She's back. Election Sup. Kathy Dent still fighting Sarasota's 2006 charter ordered election audits. Dent has taken on the voters, the FL Supreme Court & lawmakers. Now Dent wants the Circuit Ct to explain the Sup.Court ruling...Florida Gov Crist name is last on ballot...Possible vote buying in Bladen Co NC...Columbia Co. NY fights to keep lever machines...Tennessee passes bill to block voter purge for form errors...UK Gordon Brown twitter czar Kerry McCarthy tweeted election results before May 6 count...
All this and more in today's voting news below...
AZ: Coconino Co. voters told of wrong polling places for May 18 election
http://www.azdailysun.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/article_21ed9ee4-53d9-11df-8b65-001cc4c002e0.html
CA: Open primary offers pluses and minuses
http://www.contracostatimes.com/politics-government/ci_14986304?nclick_check=1
The open primary initiative on the June 8 ballot would produce scores of Democrat-vs.-Democrat showdowns in California, drive up campaign costs and increase nonpartisan voters' influence, according to an analysis from the Center for Governmental Studies
CO: Election Commission to Hear Zimet Complaint Alleging Unconstiutional Election
http://aspenelectionreview.blogspot.com/2010/04/election-commission-to-hear-zimet.html The complaint update details how he determined Mayor Mick Ireland’s likely voting data from cast vote records improperly collected in order of poll book entries, and then publicly released by the city.
CT: Bills Waiting For Action In Last Days Of Session
http://www.ctvoterscount.org/?p=3145
Currently there are two election bills we are aware of waiting for passage in one house, both of which deserve passage, in our opinion:
FL: Clarification sought on an election ruling
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20100430/ARTICLE/4301067?Title=Clarification-sought-on-an-election-ruling SARASOTA COUNTY - Supervisor of Elections Kathy Dent will ask the Circuit Court to clarify a recent Florida Supreme Court decision regarding whether she must hire an independent auditor to verify election results.
FL: Crist to be Listed Last in a List of Nine Candidates
http://www.ballot-access.org/2010/04/30/crist-to-be-listed-last-in-a-list-of-nine-candidates/ Charlie Crist will be listed ninth (i.e, last) on the November 2008 ballot for the U.S. Senate race in Florida.
FL: Crist gets Florida election law changes (HB 131)
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/04/29/1604964/crist-gets-florida-election-law.html
Crist vetoed a bill with the same provisions as the one that passed Thursday in the House because he opposed another section creating special campaign funds for legislative leaders.
KS: Proposal would preserve voting rights for residents with mental illness
http://www.fox4kc.com/news/sns-ap-ks-xgr--voting-mentalillness,0,3012771.story
KS: Should mentally ill get to vote?
http://www.ksn.com/news/local/story/Should-the-mentally-ill-get-to-vote/2_tdl-rUdUaCqgd4F-iJyQ.cspx
MD: NEW VTP WORKING PAPER ON SCANTEGRITY II’S USE IN TACOMA PARK *
http://electionupdates.caltech.edu/?p=3181
Despite some glitches, the use of Scantegrity II was a success
http://vote.caltech.edu/drupal/files/working_paper/
carbacketal_scantegrityiimunicipalelectionattakoma_4bd89dd02d.pdf
http://bit.ly/axy36r (pdf)
The First E2E Binding Governmental Election with Ballot Privacy
"About fifteen scanned ballots, scanned in a time period of about seventy-five minutes by the same scanner, had lines on them that caused the scanner to be unable to read votes. Images of all scanned ballots were saved, and those not readable by the scanner were marked, so we were able to manually enter in these votes."
MO: Woman who wants to be on ballot as D. Crystal to be deposed
http://primebuzz.kcstar.com/?q=node/22170
Did a Kansas City woman essentially make up a name, as a lawsuit contends, to confuse voters to the benefit of an incumbent on the Jackson County Legislator?
NC: State investigating Bladen Co. vote buying allegations
http://www.wwaytv3.com/node/22511
NM: Secretary of State Reopens 2008 Probe of County Clerk (Rio Arriba County)
http://www.riograndesun.com/articles/2010/04/29/
news/doc4bd8594a8c70d696383962.txt http://bit.ly/bhujI1
NY: LETTER: Columbia County Will Continue to Fight (for lever machines)
http://www.dailyfreeman.com/articles/2010/04/29/
opinion/doc4bd74d245e808519916815.txt http://bit.ly/a1EXT4
OH: Ohio court rules on health care ballot issue
http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=cincinnati&sParam=33406151.story&POE=click-refer
The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled that a proposed amendment by groups seeking to exclude the state from President Barack Obama's health care overhaul should appear as a single issue on the ballot.
OR: Secretary of State to appeal court decision on ballot
County Commission position 3 shouldn't be on ballot
http://canbyherald.com/news/2010/April/29/Local.News/secretary.of.state.to.appeal.
court.decision.on.ballot/news.aspx
http://bit.ly/agiwpD
PA: New voting polls could take months
New voting polls could take months
http://www.pennlive.com/news/patriotnews/west/index.ssf?/
base/news/127248546133600.xml&coll=1 http://bit.ly/9Gumaj
Cumberland County must receive -- and act upon -- petitions to add voter precincts before the 2010 census is complete.
PR: US lawmakers clear path for new Puerto Rico referendum
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hbn
A3Ucau6IF7lEjqdfo40sqVy3A http://bit.ly/aTUSEZ
The US House of Representatives on Thursday approved a measure allowing the territory of Puerto Rico to set a new referendum on statehood or possible independence.
TN: Bill to Block Voter Purging for Form Deficiencies Goes to Gov
http://blogs.knoxnews.com/humphrey/2010/04/bill-to-block-voter-purging-fo.html
The House and Senate both approved Thursday legislation declaring that, once a voter's registration has been accepted by county election officials, he or she cannot be purged from voter roles for a deficiencies on a registration form.
TX: No snags yet in Irving's mixed voting system, city says
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/local/stories/DN-irvmixed_29met.ART .West.Edition1.4c35d96.html Irving City Secretary Shanae Jennings said there have been no major hiccups so far in the city's first elections under the new mixed system of single-member and at-large City Council districts.
VA: McDonnell to sign bill expanding protections for overseas voters
http://watchdog.org/3679/mcdonnell-to-sign-bill-expanding-protections-for-overseas-voters/ Virginia is one of five states now allowing tardy overseas ballots to be counted if they’re mailed to voters late
WV: Voters reminded to look at both sides of ballot
http://wvgazette.com/News/201004290869 Kanawha County officials are reminding voters to look at both sides of the ballot for the May 11 primary election.
National
Why do you think the secret ballot was adopted?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100428171219AAQ3puR
Complying with the NVRA: States Learn that Voter Registration through public agencies works http://www.projectvote.org/blog/?p=431
Diebold Election Systems is on Facebook (still)
http://pa-in.facebook.com/pages/Diebold-Election-Systems/106391422729969
Citizens United
Democrats' campaign-finance plan: Put the donors on camera
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-campaign-finance-20100430,0,5208488. story Senators led by Charles Schumer offer a proposal in which the chief executive of a corporation or group that is the primary financial sponsor of a political ad would have to claim responsibility for it by appearing on camera. GOP leader Mitch McConnell calls the idea ‘beyond suspicious.’
Internet Voting Watch
US: ACCURATE’s UOCAVA Pilot Program Comments
http://accurate-voting.org/2010/04/30/uocava-pp-comments/
Canada: Better Ballots works to beat voter apathy
http://www.torontoobserver.ca/2010/04/30/better-ballots-works-to-beat-voter-apathy/
the group suggested telephone and online voting as a method of improving convenience.
International
India's Electronic Voting Machines Are Insecure, Study Finds
http://www.pcworld.com/article/195328/indias_
electronic_voting_machines_are_insecure_study_finds.html
http://bit.ly/doGh02
UK: General Election 2010: Kerry McCarthy illegally publishes election vote results on Twitter
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/election-2010/7653913/General-Election-2010-Kerry-McCarthy-illegally-publishes-election-vote-results-on-Twitter.html
the disclosure of election results before the final May 6 count was against the law.
Voting News by Joyce McCloy.Archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/
Subscribe to Voting News at this link: http://tinyurl.com/votingnews
To assist with Daily Voting News, please send links to news articles to us at votingnews@earthlink.net
=============================================
"The Voting News is a free service made possible in part by support from Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018. Be sure to note "for Voting News" in the memo line of your check! Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law."Donate online at this link: http://tinyurl.com/donate-vn
Disclaimer: Articles and commentary included in "Voting News" do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors of Voting News,or its allied organizations. Articles are selected for inclusion to inform subscribers'ability to draw their own conclusions based on noteworthy and credible news,research, legislation, and debate bearing on the integrity of elections.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Imposter on Florida ballot. Why the Disclose Act matters. Birther Bills
"I’ve learned over the last 9 years that there are basically three types of oversight of election in our country; one is Candidate, the 2nd is Party and the 3rd is Public oversight. I’ve learned that the first two suck, because the issue becomes political and partisan." ~ John Brakey of AuditAZ...Does the Disclose ACT fix Citizens United? “Only a constitutional amendment or new ruling can truly 'fix' Citizens United, but the DISCLOSE Act goes far in mitigating its corrosive effect on our democracy..." ~ People For the American Way Pres...There's an imposter on Florida ballot...Birther bills - AZ kills theirs, TX mulls one...
To assist with Daily Voting News, please send links to news articles to us at votingnews@earthlink.net
=============================================
All this and more in today's voting news below...
AZ: When It Comes To Election Integrity In Arizona There’s Nothing Like Having An
“Elephant in the Room” Or At Least A "Big Donkey"
http://audit-az.blogspot.com/2010/04/when-it-comes-to-election-integrity-in.html
It is important to examine the two-billion-dollar Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) ballot initiative investigation by the Attorney General for what it teaches us about election security in the future....
AZ: Ariz. bill on birth certificates set aside
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hm
Y0QbztBYUfvaCiGkFPJ-enKz_wD9FCU2O00 http://bit.ly/cbCG5m
AZ: Arizona Moves to Adopt Strange Lieutenant Governor Selection Rules
http://ballotbox.governing.com/2010/04/arizona-moves-to-adopt-strange-lieutenant-governor-selection-rules.html
CT: Ensuring voter privacy at the poll (HB5441 addresses several election procedures)
http://blog.ctnews.com/kantrowitz/2010/04/29/ensuring-voter-privacy-at-the-poll/
DE: Delware Expands Innovative Paperless Voter Registration Program ...
http://www.projectvote.org/blog/?p=425
The state of Delaware is taking another step towards fully paperless voter registration by expanding its “E-Signature” program to its Health and Social Services
FL: Lawmakers move to stymie redistricting reform by trying to slip an imposter on the ballot http://www.news-journalonline.com/opinion/editorials/2010/04/28/lawmakers-move-to-stymie-redistricting-reform-by-trying-to-slip-an-imposter-on-the-ballot.html
FL: Viewpoint: Fair districts? It's about re-election
http://www.pnj.com/article/20100428/OPINION/4280318/1020/Viewpoint--Fair-districts?-It-s-about-re-election
IA: Sec. of State Mauro: Unveils web-based absentee ballot tracking feature
http://www.iowapolitics.com/index.iml?Article=194747
IN: Oh where, oh where do I vote?
http://www.southbendtribune.com/article/20100428/BLOGS39/100429362
This is the third time since I've been a resident of Indiana that my polling place has changed. No, I have not moved. I have lived in the same place since I got here.
KY: Leaders Hold Voter Fraud Conference in Frankfort
http://www.wkyt.com/wymtnews/headlines/92378234.html Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway and Secretary of State Trey Grayson may be on opposite sides of the political aisle, but both are coming together to help stop voter fraud in Kentucky.
NJ: Candidate's brother and sister-in-law, Paramus cop among 7 charged in Park Ridge voter fraud case
http://www.northjersey.com/news/politics/elections/042910_Candidates_
brother_and_sister-in-law_Paramus_cop_among_7_charged_in_Park_Ridge_voter_fraud_case.html
http://bit.ly/bNujbL The investigation determined that the seven violated the criminal election statute when they voted in Park Ridge, although they were no longer lived there.
NC: Board: Hege's Name to Remain on Ballot
http://www.myfox8.com/wghp-story-hege-ballot-100426,0,571236.story
A group filed a petition on Tuesday to get Hege's name removed from the ballot. The group said because he is a convicted felon and cannot carry a gun, he doesn't meet the constitutional requirements to seek re-election to the office of sheriff.
