Top vote counter becomes prize job

[babylonsister]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-08-16-secretary-state-democrats_x.htm?POE=NEWISVA

The political battle for control of the federal government has opened up a new front: the obscure but vital state offices that determine who votes and how those votes are counted.

The state post of secretary of State was a backwater until 2000, when Florida's Katherine Harris became a central figure in the presidential recount controversy. Now national Democratic groups and White House prospects, unhappy about Harris' decisions and those of Republican Kenneth Blackwell in Ohio two years ago, are pouring resources into contests for the job.

At least three Democratic political action committees are spotlighting secretary of State candidates, most of them in states where they expect the presidential vote to be close. Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada and Ohio top their lists.

Secretaries of State control most voting regulations and influence state purchases of voting machines. Looking ahead to 2008, Democrats say they want people they trust in those offices.

"There's a growing concern about whether votes are cast and, if so, whether they're properly counted. We have to restore people's confidence in the system," says Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, a 2008 presidential prospect whose Heartland PAC is helping several secretary of State candidates.

more...

[patricia92243]

1. Howard Dean understands this. That is why he wants Democrats at EVERY

level of Government.

[DoYouEverWonder]

2. Excellent

We need to guarantee fair and free elections and this is the only way we can accomplish that.

[tanyev]

3. Only 27 years behind the GOP.

HISTORY OF NCRCO
The National Conference of Republican County Officials (NCRCO) was organized and formed in 1979 as a Caucus within the National Association of County Officials (NACo). It became an Affiliate of the Republican National Committee (RNC).

Membership is available to all Republican County Officials, elected or appointed, in positions such as County Commissioner, Treasurer, Sheriff, Clerk of Court, Tax Collector, Recorder, Trustee, Juror, Judge, Property Appraiser, Supervisor of Elections, School Board Member, and other related titles throughout the United States, upon payment of annual dues.

NCRCO has been and is a grassroots organization where members come together and form a collective force to advance the Republican philosophy from a local elected official vantage point. Our goal is to encourage Republican County Officials to participate in a united national effort and strengthen our entire political process.


OBJECTIVES
To further the ideals of the Republican Party through regular contact and association with peers at semi-annual meetings, by Internet and other communication channels.
To assist in building a grassroots Republican network that will help elect more Republicans at the local, state, and national levels.
To define, clarify, and discuss ideas or proposals supported by Republican County Officials, and to disseminate positions we adopt.
To provide the opportunity for Republican County Officials to unite in their efforts to inform federal officeholders and administrators of the needs of local government, and concerns as to the impact of federal programs, from a Republican viewpoint.
To foster loyalty to the Republican Party and to promote its principles and platform by all Republican candidates in all elections.
To provide a forum from which to participate in, comment upon, or consider official policies and actions of the National Association of Counties (NACo).
To serve as a national voice from the local level and advance public understanding of the role counties play in American politics.

http://ncrco.org/

[Qutzupalotl]

4. Kick and recommend

....repeat...

Howard's got a good strategy here.

[annabanana]

5. The position is vital...

And we have been ignoring it.

k&r