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Time for change

(13,714 posts)
Sat May 14, 2016, 11:46 AM May 2016

How Strongly Do we Believe in Fair Elections?

In the past several weeks I have posted many posts on DU which have included evidence which I consider to be highly suggestive of election fraud against Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primaries. This evidence includes: massive voter suppression/purging in Arizona (and evidence that the purging was targeted at Sanders) and New York and other states; a fake audit of voting machines in Illinois, in which public citizens observed the auditors changing their hand count of the vote to match the machine count by subtracting Sanders votes and adding Clinton votes to their initial hand count (and they provided sworn testimony to that effect); huge discrepancies between exit polls and the official vote counts, in which Sanders almost always does considerably worse in the official count than predicted by the exit polls; screen shots from the Delaware primary that showed Sanders’ vote DECREASING as the number of reporting precincts increased, and; the fact that Sanders does so much better in precincts that are hand counted and in caucuses, where election fraud is so much more difficult.

For all this, I am repeated accused by Clinton supporters of being a “conspiracy theorist” (as if conspiracies to steal election in our country could not possibly occur) and worse.

But I believe that those accusations are all unfair, because I have never advocated that any vote counts or delegates be revised on the evidence that I present or any other evidence alone. All I am advocating is extensive hand counted and publicly observed audits (as was done in the Florida 2000 Presidential election, and nobody on DU that I am aware of had any problem with that) of all states that exhibited substantial exit poll discrepancies from the official vote count or exhibited other evidence of election fraud. Such audits should reveal whether or not there are extensive discrepancies between the hand counted audits and the machine counts.

Anyone who knows anything about our election system knows that our electronic voting machines can be easily manipulated for election fraud. Why shouldn’t we at least have a system for auditing them with hand counts at the slightest evidence of fraud?

What is so terrible about that? The results of such audits should do away with the need to theorize about whether the Democratic primaries have been rife with election fraud. They should put an end to all “conspiracies theories” on the subject. I don’t see any valid reason why either Sanders supporters or Clinton supporters should be against that, except that maybe it might make their candidate look bad. At worst, it will cost some money and effort. At best it could help save our democracy.

I am conducting a poll on this because I would very much like to know where DUers stand on this issue, which I consider to be of the utmost importance to our democracy:



43 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
I am a Sanders supporter who believes that in the interest of fair elections, extensive audits should be performed as suggested in the OP
40 (93%)
I am a Clinton supporter who believes that in the interest of fair elections, extensive audits should be performed as suggested in the OP
0 (0%)
I am a Sanders supporter who believes that there is insufficient evidence to warrant extensive hand counted audits of the Democratic primaries
0 (0%)
I am a Clinton supporter who believes that there is insufficient evidence to warrant extensive hand counted audits of the Democratic primaries
2 (5%)
Other
1 (2%)
Show usernames
Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll
34 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
How Strongly Do we Believe in Fair Elections? (Original Post) Time for change May 2016 OP
It's more than "highly suggestive". There is corruption in this election smack in our face. bkkyosemite May 2016 #1
I agree Time for change May 2016 #7
I agree. I will go so far as to say the election is being stolen for Hillary. No way do I think she reformist2 May 2016 #15
you will find that most Democrats are highly in favor of sensible reforms BootinUp May 2016 #2
And investigations are going on but not enough of them! bkkyosemite May 2016 #3
While I'm certainly a Sanders supporter... Lizzie Poppet May 2016 #4
Paper Ballots only way. bkkyosemite May 2016 #8
Agreed. Lizzie Poppet May 2016 #10
I believe that the evidence that you and others have shown dana_b May 2016 #5
If not for the fraud and out and out cheating I believe Bernie would be ahead right now. bkkyosemite May 2016 #9
so do I. It's the ONLY way that she could win dana_b May 2016 #14
The issue is not conspiracy theorists mooseprime May 2016 #6
Excellent point. CrispyQ May 2016 #12
I am an American who believes that the entire electoral process is corrupt & compromised. CrispyQ May 2016 #11
Democratic primaries should all be closed to 'independents' and Republicans. onehandle May 2016 #13
That has nothing to do with the poll questions, but I have to respond to that Time for change May 2016 #31
You ran straight to threatening the Democratic Party and hoping for a third party. onehandle May 2016 #32
I believe that principles are more important than Party Time for change May 2016 #33
Baltimore now MisterP May 2016 #16
Wow, this is very interesting Time for change May 2016 #17
the entire universe is conspiring against bernie to infinity and beyond nt msongs May 2016 #18
Hello! McFly? MrMickeysMom May 2016 #19
Interesting poll results felix_numinous May 2016 #20
Berniebro here, and while a recount would be interesting ... JustABozoOnThisBus May 2016 #21
If there is election fraud related to the electronic machines that count our votes, then Time for change May 2016 #22
If a few committed delegates change hands ... JustABozoOnThisBus May 2016 #23
If the election counts are way off because of voting machine manipulation Time for change May 2016 #25
More salty tears from a Bernie supporter. beaglelover May 2016 #24
Why is it only election fraud when Bernie loses? Metric System May 2016 #26
Why does all the election fraud favor Hillery? Time for change May 2016 #28
It's clear that a lot of Americans believe that cheating is OK when it is perceived to bjo59 May 2016 #27
Maybe some people just don't like cheaters Time for change May 2016 #30
I'm from Ohio RazBerryBeret May 2016 #29
That is true Time for change May 2016 #34