NC: No new information on $111,000 North Carolina lobbying fine
http://politicalactivitylaw.com/2010/04/29/no-new-information-on-111000-north-carolina-lobbying-fine/
NM: ECOSYSTEM STUDY OF ELECTION ADMINISTRATION IN NEW MEXICO
http://electionupdates.caltech.edu/?p=3178
OR: State orders Clackamas Counyt to reprint ballots
http://www.oregonlive.com/clackamascounty/index.ssf/2010/04/court_
hearing_set_today_for_cl.html http://bit.ly/aD035J
TX: Texas bill would require birthplace proof for presidential candidates
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/us_politics/view/20100429texas_bill_
would_require_birthplace_proof_for_presidential_candidates/srvc=home
&position=recent http://bit.ly/ai1rra
Citizens United
DISCLOSE Act Introduced To Respond To Citizens United Ruling
http://legaltimes.typepad.com/blt/2010/04/disclose-act-introduced-to-respond-to-citizens-united-ruling.html
Legislation to Respond to the Citizens United Decision Myths and Realities: Part 1
http://democracy21.org/index.asp?Type=B_PR&SEC={91FCB139-CC82-4DDD-AE4E-3A81E6427C7F}&DE={8506370B-7FC9-448E-AA41-5071126E96C4}
"MONEY AND POLITICS: NEW CITIZENS UNITED LEGISLATION WOULD ENHANCE POWERS OF PARTIES"
http://electionlawblog.org/archives/015848.html
THE UNIONS AND DISCLOSE
http://electionlawblog.org/archives/015846.html
"THE CONSTITUTION AND CORPORATIONS DON'T MIX"
http://electionlawblog.org/archives/015845.html
...The Founding Fathers frequently expressed concern that powerful corporations could, if unrestrained, “mingle in elections,” manipulate government, dictate laws, and destroy the principle of equality fundamental to democracy.
Summary of Legislation Introduced by Senator Schumer and Representatives Van Hollen and Castle In Response to Citizens United Decision
http://democracy21.org/index.asp?Type=B_PR&SEC={91FCB139-CC82-4DDD-AE4E-3A81E6427C7F}&DE={E4C45171-E4B1-44C2-BC2D-4CEC347BBFCC}
Internet Voting Watch
On-line Voting (radio interview, you need windows media player to listen)
http://www.cbc.ca/mrl3/8752/thunderbay/ondemand/audio/voting-04282010.wma
CBC Thunder Bay Audio Features Dr. Barbara Simons & John Enright of Elections Canada
National
Military and Overseas Voters, Submit your Ballot Request for the May, June and July State Primaries! http://www.fvap.gov/global/news/nr10-2010.html
Doe v. Reed: Bopp v. Scalia
http://www.brennancenter.org/blog/archives/doe_v._reed_bopp_v._scalia/
Attorney James Bopp is on a crusade – in his words, a “10 year plan” – to annihilate every American law regulating money in politics...
There's an app for that!
http://nonprofitvote.blogspot.com/2010/04/theres-app-for-that.html
Building on the spread of online voter registration, Project Vote is preparing to launch a voter registration application for the iPad, the new tablet computer released by Apple this spring.
International
India's Electronic Voting Machines Have Security Problems
http://www.freedom-to-tinker.com/blog/felten/indias-electronic-voting-machines-have-security-problems By Ed Felten...India's EVMs show that while simplicity is good, it's not enough. Unless there is some way to audit or verify the votes, even a simple system is subject to manipulation.
Voting News by Joyce McCloy.Archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/
To assist with Daily Voting News, please send links to news articles to us at votingnews@earthlink.net
=============================================
"The Voting News is a free service made possible in part by support from Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018. Be sure to note "for Voting News" in the memo line of your check! Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law."
Donate online at this link: http://tinyurl.com/donate-vn
Donate online at this link: http://tinyurl.com/donate-vn
Disclaimer: Articles and commentary included in "Voting News" do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors of Voting News,or its allied organizations. Articles are selected for inclusion to inform subscribers'ability to draw their own conclusions based on noteworthy and credible news,research, legislation, and debate bearing on the integrity of elections.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Hacking India's Voting Machines, A voting rights case to watch, Internet voting spreads
"Our research proved something which we really never doubted: with some preparation anyone with even momentary access to paperless voting machines can own the country." ~ Rop Gonggrijp after examining e-voting machines used in India...Investigators to monitor KY polls...TN House Leader Odom solicits probe of Benton voter purge ...Supreme Court Weighs Petition-Signers' Anonymity...Is section 5 of Voting Rights Act at risk?...More Canadian municipalities trade their secretly cast, openly counted, paper ballots for a pin number and elections that can't be validated
All this and more in today's voting news below...
AL: A Voting-Rights Case to Watch [Hans A. von Spakovsky]
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NjdkZTIwZDU3NjNhMzNhNjk1Zjg0MWU4YjMyYmNiYTA=
Both the Kinston case and the Shelby County case stand a good chance of ending up before the Supreme Court. Given the evidence, it will be very difficult for the Court to uphold the constitutionality of this law.
AZ: Crunch time for the Arizona birther bill
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/right-now/2010/04/crunch_time_for_the_arizona_bi.html
...bill requiring more proof of citizenship from presidential candidates
CA: Schwarzenegger won't consolidate elections
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/capitolalertlatest
/2010/04/schwarzenegger-165.html http://bit.ly/cHJyuy
CO: Tipton wants change in law
http://durangoherald.com/sections/News/2010/
04/28/Tipton_wants_change_in_law/ http://bit.ly/d3PKyk
The Hatch Act prohibits partisan political activity by government employees who oversee the spending of federal dollars. The law has caused havoc ...
CT: Bysiewicz: “Optical scanners were remarkably accurate”
http://www.ctvoterscount.org/?p=3135 Remarkable? We do NOT agree that phoning election officials and getting them to agree that they counted inaccurately provides much confidence in the audit, least of all proof that the machines counted accurately. Nor does disregarding incomplete reports create credibility.
GA: Ballot misprint found, corrected
http://times-journal.com/story.lasso?ewcd=7d59ff31ec7fd802
A misprint on the Democratic primary ballot for DeKalb County won’t affect the absentee voting process, according to DeKalb County Probate Judge Ronnie Osborn.
HI: Lawsuit challenges English-only congressional ballot
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100427/
BREAKING01/100427061/Lawsuit+challenges+English-only+congressional+ballot
http://bit.ly/cKWgSU The state is required by federal law to provide bilingual ballots in Honolulu County in the Chinese, Japanese and Ilocano languages and in Ilocano in Maui county, the suit alleged.
HI: Legislature approves moving Hawaii election date up in 2012
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100427/BREAKING01/100427057
The measure would move the primary to the second Saturday of August starting in 2012
HI: Lawmakers allocate $390000 for 2010 Hawaii elections
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100427/BREAKING
01/100427043/+Lawmakers+allocate++390+000+for+2010+Hawaii+elections
http://bit.ly/aRbHfz
HI: Hawaii Legislature Votes to Ignore Birther Requests
http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/hawaii-legislature-votes-to-ignore-birther-requests/19457343
KY: Authorities to be on the lookout for voter fraud
http://www.kentucky.com/2010/04/28/1242530/officials-to-outline-plans-to.html
Investigators will be monitoring polling places on Election Day across Kentucky, a state that has seen its share of voting irregularities in recent years
...
Investigators routinely hear accusations of elections being tainted by people trading cash or even whiskey for votes.
NC: Poll workers told to take more care identifying voters who may need help
http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2010/apr/27/poll-workers-told-take-more-care-identifying-voter/ Poll workers are being told to be more careful in identifying voters who need help voting, after elections officials received complaints about candidates or their supporters helping people cast ballots.
NM: Court challenge means ballots not yet printed
http://www.gallupindependent.com/2010/04April/042610ballots.html
Absentee balloting begins May 4, but McKinley County election officials still have not given a complete list of the candidates to the printers..
NY: Term Limits, Party Politics On Bloomberg Charter Panel's Menu
http://www.citylimits.org/news/articles/3963/term-limits-party-politics-on-bloomberg-charter-panel After the first round of hearings on how to revise the city's charter, a list has emerged of what New Yorkers want to change about their government.
OH: Clermont replacement ballots a headache(names on ballot not rotated by precinct)
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100427/NEWS0108/4280346/ Replacement+ballots+a+headache http://bit.ly/9YXRYS It will cost about $14,000 to reprint about 56,000 ballots—including both absentee and Election Day ballots for the GOP primary
OK: Henry Signs Bill To Up Election Fraud Penalties
http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=12386211
SD: Feds, SD county reach voting agreement (Shannon County)
http://nativetimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3478:feds-sd-county-reach-voting-agreement&catid=51&Itemid=27 The agreement requires the county to provide election materials and information in Lakota for voters who speak that language, and to have trained bilingual election officials at polling sites.
TN: House Leader Odom solicits TBI probe
http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpID=319&NewsID=979170&CategoryID=8373&show=localnews&om=1
House Democratic Leader Gary Odom sent a letter to Tennessee Bureau of Investigations Director Mark Gwyn requesting a formal investigation be conducted into possible violations of Tennessee law regarding the recent attempts to purge qualified voters in Benton County.
TX: Texas attorney general investigating fraud allegations in Dallas County race
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/
stories/042810dnmetagprobe.415b8db.html http://bit.ly/8ZYXHp Allegations of mail-in ballot fraud in a Democratic primary in Dallas County are being investigated by the Texas attorney general's office, state and county officials said Tuesday.
VA: Groups ask McDonnell to drop letter requirement, revamp rights restoration process for felons
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/virginiapolitics/2010/04/ a_trio_of_national_groups.html http://bit.ly/bohh4x
National
Supreme Court Weighs Petition-Signers' Anonymity
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126290385
Court skeptical on keeping petitioner IDs private
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/28/AR2010042800453.html
The case, which will be decided by the court before the end of the summer, could draw a new line between voters' desire for openness in government and the right to political speech unfettered by fear of intimidation.
EAC announces the Voting Technology and Accessibility Research-Military Heroes Initiative http://www.eac.gov/blog-postings/eac-announces-the-voting-technology-and-accessibility-research-military-heroes-initiative This $500,000 grant competition is focused on improving voting technology and accessibility for recently injured military personnel.
Internet Voting Watch
Canada: EDITORIAL - Vote should go online (ThunderBay)
http://www.tbnewswatch.com/opinion/Default.aspx?cid=89947&headline=EDITORIAL---Vote-should-go-online
Canada: Greenstone vote going online
http://www.tbnewswatch.com/news/89984/Greenstone-vote-going-online
Municipal council in Greenstone have voted to switch to a new internet and telephone voting system for this year's municipal elections.
Canada: Province Of Ontario Lags Behind Cobourg On Voting Accessibility
http://www.northumberlandview.ca/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=2&page_id=2506
ACCESSIBILITY FOR ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT ALLIANCE UPDATE
AS BILL 231 CREATES MAJOR OBSTACLES IMPEDING THE USE OF ACCESSIBLE TELEPHONE AND INTERNET VOTING IN PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS, SOME ONTARIO MUNICIPALITIES BLAZE THE ACCESSIBILITY TRAIL WITH THESE TECHNOLOGIES
International
India: Hacking India's Voting Machines (Rop Gonggri)
http://rop.gonggri.jp/?p=126
India's Electronic Voting Machines Proven Insecure (video available)
http://indiaevm.org/press.html and http://indiaevm.org/
In a collaborative study, a team of Indian and international experts have revealed that the electronic voting machines used in Indian elections are vulnerable to fraud. Even brief access to the machines, known in India as EVMs, could allow criminals to alter election results
Voting News by Joyce McCloy.Archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/Subscribe to Voting News at this link: http://tinyurl.com/votingnews To assist with Daily Voting News, please send links to news articles to us at votingnews@earthlink.net =============================================
"The Voting News is a free service made possible in part by support from Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018. Be sure to note "for Voting News" in the memo line of your check! Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law."
Donate online at this link: http://tinyurl.com/donate-vn
Disclaimer: Articles and commentary included in "Voting News" do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors of Voting News,or its allied organizations. Articles are selected for inclusion to inform subscribers'ability to draw their own conclusions based on noteworthy and credible news,research, legislation, and debate bearing on the integrity of elections.
All this and more in today's voting news below...
AL: A Voting-Rights Case to Watch [Hans A. von Spakovsky]
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NjdkZTIwZDU3NjNhMzNhNjk1Zjg0MWU4YjMyYmNiYTA=
Both the Kinston case and the Shelby County case stand a good chance of ending up before the Supreme Court. Given the evidence, it will be very difficult for the Court to uphold the constitutionality of this law.
AZ: Crunch time for the Arizona birther bill
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/right-now/2010/04/crunch_time_for_the_arizona_bi.html
...bill requiring more proof of citizenship from presidential candidates
CA: Schwarzenegger won't consolidate elections
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/capitolalertlatest
/2010/04/schwarzenegger-165.html http://bit.ly/cHJyuy
CO: Tipton wants change in law
http://durangoherald.com/sections/News/2010/
04/28/Tipton_wants_change_in_law/ http://bit.ly/d3PKyk
The Hatch Act prohibits partisan political activity by government employees who oversee the spending of federal dollars. The law has caused havoc ...
CT: Bysiewicz: “Optical scanners were remarkably accurate”
http://www.ctvoterscount.org/?p=3135 Remarkable? We do NOT agree that phoning election officials and getting them to agree that they counted inaccurately provides much confidence in the audit, least of all proof that the machines counted accurately. Nor does disregarding incomplete reports create credibility.
GA: Ballot misprint found, corrected
http://times-journal.com/story.lasso?ewcd=7d59ff31ec7fd802
A misprint on the Democratic primary ballot for DeKalb County won’t affect the absentee voting process, according to DeKalb County Probate Judge Ronnie Osborn.
HI: Lawsuit challenges English-only congressional ballot
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100427/
BREAKING01/100427061/Lawsuit+challenges+English-only+congressional+ballot
http://bit.ly/cKWgSU The state is required by federal law to provide bilingual ballots in Honolulu County in the Chinese, Japanese and Ilocano languages and in Ilocano in Maui county, the suit alleged.
HI: Legislature approves moving Hawaii election date up in 2012
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100427/BREAKING01/100427057
The measure would move the primary to the second Saturday of August starting in 2012
HI: Lawmakers allocate $390000 for 2010 Hawaii elections
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100427/BREAKING
01/100427043/+Lawmakers+allocate++390+000+for+2010+Hawaii+elections
http://bit.ly/aRbHfz
HI: Hawaii Legislature Votes to Ignore Birther Requests
http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/hawaii-legislature-votes-to-ignore-birther-requests/19457343
KY: Authorities to be on the lookout for voter fraud
http://www.kentucky.com/2010/04/28/1242530/officials-to-outline-plans-to.html
Investigators will be monitoring polling places on Election Day across Kentucky, a state that has seen its share of voting irregularities in recent years
...
Investigators routinely hear accusations of elections being tainted by people trading cash or even whiskey for votes.
NC: Poll workers told to take more care identifying voters who may need help
http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2010/apr/27/poll-workers-told-take-more-care-identifying-voter/ Poll workers are being told to be more careful in identifying voters who need help voting, after elections officials received complaints about candidates or their supporters helping people cast ballots.
NM: Court challenge means ballots not yet printed
http://www.gallupindependent.com/2010/04April/042610ballots.html
Absentee balloting begins May 4, but McKinley County election officials still have not given a complete list of the candidates to the printers..
NY: Term Limits, Party Politics On Bloomberg Charter Panel's Menu
http://www.citylimits.org/news/articles/3963/term-limits-party-politics-on-bloomberg-charter-panel After the first round of hearings on how to revise the city's charter, a list has emerged of what New Yorkers want to change about their government.
OH: Clermont replacement ballots a headache(names on ballot not rotated by precinct)
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100427/NEWS0108/4280346/ Replacement+ballots+a+headache http://bit.ly/9YXRYS It will cost about $14,000 to reprint about 56,000 ballots—including both absentee and Election Day ballots for the GOP primary
OK: Henry Signs Bill To Up Election Fraud Penalties
http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=12386211
SD: Feds, SD county reach voting agreement (Shannon County)
http://nativetimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3478:feds-sd-county-reach-voting-agreement&catid=51&Itemid=27 The agreement requires the county to provide election materials and information in Lakota for voters who speak that language, and to have trained bilingual election officials at polling sites.
TN: House Leader Odom solicits TBI probe
http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpID=319&NewsID=979170&CategoryID=8373&show=localnews&om=1
House Democratic Leader Gary Odom sent a letter to Tennessee Bureau of Investigations Director Mark Gwyn requesting a formal investigation be conducted into possible violations of Tennessee law regarding the recent attempts to purge qualified voters in Benton County.
TX: Texas attorney general investigating fraud allegations in Dallas County race
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/
stories/042810dnmetagprobe.415b8db.html http://bit.ly/8ZYXHp Allegations of mail-in ballot fraud in a Democratic primary in Dallas County are being investigated by the Texas attorney general's office, state and county officials said Tuesday.
VA: Groups ask McDonnell to drop letter requirement, revamp rights restoration process for felons
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/virginiapolitics/2010/04/ a_trio_of_national_groups.html http://bit.ly/bohh4x
National
Supreme Court Weighs Petition-Signers' Anonymity
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126290385
Court skeptical on keeping petitioner IDs private
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/28/AR2010042800453.html
The case, which will be decided by the court before the end of the summer, could draw a new line between voters' desire for openness in government and the right to political speech unfettered by fear of intimidation.
EAC announces the Voting Technology and Accessibility Research-Military Heroes Initiative http://www.eac.gov/blog-postings/eac-announces-the-voting-technology-and-accessibility-research-military-heroes-initiative This $500,000 grant competition is focused on improving voting technology and accessibility for recently injured military personnel.
Internet Voting Watch
Canada: EDITORIAL - Vote should go online (ThunderBay)
http://www.tbnewswatch.com/opinion/Default.aspx?cid=89947&headline=EDITORIAL---Vote-should-go-online
Canada: Greenstone vote going online
http://www.tbnewswatch.com/news/89984/Greenstone-vote-going-online
Municipal council in Greenstone have voted to switch to a new internet and telephone voting system for this year's municipal elections.
Canada: Province Of Ontario Lags Behind Cobourg On Voting Accessibility
http://www.northumberlandview.ca/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=2&page_id=2506
ACCESSIBILITY FOR ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT ALLIANCE UPDATE
AS BILL 231 CREATES MAJOR OBSTACLES IMPEDING THE USE OF ACCESSIBLE TELEPHONE AND INTERNET VOTING IN PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS, SOME ONTARIO MUNICIPALITIES BLAZE THE ACCESSIBILITY TRAIL WITH THESE TECHNOLOGIES
International
India: Hacking India's Voting Machines (Rop Gonggri)
http://rop.gonggri.jp/?p=126
India's Electronic Voting Machines Proven Insecure (video available)
http://indiaevm.org/press.html and http://indiaevm.org/
In a collaborative study, a team of Indian and international experts have revealed that the electronic voting machines used in Indian elections are vulnerable to fraud. Even brief access to the machines, known in India as EVMs, could allow criminals to alter election results
Voting News by Joyce McCloy.Archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/Subscribe to Voting News at this link: http://tinyurl.com/votingnews To assist with Daily Voting News, please send links to news articles to us at votingnews@earthlink.net =============================================
"The Voting News is a free service made possible in part by support from Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018. Be sure to note "for Voting News" in the memo line of your check! Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law."
Donate online at this link: http://tinyurl.com/donate-vn
Disclaimer: Articles and commentary included in "Voting News" do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors of Voting News,or its allied organizations. Articles are selected for inclusion to inform subscribers'ability to draw their own conclusions based on noteworthy and credible news,research, legislation, and debate bearing on the integrity of elections.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
John Gideon remembered. New Voting Rights Act challenge. Internet Voting update
Today marks one year since the passing of John Gideon, editor of the original Daily Voting News. Ellen Theisen describes John: "I would say he was a watchdog in the truest sense. He watched Congress, the EAC, WA state legislature and SoS, as well as election related events around the country. Then when he sensed something wrong, he announced it loud and strong to anyone who would listen, and often to those who would rather he quit barking."... Brad Friedman has a special blog about John today - "Has Anybody Here Seen My Old Friend John?"...On the news front: Another challenge to Sect 5 of Voting Rights Act, this time from Alabama...Unilect lawsuit in PA...Hushed money...Key Canadian official tells House of Commons that the integrity of internet voting cannot be assured...
All this and much more in today's voting news below...
Has Anybody Here Seen My Old Friend John?...
http://www.bradblog.com/?p=7814
Tributes to John Gideon, RIP National Election Integrity Hero
http://ncvoters.blogspot.com/2009/04/tributes-to-john-gideon-rip-national.html
AL: Alabama county to sue DOJ over Section 5 constitutionality
http://www.votelaw.com/blog/archives/006368.html
...(Shelby) County attorney Butch Ellis said Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act forbids cities and towns in nine states, including Alabama, from making changes in voting practices or procedures without approval from the federal government.
CA: Merced County seeks removal from Federal Voting Rights Act's restrictions
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2010/04/27/1401088/merced-county-seeks-removal-from.html
Merced is one of only four counties in state subject to rules of section of voting law
CA: Rally Tuesday: Voters Say Lancaster Election Should Be Dumped *
http://newsblaze.com/story/20100426173412zzzz.nb/topstory.html
...an ineligible candidate, Victoria Zavala, was not properly vetted (she lived in Quartz Hill, not Lancaster) and appeared on the ballot. She received more than 2,000 votes.
CO: Colorado Town Debates Mandatory Voting Law
http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/colorado-pub-owner-proposes-mandatory-voting/story?id=10481451 Citing Poor Turnout, Brewer and Pub Owner Pushes for Mandatory Voting in His Small Town
CO: Bill letting parolees vote moves
http://www.thedenverdailynews.com/article.php?aID=8209
CT: Updated: Candidate Withdraws Bounty On Republican Registrations
http://www.ctvoterscount.org/?p=3121
CT: Nov 09 Election Audit Reports – Part 2 – Inadequate Counting, Reporting, and Transparency Continue http://www.ctvoterscount.org/?p=3101
...closed counting of ballots leaves an opening for fraud and error to go undetected and defeats the purpose and integrity of the audit...
CT: Nov 09 Election Audit Reports – Part 1 – Problems Continue and Some Good News
http://www.ctvoterscount.org/?p=3092
NY: County Sues to Retain Lever Voting Machines
http://www.nytowns.org/web/2010/04/county_
sues_to_retain_lever_voti.aspx http://bit.ly/bn39L1
Nassau County has filed a lawsuit against the New York State Board of Elections in an attempt to block the use of optical scan voting machines.
OH: Man Sentenced For Lying About Levy Vote *
http://www.whiotv.com/news/23277860/detail.html
SIDNEY, Ohio -- A Sidney man, who recanted his claim that he was paid $2,500 to vote for the Sidney School Levy last November, was sentenced Tuesday morning.
OR: Online Registration
http://kohd.com/news/local/171497 New voters can register at www.oregonvotes.org and those already registered can update information.
PA: Pennsylvania Military and Overseas Voters, Request your Ballot for the May 18, 2010 State Primary Now! http://www.fvap.gov/global/news/nr9-2010.html
PA: Appeals court sets Unilect argument
http://sharonherald.com/local/x563633118/Appeals-court-sets-Unilect-argument
MERCER COUNTY — U.S. Court of Appeal for the Third Circuit has set argument for May 19 in Pittsburgh in the case of Mercer County suing the company that provided a former voting machine system.
PA: Bucks Commissioners spar over Primary Election inspectors
http://www.buckslocalnews.com/articles/2010/04/27/
bucks_news/doc4bd745f8be112911723953.txt http://bit.ly/9wZpaP
TN: Purge voters with care
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/apr/27/purge-voters-with-care/
Contrary to popular belief, voter turnout among the dead is quite low in Tennessee. Voting fraud of any kind, in fact, is so rare it's not worth worrying about
TN: Tennessee’s “deficient” voter registration problem
http://www.brennancenter.org/blog/archives/tennessees_voter_purging/
Another benefit of modernizing the voter registration system is that it would remove politics from what should be a purely administrative function
TX: Plastic Ballot Box Debacle in Rio Hondo
http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=448929 ...there was a problem with one of the locks on the steel ballot box and therefore he was instructed by the Cameron County Elections Administrator to use a plastic bin as a
TX: Dodson requests recount (Hale County, recount by Hart machines)
http://www.myplainview.com/articles/2010/04/26/breaking_
news/doc4bd622c526365396427279.txt http://bit.ly/cQY8ld
VT: Instant run-off voting experiment ends in Burlington
http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20100427/
NEWS03/4270339/1004/NEWS03 http://bit.ly/dhJpdo
WI: FEW meeting this Wednesday 6:30 - Agenda Fair Elections Wisconsin Wednesday April 28 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fairelectionswisconsin/message/2347
Citizens United
Lyle Denniston's Must-Read Preview of *Doe v. Reed*
http://electionlawblog.org/archives/015818.html
Hushed Money
Could Karl Rove's new 527 avoid campaign-finance disclosure requirements?
http://www.slate.com/id/2249952/
We may soon be going retro, back to the pre-Watergate era of secret campaign cash.
National
American Statistical Association Endorses Risk-limiting Audits of Election Results
http://blog.verifiedvoting.org/2010/04/27/444
“Voter Fraud Agenda,” Indeed
http://www.brennancenter.org/blog/archives/john_
funds_voter_fraud_agenda_indeed/ http://bit.ly/9Qso5F
... critiquing the fraud that absentee ballots may foster, Mr. Fund repeats his support for requiring strict voter ID at the polls. Which, of course, does nothing to address the absentee problem he’s just mentioned
Election Legislation Hearings of the Week Project Vote Blog (for CA & TN)
http://www.projectvote.org/blog/?p=414
Internet voting watch
Canada: Council to look at ‘electronic’ voting
April 27, 2010 By John McPhee
http://www.walkerton.com/news/article/88396 Brockton council is considering switching to Internet and telephone voting for the next municipal election.
Canada: City council dismisses online voting
http://www.chroniclejournal.com/stories_local.php?id=260070
Thunder Bay city Coun. Trevor Giertuga worries ballots could be bought if the city allowed municipal voting over the Internet and by telephone.
