Your source for alternative media coverage of the 2008 election alongside the 2004 elections and the related voter irregularities in Ohio.<br><br>Additional articles about the elections by <a href=http://www.freepress.org/columns/display/3>Bob Fitrakis</a> and <a href=http://www.freepress.org/columns/display/7>Harvey Wasserman</a> are in the <a href=http://www.freepress.org/columns>columns</a> section.
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Those interested in contributing statistical skills to the project may want to contact <a href=mailto:truth@freepress.org>The Free Press</a> and <a href=http://uscountvotes.org target=usvotes>uscountvotes.org</a>.
Election Issues
Dear Governor Taft and Secretary of State Blackwell,
The ballots and computerized voting records from the 2004 presidential election in Ohio constitute one of the most important historical artifacts in our nation's history. They must be preserved as part of the essence of our democratic rights and traditions, and in the patriotic interest of future generations of citizens, teachers, students and scholars. The fact that the state of Florida has preserved its presidential voting records from the election of 2000 adds important weight to the demand that Ohio do the same for 2004.
Since 1848, only five presidential elections have been close enough to have turned on the Electoral College votes of a single state. (In the presidential election of 1960, the true tally of the voting in Illinois has been widely questioned, but that state’s electoral votes were ultimately not decisive in the final outcome).
The presidential elections of 1916 and 1976 were close enough to have been turned by the electoral votes of a single state, but there were no serious challenges to the vote counts of any such state raised in those years.
Since 1848, only five presidential elections have been close enough to have turned on the Electoral College votes of a single state. (In the presidential election of 1960, the true tally of the voting in Illinois has been widely questioned, but that state’s electoral votes were ultimately not decisive in the final outcome).
The presidential elections of 1916 and 1976 were close enough to have been turned by the electoral votes of a single state, but there were no serious challenges to the vote counts of any such state raised in those years.
Late yesterday, September 7, U.S. District Judge Algernon L. Marbley issued an order to all 88 Ohio Board of Elections (BOEs) to protect the ballots as evidence in the King Lincoln Bronzeville Neighborhood Association et. al. v. J. Kenneth Blackwell case.
In his decision, Marbley ordered all Ohio BOE's "to preserve all ballots from the Presidential election, on paper or in any other format, including electronic data, unless and until such time otherwise instructed by the court." Plaintiffs in the King Lincoln case contend that certain election records including unused ballots needed for auditing have already been destroyed. Plaintiffs contend that Ohio Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell violated the civil rights of various inner city African American voters during his administration of the 2004 presidential election. The ballots are needed in order for the plaintiffs to establish their claim that there was an ongoing pattern and practice of targeting and disenfranchising African American voters.
In his decision, Marbley ordered all Ohio BOE's "to preserve all ballots from the Presidential election, on paper or in any other format, including electronic data, unless and until such time otherwise instructed by the court." Plaintiffs in the King Lincoln case contend that certain election records including unused ballots needed for auditing have already been destroyed. Plaintiffs contend that Ohio Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell violated the civil rights of various inner city African American voters during his administration of the 2004 presidential election. The ballots are needed in order for the plaintiffs to establish their claim that there was an ongoing pattern and practice of targeting and disenfranchising African American voters.
Editor's note: The following is a criminal complaint filed in Coshocton County by Tim Kettler, Green Party candidate for Secretary of State and the man who oversaw the recount in Coshocton. Note the complaint is very similar to allegations that led to criminal indictments in Cuyahoga County.
View the complaint as a PDF
View the complaint as a PDF
This weekend was to be "D-Day" in Ohio. It marked the September 2 deadline after which federal law allows the destruction of ballots from the 2004 election.
It didn't happen, at least on a statewide basis. But the fight to preserve that vital evidence is far from over.
Republican election officials here have been chomping at the bit to shred, burn or otherwise destroy the ballots and other related materials from the dubious vote count that gave George W. Bush a second term. Yet, in several rural southwest Republican-dominated counties, you have to trip over boxes of ballots and election material from earlier elections dating back as far as 1977 in order to see the stickers "Destroy on 9/3/06" on the 2004 ballot boxes.
J. Kenneth Blackwell, the Republican Secretary of State, is running for governor. His dual role as administrator of the election and state co-chair of the Bush-Cheney campaign has raised deep-seated embarrassment and ire throughout the Buckeye State.
It didn't happen, at least on a statewide basis. But the fight to preserve that vital evidence is far from over.
Republican election officials here have been chomping at the bit to shred, burn or otherwise destroy the ballots and other related materials from the dubious vote count that gave George W. Bush a second term. Yet, in several rural southwest Republican-dominated counties, you have to trip over boxes of ballots and election material from earlier elections dating back as far as 1977 in order to see the stickers "Destroy on 9/3/06" on the 2004 ballot boxes.
J. Kenneth Blackwell, the Republican Secretary of State, is running for governor. His dual role as administrator of the election and state co-chair of the Bush-Cheney campaign has raised deep-seated embarrassment and ire throughout the Buckeye State.
The destruction of the ballots from the 2004 presidential election in Ohio makes the front page of the New York Times. The Columbus Institute for Contemporary Journalism/Free Press investigations of the 2004 presidential election ballots makes front page news in the New York Times.
Ohio to Delay Destruction of Presidential Ballots
Click here to find out more about the Save the Ballots campaign: Save the Ballots
Call Bob Fitrakis, 614-374-2380 or Cliff Arnebeck, 614-224-8771, or Harvey Wasserman, 614-738-3646 for information about the Ohio investigations of the ballots and the pending federal lawsuit.
More information about New Press book by Bob Fitrakis, Steve Rosenfeld and Harvey Wasserman: What Happened in Ohio? A Documentary Record of Theft and Fraud in the 2004 Election
Ohio to Delay Destruction of Presidential Ballots
Click here to find out more about the Save the Ballots campaign: Save the Ballots
Call Bob Fitrakis, 614-374-2380 or Cliff Arnebeck, 614-224-8771, or Harvey Wasserman, 614-738-3646 for information about the Ohio investigations of the ballots and the pending federal lawsuit.
More information about New Press book by Bob Fitrakis, Steve Rosenfeld and Harvey Wasserman: What Happened in Ohio? A Documentary Record of Theft and Fraud in the 2004 Election
The San Diego citizens who are suing for transparency and accountability in elections witnessed the second hearing in this matter before the Honorable Judge Yuri Hofmann in the San Diego County Superior Court.
From the courthouse by cell phone Contestant Barbara Gail Jacobsen reported, “Paul Lehto and Ken Simpkins represented us very well today in court. ‘We the People of this country decide on who is going to represent us, and it’s through making sure that our elections are sound that we can know for sure that we have elected people that we want to transfer power to.’” (Quote posted by Emily Levy at http://www.bradblog.com/?p=3328)
Earlier this year, San Diego voters discovered these easily hackable, electronic voting machines were sent home with poll workers on “sleepovers” prior to the June 6th Special Election, violating state and federal laws. Ironically, the election was held to fill the 50th Congressional District seat made vacant by the felony conviction of Republican Randy “Duke” Cunningham.
From the courthouse by cell phone Contestant Barbara Gail Jacobsen reported, “Paul Lehto and Ken Simpkins represented us very well today in court. ‘We the People of this country decide on who is going to represent us, and it’s through making sure that our elections are sound that we can know for sure that we have elected people that we want to transfer power to.’” (Quote posted by Emily Levy at http://www.bradblog.com/?p=3328)
Earlier this year, San Diego voters discovered these easily hackable, electronic voting machines were sent home with poll workers on “sleepovers” prior to the June 6th Special Election, violating state and federal laws. Ironically, the election was held to fill the 50th Congressional District seat made vacant by the felony conviction of Republican Randy “Duke” Cunningham.
