Election Reform, Fraud and Related News. Sunday 05/18/08

[EFerrari]

Ohio counties want to keep primary ballot-scanning system

Meg Brutoczky
Created: 5/18/2008 3:32:45 PM
Updated:5/18/2008 3:34:00 PM

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Officials in three counties have asked Ohio's chief elections official to help them keep an outlawed voting system through the November presidential election.

Cuyahoga County -- which includes Cleveland -- and Mercer and Van Wert counties in western Ohio tell Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner they want to kept the system used successfully during the March primary.

Ballots are collected from various precincts and scanned and counted by computer at one central site. The American Civil Liberties Union says the system does not allow voters to fix errors
that could render ballots invalid.

Some county officials say a switch would mean a financial burden.

A spokesman says finances are also a concern of Brunner. Her office is looking for funding to help counties make the switch to precinct-level scanning.

http://www.wkyc.com/news/rss_article.aspx?ref=RSS&storyid=89770



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:

[EFerrari]

1. The Nation.

[EFerrari]

9. NAACP Leader May Debut In Cincy

NAACP Leader May Debut In Cincy
New Prez-Elect Part of New Leadership, Says Local Chief
Reported by Michael D. Altman /

CINCINNATI -- Benjamin T. Jealous, the NAACP president elect, may be making his first public comments at the NAACP National Convention in Cincinnati this July, said local chief Christiopher Smitherman. Jealous officially assumes his position September 1.

The NAACP National Board of Directors announced the selection of Jealous on Saturday. He is the 17th person chosen to lead the civil rights organization in its 99-year history, a release said.

Jealous, 35, comes to the NAACP from the San Francisco-based Rosenberg Foundation, where he's served as president since 2005.
Click here to find out more!

Though he has not yet met Jealous, Smitherman said that the coming year in politics -- and the role Ohio plays in the election -- ensures that the two will be closely connected.

http://www.wlwt.com/news/16321759/detail.html?rss=cin&psp=news

[EFerrari]

10. NAACP head hopes to mobilize voters

NAACP head hopes to mobilize voters
President-elect, 35, brushes off concerns he's too young to lead civil rights group



By Annie Linskey and Kelly Brewington | Sun reporters
May 18, 2008

By age 6, Benjamin Todd Jealous had read through all of the books about African-Americans in his elementary school library and inquired why there weren't more.

At 7, he told his family that he wanted to become a civil rights lawyer. At 14, he organized his first voter registration drive.

And now, at 35, he has become the youngest person ever to lead the century-old NAACP.

"This is a big day," he said yesterday at a news conference outside the NAACP's Baltimore headquarters. "Across the country, there are people in my generation who have checked out from this organization, and this is my day to say to them: 'Check back in.' "

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/bal-te.naacp18may18,0,347262.story

Good luck, kid! Go get 'em!

[Wilms]

16. Rebecca Mercuri: Voting Advocates Roundtable Discussion (EAC)

Written Testimony by Rebecca Mercuri

Representing: The BRAD BLOG
Voting Advocates Roundtable Discussion
EAC Offices, Washington, DC, April 24, 2008


The 2007 draft Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG) represents a significant departure from earlier Federal voting system guidelines (2005 EAC, 2002 and 1990 FEC), while still retaining much of the certification framework that has been increasingly demonstrated to be problematic. Within the guise of certification, the past few years have seen billions of Federal and State tax dollars squandered on the purchase of voting systems that were subsequently revealed as inappropriate for use, and then discarded. We now know that the VVSG, and its ITA testing program, provide no assurance of process or equipment correctness, either to those who are making procurement decisions, or to the citizens who must entrust their votes to these systems. Tragically, the net result of this false validation has led to further erosion of voter confidence in elections.

This draft VVSG continues to perpetrate this scam. Among other changes, it recognizes earlier shortcomings of the certification process (especially in the areas of voter verification, transparency, audibility and security) by introducing an innovation class that allows for the submission of novel voting system paradigms for certification, and provides for the (somewhat related) adoption of a software independence requirement. Unfortunately, both of these concepts are oxymorons in the context of voting system specifications. Here’s why. If a construct is truly innovative, the existing guidelines will not be able to appropriately address it, hence the resulting certification may be flawed or the implementation of the new design may necessarily be impeded by a lack of understanding as to how to properly perform certification. A system that contains software can never be software independent, even within the TGDC/NIST’s constrained definition that ties undetected changes or errors in software to election outcomes. Any software in the system necessarily affects a whole host of voting attributes that can affect election results, irrespective of undetected changes or errors.

Furthermore, neither the innovation class nor the software independence requirement are satisfiable due to legacy constraints imposed by the certification process. This is, at least in part, because the 2007 draft VVSG (like its predecessors) masquerades as a functional standard, while actually continuing to be predisposed to existing designs. Even the TGDC’s description of the innovation class makes design assumptions, such as its limiting “expect most technologies in this class be based on multiple mutually auditing components.” But even as a design specification, the draft VVSG falls short of achieving its goals of specifying “how voting systems should perform or be used in certain types of elections and voting environments.” This is because the guidelines repeatedly make the erroneous assumption that insiders (i.e. vendors, repair personnel, election officials, etc.) are trusted agents in the highly partisan process of US elections. In reality, insiders have both motive and opportunity to make changes and cover up the fact that they have done so. Where errors have been blatantly obvious, vendors go to great lengths (including lawsuit threats) to prevent independent examinations of equipment architecture and computer code. Some election officials have improperly conducted audits in order to avoid revelation that problems have occurred “on their watch.” In sum, virtually all of the checks and balances that are specified by the VVSG fail to take insider attacks into sufficient consideration. Voters believe that elections are inherently corrupt, and the VVSG does nothing to allay these fears.

Nor are the VVSG’s specified controls transparent enough to allow verification by the voter that the election system they are using has been configured properly. Production of a voter-verified paper ballot is utterly moot if vote totals are generated electronically and never checked against the original paper. Recent literature has suggested random audits (or spot-checks), but since these percentages are based on the computer-generated results, they grossly underestimate the amount of independent tallies that must be performed to sufficiently validate the election. These checks are not prescriptive as to what to do when anomalies are revealed. Courts have been reluctant to dismiss election results, even in the extreme, such as when over 80% of the precinct ballot counts differ from the number of signatures in the polling books and the vendor has admitted to deploying an uncertified configuration of voting system components in violation of State requirements (ref. The 2006 Franklin County, Ohio recount case of Carole R. Squire vs. Christopher J. Geer).

In these matters, it generally falls to the contestor to prove that anomalies affected the results in such extent that, had they not occurred, the outcome would have been different. And the contestor must make this proof in the absence of access to the voting equipment or test results, since vendors and ITAs are allowed to claim trade secrecy protection for their materials. The 2007 draft VVSG further perpetuates this trade secrecy loophole (as had prior versions of the guidelines) by continuing to exempt COTS (commercial-off-the shelf) products (including those with critical underpinnings such as device drivers and operating systems) from source code inspection and other standard reviews. This lax and dangerous view of COTS products is most evident in the fact that these are never required to be updated, even when new versions are issued to remedy known security risks.

One might think that, at least, if a voting system (or any of its components or modules) was found to be defective, or if the testing was discovered to have been improperly performed or deemed inadequate, there would be some process whereby the EAC would be required to withdraw certification. But the 2007 draft VVSG (like its predecessors) omits mention of any methodology whereby certification can be rescinded because of later-discovered flaws. The VVSG thus provides no protection to either the purchasers or the voters, since perversely, there is a disincentive for vendors to issue corrections to deployed systems, because any changes (even necessary ones) require costly recertification. The Catch-22 scenario is that you can continue to use defective voting machines, but you may not be able to obtain versions that have had the defect corrected. This situation must stop.