Canada: No online option
http://www.tbnewswatch.com/news/89755/No-online-option
Giertuga said with online voting, a person could sell their vote and no one would know. One person could also cast votes for an entire household he added.
Canada: Bill before Commons would add advance polling days to federal elections
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Bill+before+
Commons+would+advance+polling+days+federal+elections/2953963/story.html
http://bit.ly/d7prNB The Manitoba MP, the Harper government's minister of state for democratic reform, introduced legislation in the House of Commons Monday to add two more advance voting days to national elections...
...
Fletcher suggested moving to a system of Internet voting would be risky, because the integrity of the system cannot be assured.
US/CT: Computer Glitch Pauses SGA Election (Central CT State University)
http://centralrecorder.com/2010/04/27/computer-glitch-pauses-sga-election/
Students who were the first to vote in the Student Government Association elections on Monday morning were subject to a voting glitch that shut the system down. Student had to e-cast their ballots again after the system failure
International
Philippines: Protecting the vote
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20100427-266661/Protecting-the-vote
Everyone is agog with speculations about the failure of elections come May 10. The possible reasons for failure range from what some have termed an “electronic Garci,”
Philippines: STEPPING UP TO PROTECT OUR VOTES
http://gelsantosrelos.typepad.com/my-blog/2010/04/stepping-up-to-protect-our-votes.html
Voting News by Joyce McCloy.
Archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/
Subscribe to Voting News at this link:http://tinyurl.com/votingnews
To assist with Daily Voting News, please send links to news articles to us at votingnews@earthlink.net
=============================================
"The Voting News is a free service made possible in part by support from Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018. Be sure to note "for Voting News" in the memo line of your check! Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law."
Donate online at this link: http://tinyurl.com/donate-vn
Disclaimer: Articles and commentary included in "Voting News" do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors of Voting News,or its allied organizations. Articles are selected for inclusion to inform subscribers'ability to draw their own conclusions based on noteworthy and credible news,research, legislation, and debate bearing on the integrity of elections.
All this and much more in today's voting news below...
Has Anybody Here Seen My Old Friend John?...
http://www.bradblog.com/?p=7814
Tributes to John Gideon, RIP National Election Integrity Hero
http://ncvoters.blogspot.com/2009/04/tributes-to-john-gideon-rip-national.html
AL: Alabama county to sue DOJ over Section 5 constitutionality
http://www.votelaw.com/blog/archives/006368.html
...(Shelby) County attorney Butch Ellis said Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act forbids cities and towns in nine states, including Alabama, from making changes in voting practices or procedures without approval from the federal government.
CA: Merced County seeks removal from Federal Voting Rights Act's restrictions
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2010/04/27/1401088/merced-county-seeks-removal-from.html
Merced is one of only four counties in state subject to rules of section of voting law
CA: Rally Tuesday: Voters Say Lancaster Election Should Be Dumped *
http://newsblaze.com/story/20100426173412zzzz.nb/topstory.html
...an ineligible candidate, Victoria Zavala, was not properly vetted (she lived in Quartz Hill, not Lancaster) and appeared on the ballot. She received more than 2,000 votes.
CO: Colorado Town Debates Mandatory Voting Law
http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/colorado-pub-owner-proposes-mandatory-voting/story?id=10481451 Citing Poor Turnout, Brewer and Pub Owner Pushes for Mandatory Voting in His Small Town
CO: Bill letting parolees vote moves
http://www.thedenverdailynews.com/article.php?aID=8209
CT: Updated: Candidate Withdraws Bounty On Republican Registrations
http://www.ctvoterscount.org/?p=3121
CT: Nov 09 Election Audit Reports – Part 2 – Inadequate Counting, Reporting, and Transparency Continue http://www.ctvoterscount.org/?p=3101
...closed counting of ballots leaves an opening for fraud and error to go undetected and defeats the purpose and integrity of the audit...
CT: Nov 09 Election Audit Reports – Part 1 – Problems Continue and Some Good News
http://www.ctvoterscount.org/?p=3092
NY: County Sues to Retain Lever Voting Machines
http://www.nytowns.org/web/2010/04/county_
sues_to_retain_lever_voti.aspx http://bit.ly/bn39L1
Nassau County has filed a lawsuit against the New York State Board of Elections in an attempt to block the use of optical scan voting machines.
OH: Man Sentenced For Lying About Levy Vote *
http://www.whiotv.com/news/23277860/detail.html
SIDNEY, Ohio -- A Sidney man, who recanted his claim that he was paid $2,500 to vote for the Sidney School Levy last November, was sentenced Tuesday morning.
OR: Online Registration
http://kohd.com/news/local/171497 New voters can register at www.oregonvotes.org and those already registered can update information.
PA: Pennsylvania Military and Overseas Voters, Request your Ballot for the May 18, 2010 State Primary Now! http://www.fvap.gov/global/news/nr9-2010.html
PA: Appeals court sets Unilect argument
http://sharonherald.com/local/x563633118/Appeals-court-sets-Unilect-argument
MERCER COUNTY — U.S. Court of Appeal for the Third Circuit has set argument for May 19 in Pittsburgh in the case of Mercer County suing the company that provided a former voting machine system.
PA: Bucks Commissioners spar over Primary Election inspectors
http://www.buckslocalnews.com/articles/2010/04/27/
bucks_news/doc4bd745f8be112911723953.txt http://bit.ly/9wZpaP
TN: Purge voters with care
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/apr/27/purge-voters-with-care/
Contrary to popular belief, voter turnout among the dead is quite low in Tennessee. Voting fraud of any kind, in fact, is so rare it's not worth worrying about
TN: Tennessee’s “deficient” voter registration problem
http://www.brennancenter.org/blog/archives/tennessees_voter_purging/
Another benefit of modernizing the voter registration system is that it would remove politics from what should be a purely administrative function
TX: Plastic Ballot Box Debacle in Rio Hondo
http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=448929 ...there was a problem with one of the locks on the steel ballot box and therefore he was instructed by the Cameron County Elections Administrator to use a plastic bin as a
TX: Dodson requests recount (Hale County, recount by Hart machines)
http://www.myplainview.com/articles/2010/04/26/breaking_
news/doc4bd622c526365396427279.txt http://bit.ly/cQY8ld
VT: Instant run-off voting experiment ends in Burlington
http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20100427/
NEWS03/4270339/1004/NEWS03 http://bit.ly/dhJpdo
WI: FEW meeting this Wednesday 6:30 - Agenda Fair Elections Wisconsin Wednesday April 28 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fairelectionswisconsin/message/2347
Citizens United
Lyle Denniston's Must-Read Preview of *Doe v. Reed*
http://electionlawblog.org/archives/015818.html
Hushed Money
Could Karl Rove's new 527 avoid campaign-finance disclosure requirements?
http://www.slate.com/id/2249952/
We may soon be going retro, back to the pre-Watergate era of secret campaign cash.
National
American Statistical Association Endorses Risk-limiting Audits of Election Results
http://blog.verifiedvoting.org/2010/04/27/444
“Voter Fraud Agenda,” Indeed
http://www.brennancenter.org/blog/archives/john_
funds_voter_fraud_agenda_indeed/ http://bit.ly/9Qso5F
... critiquing the fraud that absentee ballots may foster, Mr. Fund repeats his support for requiring strict voter ID at the polls. Which, of course, does nothing to address the absentee problem he’s just mentioned
Election Legislation Hearings of the Week Project Vote Blog (for CA & TN)
http://www.projectvote.org/blog/?p=414
Internet voting watch
Canada: Council to look at ‘electronic’ voting
April 27, 2010 By John McPhee
http://www.walkerton.com/news/article/88396 Brockton council is considering switching to Internet and telephone voting for the next municipal election.
Canada: City council dismisses online voting
http://www.chroniclejournal.com/stories_local.php?id=260070
Thunder Bay city Coun. Trevor Giertuga worries ballots could be bought if the city allowed municipal voting over the Internet and by telephone.
Canada: No online option
http://www.tbnewswatch.com/news/89755/No-online-option
Giertuga said with online voting, a person could sell their vote and no one would know. One person could also cast votes for an entire household he added.
Canada: Bill before Commons would add advance polling days to federal elections
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Bill+before+
Commons+would+advance+polling+days+federal+elections/2953963/story.html
http://bit.ly/d7prNB The Manitoba MP, the Harper government's minister of state for democratic reform, introduced legislation in the House of Commons Monday to add two more advance voting days to national elections...
...
Fletcher suggested moving to a system of Internet voting would be risky, because the integrity of the system cannot be assured.
US/CT: Computer Glitch Pauses SGA Election (Central CT State University)
http://centralrecorder.com/2010/04/27/computer-glitch-pauses-sga-election/
Students who were the first to vote in the Student Government Association elections on Monday morning were subject to a voting glitch that shut the system down. Student had to e-cast their ballots again after the system failure
International
Philippines: Protecting the vote
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20100427-266661/Protecting-the-vote
Everyone is agog with speculations about the failure of elections come May 10. The possible reasons for failure range from what some have termed an “electronic Garci,”
Philippines: STEPPING UP TO PROTECT OUR VOTES
http://gelsantosrelos.typepad.com/my-blog/2010/04/stepping-up-to-protect-our-votes.html
Voting News by Joyce McCloy.
Archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/
Subscribe to Voting News at this link:http://tinyurl.com/votingnews
To assist with Daily Voting News, please send links to news articles to us at votingnews@earthlink.net
=============================================
"The Voting News is a free service made possible in part by support from Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018. Be sure to note "for Voting News" in the memo line of your check! Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law."
Donate online at this link: http://tinyurl.com/donate-vn
Disclaimer: Articles and commentary included in "Voting News" do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors of Voting News,or its allied organizations. Articles are selected for inclusion to inform subscribers'ability to draw their own conclusions based on noteworthy and credible news,research, legislation, and debate bearing on the integrity of elections.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Risk limit audits for CA? Judge halts MI voter purge. Benton TN purge contd.
California bill to pilot risk limiting audits has bi partisan support...Should bounty on party registrations be illegal?...Proposal to make voting mandatory riles up tiny Ridgway,CO...Maryland now has $ to run fall elections...Judge's ruling stops voter purge programs that illegally purge about 77K eligible Michigan voters a year... GOP to file suit for N.Y. 29th special election...Almost 1 in 5 of Benton Co. TN voters told their voter registration was invalid...US Chamber vows to fight Corp campaign cash reform...Puerto Rico considers DRE/touchscreens for 2010...Concerned Filipinos push for manual counting...Iraq post election candidate purge may change results...
All this and more in today's voting news below....
AZ: May 18 polling places may be consolidated
http://www.dcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=80248
Ana Wayman-Trujillo, the Yavapai County recorder, reminds voters that polling places may be consolidated for the May 18 election
CA: California Assembly committee endorses UC Berkeley statistician's election auditing method (AB 2023 risk limiting election audit pilot hearing in June)
http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2010/04/26_canvass.shtml
BERKELEY — One day last November, after the 2009 elections, Philip Stark found himself in the back room of the Yolo County Administration Building doing something statisticians seldom do – testing a theory in the real world.
...
Stark's technique passed the test and five others, impressing California Secretary of State Debra Bowen, the state’s chief elections officer, and spurring her to sponsor a bill, AB 2023, to conduct in 2011 a statewide experiment of this kind of "risk-limiting audit."
CO: Proposal to make voting mandatory riles up tiny Ridgway
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_14958536
The Town Council agreed to put the matter on the ballot for a recent town election as a nonbinding opinion question
CO: Colorado bill would require business campaign backers to register
http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2010/04/26/daily10.html
CT: Should Bounty On Party Registrations Be Illegal?
http://www.ctvoterscount.org/?p=3121 State House Majority Leader Denise Merrill (D-Mansfield, Chaplin) said Monday that she would immediately seek legislation banning bounties or other payments in exchange for the registration of new voters.
CT: Bill would allow towns to reduce polling places for primaries: cost-cutting vs. potential confusion http://www.ctmirror.org/story/5604/number-polls-coming-primary-elections-may-be-reduced-save-money
FL: VOTER PROTECTIONS NEWSLETTER VOLUME 5 ISSUE 3
http://www.advancementproject.org/news/newsletters/april-26-2010/florida
Jacksonville - Traci Collier, Director of Education at the Duval County Supervisor of Elections office, has requested 3,000 additional copies of Advancement Project’s “10 Things Duval County Poll Workers Should Know” palm cards.
HI: Ballots Go Out Next Week (first all mail election)
http://www.khon2.com/news/local/story/Ballots-Go-Out-Next-Week/dlEkDdivU0uQio3vyK6coQ.cspx
IL: Too many voter registration cards* (Kaine County)
http://www.kcchronicle.com/blogs/entries/2010/04/26/73223023/index.xml
I just received in the mail another voter registration card that is only six months older than the last one I received in October 2009. The new one is dated March 2010.
