Prosser Takes 40 Vote Lead in (WI) Supreme Court Race

[LTR]

Source: WTMJ-TV

MADISON - Incumbent Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser took a 40-vote lead over challenger JoAnne Kloppenburg, according to new totals released Thursday afternoon.

Kloppenburg had been leading by 204 votes, but newj unofficial totals reported in Winnebago County show that Prosser received 20,701 votes to Kloppenburg's 18,887.

The Associated Press--whose totals have been used by media outlets throughout the state--reported 19,991 votes for Prosser and 18,421 for Kloppenburg. The new numbers would give Prosser 244 more votes.

Calls to the Winnebago County Clerk's office were not immediately returned, and a spokesperson for the Associated Press said Thursday that the wire service was double-checking its vote totals against the newly reported figures.

Read more: http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/119299974.html

[tabatha]

1. I hope they have counters from both sides.

[Ian David]

2. Oh, fuck. n/t

[xchrom]

3. +1

[LongTomH]

34. Oh Fuck is right!

[HDPaulG]

49. Canvassing tally results for WI Supreme Court race

http://elections.wispolitics.com/search/label/2011%20spring%20election

[Kablooie]

68. You're surprised? Cheating to win is the GOP way of life.

[highplainsdem]

4. Winnebago County vote-count change alters Supreme Court race

Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Winnebago County vote-count change alters Supreme Court race
By Sharif Durhams of the Journal Sentinel
April 7, 2011 2:18 p.m.


The latest vote count in the state Supreme Court race in Winnebago County indicates incumbent David Prosser is leading Assistant Attorney General JoAnne Kloppenburg in votes.

A tally compiled by The Associated Press Wednesday and used by news organizations statewide, including the Journal Sentinel, indicated Kloppenburg was leading the race by 204 votes. Figures on Winnebago County's website are now different from those collected by the AP.

Winnebago County's numbers say Prosser received 20,701 votes to Kloppenburg's 18,887. The AP has 19,991 for Prosser to Kloppenburg's 18,421.

The new numbers would give Prosser 244 more votes or a 40-vote lead statewide.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/119421429.html

---

This is very bad news. I hope there will be other changes that will give Kloppenburg the lead again.

[meegbear]

5. Voter Fraud!!

A conservative called it, so it MUST be true.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x833212

[Wilms]

6. Could have been a clerical error (they happen). Or something worse.

That's why recounts of tight races...and significant audits of ALL elections...are important.

Crossing fingers for ballot chain-of-custody.

[fascisthunter]

7. Gee, what a coincidence

who didn't see this shit coming? Seriously.... are people naive to believe in our system, STILL???

[louslobbs]

21. There was no doubt in my mind that this would happen, now I will wait until the recount and the

fighting after that by lawyers. This could go on for months and if the traitor Koch brothers have anything to do with it, they will do everything they can to keep this 10yr term, Wisconsin Supreme Court seat on their list of bought and paid for. After all, they've been buying this seat and other government seats for years, how dare the regular rabble try to steal it from them with real votes.
Lou

[Phlem]

62. No effing sh!t

People who still believe our voting system is air tight are completely delusional.

I knew this would happen. The only way to win any election against a repig is to have an overwhelming majority with our current voting system.

A tight race means the repig wins, EVERY FUC^ING TIME FOLKS!

JEEEZZZZZUUUUUUZZZ.

-p

[AndyTiedye]

58. This is What Prosser's Lawyer Meant about "Delivering the Race"

[lutefisk]

8. It would be nice if Ms. Ertmer would answer the phone.

http://www.co.winnebago.wi.us/county-clerk/election-results

[highplainsdem]

17. See my topic about this in GD. She's listed on the county GOP website, and she was

quoted on a news site recently when she complained about the cost to the county of the recall elections.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x836652

[LiberalFighter]

40. Maybe they can do a recall on her since she doesn't like them.

[louis-t]

9. I want to know who's in charge of posting the numbers on the website.

Hmmmmmmm?

[w4rma]

10. 40 votes is nothing. Kloppenburg will gain more than enough to overcome that and then some.

And that is assuming there isn't another error in another county that puts her ahead, again. Recounts always favor the working class in near-even races.

[Dawson Leery]

11. In this case, it appears to be an "error", if you get the drift.

[w4rma]

12. Don't sweat it. The "error" needed to be bigger to matter. (nt)

[louslobbs]

23. So many "errors" so little time. I don't trust a Republicon as far as I'd like to throw one.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

80. Is 7,000 big enough to matter?

[peace frog]

14. Maybe. I hope you're right

but this is gonna be a white-knuckle ride all the way to the end.

[w4rma]

15. Damn straight it will be. It's going to be a roller coaster. (nt)

[SnakeEyes]

30. Why is that?

Why does a recount favor the working class?

[KamaAina]

13. How is this possible? I didn't think a recount had begun yet.

:scared: :tinfoilhat:

[SomeGuyInEagan]

19. No recall yet. Cannot be requested until vote is official.

At least, according to this article:

http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/119323189.html

[TheWraith]

27. After the initial election night returns, there is usually a "recanvass."

What that means is basically the Boards of Elections reconfirms the numbers they received from each polling station. I don't know how they do it in WI, but here in New York, the results are phoned in to the BOE on election night, which makes up the initial count. Then the actual machine records are brought in, usually over the next day or so, and checked against what was received. Sometimes errors can be found during this process where someone wrote or said the wrong number, or mixed up two different numbers, or wrote it in the wrong place.

[L. Coyote]

42. It is called the "official" result. Counties all go over their numbers, complete tallies,

count any outstanding ballots, review, recheck, etc., then they turn in an official tally to the State. The numbers always change a bit and usually they grow a bit.

That said, this is really a surprisingly HUGE error on someone's part.

[TheWraith]

70. I hate to say it, but such errors happen a lot more often than people think.

It just only gets noticed when there's a really close election like this. But many Boards of Election are basically patronage jobs, NOT being handled by people who are qualified for maintaining a reasonable degree of confidence in results. The only thing that keeps them on track is the fact that the backup measures in place for elections are usually very hard to fuck up.

[L. Coyote]

79. It was striking how so many precincts were not reported from this county, then

the number of precincts changed without the votes changing accordingly. See the Blog I kept here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x821883

[Greybnk48]

16. There will be Prosser's so-called Nuclear explosion in WI

if they try to game this one. Believe me.

[janet118]

26. How would you know?

Who's doing the counting and who's watching?

[Godhumor]

18. With a race this close, it will continue to go back & forth. Take blood pressure medicine if needed

It will be tense right up to the concession speech.

[janet118]

22. I definitely need it . . . call me paranoid, but . . .

I don't trust Republicans when it comes to vote counting. See Bush v. Gore, U.S. Sup. Ct. 2000. Call it Post Traumatic Election Syndrome.

[janet118]

77. How's your blood pressure now, Joe Cool?

Election Returns: What Went On in Waukesha?

[eowyn_of_rohan]

20. This is a large part of why I've been so disturbed by the election results

Her lead, a mere 0.014% ... Bring on the recount and we need watchdogs in every precinct to guard those ballots.

[janet118]

24. We need Franken's team in there . . . now n/t

[louslobbs]

25. Yes, and the watch dogs need to get to every precinct asap to guard those ballots. "Errors"

in favor of the Republicon, have a way of happening whenever a Democrat wins an important election.
Lou

[eowyn_of_rohan]

33. This alarms me - from the Wisc. Recount Manual Re: Optical Scan Ballots

This is one of the most common types of ballots used in Wisconsin
Look at the "special instructions" for Optical Scan recounts...

p.16 OPTICAL SCAN TABULATING EQUIPMENT
may be reprogrammed to count only votes cast in the office being recounted, or only the botes cast for a referendum if the recount concerns a ref question.

After being regested in Step #8 by the board of canvassers and the candidates or their representatives the ballots will be re-tabulated by the optical scan equipment. The ballots may not be hand counted without a court order. Wis Stat 5.90 (2)_

http://gab.wi.gov/sites/default/files/publication/65/recount_manual_23968.pdf

As most of us know - much of the manipulation takes place IN THE TABULATION OF THE VOTES

[louslobbs]

37. Thanks for that, looks like someone is going to have to eventually get a court order in order to get

a fair recount. It's not about how many people vote for one side or the other that matters, it's who or what counts those votes that matters.
Lou

[eowyn_of_rohan]

41. I wonder why they force a court order to count these by hand...

... the only legitimate way!

New York apparently does this too...http://blog.syracuse.com/opinion/2010/11/the_paper_trail_optical_scan_v.html.

(BTW- Your phone bank party sounded like a great time - wish I could have helped out, too!)

[louslobbs]

72. It's strange I know, but in Florida, they don't even have a means to recall people from government.

Imagine, not having any recourse to get rid of a Rick Scott? Some crazy laws or lack thereof in some of our states. Oh, the party was fantastic, they are all still down in Palm Springs, and I am now in Los Angeles until Saturday. I wish you could have been here too, you sound like someone I would have as a friend and therefore, invited to help out and hang out. Thank you for the link as well. How do you feel about the recent news that all of a sudden Republicons found 7000 votes to put Prosser ahead? lol, let the games begin.
lou

[eowyn_of_rohan]

73. I'm beside myself...

I left the computer for a couple hours - came back and saw THIS. I've been scrambling to catch up. Just a nightmare but not unexpected with the ridiculously close spread of 204 votes. I just had a feeling something BAD would come of it. The thugs have been silent today... undoubtedly working under wraps. I was going to make dinner. Now think instead I'll grab a bite downtown and see if there is anything happening at the Capitol.

wow... Florida 2000 right here.

[louslobbs]

74. Yep, this is how they roll. Republicons can't win on the issues, so let the cheating and rigging

begin, sponsored by: Koch, Let us know later if you find out anything local
Lou

[eowyn_of_rohan]

75. I sure will

Thank you for your support

[eowyn_of_rohan]

81. Nothing going on at the Madison Capitol tonight. I think tomorrow may be different

The thugs are now also pushing for the Supreme Court to lift Judge Sumi's restraining order, in the midst of this election fiasco...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4805815

[mvd]

76. This just ruined my night completely

If there's a full investigation and everything checks out, I'll feel a little better. But it will still be really sad that people just will not or don't want to learn.

[LiberalFighter]

45. They need to find votes that weren't counted that should had been.

Best method would be count number of people voting and ballots cast. If substantial or even any number more than ballots cast then petition to hand count. They don't necessarily need to hand count all of them. They could do batches of 100 ballots and if results don't add up 100 then hand count that particular batch.

[janet118]

28. You can bet your ass . . .

they will be declaring Prosser the winner any minute now.

[highplainsdem]

29. See this topic for more details on the voting in that county:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x836995

[bongbong]

31. Interesting thing about vote counts

I bet nobody knows how the votes were totaled in national races in years past (not sure if they still do it this way).

The AP wires were used to send vote totals from each precinct to some national tabulating office. I know this because I was interviewed in the early 90s for a position running AP servers that were used for this (during elections, normally they were used for news). I was told I would have to be bonded if I got the job for this reason. All I could think of was how easy it would be for some peon (like me!) to alter the vote count. I didn't get the job, BTW.

There has not been above-board vote counting for many decades here in the "Greatest Democracy On Earth!" :sarcasm:

[Auntie Bush]

71. Why the sarcasm thingy?

[bongbong]

86. Why the sarcasm?

Re-read my post!

[SomeGuyInEagan]

32. Interesting. That county ran short of paper ballots ... encouraged use of touch screens

Anyone know if those machines keep a paper trail? Or how many of the county's votes were touch screen?

http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20110406/OSH0101/110405227/Turnout-neared-40-percent-for-election-in-Winnebago-County

[MadisonMike]

35. yeah..about that 3:30 PM: Prosser loses 113 votes in Grant County

http://elections.wispolitics.com/2011/04/prosser-loses-113-votes-in-grant-county.html

[iwishiwas]

43. yes, they do.

[SomeGuyInEagan]

54. Thank you, iwishiwas. n/t

[drm604]

51. That puts him behind again

right?

[highplainsdem]

36. I just got two replies in my topic about this in GD from Wisconsinites saying there is a paper trail

[Bozita]

44. Yup, state law requires paper trail.

http://www.verifiedvoting.org/verifier/map.php?&ec=allall&year=2008&state=Wisconsin

[highplainsdem]

48. And then someone else posted that those machines' paper trails don't always match the screen.

[louslobbs]

38. It would be good information to have.

[FiveGoodMen]

66. Touch screen voting should be illegal.

So easy to fake that a third-grader could program it.

[FarLeftFist]

39. A bit early, no?

1.5 million total ballots cast.

[L. Coyote]

46. Some useful facts

Data Source http://gab.wi.gov/sites/default/files/page/voting_equipment_by_municipality_2_pdf_15114.pdf

Standard Polling Place Equipment Optical Scan
Vendor Premier Election Solutions (Diebold)
Model Accu-Vote ES 2000
Tabulation Counted at polling place

Accessible Polling Place Equipment DRE-Touchscreen with VVPAT
Vendor Premier Election Solutions (Diebold)
Model AccuVote-TSX
Tabulation Counted at polling place

DRE-Touchscreen with VVPAT means Voter-Verified Paper Trail.
Of course, one can print out a new paper trail by recasting the votes!

[SnakeEyes]

47. Who is this guy????

@JohnMercure Numerous sources tell me Prosser will pick up 7000 votes in Waukesha Cty. 14,000 votes were apparently not entered into computer system

[drm604]

50. Votes will mysteriously begin to appear.

:grr:

[NFL80]

59. They just found 7,381more for pross

[drm604]

78. Did I call that or what?

:(

[MadisonMike]

52. Kloppenburg keeps inching ahead :)

http://elections.wispolitics.com/ keeping my fingers crossed

[Godhumor]

53. Sensationalistic reporter from years past

Edit: we'll see how this goes, the 14K thing is being picked up elsewhere.

[LTR]

83. John Mercure

He used to be a reporter for WTMJ 4, now doing afternoon news show on WTMJ radio. Not sure if he's a hardcore wingnut like the other guys on TMJ, but all I know is they hired him to do a basic news show.

Nonetheless, I'm somewhat skeptical of anyone who works for Journal Communications, and that includes the TV, radio and newspaper side of it.

[reformist2]

55. They should just flip a coin.

[Octafish]

56. Did Walker call Jebthro?

Kochtopus can afford to pay Katherine Harris seven-figures to consult on this one.

[russspeakeasy]

57. I told her to guard those damn votes and voting machines.

[Nye Bevan]

60. Perhaps a bit OT, but this is why the Presidential election should *not* be decided by popular vote.

With the existing system, it is a given that the Republican will win Texas, Mississippi, etc. and so there is no incentive to manufacture votes in those states. But just imagine, with a close election based upon popular vote, how many "missing" votes would just happen to be "discovered" deep in Republican territory in these states.

[rayofreason]

61. The latest...

http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/119410124.html

There will be a recount, without doubt.

[SnakeEyes]

64. if he really picks up 7.5K then

there won't be a recount unless she calls for one and has the funds to pay for it. It would be outside the margin for an automatic recount.

[LawnKorn]

63. So this is the first of a long line of Republican chicanery to steal this election

Backed by unlimited Koch dollars, the Republicans will steal this election at the ballot box, absentee ballot recount, or in the courts.

[LTR]

84. Yeah, I smell bullshit too

All too convenient that they happened to find tens of thousands of missing votes from the most conservative county in the state.

RIIIIIIIGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHTTTTTTTTTT!

:eyes:

[FiveGoodMen]

65. I expected this.

The numbers were too close.

[SnakeEyes]

67. Nate Silver doesn't think the 14K are a conspiracy.

[Blaq Dem]

69. I thought they said it was 7.5K from Waukesha?

Maybe they're just making this whole thing up. Who can believe a word they say?

[lonestarnot]

82. 7.5K you heard right.

[dotymed]

85. What a BIG surprise,

Doesn't this show all Americans (except of course "teabaggers" who have no conscience) the NEED for verifiable elections'
Hey...I just found another bag-o-ballots, what u want me to do with 'em?
What Bullshit.
Hell, call the Supremes...