Time for change

(13,714 posts)
7. I agree
Sat May 14, 2016, 12:02 PM
May 2016

that it is more than highly suggestive.

Since I'm conducting a poll on this, I tried in the OP to word it as neutrally as I could, though I certainly have strong feelings on the subject.

reformist2

(9,841 posts)
15. I agree. I will go so far as to say the election is being stolen for Hillary. No way do I think she
Sat May 14, 2016, 12:40 PM
May 2016

really won half the states that she "officially" won, based on vote totals slapped together by unprofessional hacks in mere hours.

BootinUp

(47,078 posts)
2. you will find that most Democrats are highly in favor of sensible reforms
Sat May 14, 2016, 11:50 AM
May 2016

But claims of fraud in elections require actual investigations and findings of fact to be acted on.

 

Lizzie Poppet

(10,164 posts)
4. While I'm certainly a Sanders supporter...
Sat May 14, 2016, 11:53 AM
May 2016

...I support investigations and election process reforms regardless of who they might favor. I have no doubt that reduced confidence in the legitimacy of our elections is a very dangerous trend. When the people have no confidence that the system is capable of addressing the issues facing the nation and those problems become unbearable, violence inevitably follows.

 

Lizzie Poppet

(10,164 posts)
10. Agreed.
Sat May 14, 2016, 12:09 PM
May 2016

We're 100% vote-by-mail with paper ballots ere in Oregon. My only concern is the possibility of shenanigans with the scanners...and with paper ballot records to cross-check against scanner results, that's at least a more difficult shenanigan to accomplish.

dana_b

(11,546 posts)
5. I believe that the evidence that you and others have shown
Sat May 14, 2016, 11:55 AM
May 2016

support the idea that election FRAUD has been committed. I am glad that there are lawsuits pending, even if they are resolved after the election is over, and hope that the people who filed the suits get justice. In Az they are asking for a revote. I can't see that happening but bless them for trying.

dana_b

(11,546 posts)
14. so do I. It's the ONLY way that she could win
Sat May 14, 2016, 12:34 PM
May 2016

and my own states election (California) scares the hell out of me.

mooseprime

(474 posts)
6. The issue is not conspiracy theorists
Sat May 14, 2016, 11:58 AM
May 2016

it's coincidence theorists. I never imagined dems advocating for us to ignore the evidence of our senses.

CrispyQ

(36,421 posts)
11. I am an American who believes that the entire electoral process is corrupt & compromised.
Sat May 14, 2016, 12:20 PM
May 2016

We will not get our government back until we address this critical issue.

1. Publicly funded elections.
2. Defined election periods - no more perpetual election cycles.
3. Reconfigure districts fairly.
4. Paper ballots - everywhere. Hand counted. No tabulators.
5. National election day.
6. Term limits for Congress.

I'm sure there's more.

on edit: Adding this link to a DU thread about election integrity - or lack of. http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017370471

onehandle

(51,122 posts)
13. Democratic primaries should all be closed to 'independents' and Republicans.
Sat May 14, 2016, 12:30 PM
May 2016

It's our primary, not theirs.

Time for change

(13,714 posts)
31. That has nothing to do with the poll questions, but I have to respond to that
Sun May 15, 2016, 12:03 AM
May 2016

You think that Democratic primaries should be closed to independents?

That means that you believe that independents should have not say in the nomination of the only two viable candidates in our two party system. Such disrespect and disregard for the rights of independents, who make up 42% of our population now, is bound to cause a substantial hostility on their part, which the Democratic Party will pay for by independents withholding their votes or voting Republican in the GE or, hopefully, forming a new party that has more respect for voting rights of the American people.

onehandle

(51,122 posts)
32. You ran straight to threatening the Democratic Party and hoping for a third party.
Sun May 15, 2016, 12:32 AM
May 2016

Thanks proving my point without me even having to express it.