IN: Snafu puts new St. John voters on island *
RESIDENTS OF ANNEXED AREAS CAN'T CAST PRIMARY BALLOTS IN TOWN BECAUSE OF MIX-UP
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/article_be17f3ad-4693-5085-991d-dc383849e4c5.html
KY: Sentences cut for Clay vote-buying testimony
Prosecutors in Clay case sought reductions for five who cooperated
http://www.kentucky.com/2010/04/24/1236807/federal-judge-reduces-sentences.html
MD: Money restored, fall elections can go on
http://www.marylandreporter.com/page550410.aspx
A last-minute budget move helped secure enough cash for Maryland's November election, nearly $10 million of which had been previously uncertain.
MI: VOTER PROTECTIONS NEWSLETTER VOLUME 5 ISSUE 3
http://www.advancementproject.org/news/newsletters/april-26-2010/michigan
Detroit - U.S. District Judge Stephen J. Murphy III recently issued a favorable ruling that prevents Michigan from restarting two voter purge programs that unlawfully remove roughly 77,000 eligible voters from the rolls each year.
MO: NEWSLETTER VOLUME 5 ISSUE 3 (photo ID and early voting)
http://www.advancementproject.org/news/newsletters/april-26-2010/missouri
The bill now heads to the Missouri State Senate. Because photo ID has been found to violate the Missouri Constitution, a constitutional amendment is required to impose the requirements.
MO: Judge says three Cahokia trustees can stay
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf
/illinoisnews/story/D4028E4F19E8A16B8625770E008296A9?OpenDocument
http://bit.ly/dpvL7r BELLEVILLE — A judges' ruling Friday upheld the election of three Cahokia village trustees who won office last year in a contest involving allegations of voter fraud.
"The court further finds that absentee voter fraud was not so pervasive to strike enough votes to change the election results of April 7, 2009," wrote St. Clair County Judge Randy Kelly
NY: GOP to file suit for N.Y. special (29th District)
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0410/36350.html
New York Republicans are preparing to file a lawsuit this week that would force New York Democratic Gov. David Paterson to call a special election for the seat vacated by former Rep. Eric Massa (D-N.Y.).
PA: Marseglia objects to GOP selection of voting machine inspectors
http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/news_details/article/92/2010
/april/26/marseglia-objects-to-gop-selection-of-voting-machine-inspectors.html
http://bit.ly/bO6Lm1
Puerto Rico: 2012 votes could be electronic (considering touchscreen voting)
http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1271819897
PR currently has optical scan and vote by phone for disabled
TN: Voter registration dispute ignites charges of politics *
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100426/
NEWS02/100426008/1009/NEWS02
http://bit.ly/9SjOr7 Almost one in five of Benton County’s voters got a letter in February saying their voter registration was invalid, triggering events that led last week to a call for a TBI investigation and a battle in the legislature.
...
The brewing legislative battle is over a Democrat-sponsored bill, awaiting floor votes in the House and Senate this week, that declares that when a voter registration form is accepted by election officials, it cannot be declared invalid for some minor omission — unless fraud was involved or the omission was the voter’s signature.
TN: Voter purges sparking debate
GOP leaders defend reviews of records; Democrats call actions politically motivated
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/apr/26/voter-purges-sparking-debate/
TN: EDITORIAL: Election turnout sign of problem
http://www.dnj.com/article/20100425/OPINION01/4250303
That's the best way to describe the voter turnout in Murfreesboro's municipal election last Tuesday.
WA: Supreme Court takes up Wash. case involving disclosure of petition signatures
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011695584_scotus25m.html
The case could decide whether signing a petition for a ballot measure is private or whether the names of signers can be made public.
WI: Wisconsin and the Voter Fraud Agenda (John Fund)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405274870467
1904575193930226978178.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_opinion
http://bit.ly/bf0GfQ Democrats are pushing to weaken ballot security at the state and national level. Have they forgotten the 2000 election?
WI: Modernizing Voter Registration, the Wisconsin Way (Justin Levitt)
http://www.brennancenter.org/blog/archives/modernizing_voter_
registration_the_wisconsin_way/ http://bit.ly/9TB9Kr
It is, perhaps, unusually appropriate that the voter registration reform of the cycle should be introduced in a state claiming “Forward” as its official motto
WV: Registered Democrat given Republican primary election ballot *
http://www.herald-mail.com/?cmd=displaystory&story_id=244123&format=html
Citizens United
Are corporations people, too? (video also)
http://amfix.blogs.cnn.com/2010/04/26/are-corporations-people-too/
Can you imagine a world in which your next congressman is “sponsored” by Pepsi? Or Walmart? Or any corporation for that matter? Well, it may not be so far-fetched.
"CHAMBER VOWS TO BATTLE NEW LEGISLATION ADDRESSING COURT'S CAMPAIGN FINANCE RULING"
http://electionlawblog.org/archives/015795.html
We Need A Government That Isn't Funded By Wall Street (Robert Reich opinion)
http://www.businessinsider.com/we-need-a-government-that-isnt-funded-by-wall-street-2010-4
Schumer, Van Hollen Walking A Tightrope
http://www.nationaljournal.com/njonline/lb_20100423_6969.php Their Efforts To Roll Back The Citizens United Ruling Are Likely To Face Attack From Both Sides
National
"FEC LEAVES REDISTRICTING QUESTION OPEN"
http://electionlawblog.org/archives/015808.html
International
Cuba: Cubans hold municipal elections; belie criticism
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/25/AR2010042501193.html
Iraq: Barring of candidates may change Iraq vote outcome
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/top/all/6976140.html
BAGHDAD — An Iraqi court disqualified 52 candidates Monday from the country's parliamentary elections, including two who won seats, and threw out their votes in a decision that could potentially change the outcome of the March 7 vote.
Nigeria: Preparing for election with armoured vehicles
http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201004263271667
Philippines: How to show that a PCOS voting machine is accurate enough
http://rverzola.wordpress.com/2010/04/25/how-to-show-that-a-pcos-voting-machine-is-accurate-enough/ ...Even in banks that have automated their operations, to the extent of using a bill counter that counts bills automatically, tellers still count the bills manually before handing out withdrawals to clients
Philippines: Concerned Filipinos push for manual counting
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/04/24/10/concerned-filipinos-push-manual-counting
Philippines: Countercheck poll results
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/letterstotheeditor/view/20100425-266402/Countercheck-poll-results
Philippines: Poll watchers reminded to ‘watch that memory chip’
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/news/view/20100425-266321/Poll-watchers-reminded-to-watch-that-memory-chip
If the chip is switched, wholesale cheating may occur for that precinct.
Sri Lanka: THE LOW-DOWN: Did they really rob preferential votes?
http://digitallife.lk/oopadoopainfo/wordpress/?p=8810
The low voter turnout at the April 08th General Election has shown that the people’s faith in the electoral system has reached an all time low.
...
“If the idea is to rebuild the faith in elections, I think there are easy methods. For example if the commissioner allowed us to be present at counting centres there would have been no room for these allegations."
Voting News by Joyce McCloy.Archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/
All this and more in today's voting news below....
AZ: May 18 polling places may be consolidated
http://www.dcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=80248
Ana Wayman-Trujillo, the Yavapai County recorder, reminds voters that polling places may be consolidated for the May 18 election
CA: California Assembly committee endorses UC Berkeley statistician's election auditing method (AB 2023 risk limiting election audit pilot hearing in June)
http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2010/04/26_canvass.shtml
BERKELEY — One day last November, after the 2009 elections, Philip Stark found himself in the back room of the Yolo County Administration Building doing something statisticians seldom do – testing a theory in the real world.
...
Stark's technique passed the test and five others, impressing California Secretary of State Debra Bowen, the state’s chief elections officer, and spurring her to sponsor a bill, AB 2023, to conduct in 2011 a statewide experiment of this kind of "risk-limiting audit."
CO: Proposal to make voting mandatory riles up tiny Ridgway
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_14958536
The Town Council agreed to put the matter on the ballot for a recent town election as a nonbinding opinion question
CO: Colorado bill would require business campaign backers to register
http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2010/04/26/daily10.html
CT: Should Bounty On Party Registrations Be Illegal?
http://www.ctvoterscount.org/?p=3121 State House Majority Leader Denise Merrill (D-Mansfield, Chaplin) said Monday that she would immediately seek legislation banning bounties or other payments in exchange for the registration of new voters.
CT: Bill would allow towns to reduce polling places for primaries: cost-cutting vs. potential confusion http://www.ctmirror.org/story/5604/number-polls-coming-primary-elections-may-be-reduced-save-money
FL: VOTER PROTECTIONS NEWSLETTER VOLUME 5 ISSUE 3
http://www.advancementproject.org/news/newsletters/april-26-2010/florida
Jacksonville - Traci Collier, Director of Education at the Duval County Supervisor of Elections office, has requested 3,000 additional copies of Advancement Project’s “10 Things Duval County Poll Workers Should Know” palm cards.
HI: Ballots Go Out Next Week (first all mail election)
http://www.khon2.com/news/local/story/Ballots-Go-Out-Next-Week/dlEkDdivU0uQio3vyK6coQ.cspx
IL: Too many voter registration cards* (Kaine County)
http://www.kcchronicle.com/blogs/entries/2010/04/26/73223023/index.xml
I just received in the mail another voter registration card that is only six months older than the last one I received in October 2009. The new one is dated March 2010.
IN: Snafu puts new St. John voters on island *
RESIDENTS OF ANNEXED AREAS CAN'T CAST PRIMARY BALLOTS IN TOWN BECAUSE OF MIX-UP
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/article_be17f3ad-4693-5085-991d-dc383849e4c5.html
KY: Sentences cut for Clay vote-buying testimony
Prosecutors in Clay case sought reductions for five who cooperated
http://www.kentucky.com/2010/04/24/1236807/federal-judge-reduces-sentences.html
MD: Money restored, fall elections can go on
http://www.marylandreporter.com/page550410.aspx
A last-minute budget move helped secure enough cash for Maryland's November election, nearly $10 million of which had been previously uncertain.
MI: VOTER PROTECTIONS NEWSLETTER VOLUME 5 ISSUE 3
http://www.advancementproject.org/news/newsletters/april-26-2010/michigan
Detroit - U.S. District Judge Stephen J. Murphy III recently issued a favorable ruling that prevents Michigan from restarting two voter purge programs that unlawfully remove roughly 77,000 eligible voters from the rolls each year.
MO: NEWSLETTER VOLUME 5 ISSUE 3 (photo ID and early voting)
http://www.advancementproject.org/news/newsletters/april-26-2010/missouri
The bill now heads to the Missouri State Senate. Because photo ID has been found to violate the Missouri Constitution, a constitutional amendment is required to impose the requirements.
MO: Judge says three Cahokia trustees can stay
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf
/illinoisnews/story/D4028E4F19E8A16B8625770E008296A9?OpenDocument
http://bit.ly/dpvL7r BELLEVILLE — A judges' ruling Friday upheld the election of three Cahokia village trustees who won office last year in a contest involving allegations of voter fraud.
"The court further finds that absentee voter fraud was not so pervasive to strike enough votes to change the election results of April 7, 2009," wrote St. Clair County Judge Randy Kelly
NY: GOP to file suit for N.Y. special (29th District)
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0410/36350.html
New York Republicans are preparing to file a lawsuit this week that would force New York Democratic Gov. David Paterson to call a special election for the seat vacated by former Rep. Eric Massa (D-N.Y.).
PA: Marseglia objects to GOP selection of voting machine inspectors
http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/news_details/article/92/2010
/april/26/marseglia-objects-to-gop-selection-of-voting-machine-inspectors.html
http://bit.ly/bO6Lm1
Puerto Rico: 2012 votes could be electronic (considering touchscreen voting)
http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1271819897
PR currently has optical scan and vote by phone for disabled
TN: Voter registration dispute ignites charges of politics *
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100426/
NEWS02/100426008/1009/NEWS02
http://bit.ly/9SjOr7 Almost one in five of Benton County’s voters got a letter in February saying their voter registration was invalid, triggering events that led last week to a call for a TBI investigation and a battle in the legislature.
...
The brewing legislative battle is over a Democrat-sponsored bill, awaiting floor votes in the House and Senate this week, that declares that when a voter registration form is accepted by election officials, it cannot be declared invalid for some minor omission — unless fraud was involved or the omission was the voter’s signature.
TN: Voter purges sparking debate
GOP leaders defend reviews of records; Democrats call actions politically motivated
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/apr/26/voter-purges-sparking-debate/
TN: EDITORIAL: Election turnout sign of problem
http://www.dnj.com/article/20100425/OPINION01/4250303
That's the best way to describe the voter turnout in Murfreesboro's municipal election last Tuesday.
WA: Supreme Court takes up Wash. case involving disclosure of petition signatures
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011695584_scotus25m.html
The case could decide whether signing a petition for a ballot measure is private or whether the names of signers can be made public.
WI: Wisconsin and the Voter Fraud Agenda (John Fund)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405274870467
1904575193930226978178.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_opinion
http://bit.ly/bf0GfQ Democrats are pushing to weaken ballot security at the state and national level. Have they forgotten the 2000 election?
WI: Modernizing Voter Registration, the Wisconsin Way (Justin Levitt)
http://www.brennancenter.org/blog/archives/modernizing_voter_
registration_the_wisconsin_way/ http://bit.ly/9TB9Kr
It is, perhaps, unusually appropriate that the voter registration reform of the cycle should be introduced in a state claiming “Forward” as its official motto
WV: Registered Democrat given Republican primary election ballot *
http://www.herald-mail.com/?cmd=displaystory&story_id=244123&format=html
Citizens United
Are corporations people, too? (video also)
http://amfix.blogs.cnn.com/2010/04/26/are-corporations-people-too/
Can you imagine a world in which your next congressman is “sponsored” by Pepsi? Or Walmart? Or any corporation for that matter? Well, it may not be so far-fetched.
"CHAMBER VOWS TO BATTLE NEW LEGISLATION ADDRESSING COURT'S CAMPAIGN FINANCE RULING"
http://electionlawblog.org/archives/015795.html
We Need A Government That Isn't Funded By Wall Street (Robert Reich opinion)
http://www.businessinsider.com/we-need-a-government-that-isnt-funded-by-wall-street-2010-4
Schumer, Van Hollen Walking A Tightrope
http://www.nationaljournal.com/njonline/lb_20100423_6969.php Their Efforts To Roll Back The Citizens United Ruling Are Likely To Face Attack From Both Sides
National
"FEC LEAVES REDISTRICTING QUESTION OPEN"
http://electionlawblog.org/archives/015808.html
International
Cuba: Cubans hold municipal elections; belie criticism
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/25/AR2010042501193.html
Iraq: Barring of candidates may change Iraq vote outcome
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/top/all/6976140.html
BAGHDAD — An Iraqi court disqualified 52 candidates Monday from the country's parliamentary elections, including two who won seats, and threw out their votes in a decision that could potentially change the outcome of the March 7 vote.
Nigeria: Preparing for election with armoured vehicles
http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201004263271667
Philippines: How to show that a PCOS voting machine is accurate enough
http://rverzola.wordpress.com/2010/04/25/how-to-show-that-a-pcos-voting-machine-is-accurate-enough/ ...Even in banks that have automated their operations, to the extent of using a bill counter that counts bills automatically, tellers still count the bills manually before handing out withdrawals to clients
Philippines: Concerned Filipinos push for manual counting
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/04/24/10/concerned-filipinos-push-manual-counting
Philippines: Countercheck poll results
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/letterstotheeditor/view/20100425-266402/Countercheck-poll-results
Philippines: Poll watchers reminded to ‘watch that memory chip’
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/news/view/20100425-266321/Poll-watchers-reminded-to-watch-that-memory-chip
If the chip is switched, wholesale cheating may occur for that precinct.
Sri Lanka: THE LOW-DOWN: Did they really rob preferential votes?
http://digitallife.lk/oopadoopainfo/wordpress/?p=8810
The low voter turnout at the April 08th General Election has shown that the people’s faith in the electoral system has reached an all time low.
...
“If the idea is to rebuild the faith in elections, I think there are easy methods. For example if the commissioner allowed us to be present at counting centres there would have been no room for these allegations."
Voting News by Joyce McCloy.Archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/
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"The Voting News is a free service made possible in part by support from Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018. Be sure to note "for Voting News" in the memo line of your check! Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
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Disclaimer: Articles and commentary included in "Voting News" do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors of Voting News,or its allied organizations. Articles are selected for inclusion to inform subscribers'ability to draw their own conclusions based on noteworthy and credible news,research, legislation, and debate bearing on the integrity of elections.
Friday, April 23, 2010
GA AG wont sue over citizenship checks. Lucas Co OH poll workers intimidated. Internet vote comments due 4-30
Georgia AG refuses to file suit over voter citizenship checks...Provision to kill Home Rule from Florida law was defeated in legislature. This protects hard fought, highly touted Sarasota County chartered election audits...About 450 Republicans in Clermont County will have to re-vote...Lucas Co. Ohio BOE investigating poll worker intimidation...The DISCLOSE Act-the legislative response to Citizens United and what's next...New deadline for comments on UOCAVA Pilot Program Testing Requirements is April 30, 2010...
All this and more in today's voting news below....
CA: San Diego County Registrar and Republicans accused of legal violations at taxpayer expense
http://sdgln.com/news/2010/04/21/san-diego-county-registrar-and-republicans-accused-legal-violations-taxpayer-s-expen The SDCDP alleges that the County Registrar of Voters, at taxpayer expense, will insert partisan campaign literature into the official sample ballots mailed to Republican voters next month.
CA: PRIMARY PROCESS REFORM IN CALIFORNIA
http://electionupdates.caltech.edu/?p=3172 (Michael Alvarez)
Recently California Forward released a report that Tony Quinn and I wrote,
CO: City View of Aspen Election Commission Role and Responsibilities Finally Disclosed (confidential memo becomes public)
http://aspenelectionreview.blogspot.com/2010/04/city-view-of-aspen-election-commission.html ...this memo was written as a confidential document for City Council at the time that the former Election Commission was under fire by Jack Johnson and some Council members on trumped up charges, after the EC began to explore their duties and discuss the outstanding election irregularities.
CT: West Haven Registrar’s Actions Under Scrutiny
http://www.ctvoterscount.org/?p=3075
CT: Paying for voters: McMahon campaign plan draws questions
http://www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/Paying-for-voters-McMahon-campaign-plan-draws-460248.php A plan formulated by the U.S. Senate campaign of Linda McMahon to pay students an extra $5 for each Republican registered during a voter registration drive at the University of Connecticut next week has drawn questions from election officials, lawmakers and at least one Republican vying for the nomination.
DE: Independent Party of Delaware proposes solution to Ballot Access Problem
http://www.wgmd.com/?p=3062&cpage=1
FL: PRE-EMPTION IS WITHDRAWN! Amendment 619077 withdrawn
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/electionreform/message/13382
(Sarasota Audit Charter saved)
FL: Volusia, Hispanic group reach deal on ballots
http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/west-volusia/2010/04/23/volusia-hispanic-group-reach-deal-on-ballots.html
Volusia County and a Hispanic group have settled a lawsuit over bilingual ballots but not necessarily who's to blame for the costly legal fight
GA: Georgia AG won't sue feds over citizenship checks
http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-
elections/baker-wont-sue-feds-484523.html http://bit.ly/aqcksO
Attorney General Thurbert Baker on Thursday said he will not file a lawsuit against the U.S. Justice Department over the state's attempt to verify the citizenship of voters. Aaron Gould Sheinin, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
HI: Ninth Circuit Sets Hearing Date for Hawaii Ballot Access Case
http://www.ballot-access.org/2010/04/22/ninth-circuit-sets-hearing-date-for-hawaii-ballot-access-case/ The 9th circuit will hear Nader v Cronin on June 17, in Honolulu. This is the case that challenges the number of signatures needed for an independent presidential candidate in Hawaii
IL: Student voting bill divides Ill. legislature
http://www.dailyillini.com/news/illinois/2010/
04/22/student-voting-bill-divides-ill-legislature http://bit.ly/d7FWOt
With the 2010 general elections less than seven months away, some state legislators are supporting a bill that aims to get more college students to vote this November, while some election authorities argue such a measure would be costly and discriminatory.
MI: Election law changes make waves
http://www.argus-press.com/news_local/article_2fee2f98-fb7a-5e46-a5c4-05e161effcab.html "The county clerk decided that because the village is having their elections on the same day the schools get to ride along for free," she said.
MI: Voting changes unwarranted (Opinion)
http://www.freep.com/article/20100423/
OPINION01/4230318/Voting-changes-unwarranted
http://bit.ly/ahdPDm
MI: Michigan To Email Absentee Ballots To Overseas Residents
http://thegovmonitor.com/world_news/united_states/michigan-to-email-absentee-ballots-to-overseas-residents-28696.html
New laws make it easier for armed forces, citizens out of the country to vote.
MT: Missoula County 1st in state to allow voters to track mail ballots online
http://www.missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/article_415b8d16-4e86-11df-aa15-001cc4c03286.html
NC: NC lawsuit challenges part of Voting Rights Act
http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/04/23/1438130/nc-lawsuit-challenges-part-of.html
Terrence Pell, president of the Center for Individual Rights, said he expects the Justice Department to argue that the five Kinston residents lack the legal standing to challenge the decision.
OH: Lucas Co. BOE investigating poll worker intimidation
http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=12357413 The Lucas County Board of Elections is investigating reports from poll workers that they're being of intimidated.
...
Some poll workers who are registered to work the upcoming election have reported they received calls saying they need to resign.
OH: Absentee ballot glitch means hundreds will have to vote again in Clermont County
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100422/
NEWS01/4230366/Vote+early+and+twice+(after+ballot+glitch) http://bit.ly/d9umYl
BATAVIA - About 450 Republicans in Clermont County who voted by absentee ballot before the May 4 primary are being told they'll have to submit new ones because of a computer glitch.
...failed to alternate by precinct the names of candidates in contested races...
WI: Felon votes fuel debate over current election laws
http://www.superiortelegram.com/event/article/id/41770/
Rep. Joe Parisi of Monona says if a bill pending in Madison becomes law these two men wouldn't be facing more prison time and the state wouldn’t be spending more of “our scarce tax dollars and criminal justice resources” against someone simply wanting to participate in “the democratic process.”
Citizens United
Citizens United Bill Next Week? Corporate Forces Attack
http://legaltimes.typepad.com/blt/2010/04/citizens-united-bill-next-week-corporate-forces-attack.html
"NEWS RELEASE: ACLU REVISES 'MONEY = SPEECH' POSITION, BUT FAILS TO DISTINGUISH CORPORATIONS AND HUMANS"
http://electionlawblog.org/archives/015786.html
The DISCLOSE Act and what’s next (Schumer-Van Hollen)
http://politicalactivitylaw.com/2010/04/23/the-disclose-act-and-whats-next/
EAC releases three Quick Start Management Guides
http://www.eac.gov/blog-postings/eac-releases-three-quick-start-management-guides
EAC recently issued new Quick Start Management Guides for state and local election officials that provide guidance on three areas of election administration: technology in elections, elections office administration, and accessibility
Internet Voting Watch
CORRECTION: New deadline for comments on UOCAVA Pilot Program Testing Requirements is April 30, 2010 http://www.eac.gov/blog-postings/correction-new-deadline-for-comments-on-uocava-pilot-program-testing-requirements-april-30-2010
National
ES&S, Datacard Sued Over E-Voting Registration IP
http://ip.law360.com/registrations/user_registration?article_id=163664&concurrency_check=false
OpEdNews goes to Washington. Truth, action, and the American way. (opinion)_
http://www.opednews.com/articles/OpEdNews-goes-to-Washingto-by-Lani-Massey-Brown-100422-553.html Sometimes, frequently maybe, those of us who individually try to raise the issue of voting accuracy may feel like our efforts fall on deaf ears. However, recently a press release came across my desk that suggests we just might make a difference after all.
Court turns down ACORN request for help
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SUPREME_COURT_ACORN?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court has turned down ACORN's request for help in its lawsuit claiming Congress was wrong to shut off the activist group's federal funding.
International
Ireland: Voting machines may return to supplier (NEDAP)
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0423/breaking43.html
Green Party leader John Gormley said today negotiations are continuing to return Ireland's unused electronic voting machines to the manufacturer.
Philippines: The high-speed printing that misaligned UV marks can misalign the ballot ovals too http://rverzola.wordpress.com/2010/04/22/the-high-speed-printing-that-misaligned-uv-marks-can-misalign-the-ballot-ovals-too/
Philippines: Compel Comelec to reveal poll preparations, SC asked
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/254259/compel-comelec-
reveal-poll-preparations-sc-asked http://bit.ly/cqyiqq
Voting News by Joyce McCloy.Archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/
CA: San Diego County Registrar and Republicans accused of legal violations at taxpayer expense
http://sdgln.com/news/2010/04/21/san-diego-county-registrar-and-republicans-accused-legal-violations-taxpayer-s-expen The SDCDP alleges that the County Registrar of Voters, at taxpayer expense, will insert partisan campaign literature into the official sample ballots mailed to Republican voters next month.
CA: PRIMARY PROCESS REFORM IN CALIFORNIA
http://electionupdates.caltech.edu/?p=3172 (Michael Alvarez)
Recently California Forward released a report that Tony Quinn and I wrote,
CO: City View of Aspen Election Commission Role and Responsibilities Finally Disclosed (confidential memo becomes public)
http://aspenelectionreview.blogspot.com/2010/04/city-view-of-aspen-election-commission.html ...this memo was written as a confidential document for City Council at the time that the former Election Commission was under fire by Jack Johnson and some Council members on trumped up charges, after the EC began to explore their duties and discuss the outstanding election irregularities.
CT: West Haven Registrar’s Actions Under Scrutiny
http://www.ctvoterscount.org/?p=3075
CT: Paying for voters: McMahon campaign plan draws questions
http://www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/Paying-for-voters-McMahon-campaign-plan-draws-460248.php A plan formulated by the U.S. Senate campaign of Linda McMahon to pay students an extra $5 for each Republican registered during a voter registration drive at the University of Connecticut next week has drawn questions from election officials, lawmakers and at least one Republican vying for the nomination.
DE: Independent Party of Delaware proposes solution to Ballot Access Problem
http://www.wgmd.com/?p=3062&cpage=1
FL: PRE-EMPTION IS WITHDRAWN! Amendment 619077 withdrawn
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/electionreform/message/13382
(Sarasota Audit Charter saved)
FL: Volusia, Hispanic group reach deal on ballots
http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/west-volusia/2010/04/23/volusia-hispanic-group-reach-deal-on-ballots.html
Volusia County and a Hispanic group have settled a lawsuit over bilingual ballots but not necessarily who's to blame for the costly legal fight
GA: Georgia AG won't sue feds over citizenship checks
http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-
elections/baker-wont-sue-feds-484523.html http://bit.ly/aqcksO
Attorney General Thurbert Baker on Thursday said he will not file a lawsuit against the U.S. Justice Department over the state's attempt to verify the citizenship of voters. Aaron Gould Sheinin, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
HI: Ninth Circuit Sets Hearing Date for Hawaii Ballot Access Case
http://www.ballot-access.org/2010/04/22/ninth-circuit-sets-hearing-date-for-hawaii-ballot-access-case/ The 9th circuit will hear Nader v Cronin on June 17, in Honolulu. This is the case that challenges the number of signatures needed for an independent presidential candidate in Hawaii
IL: Student voting bill divides Ill. legislature
http://www.dailyillini.com/news/illinois/2010/
04/22/student-voting-bill-divides-ill-legislature http://bit.ly/d7FWOt
With the 2010 general elections less than seven months away, some state legislators are supporting a bill that aims to get more college students to vote this November, while some election authorities argue such a measure would be costly and discriminatory.
MI: Election law changes make waves
http://www.argus-press.com/news_local/article_2fee2f98-fb7a-5e46-a5c4-05e161effcab.html "The county clerk decided that because the village is having their elections on the same day the schools get to ride along for free," she said.
MI: Voting changes unwarranted (Opinion)
http://www.freep.com/article/20100423/
OPINION01/4230318/Voting-changes-unwarranted
http://bit.ly/ahdPDm
MI: Michigan To Email Absentee Ballots To Overseas Residents
http://thegovmonitor.com/world_news/united_states/michigan-to-email-absentee-ballots-to-overseas-residents-28696.html
New laws make it easier for armed forces, citizens out of the country to vote.
MT: Missoula County 1st in state to allow voters to track mail ballots online
http://www.missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/article_415b8d16-4e86-11df-aa15-001cc4c03286.html
NC: NC lawsuit challenges part of Voting Rights Act
http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/04/23/1438130/nc-lawsuit-challenges-part-of.html
Terrence Pell, president of the Center for Individual Rights, said he expects the Justice Department to argue that the five Kinston residents lack the legal standing to challenge the decision.
OH: Lucas Co. BOE investigating poll worker intimidation
http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=12357413 The Lucas County Board of Elections is investigating reports from poll workers that they're being of intimidated.
...
Some poll workers who are registered to work the upcoming election have reported they received calls saying they need to resign.
OH: Absentee ballot glitch means hundreds will have to vote again in Clermont County
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100422/
NEWS01/4230366/Vote+early+and+twice+(after+ballot+glitch) http://bit.ly/d9umYl
BATAVIA - About 450 Republicans in Clermont County who voted by absentee ballot before the May 4 primary are being told they'll have to submit new ones because of a computer glitch.
...failed to alternate by precinct the names of candidates in contested races...
WI: Felon votes fuel debate over current election laws
http://www.superiortelegram.com/event/article/id/41770/
Rep. Joe Parisi of Monona says if a bill pending in Madison becomes law these two men wouldn't be facing more prison time and the state wouldn’t be spending more of “our scarce tax dollars and criminal justice resources” against someone simply wanting to participate in “the democratic process.”
Citizens United
Citizens United Bill Next Week? Corporate Forces Attack
http://legaltimes.typepad.com/blt/2010/04/citizens-united-bill-next-week-corporate-forces-attack.html
"NEWS RELEASE: ACLU REVISES 'MONEY = SPEECH' POSITION, BUT FAILS TO DISTINGUISH CORPORATIONS AND HUMANS"
http://electionlawblog.org/archives/015786.html
The DISCLOSE Act and what’s next (Schumer-Van Hollen)
http://politicalactivitylaw.com/2010/04/23/the-disclose-act-and-whats-next/
EAC releases three Quick Start Management Guides
http://www.eac.gov/blog-postings/eac-releases-three-quick-start-management-guides
EAC recently issued new Quick Start Management Guides for state and local election officials that provide guidance on three areas of election administration: technology in elections, elections office administration, and accessibility
Internet Voting Watch
CORRECTION: New deadline for comments on UOCAVA Pilot Program Testing Requirements is April 30, 2010 http://www.eac.gov/blog-postings/correction-new-deadline-for-comments-on-uocava-pilot-program-testing-requirements-april-30-2010
National
ES&S, Datacard Sued Over E-Voting Registration IP
http://ip.law360.com/registrations/user_registration?article_id=163664&concurrency_check=false
OpEdNews goes to Washington. Truth, action, and the American way. (opinion)_
http://www.opednews.com/articles/OpEdNews-goes-to-Washingto-by-Lani-Massey-Brown-100422-553.html Sometimes, frequently maybe, those of us who individually try to raise the issue of voting accuracy may feel like our efforts fall on deaf ears. However, recently a press release came across my desk that suggests we just might make a difference after all.
Court turns down ACORN request for help
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SUPREME_COURT_ACORN?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court has turned down ACORN's request for help in its lawsuit claiming Congress was wrong to shut off the activist group's federal funding.
International
Ireland: Voting machines may return to supplier (NEDAP)
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0423/breaking43.html
Green Party leader John Gormley said today negotiations are continuing to return Ireland's unused electronic voting machines to the manufacturer.
Philippines: The high-speed printing that misaligned UV marks can misalign the ballot ovals too http://rverzola.wordpress.com/2010/04/22/the-high-speed-printing-that-misaligned-uv-marks-can-misalign-the-ballot-ovals-too/
Philippines: Compel Comelec to reveal poll preparations, SC asked
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/254259/compel-comelec-
reveal-poll-preparations-sc-asked http://bit.ly/cqyiqq
Subscribe to Voting News at this link: http://tinyurl.com/votingnews
To assist with Daily Voting News, please send links to news articles to us at votingnews@earthlink.net
=============================================
"The Voting News is a free service made possible in part by support from Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018. Be sure to note "for Voting News" in the memo line of your check! Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
"Donate online at this link: http://tinyurl.com/donate-vn
Disclaimer: Articles and commentary included in "Voting News" do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors of Voting News,or its allied organizations. Articles are selected for inclusion to inform subscribers' ability to draw their own conclusions based on noteworthy and credible news,research, legislation, and debate bearing on the integrity of elections.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
AZ ease of cheating. Map of US internet voting. Philippines ghost polling centers exposed
If fraud or error occurs in Arizona elections, there's very little that can be done: "The ease-of-cheating problem becomes magnified when combined with the impossibility of challenging any computerized rigged election in Arizona." ~ Bill Risner, chair of advocacy group AUDIT AZ...Aspen,CO Election Commission to review May 2009 election complaints in May 2010...SC House to debate voter id...Voting vendor Smartmatic exposes Philippines ghost polling centers - precincts listed but that do not exist...Internet voting continues to spread in Canadian munis...Verified Voting maps state usage of i-voting...
All this and more in today's voting news below...
AZ: Guest Opinion. The elections-integrity fight isn't about the RTA vote; it's about future rigged elections
http://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/guest-opinion/Content?oid=1931618
Court testimony from several Pima County Elections Department workers established that our county's computer operator regularly took home copies of election data during elections.
AZ: Clean elections may go to ballot
http://www.yumasun.com/news/ballot-57937-clean-elections.html
PHOENIX — Arizona voters are likely going to get a chance to decide if they want to keep public funding of elections
AZ: Arizona House OKs Bill To Check Candidates’ Citizenship (goes to senate next)
http://www.kwtx.com/news/headlines/91830889.html?ref=889
A bill that passed in the Arizona House would require President Barack Obama and any other candidate to produce a birth certificate to qualify for the state’s election ballot.
CA: DA to team with Secretary of State on voter registration probe
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/04/22/da-to-team-with-secretary-of-state-on-voter-registration-probe/55723/
CA: Let voters decide on election system, committee says
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_14934230?nclick_check=1
San Mateo County voters should get another chance to choose whether they want to start electing supervisors by district rather than at large, the county's charter review committee said Wednesday.
CO: Provocative bill to take Colorado to a universal mail-in ballot will not be introduced http://aspenelectionreview.blogspot.com/2010/04/provocative-bill-to-take-colorado-to.html
CO: Commission sets deadline for election complaints
http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/home/140270
— Keys in the ballot box. The ballot boxes in the city clerk’s office used for absentee voting, where for two weeks prior to the election citizens could come in and cast their ballots, were observed with keys inserted into a lock.
CO: Harvie Branscomb comments on news about Aspen Election Commission
http://aspenelectionreview.blogspot.com/2010/04/harvies-comments-on-aspen-daily-news.html ...The lock the key was left in unlocks a small door on the ballot box that allows access to two buttons that if simultaneously pressed will activate the override function that causes the voting machine to accept any ballot with any ...
IN: Names left off Carroll ballots *
http://www.newsbug.info/articles/2010/04/22/monticello
_herald_journal/local_news/doc4bcd206388323919953853.txt
http://bit.ly/cH5Xba A Carroll County election snafu was caught in time to be corrected and, luckily, only eight ballots will have to be recast.
...
“The clerk’s office did not give the right information to the election vendor to produce our names on the ballot.”
MI: Granholm signs absentee ballot bill for military personnel
http://www.detnews.com/article/20100422/METRO/4220456/1361/Granholm-signs-absentee-ballot-bill-for-military-personnel
The measures, recently approved by unanimous votes in the Legislature, permit voters living out of the country to download absentee ballots via electronic mail and then mail them back.
NC: State employees group petitioning to put North Carolina First Party on the ballot
http://www.examiner.com/x-31749-Raleigh-Libertarian-Examiner~y2010m4d22-State-employees-group-petitioning-to-put-North-Carolina-First-Party-on-the-ballot
...“They may have the necessary financial resources to get the approximately 120,000 raw signatures they will need to meet North Carolina's signature requirement.” ~ Barbara Howe, N.C. Libertarian Party chair
NJ: Candidates blast board of elections chairman over possibility of polling stations being moved
http://www.trentonian.com/articles/2010/04/21/
news/doc4bcfc1d7bea83072709418.txt http://bit.ly/ajYsUC ...up to 15 voting stations might be moved, and that many of those stations could be without challengers.
SC: House members to debate voter identification law
http://www2.scnow.com/scp/news/local/article/update_from_
the_house_house_members_to_debate_voter_identification_law/127115/
http://bit.ly/bxxAln
WI: 7 charged with voter fraud in 2008 elections
http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/91776779.html
Three are charged with voting as felons, two with voting twice, and two with falsely procuring voter registrations while working for the organization ACORN.
WI: Election reform bill dies in Senate
http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/senate-leader-wisconsin-election-reform-bill-is-dead
MADISON, Wis. (AP) - A plan to reform Wisconsin's voter registration and elections laws that was fiercely opposed by Republicans will not pass the Legislature this year.
WV: Early voting begins in W.Va.
http://www.newsandsentinel.com/page/content.detail/id/528987.html?nav=5061
"We have one voting machine set up since most of our voters prefer to use paper ballots." ~ Debbie Allen, secretary with Gilmer County Clerk.
WV: Officials question indictment issues
http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/535435.html?nav=5006
CHARLES TOWN - Supporters of a local politician who was indicted this week on election-related charges say a conflict of interest existed for an investigator involved in the case.
Internet Voting Watch
US: Verified Voting has published a map of what various states are doing with
Internet voting.
http://www.verifiedvotingfoundation.org/article.php?list=type&type=27
Canada: Mississippi Mills council deals with resignation, internet voting, aggressive dog designation (Intelivote Systems Inc)
http://www.emcalmontecarletonplace.ca/20100422 /news/
Mississippi+Mills+council+deals+with
+resignation,+internet+voting,+aggressive+dog+designation
http://bit.ly/bgvCZ7 Moved by councillor Val Wilkinson and seconded by councillor Alex Gillis, the Committee of the Whole is recommending that council approve voting by Internet/ telephone as an alternative voting method for the 2010 municipal election.
International
Philippines: [EXCLUSIVE] Ghost polling centers exposed
http://newsbreak.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7753&Itemid=88889066 ...Special elections are almost always held in the ARMM area, where political observers and analysts say cheating, like padding and shaving of votes (dagdag-bawas), has become a cottage industry.