Most of the above issues are well-known and have been reported to the EAC in its various incarnations, by many people (including myself and Brad Friedman), numerous times. The 2007 draft VVSG continues the tradition of providing a set of straw hurdles that must be jumped over (or skirted around) in order to attain certification, while resulting in no true assurances. Another VVSG rewrite, novel designs, or more extensive testing cannot begin to solve these problems until the voters’ demands for transparency, reliability, security, accuracy and auditability requirements have first been appropriately defined and addressed. So long as the goal of certification trumps the need to ensure election integrity, the resulting systems, no matter whose imprimatur they bear, will be invalid and must be rejected.

http://www.eac.gov/News/docs/mercuritestimonyapr08/attachment_download/file (.pdf)


Discussion (or lack of...)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x502828

[EFerrari]

18. Election Activists Win Three Key Battles

May 18, 2008

Election Activists Win Three Key Battles
By Steven Rosenfeld
Posted on May 16, 2008, Printed on May 17, 2008
http://www.alternet.org/bloggers//85647/

Voting rights activists won three big battles this week.

The Missouri state Legislature adjourned without taking up a controversial voter ID bill. The Department of Justice settled a lawsuit with Arizona that will force the state to offer welfare recipients the opportunity to register to vote. And Hans von Spakovsky, the White House's controversial nominee to the Federal Election Commission, withdrew his nomination.

The Missouri voter ID bill would have required voters show a government-issue photo ID to vote and would have required new registrants to produce proof of citizenship to complete their voter registration. Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan, a Democrat, estimated more than 200,000 people could have been disenfranchised by the citizenship requirement.

The voter ID proposal, which was intended to take effect before the November election, was extremely controversial. According to voting rights activists monitoring the Missouri Legislature's final day, the criticism of the bill pressured Republican sponsors and legislative leaders to not bring up the proposal before the Missouri Legislature adjourned on Friday.

http://www.opednews.com/articles/genera_steven_r_080518_election_activists_w.htm

Missourians for Fair Elections reports over 4,200 calls were made to lawmakers in the past two weeks urging them to not back this legislation.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

24. HEY! Why only 4 recommends? Daily News is hard work

please recommend Daily Election News, its a work of love and the people
doing it each day deserve an internet hug from us.

:grouphug:

Thanks.

:yourock:

[tbyg52]

27. Here's #5!

:thumbsup:

[FogerRox]

30. #6 coming at ya

[EFerrari]

31. Thank you!

:hi:

[EFerrari]

2. By State.

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7. PA: Change, numbers could be against English

Change, numbers could be against English
Jump in Democratic voter registration might open door for Dahlkemper

BY KEVIN FLOWERS
[e-mail]
Published: May 18. 2008 6:00AM

(Chris Sigmund / Erie Times-News)

Democrat Kathy Dahlkemper believes that voters' appetite for change can help her end Republican Phil English's long tenure in Congress.

Dahlkemper is also banking on another a boost to her campaign -- a statewide surge in Democratic voter registration fueled by excitement over the presidential race.

Statistics from the Pennsylvania Department of State show that more than 300,000 new Democrats registered to vote statewide between November and the April 22 primary.

The 3rd Congressional District, which includes Erie County, most of Crawford County, and parts of Armstrong, Butler, Mercer, Warren and Venango counties, also saw a significant increase.

http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080518/NEWS02/805180369

[EFerrari]

8. HI: State delays contract for voting machines

State delays contract for voting machines
Procurement office won't allow temporary deal with company

By Derrick DePledge
Advertiser Government Writer

The state procurement office yesterday denied a request by the state's chief elections officer for an exemption from procurement law to move forward with a temporary contract for new voting machines.
Advertisement

Kevin Cronin, the chief elections officer, had wanted to give a $9 million contract to Hart InterCivic to provide paper eScan and electronic eSlate voting machines for the September primary and November general election. The temporary contract, according to Cronin, would have allowed the state Office of Elections and county clerks to continue work for this year's elections while a challenge to a long-term contract for voting machines was resolved.

