US voting system vulnerable to fraud (NZ Herald)

[Bushfire]

19.10.2003
Part 1 of a 4-part investigation by ANDREW GUMBEL of the Independent
INVESTIGATION - Something very odd happened in the mid-term elections in the US state of Georgia last November.

On the eve of the vote, opinion polls showed Roy Barnes, the incumbent Democratic governor, leading by between 9 and 11 points.

In a somewhat closer, keenly watched Senate race, polls indicated that Max Cleland, the popular Democrat up for re-election, was ahead by two to five points against his Republican challenger, Saxby Chambliss.

snip

When the Georgia secretary of state's office published its demographic breakdown of the election earlier this year, it turned out there was no surge of angry white men; in fact, the only subgroup showing even a modest increase in turnout was black women.

so much more too!!!

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3529556&thesection=news&thesubsection=world

[althecat]

1. Yeah I saw this... I hope they run it in the paper too....

If they do I will tell you all tomorrow....

[Akamer]

2. voting machines

Hey all, this is my first post, so I just wanted to say hi before I get into this issue...hi.

This is a big deal. I've been reading about this on other sites for a while now, and I believe it is a huge threat to our democracy and the future of the country. The fact is that electronic voting machines should be resisted at all costs! The companies that manufacture them are run by right wing nuts, and right now they're making a big push to get them in every state. Cleland definately stole that election. If I remember correctly, it was his company that made the machines and put them in place, and then came his stunning victory. Is it just me or do conservatives have no grasp of the concept of conflict of interest? The fact that this hasn't been reported on in the mainstream media is frightening also. This is a huge story! Not only Clelands case, but the whole voting machine issue! Once these machines are in place it would be impossible for a candidate from any party other than the Repubichairs to win an election. The machines have been challenged, but a court ruled that the code the machines use cannot be examined by objective parties because of trade secrecy laws. What a scam this is. People need to speak up about this or the 04 election is already lost. Demand a paper receipt, it's the only proof you have of your vote. I am surprised that Democratic politicians have not been up in arms about this, since their survival is at stake. If we're not careful Dumbya will be declared Fuhrer, and we'll all have to go hide in the mountains, or Canada. They've already stole one election, let's not let them get away with it again. I honestly believe that the last election was a beta test for this sort of voter fraud, and it worked, so now they want to go nationwide. If your community is switching to the voting machines, speak up and stop it. We can't let them privatize our democracy.

[Book Lover]

3. Hi there!

Welcome to DU! Once you start to poke around, you'll find a great deal of interest in this topic.

[shirlden]

4. Welcome Akamer, to DU

Good first post, but a bit inaccurate. Cleland lost an election he should have won and he has no interest in any voting machine company. You are probably talking about Hagel in Neb.
No elections have been "stolen". That is the beauty of these machines. They can easily commit vote "fraud", but it can't be proven. This is not a partisan issue. Vote fraud is equal opportunity fraud... even the Mafia, CIA, foreign intelligence, your local hacker can do it.
Glad that you have joined those of us who believe this is the biggest threat to our democracy today.

:kick:

[Akamer]

12. my bad

yeah I was talking about Nagel, thanks for pointing it out. I do think this is a partisan issue however since diebold, sequoia, and E&S are major contributors to the republican party. And there's also that letter that got sent to (can't remember name) the republican in ohio from one of those companies promising a victory for the pubes in 2004. Although I do agree that it is open for anyone to commit the fraud. This is definately the biggest threat to our democracy.

[bearfan454]

6. Welcome to DU

Now you can get the real news.

[0007]

9. "Cleland definately stole that election"

What election are you talking about?

Welcome!

[CatWoman]

11. I think he/she means Chambliss

:shrug:

[Akamer]

13. yup

yeah i meant chambliss...I was tired when i wrote it but thanks for straightening me out

[newyawker99]

14. Hi Akamer!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[JoFerret]

5. Disturbing story

..this issue needs careful and urgent attention from the most scrupulous. Who might that be? And before that, of course, we have to get attention paid, get this issue out front.

[Bushfire]

7. It's so sad that we have to get some of the biggest stories from foreign

sources, with a few exceptions. This information has been available to any newspaper that gives a damn about democracy for a while now.

[cthrumatrix]

8. welcome to corporations owning the media , policticians & the world

[Nottingham]

10. They stole the election and they get away with it!

Republicans are the Crooks Party :bounce: