti-government groups have bitterly criticized the government for going ahead with the vote, accusing it of neglecting cyclone victims to advance its political agenda.

Following the balloting, local journalists said they saw cases of intimidation of voters at various polling stations around the country.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080515/NEWS07/80515012

[EFerrari]

36. MDC outrage at run-off delays (Zimbabwe)

Friday May 16, 07:00 AM
MDC outrage at run-off delays
By Africa correspondent Andrew Geoghegan

Zimbabwe's Opposition has called for a regional crisis meeting after the run-off election for the country's president was delayed.

The Movement for Democratic Change has expressed its outrage that the deadline for the election run-off has been extended until the end of July.

By law the second round of voting should take place within 3 weeks of the results being announced, but instead it may be 3 months before Zimbabweans go the polls again.

The Opposition accuses President Robert Mugabe and his ruling party of buying more time to intimidate and attack opposition supporters.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/080515/21/16vkr.html

[EFerrari]

4. OpEd.

[EFerrari]

31. Editorial: King Of Fools: Iowa Rep Gets It Wrong Again (IA)

Editorial: King Of Fools: Iowa Rep Gets It Wrong Again

(UWIRE.com) This story was written by Editorial Board, The Daily Iowan

Rep. Steve King has long been, like Slipknot and jokes about corn, one of the most embarrassing things about being from Iowa. He has made himself one of the most quotable right-wing zealots in Congress, from his comparison of illegal immigrants to stray cats to his recent assertion that al-Qaida would "dance in the streets" if Barack Obama is elected president.

His public statements underline a voting record that is among the most conservative in the nation. He opposes equal rights for gays and lesbians and consistently votes against life-saving stem-cell research.

Small wonder, then, that when another good bill comes to Congress, King is one of the first to oppose it. Senate File 2959 would help boost voter participation by making same-day registration available at all polling places. Simply missing a deadline for filling out a form should not preclude voters from exercising their rights as U.S. citizens.

King, of course, does not see it that way. He rails that the bill would "erode the integrity of the people who are legitimate voters," according to the Associated Press. This is a not-very-subtle way of saying that illegal immigrants will dilute the voting power of law-abiding citizens, a standard GOP response to attempts to make voting easier.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/14/politics/uwire/main4097685.shtml

[EFerrari]

38. Your vote counts better on paper

Your vote counts better on paper
by Fred Foldvary
Article Launched: 05/14/2008 02:11:41 PM PDT

California should replace all voting machines and scannable forms with papers ballots, hand-counted in each precinct.

The problem with computerized voting is that it is an opaque box whose inner operations are unobservable. Hackers can tamper with the programming and with the data, and there is no way to be sure that the tallied voting totals are genuine. A printed record of each vote is better than nothing, but doing a recount with the printed records is costly. And if the recount is itself done with computerized data processing, we are back to square one.

With the use of punched cards or scannable forms, most elections will not be recounted. If the votes for a candidate or proposition are not closely tied, it is unlikely that one side will demand a recount.

Under the current system, mail-in ballots of absentee voters are hand-marked but computer-counted. Again, the data processing can be tampered with. Any time a machine tallies a total, the sums are subject to doubt. There is no way to fix this situation. A machine or computer program can be tested and certified to be correct at one time and then subsequently hacked to produce a manipulated result. Similarly, programming can be set to switch on at a particular time, so that a prior test gives a correct answer but in the actual voting the secret code kicks in to skew the outcome.

http://www.themilpitaspost.com/ci_9258716?source=most_viewed

[EFerrari]

41. Block The Vote! Proof of Citizenship On The Rise, Flashpoint Missouri

(PLEASE DIGG AT LINK IF YOU CAN!)

May 15, 2008

Block The Vote! Proof of Citizenship On The Rise, Flashpoint Missouri
By Project Vote

Requiring proof-of-citizenship in order to register to vote is the latest addition to voter suppression arsenal. Spurred by Arizona's 2004 implementation of proof of citizenship requirements and the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision to uphold Indiana's strict voter ID law, proof of citizenship bills - often coupled with voter ID - are gaining traction across the country. With more than 13 million Americans lacking ready access to citizenship documentation and scant evidence of voter registration fraud by non-citizens (or any voter for that matter) leading to illegal votes, proof of citizenship requirements could have a significant impact on the electorate. Wasting no time after the high court's decision, the neighboring states of Kansas and Missouri have swiftly moved forward with efforts to pass such legislation. Both states are pushing schemes that could take effect in the November election.

Missouri's HJR 48 - a constitutional amendment to require proof of identification at the polls - also requires proof of citizenship in order register to vote. As the New York Times reported on the front page Monday, "sponsors of the amendment -- which requires the approval of voters to go into effect, possibly in an August referendum -- say it is part of an effort to prevent illegal immigrants from affecting the political process. Critics say the measure could lead to the disenfranchisement of tens of thousands of legal residents who would find it difficult to prove their citizenship."

Missouri's own Secretary of State, Robin Carnahan estimates 300,000 voters could be disenfranchised this November for what she considers to be a Republican wild goose chase for "'mythical problems,'" according to ConsortiumNews.com and the Associated Press, respectively.

Carnahan questions the type of "voter fraud" cited by advocates - including the ultimately rectified voter registration of a dog - as none of it would be resolved by voter ID, according to the Columbia Daily Tribune: "Have we had instances of improper voting registrations? Yes. Have we had instances of improper absentee voting? Yes. Is this government ID to vote going to impact any of those? No."

http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_project__080515_block_the_vote_21_proo.htm

[DU GrovelBot]

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[sonias]

33. K&R

Good work sfexpat2000!


Sonia

[tbyg52]

43. K&R#5!

:hi: :thumbsup:

[EFerrari]

44. Thanks!

:hi: