Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner doubts prosecution of crossover voting(Ohio primary)

[Algorem]

Source: Plain Dealer


Brunner says prosecution might violate free speech
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Joe Guillen
Plain Dealer Reporter

About 17,100 Republicans and 3,000 Democrats in Cuyahoga County switched parties in the March 4 primary, the county Board of Elections found during an investigation of whether voters lied when they signed affidavits pledging allegiance to their new party.

But Ohio's elections chief warned Tuesday against prosecuting any of these 20,119 "crossover" voters because doing so could be a violation of free-speech rights.

"I would be very hesitant to move forward in a criminal investigation," Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner said before giving a speech at John Carroll University. "At what point are you going to start getting into censorship?"

The four-member Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, which has two Republicans and two Democrats, would have to vote on pursuing a criminal investigation...



Read more: http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1206520240126351.xml&coll=2

[hedgehog]

1. I wonder how the rate of Republican cross-over in Ohio compares

to Republican cross-over in previous states and how that number compares to Clinton's plurality.

[papau]

8. In 2004 in Ohio 40000 GOP crossover of which 30000 were registered Dems now

per Ohio Dem Chair last night

[liberal N proud]

2. I know that some of the cross over voting was republicons against Kucinich

My pet republicon was proud to proclaim that he voted Democrat for the first time in his life. He then told me it was to vote against Kucinich.
It didn't bother him that the guy he voted for didn't live in the district.

[bluestateguy]

3. Nonetheless I am confident that she will "deliver" Ohio's 20 electoral votes to the Dems in the Fall

Just like the CEO of Diebold promised to do for Bush in a letter to Republican donors.

[msongs]

4. both obama and clinton told repubs they wanted their votes, what's the prob? nt

[L. Coyote]

5. Problem: A conspiracy to disrupt a democratic process.

Attempting to alter a Democratic primary to create benefit for Rs in the general election is not illegal. Committing felonies towards that end is both criminal and likely creates a civil cause for action too.

This is a prosecutable felony, false oath. There is evidence of criminal conspiracy.

What is needed is an exemplary target. Where is the evidence the oath was false.
Did someone swear the oath, then go back to work at Republican HQ? Go after that felon!

[rmgarrette64]

6. First Amendment be d*mned

Freedom of Association should not apply when it is used to hurt Democrats, right?

In all honesty, I hope Ohio doesn't push for lawsuits. There will be a counter suit that requiring an oath like that is unconstitutional. It might or might not succeed (parties straddle the public/private line a lot), but our party will come under harsh ridicule for quite a while. You may remember how much we were ridiculing the Republicans when they were even thinking about doing something like this...

R. Garrett

[Maeve]

7. And not all counties insisted on signing an oath

I worked this primary and we were simply asking the voter to indicate what party they were voting "today". No challenges, no oaths.

[nels25]

9. Long memory

does any one remember the House Committee on Un-American Activities??

Seems to me IIRCC that they want a official oath of allegiance to the United States (not talking about the pledge).

You are right we push this and we become the butt of way to many jokes.

[suston96]

10. Taking an "oath" to participate in an election? Sounds unconstitutional to me...nt

[bean fidhleir]

11. Easy solution for the future: require 90 days of registered party membership to vote in the primary

Primaries are by definition entirely partisan events, so requiring membership as a condition of voting would be perfectly legal. If you're not a "committed" member of the party, you don't get to vote *in that party's primary*.

[tanyev]

12. Just prosecute Rush for instigating it, OK?

[jmowreader]

13. I don't think I mind so much...

just as long as these Republican crossover voters understand they have to vote straight-ticket Democratic in the general too.

[L. Coyote]

14. Ohio has higher priorities than this, like investigating BIG election crimes!