Election Reform, Fraud, & Related News Friday, 3/28/2008

[Mnemosyne]

All members welcome and encouraged to participate.







Please post Election Reform, Fraud, & Related News on this thread.



If you can:

1. Post stories and announcements you find on the web.





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3. Re-post stories and announcements you find on DU, providing a link to the original thread with thanks to the Original Poster, too.





4. Start a discussion thread by re-posting a story you see on this thread.








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Morning all! :hi:

[Mnemosyne]

1. National. n't

[Mnemosyne]

2. BradBlog exclusive: Federal Fraud Complaint Against Voting Machine Company Unsealed

EXCLUSIVE: Federal Fraud Complaint Against Voting Machine Company Unsealed
After Two Years, the Qui Tam Suit Against Hart InterCivic, Brought by Whistleblower William Singer with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Mike Papantonio, May Proceed After DoJ Declines to Join Case

"The most serious thing any software company can do is not fully test its products," William Singer told The BRAD BLOG this afternoon about the federal fraud case he filed nearly two years ago, which has finally been unsealed by a judge as of today.

"To release a product for important purposes that has not been tested at all is quite shocking, I would say. Especially since it indicates that nobody can predict what, when, or how it might fail," Singer explained about the e-voting systems made by Hart InterCivic, for which he worked as a technician several years ago. "It would make a mockery of any certification."

Despite having some direct involvement in the case from the beginning, The BRAD BLOG has been unable to report any details on it for going on two years --- we haven't even been able to offer the names of the plaintiff or defendant in the case --- since originally reporting that it had been filed in federal court, due to the fact that it was under seal, waiting for the U.S. Attorney General to decide whether the DoJ would join the suit or not.

Singer's suit is the fraud case which originally made waves when it was first filed two years ago, with the aid of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and Florida attorney Mike Papantonio, until it then went "underground" due to the legally mandated seal disallowing the plaintiff and his attorneys from offering any specific details to the public.

http://bradblog.com/

[Mnemosyne]

3. Nelson calls for sweeping election reform

Nelson calls for sweeping election reform

Jim Ash • News Journal capital bureau • March 28, 2008

TALLAHASSEE — Detailing a bitter feud between Florida Democrats and their national party leaders, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson called Thursday for sweeping national election reforms.

"If nothing else, this has provided further evidence that our election system is broken," Nelson said in a speech to the Florida Senate. "Basically, what I stand on is the principle that every citizen has the right to vote."

His proposals include:

n Eliminating the Electoral College.

n Creating a system of regional primaries from March to June in presidential election years.

n Creating a nationwide early voting system.

n Creating pilot programs for mail-in and online voting.

Nelson, D-Orlando, said he is continuing to push the Democratic National Committee to back down from its threat to ignore the results of the Jan. 29 presidential primary and not seat Florida delegates as a punishment for moving the primary up from March.

http://www.pnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080328/NEWS01/803280342

[Mnemosyne]

4. Limbaugh safe from voter-fraud charges - DAMN IT!

Limbaugh safe from voter-fraud charges
Radio host encouraged fans to vote Democratic

Friday, March 28, 2008 2:59 AM
By Mark Niquette
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh has been telling his audience for days now that he could be indicted for encouraging Ohio Republicans to take a Democratic ballot in the March 4 primary in what he calls "Operation Chaos."

Could that actually happen?

Not likely, Ohio officials say.

"We have no intention of prosecuting Rush Limbaugh because lying through your teeth and being stupid isn't a crime," said Leo Jennings, a spokesman for Democratic Attorney General Marc Dann.

When asked whether she has concerns about what Limbaugh did, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, a Democrat, replied, "I think it's very bad form, but I think most voters are intelligent enough to make their own decisions."

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/03/28/JAIL_RUSH.ART_ART_03-28-08_A8_HV9P3PM.html?type=rss&cat=&sid=101

[Mnemosyne]

5. Americans still wary of voting machines for 2008

Americans still wary of voting machines for 2008

23 March 2008 at 14h31


Washington - Eight years after glitches marred the 2000 presidential elections, Americans are still struggling over voting machine technology amid growing concerns about the reliability of electronic systems.

Many jurisdictions are reconsidering new technology and moving away from paperless and touch-screen voting machines -- systems which had been seen as a cure for the problems of punch cards that notably failed to correctly tally votes in 2000 in Florida.

A growing movement of activists, including many computer scientists, are leading calls to shift away from paperless systems, saying they are vulnerable to software and hardware glitches or manipulation by hackers or others.

About 80 percent of Americans use systems where votes are cast or tabulated by computer including 38 percent who used so-called direct recording electronic voting machines (DRE), according to a study by John McCormally of the University of Iowa.

http://www.ioltechnology.co.za/article_page.php?from=rss_IOLTechHome&iSectionId=2883&iArticleId=4316971

[Mnemosyne]

6. States. n/t

[Mnemosyne]

7. AR: Election workers tell Ark. panel missing ballots skew election

Election workers tell Ark. panel missing ballots skew election

Last Update: 3/26 1:09 pm

LITTLE ROCK (AP) - A former election coordinator and poll worker told a legislative panel Wednesday that discrepancies in vote totals and hundreds of missing ballot stubs throw into question a 2006 primary runoff for a state Senate seat.

Testimony continued in the hearing in which the Senate is being asked for the first time in its history to resolve a disputed election and consider whether to oust a sitting senator.

The Senate State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee will recommend to the full Senate whether Sen. Jack Crumbly, D-Widener, can remain in his east Arkansas post despite the allegations from former Rep. Arnell Willis of Helena-West Helena. Senate District 16 serves parts of Crittenden, Lee, Phillips and St. Francis counties.

Crumbly was declared the winner in the 2006 Democratic primary runoff through a recount after initial results showed Willis the victor.

http://www.fox16.com/news/state/story.aspx?content_id=2bf908bf-ffff-4bea-b01a-80bc625e46c7&rss=316

[Mnemosyne]

8. NJ: Questions linger in N.J. over voting machines

Questions linger in N.J. over voting machines

Home News Tribune Online 03/26/08

By ANGELA DELLI SANTI
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

TRENTON — A trial to decide whether touch-screen voting machines are reliable or should be scrapped has been set for May, but the outcome almost certainly will come too late to change how millions of New Jerseyans vote in the presidential election.

Mercer County Superior Court Judge Linda Feinberg has been asked to decide if the state's 10,000 electronic voting machines should continue to be used in elections, as the state contends, or whether New Jerseyans deserve a better voting system, as voting rights advocates argue.

"As to whether or not DREs (Direct Electronic Recording system) are scientifically reliable, the court will conduct a full hearing," Feinberg said while ruling on pretrial motions Tuesday and setting a May 19 trial date.

However, since no decision on the lawsuit expected before September, New Jerseyans will vote electronically without a paper trail in November unless the governor or attorney general intervenes.

http://www.thnt.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080326/NEWS03/803260319

[Mnemosyne]

9. NJ: Voting-machine trial too late for election

Voting-machine trial too late for election
Whether N.J. will still use electronic devices won't be decided in time this year.

By Angela Delli Santi

Associated Press
TRENTON - A trial to decide whether touch-screen voting machines are reliable or should be scrapped has been set for May, but the outcome almost certainly will be too late to change how millions of New Jerseyans vote in the presidential election.

Mercer County Superior Court Judge Linda Feinberg has been asked to decide whether the state's 10,000 electronic voting machines should still be used in elections, as the state contends, or whether New Jerseyans deserve a better system, as voting-rights advocates argue.

The court will conduct a full hearing on whether the electronic machines are scientifically reliable, Feinberg said while ruling on pretrial motions yesterday and setting a May 19 trial date.

However, as no decision is expected before September, New Jerseyans will vote electronically without a paper trail in November unless the governor or attorney general intervenes.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20080326_Voting-machine_trial_too_late_for_election.html

[Mnemosyne]

10. IA: County to receive new voting machines again

County to receive new voting machines again

Wayne Fritzinger
03/25/2008

Touch-screen voting machines, which have been in use in Crawford County for just about two years, are on their way out.

"The touch-screen machines are soon to be replaced with AutoMARK VAT (voter assisted terminal) voting machines," County Auditor and Election Commissioner Cecilia Fineran told county supervisors last Tuesday.

The AutoMARK VAT machine is an optical ballot marker designed for use by people who are unable to personally mark an optical scan ballot due to physical impairments or language barriers. The machine is equipped with keyboard and head-phones for the visually impaired.

"Touch-screens will be used for the June primary and the AutoMARK VAT machines for the general election in November," said Fineran.

"The touch-screens will be completely removed from the county."

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19422258&BRD=2703&PAG=461&dept_id=555123&rfi=6

[Mnemosyne]

11. OH: Brunner told to make first move in voting debate

Brunner told to make first move in voting debate
Husted invites her to decertify machines

Thursday, March 27, 2008 3:26 AM
By Mark Niquette and Joe Hallett
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner repeatedly has said she won't force counties to scrap their touch-screen voting machines unless state or federal officials provide the estimated $64 million needed to switch to paper ballots.

But House Speaker Jon Husted threw the issue back in Brunner's lap yesterday, saying he sees no reason for the GOP-controlled legislature to approve funding unless Brunner first decertifies the touch-screens for use in the state.

Husted told The Dispatch that Brunner's failure to decertify the machines would be a tacit acknowledgment that they are suitable to use in the Nov. 4 election, and thus the legislature would have no reason to act.

"We'll see what she does and act accordingly," the Kettering Republican said. "If she doesn't decertify them, then why should we spend $64 million to replace machines that she believes work?"

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/03/27/jenbrun.ART_ART_03-27-08_B4_569OR4M.html?type=rss&cat=21&sid=101

[Mnemosyne]

12. OH: Belmont to audit election results

Belmont to audit election results

By MICHAEL SCHULER, Times Leader Staff Writer
POSTED: March 27, 2008

BELMONT COUNTY is joining 10 other counties in the state that will voluntarily audit a portion of their May election results at the request of the Ohio Secretary of State’s office.

During Wednesday's meeting of the Belmont County Board of Elections, the board agreed to participate in the pilot program that will make sure the “paper trail” matches the electronic results.

The pilot program is just one of several suggestions that has been recently made by Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner following the findings of the “Evaluation and Validation of Election Related Equipment, Standards and Testing” conducted in 2007

The EVEREST results showed some of the touch-screen direct-recording electronic voting machines used in many counties have security issues that need to be addressed to insure fair and safe elections.

http://www.timesleaderonline.com/page/content.detail/id/502956.html

[Mnemosyne]

13. OH: Cuyahoga County seeks to join Ohio election audit effort

Cuyahoga County seeks to join Ohio election audit effort
Voluntary sample of primary results sought by state

Friday, March 28, 2008
Joe Guillen
Plain Dealer Reporter

Cuyahoga County elections officials want to double-check a portion of the March 4 primary results as part of a plan to create a statewide audit policy.

Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner said this week that she wants 11 election boards to volunteer to recount 7 percent of the ballots cast in their counties in the presidential primary.

Brunner would use the findings to craft an audit policy before the November election. Elections experts view audits as a way to boost voter confidence in balloting, said Jeff Ortega, Brunner's spokesman.

Brunner's push for audits follows a report from her office, released Dec. 14, that identified security flaws in all of Ohio's voting equipment. A week later, she ordered Cuyahoga County to scrap its touch-screen machines. The machines repeatedly malfunctioned, but it never resulted in an inaccurate election, the county elections board maintained.

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1206693196181100.xml&coll=2

[Mnemosyne]

14. IL: Political consultant found guilty of fraud

Political consultant found guilty of fraud

Associated Press - March 27, 2008 4:14 AM ET

WHEATON, Ill. (AP) - A political consultant has been convicted of perjury and election fraud for collecting nominating petitions with numerous forged signatures in a 2005 Milton Township assessor's race.

Rodney McCulloch was acquitted of forgery charges by DuPage County Judge Michael Burke. The judge said prosecutors failed to prove McCulloch actually made the illegal signatures. But Burke said McCulloch knew the signatures were improper.

McCulloch faces a sentence of probation to 5 years in prison. He remains free on bail, and Burke set May 1 to hear post-trial motions.

McCulloch testified that with only four days to collect the necessary 500 signatures, he hired four people he didn't know. He said he never learned their last names and he paid them $1.50 for each signature.

http://www.kwqc.com/Global/story.asp?S=8076362

[Mnemosyne]

15. PA: Film addresses concerns about electronic voting

Posted on March 27, 2008 12:00 AM

Film addresses concerns about electronic voting

What: Uncounted screening, speakers afterward
When:Sunday at 1 p.m.
Where:The State Theatre, 130 W. College Ave.
Details: Tickets are $7 and $5 for students and seniors.

By Mark Maurer Email
Collegian Staff Writer

Count on more than a few disgruntled citizens to be in attendance at the 1 p.m. Sunday screening of the documentary film Uncounted at the State Theatre, 130 W. College Ave.

The film, made by Emmy award-winning director David Earnhardt, exposes lesser-known details and evidence about election fraud and voting mishaps that occurred during the U.S. presidential election in 2004 as well as the congressional elections in 2006.

The "Issues" page of uncountedthemovie.com explores problems facing electronic voting equipment, including touch screen voting machines, the kind currently used in Centre County. Touch screen voting does not provide a paper record, something that unsettles Mary Vollero, chairwoman for Concerned Voters of Centre County, one of the organizations sponsoring the showing of the film.

"This film brings to light facts that were not discussed in the mainstream media -- just ignored," Vollero said, whose nonpartisan, nonprofit organization has been making concerted efforts to halt the use of touch-screen voting and to reintroduce authentic paper voting.

http://www.collegian.psu.edu/venues/2008/03/27/film_addresses_concerns_about.aspx

[Mnemosyne]

16. NC: SBI: No findings yet in Stallings fraud probe

SBI: No findings yet in Stallings fraud probe
Parrish sought agency probe in February

By BOB MONTGOMERY
Staff Writer

Thursday, March 27, 2008

The State Bureau of Investigation hasn't made any findings yet in its probe of election fraud and perjury allegations against a former city councilman.

Six weeks ago, District Attorney Frank Parrish turned over documents arising from a voter's challenge of Darryl Stallings Sr.'s residency, to the state's chief investigative agency. The challenge, later upheld by the Pasquotank Board of Elections, alleged that Stallings didn't live where he said he did when he ran and won re-election to City Council last October.

At Parrish's request, the SBI is looking into whether Stallings committed fraud and perjury when he filed election documents last summer, an agency spokeswoman said.

"This is an ongoing investigation," Noelle Talley said, adding that there's no timetable for when the SBI will conclude its probe

http://www.dailyadvance.com/news/content/news/stories/2008/03/27/0328StallingsProbeRM.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=7

[Mnemosyne]

17. SD: Adams to host ‘Election Fraud’ author

Adams to host ‘Election Fraud’ author

By Journal staff Friday, March 28, 2008

The Adams Museum in Deadwood will host Tracy Campbell for a book signing and lecture at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 9. Campbell’s presentation is based on his most recent book, “Deliver the Vote: Election Fraud, an American Political Tradition — 1742-2004,” which addresses corruption and the American political system. The event is free, wheelchair accessible and donations are welcome. Parking for the Adams Museum, 54 Sherman St., is available on Deadwood Street and in the Miller Street parking lot.

Campbell, co-director of the Wendell H. Ford Public Policy Research Center at the University of Kentucky, is the 2008 McGovern Visiting Professor of Leadership and Public Service at Dakota Wesleyan University. He specializes in the social and political history of the United States.

http://rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2008/03/28/news/features/doc47c84f7988877850714321.txt

[Mnemosyne]

18. Governor of Puerto Rico and Twelve Others Indicted for Election Related Crimes

Governor of Puerto Rico and Twelve Others Indicted for Election Related Crimes

Friday, March 28, 2008 :: infoZine Staff

NationalPuerto Rico Governor Aníbal Acevedo Vilá and 12 associates in Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and the Philadelphia-area have been charged in a 27-count indictment unsealed today and returned by a grand jury in San Juan, Puerto Rico on March 24, 2008, Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez of the District of Puerto Rico announced.

Washington, D.C. - infoZine - The defendants face charges ranging from conspiracy, false statements, wire fraud, federal program fraud and tax crimes related to campaign financing for the governor's 1999-2000 and 2001-2002 campaign for Resident Commissioner of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and subsequent 2004 gubernatorial campaign.

According to the indictment, the defendants conspired to defraud the United States and violate various Federal Election Campaign Act provisions by having Puerto Rico businessmen make illegal and unreported contributions to pay off large and unreported debts stemming from Acevedo Vilá's 1999-2000 and 2001-2002 campaigns for Resident Commissioner of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Payments were made principally to the public relations and media company for the campaigns. The illegal actions continued into 2003, due to the significant debt accumulated by the campaigns, some of which was also concealed from the FEC and the public.

Acevedo Vilá and legal advisor, defendant Inclán Bird, solicited, accepted, and then reimbursed illegal conduit contributions from Acevedo Vilá's family members and staff. Conduit contributions are illegal campaign contributions made by one person in the name of another person. In addition, a group of Philadelphia-area businessmen solicited, accepted, and then reimbursed illegal conduit contributions from their own Philadelphia-area family members and staff for defendant Acevedo Vilá. Acevedo Vilá, in his official capacity, then personally assisted the businessmen in their attempts to obtain contracts from Puerto Rico government agencies for themselves or their clients.

http://www.infozine.com/news/stories/op/storiesView/sid/27678/

[Mnemosyne]

19. Puerto Rican governor charged with election fraud

Puerto Rican governor charged with election fraud

Thu Mar 27, 10:15 AM ET

MIAMI (Reuters) - Puerto Rican Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila and 12 associates in Puerto Rico and the U.S. mainland were charged with election fraud in an indictment unsealed on Thursday.

The charges are related to financing for Acevedo Vila's election campaigns from 1999 to 2004. He was the U.S. territory's resident commissioner, its sole representative in the U.S. Congress, from 2000 to 2004 and took office as governor in January 2005.

Charges in the 27-count indictment include conspiracy, making false statements, wire fraud, defrauding a federal election funding program and tax crimes, federal prosecutors said in a news release.

The defendants, including some in Washington and the Philadelphia area, are accused of making illegal and unreported contributions to pay off debts from Acevedo Vila's campaigns.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080327/us_nm/puertorico_governor_indictment_dc_2

[Mnemosyne]

20. The Youth Vote. n/t

[Mnemosyne]

21. Young voters share politics via Internet

Young voters share politics via Internet

Young politically minded Americans, in a new twist on the oldest tool in politics -- word of mouth -- have become both consumers and conduits for news.

Interviews and surveys indicate younger voters are replacing newspaper accounts with Internet accounts, adopting a social filter for keeping up with current events, sending out Internet links and videos to friends and social networks, The New York Times said Thursday. In return, they expect to hear back from their friends.

Young people view online discussions and videos as important sources of election information.

With a galvanizing election and young voters with a new way of taking part, fully two-thirds of voters under 30 say they use social networking sites, a Pew Research survey indicates. Fewer than 20 percent of older users do.

The Times says sites such as MySpace and Facebook create a sense of connection to the candidates.

http://politicom.moldova.org/stiri/eng/107093/

[Mnemosyne]

22. CHASING YOUTH: Candidates successfully using new media to get in touch with younger voters

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

CHASING YOUTH: Candidates successfully using new media to get in touch with younger voters

By Grace Tatter
HIGH SCHOOL CORRESPONDENT

Grace Tatter

Only four out of 10 Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 voted in the 2004 presidential election.

But 2008 looks as though it be different. This age group and youth-oriented Web sites are playing a large part in selecting the party nominees.

Both of the Democratic candidates, Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton, have included issues in their platforms that young people consider important, such as the environment and Darfur.

Clinton has tried to attract young voters by campaigning with her daughter, Chelsea. Former candidate John Edwards tried to gain young voters by going on a cross-country college tour as early as March of last year.

http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173355088160&path=rss

[Mnemosyne]

23. Youth voice emerges as force

Youth voice emerges as force
# Millennial Generation, those born since 1982, networking, volunteering, voting in record numbers

By Julia Prodis Sulek

MEDIANEWS STAFF
Article Launched: 03/28/2008 03:06:25 AM PDT

Try calling the Millennial Generation apathetic or ignorant, and you'll get an earful from Molly Kawahata.

The senior at Palo Alto's Gunn High School and 11 teenage friends she met while networking on Facebook are volunteering this weekend at the state's Democratic Convention, which starts today in downtown San Jose.

"They say I'm a high school student; I can't vote," said Kawahata, who at 17 wasn't old enough to cast a ballot in February's primary but will turn 18 by the November election. "But I work sometimes more than 100 hours plus, because I believe in this candidate."

Kawahata, whose candidate is Barack Obama, is part of a new generation of young people who have been turning out in record numbers in primaries and caucuses across the country. In seven states, including Iowa and Florida, the youth vote tripled from 2004. And Obama has been credited for much of the surge; he's won youth votes by 60 percent to 70 percent in most of those states.

http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_8727152?source=rss

[Mnemosyne]

24. Will my vote be counted? 'Screen-agers' hit the polls

Will my vote be counted?

Thu Mar 27, 12:15 AM ET

By Bree Barton

I'm 23 years old. Meaning, four years ago I could legally buy lottery tickets, Marlboros, adult videos and tattoos. I could also vote in the 2004 presidential election. Here's my confession: I didn't.

At 19, I was one of those: the many young Americans who avoid the polls like they avoid high-calorie foods. My rationale was simple: In a system as flawed as ours, what did it matter? So I succumbed to disillusionment, took my absentee ballot and tossed it. Then, feeling a surge of liberal guilt, I took it out of the trash can — and I recycled it.

I won't make that mistake again. But it's not because my fears have abated — they've just grown more complex. Four years ago, I was worried my vote wouldn't count. This year, I'm afraid my vote won't be counted. And it's all about my generation's particular vice.

'Screen-agers' hit the polls

The people in my demographic are no longer teenagers. We've become "screen-agers," head-over-heels in love with our 2D pixilated canvases, our laptops, cellphones and PlayStations. The day I meet a guy who handles me as carefully as he handles his Xbox controller, I might reconsider dating.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/usatoday/20080327/cm_usatoday/willmyvotebecounted

[Mnemosyne]

25. OPED/BLOGS/LTTE. n/t

[Mnemosyne]

26. The Mysterious Case of Ohio's Voting Machines

The Mysterious Case of Ohio's Voting Machines

By Kim Zetter March 26, 2008 | 7:51:03 PM

In 2006, Ohio became the poster-child for bad election administration when two lengthy reports examining Cuyahoga County's election procedures uncovered multiple serious problems (the county lost 812 voter-access cards that allow a voter to cast a ballot on machines; it also lost 313 keys to the memory-card compartments where votes are stored on machines and hired taxi drivers to drive to election precincts and pick up the memory cards that contained the votes).

Then in 2007, two election officials in Cuyahoga County were convicted of rigging a recount in the 2004 presidential election by cherry-picking ballots to recount that they knew would match the official count rather than randomly picking ballots.

Now we have a mystery involving touch-screen voting machines used in Franklin County, Ohio, that has launched a criminal investigation to determine why a message that some voters saw on their touch-screen machines didn't appear on other machines.

The issue has raised a number of questions about when the electronic ballot on the machines was programmed and by whom. A preliminary investigation has also uncovered a couple of additional surprises about the machines -- it turns out that not only did the county fail to conduct mandatory tests on the machines before the November election, but a county programmer had also intentionally disabled an internal auditing function for logging any changes made to the machine software, possibly thwarting investigators' ability to determine what occurred with the ballots and who was responsible. The programmer says the voting machine company advised him to disable the log to speed up the programming process.

http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/03/the-mysterious.html

[Mnemosyne]

27. CO: The ballots

The ballots

EDITORIAL
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN

THE MOVE at the Statehouse to go to statewide paper balloting in this November’s election has fizzled. Instead, it appears that many Colorado voters will be using the electronic machines that for awhile were decertified by Secretary of State Mike Coffman in response to a lawsuit by a group of activists.

State lawmakers were ready up until last week to provide $11 million to help counties pay for election expenses associated with paper ballots, but that funding dried up last week when officials said they were giving up on the idea.

Driving this decision was the association of county clerks, most of whom did not want to bother with accommodating voters at polling places with paper ballots. That recalcitrance came even after Gov. Bill Ritter promised to spend the money required to support paper balloting.

So now it appears each county clerk will be able to conduct the election this year as he or she wishes, whether with electronic touch-screen voting machines or with paper ballots read by scanners. What should not be allowed, however, is all-mail balloting.

http://www.chieftain.com/editorial/1206705601/1

[Mnemosyne]

28. The Shadow the Electoral College Is Casting on the Democratic Primary

The National Popular Vote Plan: If Ohio, Virginia and Florida Alone Sign On, They Will Change Primary Politics Profoundly, and Greatly Increase the Chance that the National Popular Vote Winner Will Prevail

By VIKRAM DAVID AMAR
----
Friday, Mar. 28, 2008

In this column, I'll explain why certain key 2008 battleground states for the general election - such as Ohio, Virginia, and Florida - could eliminate the relevance of electoral college math for the current Democratic primary.

The Shadow the Electoral College Is Casting on the Democratic Primary

The Democratic contest between Senators Clinton and Obama has highlighted the issue of "electability" like never before. Granted, analysts and voters in prior presidential election years talked a fair amount about the electability of various primary contestants. In 2000, for example, George Bush's perceived "electability" advantage helped him secure the Republican nomination early, and in 1992, Bill Clinton's perceived "electability" problems dogged him throughout the primary season.

But what is different about 2008 is that the electability discussion is tightly focused not on national appeal and national poll numbers (the way it was in the Nineties and even 2000), but rather on the few key battleground states that will almost certainly dictate the result in this year's electoral college. Indeed, Senator Clinton's backers have been increasingly arguing that the main thing Democratic Party superdelegates should look to, in resolving who will be the nominee this summer, is who can beat Senator McCain in the contested swing states in the fall -- not who won more votes nationally in the Democratic primary process in the spring. As Professor Sandy Levinson from the University of Texas's law school has put it so eloquently and colorfully, "the electoral college virus is worming its way into the Democratic primary process."

Of course, Senators Obama and Clinton seem to disagree on how they stack up against Senator McCain in the key swing states. It is hard to fully assess their claims here -- especially if one looks to actual primary results, as opposed to polls. One big reason for that difficulty is this: How Clinton and Obama fare against each other in a Democratic primary race in a given state may not tell us much about how either would fare in that state in the November election against McCain. For example, Senator Obama's victory over Senator Clinton in Wyoming does not suggest any real possibility he could carry that state in November, and Senator Clinton's victory over Senator Obama in New York similarly does not indicate that he wouldn't beat McCain there in the fall.

With the Likely Battleground States Already Quite Clear, a National Popular Vote Plan May Be Even More Appealing and Easy to Achieve

http://writ.news.findlaw.com/amar/20080328.html

[Mnemosyne]

29. Foreign. n/t

[Mnemosyne]

30. Zimbabwe opposition claims election fraud

Zimbabwe opposition claims election fraud

Published: March 23, 2008 at 11:31 AM

HARARE, Zimbabwe, March 23 (UPI) -- The major opposition party in Zimbabwe Sunday said it had proof President Robert Mugabe is planning election fraud when voters go to the polls March 29.

Secretary General of the Movement for Democratic Change, Tendai Biti, told CNN leaked information from the election commission revealed 9 million ballots were being printed for the election -- but Zimbabwe has only 5.7 million registered voters.

In addition, Biti said 600,000 paper postal ballots were demanded for police officials and the military, even though they are usually only given to government employees living abroad.

Zimbabwe has roughly 50,000 soldiers and police, Biti said.

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2008/03/23/zimbabwe_opposition_claims_election_fraud/1200/

[Mnemosyne]

32. Zimbabwe: SA Election Observer Team Furious Over DA Report

Zimbabwe: SA Election Observer Team Furious Over DA Report

The Zimbabwe Guardian (London)

28 March 2008
Posted to the web 28 March 2008

THE HEAD of the South African contingent of the regional observer team for the Zimbabwean elections, Kingsley Mamabolo has vowed to sit down with the rest of the leadership to discuss the conduct of three Democratic Alliance members who have issued a damning report on the election process in Zimbabwe.

Mamabolo, who has privately met President Robert Mugabe yesterday confided in him that South African president, Thabo Mbeki had told him that the British government regretted its stance on the Zimbabwean government.

He said that the behavior by the three DA members could be a violation of the code of conduct adopted by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Electoral Observer Mission (SEOM).

SEOM comes into the country through invitation of the government of Zimbabwe as stated in the SADC guidelines.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200803280729.html

[Mnemosyne]

33. Zimbabwe: Analysts Dismiss Chances of Free And Fair Election

Zimbabwe: Analysts Dismiss Chances of Free And Fair Election


SW Radio Africa (London)

ANALYSIS
27 March 2008
Posted to the web 27 March 2008

Lance Guma

This Saturday marks a defining moment in Zimbabwe's history as millions are expected to turn up at the polling stations to cast their votes. But a growing number of analysts have said the chances of a free and fair poll are slim.

Many obstacles have been put in front of the opposition and the arrest of a pilot meant to ferry Morgan Tsvangirai to several rural rallies this week served as a good example of the uneven electoral field. The MDC leader had to cancel his rallies, much to the disappointment of waiting supporters. Meanwhile Robert Mugabe's trips to rural areas using three air force helicopters went ahead as scheduled.

Serious concerns also remain over the use of postal ballots by members of the security forces. Conflicting reports say only 20 000 required their use and yet 75 000 actually voted, not just once but several times.

Then information leaked to the opposition suggests the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission ordered Fidelity Printers to print 600 000 postal ballots. Given that Robert Mugabe beat Tsvangirai by about 400 000 votes in the controversial 2002 presidential election, the math is not lost on many analysts. Even worse are accusations that 9 million ballot papers have been printed, when the number of registered voters is officially 5,9 million. Little wonder the MDC say they entered the election, 'with a heavy heart.'

http://allafrica.com/stories/200803271160.html

[Mnemosyne]

34. Zimbabwe: Mugabe to 'Steal' Polls

Zimbabwe: Mugabe to 'Steal' Polls


Zimbabwe Independent (Harare)

28 March 2008
Posted to the web 28 March 2008

Dumisani Muleya
Harare

A SECRET taskforce of security and electoral personnel has been put in place to ensure embattled President Robert Mugabe and his ruling Zanu PF win an absolute majority in tomorrow's high-stakes elections.

The team, headed by Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operatives tasked to ensure Mugabe "wins power, stays in power, and keeps power", will heavily influence the already flawed electoral process to secure a predetermined result, well-substantiated information obtained this week shows.

Mugabe's rivals Morgan Tsvangirai and Simba Makoni yesterday charged that Mugabe was going to "steal" the polls.

"There is a well-thought-out and premeditated plan to steal the election from us," Makoni said. "The credibility of the electoral process is in doubt."

http://allafrica.com/stories/200803280835.html

[Mnemosyne]

31. Regional and International Election Resources

Election Resources on the Internet / Recursos Electorales en la Internet


Welcome to the Election Resources on the Internet Web site. In this space you will find links to Internet sites around the world which provide complete and detailed national and local election statistics, as well as other election resources. If you know of a site that meets such criteria and you do not see it listed here, please send me a message.

Election Resources on the Internet also has a blog: Electoral Panorama, published in English and Spanish. I am also a contributor to the Global Economy Matters blog, on matters pertaining to elections around the world.


http://www.electionresources.org/


Regional and International Election Resources



http://www.electionresources.org/other.html

[Kurovski]

35. Good morning to you, and thank you vickiss!

:hi: :thumbsup:

[CelticWinter]

36. K&R and

Hope you had fun on your birthday :hug: :party: :toast: :woohoo:
:loveya:
Celtic