Breaking!! Ohio official rejects Obama poll-watcher letter!!

[indimuse]

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0308/Ohio_official_rejects_Obama_pollwatcher_letter.html

March 04, 2008
Read More: Barack Obama

Ohio official rejects Obama poll-watcher letter


An official in the office of the Ohio Secretary of State has written local election officials instructing them not to accept an Obama campaign letter (.pdf) as sufficient

documentation for poll-watchers to polling places.

The state's rules require a formal certification process for poll monitors. The Obama campaign, however, has distributed a letter signed by its state director, Paul

Tewes, which states that the letter's bearer is "hereby authorized to serve as a legal poll monitor."

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State David Farrell wrote that Obama supporters have been presenting the letter to officials at polling sites, and attached the letter to his

email, which appears to have been sent to election officials around the state.

"Our office's legal interpretation is that this letter is not legally sufficient on its own to allow someone to gain access to polling places," Farrell writes. "To be allowed

access to a polling location an observer must be duly appointed as an official observer and have an official observer certificate.... Someone who wants to observe may

present the attached letter in addition to the official observer certificate, but they must have the official observer certificate to legally gain entry."

Full email after the jump.



From: Farrell, David
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 10:01:04 AM
To: BOE Contacts; All Counties
Cc: Field Staff; Elections Attorneys; Elections
Subject: Sen. Obama "Poll Monitor" Letter Info
Auto forwarded by a Rule

Dear Boards of Elections Directors, Deputy Directors, and Members:

Attached is a copy of a letter being presented by Sen. Obama supporters to election officials at polling locations. Our office's legal interpretation is that this letter is

not legally sufficient on its own to allow someone to gain access to polling places.

To be allowed access to a polling location an observer must be duly appointed as an official observer and have an official observer certificate issued pursuant to R.C.

3505.21, which in part states: “Observers appointed to a precinct may file their certificates of appointment with the presiding judge of the precinct at the meeting on the

evening prior to the election, or with the presiding judge of the precinct on the day of the election.” Someone who wants to observe may present the attached letter in

addition to the official observer certificate, but they must have the official observer certificate to legally gain entry.


Please refer to SOS Directive #2008-29 (Rights And Limitations on Election Observers) for more detailed information.

If you have additional questions, please contact a member of the SOS Election Legal Counsel staff at [phone].




I just heard again...Obama in Texas is using Chicago style tactics at these caucuses...and has the entire run...cheating another word....more info coming!

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

1. What A Mess His Campaign Is Running. How Can We Trust Him As President If He Can't Even Organize

poll watchers right?

[marions ghost]

4. first you'd have to take into account

the mess that our election system presents to the candidates & their campaigns...in order to assess that. It's a pretty big job to pull it all together with our fractured antiquated system.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

8. What A Mess. They Are So Disorganized. This Shows So Readily Why Hillary Is Ready And He Isn't.

[skipos]

11. TOTALLY! The fact that Hillary has won more states, more pledged delegates, more votes

and totally thumped newbie Obama in this campaign truly shows she is READY ON DAY ONE!

Go Hillary!!! 35 years of experience is helping you kick newbie ass in the Dem primary!!!

:woohoo:

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

33. He Can't Even Organize Poll Watchers. He's So Done. How Unpresidential.

[Political Heretic]

39. You are clearly just being silly.

You're one of those guys that just posts just to see the reaction you get by saying idiotic things.

[rodeodance]

45. HE SHOWS LACK OF JUDGEMENT!!

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

59. Nope.

I actually figured it was blatantly obvious that I was repeating the same ignorant stupidity that some knee jerk morons posted towards Hillary with every slight little snafu she had.

The fact some are actually responding seriously, is all sorts of hilarious to me! NO critical thinking ability left. I swear LOL

:rofl:

[mudesi]

67. You're just figuring that out now?

:rofl:

[indimuse]

54. Hillary will win tonight!

GO Hillary is right!

[marions ghost]

30. OK

however you want to spin it.

Campaign disorganization in certain areas can be an indicator of unexpected support. Considering the byzantine labyrinth that our election system is, we just don't have enough info to draw conclusions about this. Maybe there will be more info from the field in coming days.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

35. So Disorganized. I Mean, He Had MONTHS To Learn How Ohio Works. He's Just Not Fit For The Job.

[marions ghost]

46. Did I miss something?

Is this a joke (re Hillary campaign bungles) or R U series? :dilemma:

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

62. C'mon MG, Don't Ya Know Me Well Enough By Now?

Of course this is a mockery of their stupidity when the shoe was on the other foot. Sheesh LOL

[marions ghost]

76. OK yeah

ha ha now I get it OMC. I'm trying to juggle about five different tasks while following this today...:crazy:

:think: thanks for the input I deserve sheesh :spank:

[Lucinda]

50. That is definitely one thing this election has made abundantly clear

We really need to work to make election changes on the state level. It's a mess.

[marions ghost]

71. right

until we get really dependable elections, it's so hard to analyze the variables related to campaigning and strategy.

One day maybe it'll be possible to vote with confidence, but there's a LOT of work ahead. The whole system is in sad shape and needs to be overhauled in too many ways to list here. The Election Reform forum has a huge body of detail on that subject.

[Lucinda]

79. I spend a bit of time in there reading when I'm not in GD:P

I think we should really try and make it a priority after this cycle.

[marions ghost]

89. yes

I intend to get back into it when a Dem is in the White House.

[Political Heretic]

36. I just spit my coffee out all over my graduate research paper notes.

Thanks a lot! :P

That was a great laugh.

Let's see... campaign that's raised triple the money, has triple the volunteers, pulls triple the crowds, has obliterated clintons 20+ point leads, and won eleven races in a row.....

...yeah that's the definition of "mess" I can get behind.

Unlike Clinton who blew all her money, had no plan past super-tuesday, has a campaign in disarray, blew her massive, massive leads and was so confused she couldn't even correctly file paperwork in PA and didn't know how texas "worked"

:eyes:

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

65. He's Losin It. It's All Goin Away. Just LOOK At That Blunder! How Can He Possibly Be Fit To Lead?

[LaurenG]

44. You are too funny, I thought I heard the Obama supporters

using the same lines over something else just as silly. So I'm thinking you're halfway kidding. :shrug:

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

68. Halfway????

ALLLLLLLLLLL the way LOL

Of course I'm kidding. But it's so much friggin fun to say, and even moreso that so many are responding seriously!

:rofl:

[LaurenG]

73. Whew!

I was not quite sure but something was "different" about those posts. :7

[Mags]

9. was he really trying to cheat????

[OhioBlue]

2. I don't understand this. I did GOTV in '06

went to the polling locations, checked hanging lists, chatted with people in line, talked to poll workers - never had to have any certification.

[Benhurst]

5. Could the changes have anything to do with the stolen election of 2004?

One of our people is the secretary of state now, isn't she?

:shrug:

[liberal N proud]

21. You were in violation of the law

I did poll watching in 04 and you had to have official papers from the state submitted 7 days prior to the election.
You were not allowed to talk to voters or poll workers. The only thing you could do was observe. If there was an issue you had to step outside the polling place to make any calls.

We were instructed by lawyers before the election and briefed before the polls were open and after they were closed.

[OhioBlue]

42. well - I didn't talk to them about issues

I asked where the hanging lists were posted, they didn't have them for one precinct. I saw people I knew in line - chatted about kids, work, etc.

This is good to know tho - I had no idea that you needed some kind of certification. The Dem that worked at the BOE told me the Republicans checked hanging lists and called voters for GOTV - and we should too.

[jillan]

3. And people want to know why we don't trust him?

[Hoof Hearted]

13. Exactly. n/t

[UALRBSofL]

17. Hoof Hearted, I called Hillary's legal team

And told them about this as well as other problems and she said they know about all this. They are aware of the letters, they are aware the independents not being allowed to vote for Clinton and the precincts in Texas this morning not being ready. She said they were aware and all over these problems. :)

[polmaven]

78. Having been at work all day,

I think I missed the one about indipendents not being allowed to vote for Hillary! Can you fill me in?

[LaurenG]

85. In Ohio when you declare your party they hand you a ballot

for your party. Since the independents declared they were independents they were handed an issues only ballot. There were no independents on the ballot to vote for. :shrug:

[polmaven]

97. Thanks

I was a little taken aback. I pictured someone standing behind the voter zapping him/her every time the pen went near Hillary's name!


Don't tase me, O!!!!!!

[UALRBSofL]

34. Hoof Hearted Howard Dean is gonna

Pull out the nomination for Obama. He selected the superdelegates and they know he doesn't like Hillary so they will follow his lead and go for Obama. Just a wink-wink, like the Obama/NAFTA issue.

[DemBones DemBones]

91. strange, isn't it? nt

[LSparkle]

6. There were similar reports during a prior primary which were dismissed

The Obama letter that wasn't "official" turned out actually TO BE official ...

Whine, whine, whine -- it's always SOMETHING with her. She can't win fair and square, so she has to make it look like the other guy is cheating ...

[madmom]

24. where does it say Clinton had any thing to do with this? Ahh right it didn't!

[rodeodance]

41. hey---FOLLOW THE RULES

[nonconformist]

60. The Ohio SOS is refusing them, Clinton has nothing to do with this. nt

[complain jane]

7. Damn Hillary!

:sarcasm:

[K Gardner]

10. I hate to tell you, this isn't BREAKING!!!!! news. It was covered thoroughly

this morning on MSNBC/CNN. There was miscommunication evidently with the campaign being told the certified letter was enough.

Truly, nothing nefarious here, except your fucking SCREAMING ERRONEOUS HEADLINE!!!!!!!!!!!!! And you wasted a post on that, LOL.

:rofl: :rofl:

[malik flavors]

14. It wasn't miscommunication, that's what they were told and then the Ohio Gov. and CLinton pulled..

a fast one.

[K Gardner]

26. Ah... very interesting, thanks for injecting facts into the discussion !

[indimuse]

15. it's just a post..OMG! And news to some baby..

Well I guess I'd be hysterical too if I were gonna wittness my boy go down tonight...:(

[K Gardner]

28. Hillary is your boy? Hmmm...

[indimuse]

57. anyway I can get her...

;)

[rodeodance]

51. Poor Judgement on BO's part!! What a slimy campaign he is running!!

[Radical Activist]

12. I've used similar letters on several campaigns.

What's the problem if they have nothing to hide?

[MoonRiver]

16. Reminds me of the Rovian terrorists shutting down the vote counting in FL

Change - NOT.

[ContinentalOp]

22. Yes, it does.

You mean how people from the Obama campaign are being kept out of the polling places right? That certainly is Rovian. Gee I wonder who's behind it.

[MoonRiver]

32. They were trying to insert themselves as poll watchers without having the proper credentials.

That's why the Ohio Secretary of State ALERTED precinct workers NOT TO ALLOW THESE THUGS IN.

[ContinentalOp]

48. Thugs eh?

Yes, I'm sure they were going to show up and rough the voters up with billy clubs. :eyes:

Why isn't the Obama campaign allowed to have observers present at the polls?

[Name removed]

56. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

61. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MoonRiver]

69. Tell it to the OHIO SECRETARY OF STATE.

She's the one who banned Obamatons from the polling sites.

[ContinentalOp]

77. Ah yes, you mean Clinton supporter Jennifer Brunner?

The same person who issued a new directive on poll observers eight days ago on February 25th? A directive that requires forms to be submitted 11 days before the election.

http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/ElectionsVoter/OhioElections.aspx?Section=3406

[MoonRiver]

83. I have NEVER seen such absurd shit as what comes out of you Obamaniacs.

You would insult Jesus Christ himself if he appeared in front of you, and DARED say or do anything that diminished your beloved BO.

UNFUCKINGBELIEVABLE.

[ContinentalOp]

87. Yeah, that's what I thought.

Clinton supporters can't make any real arguments, they can only hurl insults.

So what's absurd? The Ohio SOS isn't a Clinton supporter? The rules didn't change 8 days ago? I'm all ears.

You still haven't explained exactly how Obama's "thugs" posing as poll observers would be able to somehow prevent Clinton voters from voting. I mean, if Obama really had a nefarious scheme to send his thugs to the polls wouldn't his campaign have just done the proper paperwork? Or are you saying these people weren't really sent by the Obama campaign? They're just random thuggish Obama supporters who showed up with a pretend letter?

[Windy]

18. I hope texas does the same with Hillary attempt to influence the caucuses

she has sent a memo out telling her supporters to be sure to be either the precinct captain or secretary in caucuses where it looks like they are behind so that they can have control over the vote!

http://trailblazers.beloblog.com/archives/2008/03/caucus-strategy.html

This is just one reason why I can't vote for HRC if she wins the nomination!

[UALRBSofL]

23. Clinton's not cheating by telling her supporters to do that

She is just trying to keep Obama supporters from cheating. She has figured out why he won all those caucus' states and is determined not to let them cheat in Texas.

[indimuse]

37. zacly!!

so...LO_bama peeps... be prepared to get your ass kicked Texan style!

[robbedvoter]

19. Fast track credentials worked for BO, why not for poll watcher?

:shrug:

[Tarc]

20. OMG IT IS ALL HILLARY'S FAULT

Obviously this is a :tinfoilhat: concocted with Karl Rove, John McCain, the Michigan and Floria state parties, the Bildebergers, Illuminati, and the Flying Spaghetti Monster to discredit Obama!

TRAITORS!!!

:spank:

[robbedvoter]

29. Mighty Clenis Wuz there

[rodeodance]

49. he just snuck in--that little weini dog!

[madfloridian]

25. The Ohio governor said we were cult, and he said would be sure Clinton won Ohio.

He did say he would deliver Ohio for Clinton. Sound familiar.

I think your story the way you are telling it has been debunked.

[indimuse]

40. yeah does...

but he didn't say you can put that in writing...(paraphrasing)..

[mopinko]

27. stop this fucking "chicago style" crap. unless you live here and

pay attention. al capone is dead. chicago is a well run world class city, bluer than blue, thank you very much. we are no worse than any other part of the human universe.
fuck you.

[indimuse]

31. hahahaa

chill.

[rodeodance]

38. GAWD---what a F*** UP campaign Obama is runnning!

[indimuse]

43. Hope ..

Hope he doesn't get caught kind...wink..wink..

[RememberWellstone]

47. Hope and Change!!!

This is the man the lemmings have chosen! How dare you question the Obamanation!!!!

[indimuse]

52. obviously you can't...

he will run off stage and declare.."I didn't think you'd ask me REAL questions..." Mommy make them go away.

[golddigger]

84. I can't wait for today to be over so we can sweep the Obamanites out of DU1!1!1!

[rodeodance]

53. He can not get the right letter --I do not want him near the RED phone!!

[golddigger]

55. So that's how he won all those caucasus! HE CHEATED!!!@@#

What do you expect from a guy who is friends with a SLUMLORD!!!

[LaurenG]

70. Not a SLUM LORD!1!1!!

:rofl:

[tabatha]

58. Something stinks

Did you read the comments?

"I find it hard to believe that after 30 some odd contests now all of a sudden the Obama campaign doesnt know procedure...this smells of a last minute manuever to again ensure the voters are disenfranchised...."

[indimuse]

63. something he's a pro at;;;

Google 2001 election or 1966.. "Chicago Obama had extended access to ballot boxes"..? Let me know what you think then??/ LO_bama.

[tabatha]

64. Something really stinks

Link to the SOS 2008-29 directive- http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/ElectionsVoter/OhioElections.aspx?Section=3406 If I'm reading that right, it says that only the local or state Democratic party can appoint an observer where the Democratic primary is concerned- and only ONE observer, unless the board of elections agrees otherwise. You have to petition the board 11 days in advance of the election. One problem: This directive was issued on February 25th, only 9 days before the election. The fix appears to be in.

[golddigger]

66. Yeah, he pulled the same shit in Nevada. Axelrod=Rove!!!

[NobleCynic]

95. Excuse me? You live in Nevada?

You actually see what happened in Nevada? You work a precinct in Nevada?

Yeah, I didn't think so. Don't drag my state into this BS.

[golddigger]

99. Not now moved to Oregon three weeks ago, lived in Laughlin, Nevada

before that.

[golddigger]

100. besides this thread went right over your head. Try reading it again.

[ColesCountyDem]

72. I don't understand why this is such a big deal.

I don't know what the precise legal requirements are in OH, but in Illinois, a specific legal form is provided for the appointment of pollwatchers; the form must be properly filled out by a person having the specific legal authority TO appoint pollwatchers. Candidates (and unions, political parties, etc.) DO have the authority to appoint pollwatchers, but they must follow the law in doing so. This seems like a non-story to me...

:shrug:

[rodeodance]

81. its because BO is showing poor JUDGEMENT!

[ColesCountyDem]

86. Isn't that rather a stretch?

Taking Sen. Obama to task personally over what may well be an oversight by some minion way down on the food chain of his campaign is pretty thin gruel, don't you think?

[rodeodance]

93. no stretch at all. And I will never vote in the GE if nom. because of this!

[golddigger]

82. Yep, and poor judgement means he is not fit to be president@@#%IO&*^

[golddigger]

74. I'm lmao!

:rofl:

[libbygurl]

75. !

:kick:

[ContinentalOp]

80. So apparently the rules were changed 8 days ago,

and now require forms to be submitted 11 days before the election.

http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/ElectionsVoter/OhioElections.aspx?Section=3406

This is from Ohio Secretary of State and Hillary Clinton supporter Jennifer Brunner.

[ContinentalOp]

88. crickets...

[NobleCynic]

96. What were the rules before the change?

If it stated 11 days before the rule change, then it isn't a defense and Obama's campaign is in the wrong.

If it did not state 11 days before the change, then the Clinton campaign is in the wrong, and you can make a strong case that the election may have been compromised.

[maddiejoan]

90. K&R

[zabet]

92. Kick

for Chicago mob-style politics!!!
:evilgrin:

[libbygurl]

94. Kickety-kick!

:kick:

[judaspriestess]

98. K&R