But the state procurement office found that Cronin's request would have undermined an agreement reached last week between the elections office, Hart and Election Systems & Software, which is challenging the state's award of the long-term contract to Hart, on a timeline for settling the challenge.

"Any approval of this exemption at this time would be an act of bad faith by allowing (the elections office) to circumvent the signed agreement," the procurement office determined.

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080517/NEWS03/805170335

[EFerrari]

11. OR: Young Latinos have voice at ballot box

Young Latinos have voice at ballot box
Group registers 3,000 new voters between 18 and 34

Download a PDF of this storyBy Thelma Guerrero-Huston • Statesman Journal
May 18, 2008

At 17, Woodburn teenager Ana Flores may be too young to vote, but that didn't stop her from translating her passion for politics into a push to register thousands of Latino young adults to vote.
Advertisement

"We want to make sure the voice of Oregon's young Latino voters is heard at the ballot box," said Flores, a student at Woodburn High School and a member of Voz Hispana, a nonprofit group that promotes civic participation by Latinos.

In January, Voz Hispana launched a massive get-out-the-vote campaign aimed at Latinos.

The group took their efforts to areas of the state with large Latino populations, storming through high schools, college campuses, churches, malls, quinceañeras, the Capitol steps and a number of Latino events.

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080518/ELECTION01/805180346

[EFerrari]

12. TX: Texas AG fails to unravel large-scale voter-fraud

Texas AG fails to unravel large-scale voter-fraud schemes in his two-year campaign

12:00 AM CDT on Sunday, May 18, 2008

By WAYNE SLATER / The Dallas Morning News
[e-mail]

AUSTIN – More than two years ago, Republican Attorney General Greg Abbott pledged to root out what he called an epidemic of voter fraud in Texas.

Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins (left), a Democrat, chided Attorney General Greg Abbott, a Republican, for 'going after these little old folks' for violations that appear to be technical. Mr. Abbott declined requests for an interview, but in news releases, he has said he's fighting widespread fraud at the ballot box.

He established a special unit in his office, tapped a $1.4 million federal crime-fighting grant and dispatched investigators.

Since then, Mr. Abbott has prosecuted 26 cases – all against Democrats, and almost all involving blacks or Hispanics, a review by The Dallas Morning News shows.

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/tv/stories/DN-votefraud_18tex.ART.State.Edition2.46e18c2.html

[EFerrari]

15. SD: Voters Switching Party To Have Voice Heard

05/17/2008
Voters Switching Party To Have Voice Heard

With South Dakota's primary election held in less than three weeks, the Minnehaha County Auditors office has been busy. They've been helping people wishing to vote early, register to vote, or change their registration.

South Dakota is one of 26 states that has closed primaries. That means anyone who is registered as an independent is not allowed to vote in the primaries. Those who are registered republican are only allowed to vote for republican candidates, and registered democrats can only vote for democrats.

This ballot box is filling up as the deadline for absentee voting draws near. But it's not absentee ballots that are flooding the auditors' desks.... its party changes.

Brent Langston says, ”Since I've turned 18 I've been an independent voter and this year I decided to change to the democratic party so I would be able to vote in the primary.”

http://www.keloland.com/NewsDetail6162.cfm?Id=0,69579

[EFerrari]

19. FL: (Press release) Ellen Brodsky to run for Supervisor of Elections in Broward

May 18, 2008

Ellen Brodsky to run for Supervisor of Elections in Broward Co., FL!

By Press Release
Political advertisement paid for and approved by Ellen H. Brodsky, No Party Affiliation for Supervisor of Elections

Dear Friends,
There are many corrections and there will be many additions with lots of fun stuff. This is my first "splash page" to help get the word out. I have to thank my son for giving me his precious time after work to help me jumpstart my campaign.