Voters Insist On Right To Observe Vote Counting
Plus Other Findings From This Unique Poll
Part I of a II part series
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A recent Zogby poll documents ground breaking information on the attitudes of American voters toward electronic voting. They are quite clear in the belief that the outcome of an entire election can be changed due to flaws in computerized voting machines. At a stunning rate of 92%, Americans insist on the right to watch their votes being counted. And, at an overwhelming 80%, they strongly object to the use of secret computer software to tabulate votes without citizen access to that software.
The American public is clear in its desire for free, fair, and transparent elections. An 80%-90% consensus on the right to view vote counting and opposition to secrecy by voting machine vendor is both rare and remarkable in American politics. If only the public knew that these options are virtually non existent in today’s election system.
Plus Other Findings From This Unique Poll
Part I of a II part series
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A recent Zogby poll documents ground breaking information on the attitudes of American voters toward electronic voting. They are quite clear in the belief that the outcome of an entire election can be changed due to flaws in computerized voting machines. At a stunning rate of 92%, Americans insist on the right to watch their votes being counted. And, at an overwhelming 80%, they strongly object to the use of secret computer software to tabulate votes without citizen access to that software.
The American public is clear in its desire for free, fair, and transparent elections. An 80%-90% consensus on the right to view vote counting and opposition to secrecy by voting machine vendor is both rare and remarkable in American politics. If only the public knew that these options are virtually non existent in today’s election system.
While vocally supporting passage of the Act, President Bush and his administration have refused to effectively enforce it
?
“The passage of the Voting Rights Act reauthorization today is good news for all Americans who care about the integrity of our democracy. More than 60,000 People For the American Way members, supporters and activists had signed petitions urging the Act’s passage and opposing right-wing efforts to undermine its effectiveness. Their activism has helped preserve one of the most important accomplishments of the civil rights movement.
“President Bush’s decision to support the legislation was the right one. But the law has little real meaning if it is not enforced. And the sad truth is that the Bush administration has abandoned its responsibility to enforce the law.
“In fact, the Bush Justice Department has brought important Voting Rights Act litigation to a grinding halt. Repeatedly the recommendations of career civil rights attorneys have been overturned by political appointees who seem committed to a ‘see no evil’ approach when minority voters are being left behind.
“The passage of the Voting Rights Act reauthorization today is good news for all Americans who care about the integrity of our democracy. More than 60,000 People For the American Way members, supporters and activists had signed petitions urging the Act’s passage and opposing right-wing efforts to undermine its effectiveness. Their activism has helped preserve one of the most important accomplishments of the civil rights movement.
“President Bush’s decision to support the legislation was the right one. But the law has little real meaning if it is not enforced. And the sad truth is that the Bush administration has abandoned its responsibility to enforce the law.
“In fact, the Bush Justice Department has brought important Voting Rights Act litigation to a grinding halt. Repeatedly the recommendations of career civil rights attorneys have been overturned by political appointees who seem committed to a ‘see no evil’ approach when minority voters are being left behind.
Or ... One average citizen's account of her unsettling experience video-taping on Election Day 2004, attending the public hearings afterward and then serving as an Official Witness for the Ohio Vote Recount.
In 2004, like most of my friends, I was asleep at the wheel, even with questions still lingering following the 2000 election. As an active mother, advocate and writer, I felt entitled to this lethargy. It's all too much was my hidden mantra. If I hadn't been asked to take my outdated family video camera to the polls on Election Day, I might still be able relieve myself of the burden of being awake and aware. But from that day forward, things changed. In late 2004, I added Voter's Rights activism to my list of duties. Nobody in my life saw it coming, least of all me.
In 2004, like most of my friends, I was asleep at the wheel, even with questions still lingering following the 2000 election. As an active mother, advocate and writer, I felt entitled to this lethargy. It's all too much was my hidden mantra. If I hadn't been asked to take my outdated family video camera to the polls on Election Day, I might still be able relieve myself of the burden of being awake and aware. But from that day forward, things changed. In late 2004, I added Voter's Rights activism to my list of duties. Nobody in my life saw it coming, least of all me.