Time for change

(13,714 posts)
33. I believe that principles are more important than Party
Sun May 15, 2016, 12:40 AM
May 2016

When a Party fails to represent the us, we have no obligation to continue to support them. It is the other way around. They are supposed to serve us. When they don't, we owe them nothing.

If the Democratic Party (which includes 29% of the American people) decides that independents (42% of the American people) don't get to participate in the process of choosing a nominee, then they can expect to reap the consequences.

I am not threatening them. I have nothing to threaten them with except withholding my money from them, which I have already done. As far as my vote, they have to earn it. If that's too much of a threat for you, then get a life.

Time for change

(13,714 posts)
17. Wow, this is very interesting
Sat May 14, 2016, 02:09 PM
May 2016

Not counting the two "other" votes, because I don't know what their alternative suggestion is, all Bernie supporters vote for investigation (26/26), while all Hillary supporters who voted (3/3) vote for no investigation. No exceptions.

What is so interesting about this is that with regard to the 2000 and 2004 stolen presidential elections, when the beneficiary of the election fraud was a Republican, there was no objection from any DUer that I recall who objected to hand counted audits, and there were literally hundreds, maybe thousands of DUers who were demanding them -- repeatedly.

The evidence for election fraud in these primaries is very similar to the evidence in 2000 and 2004. So I find it amazing that when the beneficiary of election fraud is a Democrat who one supports, the interest in investigating is totally absent.

JustABozoOnThisBus

(23,321 posts)
21. Berniebro here, and while a recount would be interesting ...
Sat May 14, 2016, 04:00 PM
May 2016

... I don't know how much would change, and it would be expensive.

It would be even more interesting to investigate discrepancies and indict some perpetrators, find out where the orders came from. But that's not one of the options in the poll.

Time for change

(13,714 posts)
22. If there is election fraud related to the electronic machines that count our votes, then
Sat May 14, 2016, 04:57 PM
May 2016

why do you think that a hand recount to compare with the machine counts, if publicly viewed (as in Florida 2000) wouldn't reveal that?

And if it did reveal that, how could the Democratic Convention justify proceeding with nominating Hillary?

JustABozoOnThisBus

(23,321 posts)
23. If a few committed delegates change hands ...
Sat May 14, 2016, 06:24 PM
May 2016

... that still doesn't change the overwhelming advantage of the super-delegates. I'm not seeing any movement in that bunch.

Time for change

(13,714 posts)
25. If the election counts are way off because of voting machine manipulation
Sat May 14, 2016, 06:54 PM
May 2016

extensive audits via hand counts to compare with machine counts will show it.

We could be talking about way more than a few delegates changing hands.

That would be a huge scandal, and with that, the Democratic Party would be forced to reassess the whole thing.

Election fraud must be exposed, because if it isn't, it will get worse and worse.

Time for change

(13,714 posts)
28. Why does all the election fraud favor Hillery?
Sat May 14, 2016, 07:09 PM
May 2016

Nobody said it was election fraud only when Bernie loses. There have been several states that he won where there was a substantial amount of election fraud, Michigan for example, but it always favors Hillery.

bjo59

(1,166 posts)
27. It's clear that a lot of Americans believe that cheating is OK when it is perceived to
Sat May 14, 2016, 07:05 PM
May 2016

benefit oneself and become righteously indignant went it benefits those who one doesn't like. If it is perceived to neither benefit oneself nor benefit an "enemy," then, well, if it's clever then it stands as an example of good old American "know-how." I didn't need this election cycle to understand that. Cultural commentators have discussed this characteristic of American society since at least the early 19th century. Long live the flimflam man, the snake oil salesman, PT Barnum, and those stock market wizards, huh?

RazBerryBeret

(3,075 posts)
29. I'm from Ohio
Sat May 14, 2016, 07:11 PM
May 2016

Election Fraud is a real and documented thing. while most Clinton supporters are calling other democrats "whiny" "poor losers" "salty" whatever... they fail to realize that come November these same "IRREGULARITIES" will happen again. and not in the Democratic Party's favor.

So go on and make light of this situation... see where you stand after the GE.

Time for change

(13,714 posts)
34. That is true
Sun May 15, 2016, 11:04 AM
May 2016

There is also another scenario that I've considered, which in my opinion is just as bad.

Maybe the Clinton campaign has more control over the election machinery than the Republicans and will use it to beat the Republicans at their own game in November. Either way, whether election fraud on a massive scale is committed by Democrats or Republicans or both, they are stealing our democracy.

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