While other candidates are slugging it out, I will be building a strong Non-Partisan "grassroots" campaign.

My Campaign is truly in an embryonic state. All Volunteers, ideas, contacts and Campaign Help is Needed. Most importantly, I need Donations to Qualify by June 20, 2008.

http://www.opednews.com/articles/genera_press_re_080518_ellen_brodsky_to_run.htm

[EFerrari]

20. TX: All AG's vote-fraud cases targeted Dems

All AG's vote-fraud cases targeted Dems
Sunday, May 18, 2008 | 3:57 PM
AP

DALLAS -- A published report says Republican Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has prosecuted nothing but Democrats since he said two years ago that the state faced an epidemic of vote fraud.

The Dallas Morning News says the 26 cases have involved mostly blacks or Hispanics. Democrats accused Abbott of conducting a partisan campaign to intimidate minority voters.

The cases have usually resulted in small fines and little or no jail time. None of the cases involved large schemes with the potential to tip elections.

Abbott established a special vote-fraud unit in his office, used a $1.4 million federal grant and sent investigators to look for fraud.

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/state&id=6150319

[tbyg52]

29. Discussion

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3304752

[EFerrari]

22. PA Republicans Want to Require Voters to Have Photo ID

Pa. Republicans Want to Require Voters to Have Photo ID

by KYW’s Tony Romeo

Republican state lawmakers are renewing their effort to require photo ID at polling places in Pennsylvania.

Governor Rendell vetoed a voter photo ID bill a few years ago but House Republicans, including Representative Mike Turzai of Allegheny County, are re-introducing similar legislation emboldened by a recent US Supreme Court ruling that upheld the rights of states to impose such requirements:

“In a close election, or in any election, there is no room for fraud.”

But ALCU representative Andy Hoover cites studies showing that 11 percent of American citizens do not have government issued identification and that 15 percent of people who make less than $35,000 a year do not have government issued ID.

http://www.kyw1060.com/pages/2208675.php?contentType=4&contentId=2068662

[EFerrari]

3. International.

[EFerrari]

5. Guam: Restore: New GEC director must renew voters' trust in commission

Restore: New GEC director must renew voters' trust in commission
May 19, 2008

The island's Primary Elections are less than four months away. There's a lot of work to be done between now and the elections, and there really isn't much time.
Advertisement

The newly appointed executive director of the Guam Election Commission, John Blas, has the right attitude. "I need to hit the ground running and I'm prepared to do that," he said recently.

It's great that Blas recognizes the immediacy of the work that needs to get done. But more importantly, he must learn from the grave, costly mistakes of the previous GEC executive director, Gerald Taitano, and the commission.

The Election Commission has mishandled voter initiatives over the past few elections, resulting in challenges in court and costing taxpayers more than $200,000 in legal fees in the past few years.

http://www.guampdn.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080519/OPINION01/805190301

[tbyg52]

28. Errrr.... Guam is a US territory, and they are very proud of it.

(I was stationed there for a couple of years.... ;) )

[EFerrari]

But not a state. Damn rigid categories.

:hi:

[tbyg52]

34. That's true. It's a category (almost) unto itself.....!

Anyway, pay no attention to silly, picky me..... :hi:

[EFerrari]

6. Scotland: MPs against Scots poll control

MPs against Scots poll control
Scottish Parliament

A committee of MPs has said that the Scottish executive should not run elections.

The Commons Scottish affairs committee said in a new report released on Sunday that Westminster's Scotland Office should retain control of ballots north of the border.

But following the fiasco of last year's elections to the Scottish Parliament it recommended a range of reforms.

In response to the poll in which more than 140,000 were spoiled due to confusing ballots and concerns were raised over electronic counting, the Holyrood executive has said that responsibility for elections should be transferred to Edinburgh.

http://www.epolitix.com/EN/News/200805/e0cddbfc-7386-43a8-adf0-f9091aff30a7.htm

[EFerrari]

21. NZ: Dog enrolled to vote to prove a point

Dog enrolled to vote to prove a point
May 18, 2008 6:20 PM

A Wellington man who managed to register his dog to vote has raised questions about the security of the enrolment system.

Bruce Cheriton enrolled his dog Oscar to vote as a 36-year-old male, living in Tawa and working in animal control.

Bruce says the whole process was very easy.

"Just a simple form. In fact, a five-year-old with a crayon could've filled it in. And so it's a very simple process no proof, nothing. Just send off your form and you are who you are," says Bruce.

http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411365/1785839

:rofl:

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

25. Will the poll workers figure it out?

I knew a guy who claimed his horses as dependents on his taxes
he got busted.

When that dog shows up to vote, what do you think will happen?
Think the poll workers won't figure it out?

[EFerrari]

26. These stories crack me up because they are so obviously fiction.

:)

[EFerrari]

4. OpEd.

[EFerrari]

13. Whitman study oversimplifies Latino voting (WA)

Whitman study oversimplifies Latino voting
Yakima Herald-Republic

Ideally, everyone eligible to vote would actively participate in our representative form of government, but no one is naive enough to believe that we're even close. Participation is actually pretty dismal, and apathy is the biggest reason why.

For that reason, we question the premise in a recently released Whitman College study that claims Latinos remain largely politically underrepresented in rural towns in Eastern Washington, where about a third of the state's fast-growing Latino population lives and works. It's an oversimplification of a complex issue.

First of all, one does not have to be Latino to represent Latinos, and that applies to any ethnic group. Representative government means that those elected by a majority vote serve everyone in their constituencies once elected. To say that a certain amount of people making up a particular ethnic group should translate into a given percentage of representation on elected bodies smacks more of quotas than reality.

Granted, Latinos are the fastest growing ethnic group in Central Washington, the state and nation. The state Office of Financial Management reported that the 2007 population of Yakima County was 234,200. An ethnic breakdown showed 95,379 of the total were of Hispanic origin in 2006 -- up from 79,905 in 2000.

http://www.yakimaherald.com/stories/4147

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

14. Oops Double Trouble in Oregon, Party Switchers get 2 ballots

The solution is move the deadline to change parties farther out from the election.

The situation becomes trickier for Oregon because 33,500 late party-switchers received two ballots
Sunday, May 18, 2008 DAVE HOGAN The Oregonian

The tight race between Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama has attracted national attention not only to Tuesday's election but to Oregon's unique vote-by-mail system.

It's a key test for mail balloting. More than a dozen states are expanding vote-by-mail or considering expansion, but Oregon remains the only state with 100 percent mail balloting, after voters approved the change a decade ago.

With so much at stake, the last thing Secretary of State Bill Bradbury wants is an election day snafu. That's why he was "hugely concerned" after the state mailed 33,500 Oregonians two ballots apiece for Tuesday's election

...John Lindback, Bradbury's director of elections, insists that those voters will not be able to cast two ballots in this election.

Each ballot carries unique coding on the envelope. When the second, updated ballot was sent to some Oregon voters, the coding for their first ballot was canceled. If that envelope is returned to election officials, the computer system will catch it when the bar coding on the envelope is scanned.

.... more at the link

http://www.oregonlive.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news/1211001907107530.xml&coll=7

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

17. NCDP's AA Caucus urges Atty Gen to investigate WVWV robo caller

Protect our Right to Vote

District Meetings May 17,2008

The People of North Carolina voted in historic numbers on May 6th and we selected a wonderful slate of candidates to represent our interests on the November ballot. North Carolina is the only state in the South with one- stop early voting and it was a tremendous success with over 500,000 voters participating. But there was a successful effort to suppress the early vote of African Americans by Women's Vote Women's Voice in the 4th and 13th districts and to push female voters in the 11th district.

As the founder and former Chairperson of the African American Caucus of the Democratic Party you know I have worked long and hard to promote and protect The voting rights of All North Carolinians. A strong Progressive Coalition of organizations representing over 3.5 million voters worked hard to make voting accessible to all. We can not allow outside forces to manipulate our elections. Early Voting in the 11th congressional district were 3 times higher than in the 4th Congressional district which had the highest overall turnout in the state.

Please Pass the following Resolution

Whereas, the Democratic Party has worked hard to insure that every vote counts. Whereas, North Carolina is the first state in the South to pass one stop early vote. Whereas, North Carolinians in record numbers took advantage of this opportunity by casting over 500,000 votes during the early voting period. Whereas, Women's Voices Women's Vote made over 182,000 phone calls to North Carolinians with misleading information about their ability to register and vote. Whereas, the efforts of Women's Voices Women's Vote resulted in less than 10% of the voters in the 4th and 13th districts from participating in early vote and encouraged more that 32% of the voters in the 11th district to participate in early vote. WVWV had a measurable impact on North Carolina's electorial process.

Therefore be it resolved, that the North Carolina Democratic Party join the NAACP and Democracy North Carolina in calling on the North Carolina Attorney General and the State Board of Elections to conduct a full and thorough investigation of this interference with our electorial process.

Let's Protect the Integrity of the Process

My mother and my sister were recipients of these phone calls and mailers. My mother has not missed an election in over 30 years. We have a family ritual related to voting. Next year my son William will turn 18 and the ritual will be passed on. 1st he will be taken to the post office and register for selective service. He will be told stories of the honorable service his grandfathers and uncles and cousins and of their sacrifices for this country. Next, he will be taken to the Board of Elections where we will share with him why it is his sacred duty to participate in the electoral process.
He will be told of the Blood, Sweat and Tears that have been shed by members of HIS Family for him to have the opportunity to participate in the electoral process. He will be told about Elijah Henderson, his great-great grand father who was murdered in Mitchell County Georgia for having the audacity to attempt to exercise his right to vote. He will be told the story of his great aunt Gladys Martinez who cry bitter tears when she could not pass the literacy test and was not allowed to register to vote. His grandmother Billie Jones will share with him her personal sacrifices so that he can stand there and fill out that form. The right to vote is precious in my family and that someone would with or without malice attempt to take away that right can not be allowed to stand. No organization has the right to be cavalier with my family's legacy. Let's protect the integrity of the process and punish anyone who will tamper with our elections.

There is no link to above letter, its an email only.

For more information on the developing investigation into "Women's Voices, Women Vote", please see
Facing South's blog here

http://southernstudies.org/facingsouth/

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

23. Supreme Ct Decision incites wingnuts in NC to ask for Voter ID:

You can make comments to the article online without signing in.

Election law stymies fraud
N.C. should heed Supreme Court's voter ID decision

Issue date: 5/15/08 Section: OpinionPrintEmail Article Tools Page 1 of 1 Don't feel like leaving the house on Election Day? No problem! Just have your neighbor vote for you.

For first-time voters, last week's primary revealed one of the cracks in our local election process. At the polling places, voters must simply state their names and addresses to receive a ballot.

Election officials are not required to ask for a driver's license; they don't have to ask for a Social Security number - they don't even have to ask for a VisArt card.

North Carolina must rewrite its election laws to prevent voter fraud and, more importantly, to instill faith in the efficacy of the process; its integrity should not rest on the honor system.

...more here
http://www.dailytarheel.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticle&ustory_id=651d45d3-1d60-4844-8581-bcdd2177bf96

[DU GrovelBot]

32. ## DON'T DONATE TO DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND! ##

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This week is our second quarter 2008 fund drive. Democratic Underground is
a completely independent website. We depend on donations from our members
to cover our costs. Whatever you do, do not click the link below!

[EFerrari]

33. Shooo!

lol