Voting News by Joyce McCloy.
Archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/
Subscribe to Voting News at this link:
http://tinyurl.com/votingnews
To assist with Daily Voting News, please send links to news articles to us at votingnews@earthlink.net
=============================================
"The Voting News is a free service made possible in part by support from Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018. Be sure to note "for Voting News" in the memo line of your check! Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law."
Donate online at this link: http://tinyurl.com/donate-vn
Disclaimer: Articles and commentary included in "Voting News" do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors of Voting News,or its allied organizations. Articles are selected for inclusion to inform subscribers'ability to draw their own conclusions based on noteworthy and credible news,research, legislation, and debate bearing on the integrity of elections.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
AZ may repeal clean elections. TX AG probe Dallas mail ballot fraud. Citizens United bill gains support
AZ House panel OKs Clean Elections repeal...Students registered to vote in Alamance County run into trouble at polling stations...TN Rep Odom calls for investigation into Benton Co voter purge: “I know firsthand that some of these voters have been registered to vote in Tennessee for more than 48 years,” wrote Rep. Odom... TX Atty Gen to investigate Dallas Co absentee ballot fraud ..In Defense of Caroline Hunter...Fed campaign finance bill to address Citizens United gains bi partisan support...the Disappearing Poll Workers...Internet voting on the rise in Canadian municipalities....
All this and more in today's voting news below...
AZ: House panel OKs Clean Elections repeal
http://azcapitoltimes.com/blog/2010/04/21/house-panel-oks-clean-elections-repeal/
The effort to end public campaign financing is backed primarily by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Government for Arizona’s Second Century, the lobbying arm of the O’Connor House Project, a group spearheaded by retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.
CO: City proposes task force for November IRV vote
http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/home/140257
CO: How will Aspen be asked to vote on how Aspen votes?
Commission charged with creating scenarios to retain, revise or replace IRV
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20100421/
NEWS/100429970/1077&ParentProfile=1058
http://bit.ly/9zD949
CO: For a return to traditional elections (LTE)
http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/letter-editor/140250
...Ballots are found in the trash in post offices. Can we really expect that signatures can be absolutely verified?
GUAM: Law limits use of electronic voting terminals
http://www.kuam.com/Global/story.asp?S=12345476
IA: Superviser candidate challenges uncounted absentee ballot
http://www.thonline.com/article.cfm?id=280139
Julia Clark defeated Dwight Nelson by one vote, 54-53. A recount request by Nelson found an absentee ballot cast for Nelson was not allowed because the ballot was not initialed by the Platteville City Clerk's office.
IN: Absentee ballots probed *
http://www.therepublic.com/view/local_story/
Absentee_ballots_probed_4_20_2010/
http://bit.ly/9tVh7v VERNON ...On April 12, Republican sheriff’s candidate and former sheriff Earl Taggart reportedly dropped off two absentee ballots at Jennings County Election Office.
The envelopes Taggart delivered had been sealed and re-opened, and the ballots inside were voided, according to Jennings County Clerk Ron Bloemer.
MA: Town opts to have four polling places
http://www.salemnews.com/local/x993507234/Town-opts-to-have-four-polling-places
Selectmen have been grappling with a single polling location after the town consolidated its eight precincts' polls to Danvers High starting with the February 2008 Super Tuesday presidential primary.
NC: Students registered to vote in Alamance County run into trouble at polling stations
http://www.elon.edu/pendulum/Story.aspx?id=3733
...students who had moved housing assignments on campus were no longer able to vote. Early voting, which ends May 1, is the last chance for students to re-register who want to vote in the primary.
...
According to Harwell, many of the students who changed their registration to vote in Alamance County do not realize they have to update it every year.
NV: Independent American Party Senate Nominee Will Appeal Tea Party Ballot Access Ruling http://www.ballot-access.org/2010/04/21/independent-american-party-senate-nominee-will-appeal-tea-party-ballot-access-ruling/
PA: Philadelphia poll workers getting IOU's
http://whyy.org/cms/news/uncategorized/2010/04/20/philadelphia-poll-workers-getting-ious/36276 The agency that runs elections in Philadelphia is having a hard time paying poll workers
TN: Tennessee: Odom calls for TBI to probe voter ‘purge’
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2010/apr/20/tennessee-odom-calls-tbi-probe-voter-purge/?breakingnews ...Rep. Odom said he has been told 70,000 Memphis voters and 50,000 Nashville voters have been purged.
TX: Dallas County Judge: Texas Attorney General is investigating local voter fraud allegations (mail in ballots)
http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/04/dallas-county-judge-texas-atto.html
WI: Milwaukee couple faces election fraud charges (video available)
http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-100420-election-fraud,0,1943056.story
Gunka's attorney James Blask says, "It's strictly a procedural error...the Gunka's should not be held responsible in a felony case for something as trivial as this.
WV: Jefferson County commissioner indicted on charges of trying to vote twice
http://www.herald-mail.com/?cmd=displaystory&story_id=243891&format=html
Surkamp said, “I had forgotten that I had voted in the referendum in the Jefferson County Courthouse three weeks before, during the early-voting period.”
Internet Voting Watch
Canada: Internet voting dead (St. Thomas)
http://www.stthomastimesjournal.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2542430
Canada: Electronic voting on the rise
Renfrew undecided whether to go electronic
http://www.yourottawaregion.com/news/article/803504--electronic-voting-on-the-rise
...Stephen Beamish of Dartmouth-based Intelivote addresses Renfrew council. The business will provide electronic voting systems for about 30 Ontario municipalities in the October 2010 election
National
Second GOPer to Join Castle on Citizens United Bill
http://www.rollcall.com/news/45410-1.html ..."stand-by-your-ad disclaimers for executives and new restrictions on ad buys by foreign companies, government contractors and Toxic Asset Relief Program recipients."...
Rose Institute Releases: "Redistricting in America: A State-by-State Guide": You can find it here http://bit.ly/aPaRiN
US Federal Court: Decision Support, LLC et al v. Election Systems & Software, Inc. et al http://www.rfcexpress.com/lawsuit.asp?id=57694 (patent infringement)
...4/21/2010 1 COMPLAINT against Datacard Corporation, Election Systems & Software, Inc. with Jury Demand...filed by Decision Support, LLC, David Watson. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1)(Allan, Albert) (Entered: 04/21/2010)
Solving the Epidemic of Disappearing Poll Workers – Part 2: A Poll Worker Draft?
http://electls.blogs.wm.edu/2010/04/21/solving-the-epidemic-of-disappearing-poll-workers-%e2%80%93-part-2-a-poll-worker-draft/
Currently, there are only two counties in the entire country that uses a drafting system for poll workers. Nebraska law allows for a draft and both Douglas and Sarpy County have taken part.
On Voting Integrity, Johnny We Hardly Agree With Ye (Opinion)
http://www.ctvoterscount.org/?p=3062
For the second time in as many weeks, I find myself disagreeing on an election integrity issue with John Nichols of The Nation.
Elections Exclusively by Mail: A Terrible Idea Whose Time Should Never Come
Hans von Spakovsky (Opinion)
http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2010/04/Vote-by-Mail-Elections-Exclusively-by-Mail-are-a-Terrible-Idea
Letter in Defense of Caroline Hunter
Early in April I linked to a Raw Story series critical of FEC commissioner Caroline Hunter. http://electionlawblog.org/archives/015769.html
"You should know that the article, not Commissioner Hunter's statements, is breathtakingly misleading in its failure to disclose a number of basic facts..."
http://electionlawblog.org/archives/burchfield-ltr.pdf
How to Improve Voting in the U.S.? Through Tweets, Of Course
http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2010/04/20/how-to-improve-voting-in-the-us-through-tweets-of-course/ A fast-moving service such as Twitter can be the best way to get information about what is going on during elections, because it’s easier to access and doesn’t get tied up the way phone lines can, said California Secretary of State Debra Bowen
Voting News by Joyce McCloy.
Archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/
Subscribe to Voting News at this link:
http://tinyurl.com/votingnews
To assist with Daily Voting News, please send links to news articles to us at votingnews@earthlink.net
=============================================
"The Voting News is a free service made possible in part by support from Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018. Be sure to note "for Voting News" in the memo line of your check! Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law."
Donate online at this link: http://tinyurl.com/donate-vn
Disclaimer: Articles and commentary included in "Voting News" do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors of Voting News,or its allied organizations. Articles are selected for inclusion to inform subscribers'ability to draw their own conclusions based on noteworthy and credible news,research, legislation, and debate bearing on the integrity of elections.
All this and more in today's voting news below...
AZ: House panel OKs Clean Elections repeal
http://azcapitoltimes.com/blog/2010/04/21/house-panel-oks-clean-elections-repeal/
The effort to end public campaign financing is backed primarily by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Government for Arizona’s Second Century, the lobbying arm of the O’Connor House Project, a group spearheaded by retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.
CO: City proposes task force for November IRV vote
http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/home/140257
CO: How will Aspen be asked to vote on how Aspen votes?
Commission charged with creating scenarios to retain, revise or replace IRV
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20100421/
NEWS/100429970/1077&ParentProfile=1058
http://bit.ly/9zD949
CO: For a return to traditional elections (LTE)
http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/letter-editor/140250
...Ballots are found in the trash in post offices. Can we really expect that signatures can be absolutely verified?
GUAM: Law limits use of electronic voting terminals
http://www.kuam.com/Global/story.asp?S=12345476
IA: Superviser candidate challenges uncounted absentee ballot
http://www.thonline.com/article.cfm?id=280139
Julia Clark defeated Dwight Nelson by one vote, 54-53. A recount request by Nelson found an absentee ballot cast for Nelson was not allowed because the ballot was not initialed by the Platteville City Clerk's office.
IN: Absentee ballots probed *
http://www.therepublic.com/view/local_story/
Absentee_ballots_probed_4_20_2010/
http://bit.ly/9tVh7v VERNON ...On April 12, Republican sheriff’s candidate and former sheriff Earl Taggart reportedly dropped off two absentee ballots at Jennings County Election Office.
The envelopes Taggart delivered had been sealed and re-opened, and the ballots inside were voided, according to Jennings County Clerk Ron Bloemer.
MA: Town opts to have four polling places
http://www.salemnews.com/local/x993507234/Town-opts-to-have-four-polling-places
Selectmen have been grappling with a single polling location after the town consolidated its eight precincts' polls to Danvers High starting with the February 2008 Super Tuesday presidential primary.
NC: Students registered to vote in Alamance County run into trouble at polling stations
http://www.elon.edu/pendulum/Story.aspx?id=3733
...students who had moved housing assignments on campus were no longer able to vote. Early voting, which ends May 1, is the last chance for students to re-register who want to vote in the primary.
...
According to Harwell, many of the students who changed their registration to vote in Alamance County do not realize they have to update it every year.
NV: Independent American Party Senate Nominee Will Appeal Tea Party Ballot Access Ruling http://www.ballot-access.org/2010/04/21/independent-american-party-senate-nominee-will-appeal-tea-party-ballot-access-ruling/
PA: Philadelphia poll workers getting IOU's
http://whyy.org/cms/news/uncategorized/2010/04/20/philadelphia-poll-workers-getting-ious/36276 The agency that runs elections in Philadelphia is having a hard time paying poll workers
TN: Tennessee: Odom calls for TBI to probe voter ‘purge’
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2010/apr/20/tennessee-odom-calls-tbi-probe-voter-purge/?breakingnews ...Rep. Odom said he has been told 70,000 Memphis voters and 50,000 Nashville voters have been purged.
TX: Dallas County Judge: Texas Attorney General is investigating local voter fraud allegations (mail in ballots)
http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/04/dallas-county-judge-texas-atto.html
WI: Milwaukee couple faces election fraud charges (video available)
http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-100420-election-fraud,0,1943056.story
Gunka's attorney James Blask says, "It's strictly a procedural error...the Gunka's should not be held responsible in a felony case for something as trivial as this.
WV: Jefferson County commissioner indicted on charges of trying to vote twice
http://www.herald-mail.com/?cmd=displaystory&story_id=243891&format=html
Surkamp said, “I had forgotten that I had voted in the referendum in the Jefferson County Courthouse three weeks before, during the early-voting period.”
Internet Voting Watch
Canada: Internet voting dead (St. Thomas)
http://www.stthomastimesjournal.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2542430
Canada: Electronic voting on the rise
Renfrew undecided whether to go electronic
http://www.yourottawaregion.com/news/article/803504--electronic-voting-on-the-rise
...Stephen Beamish of Dartmouth-based Intelivote addresses Renfrew council. The business will provide electronic voting systems for about 30 Ontario municipalities in the October 2010 election
National
Second GOPer to Join Castle on Citizens United Bill
http://www.rollcall.com/news/45410-1.html ..."stand-by-your-ad disclaimers for executives and new restrictions on ad buys by foreign companies, government contractors and Toxic Asset Relief Program recipients."...
Rose Institute Releases: "Redistricting in America: A State-by-State Guide": You can find it here http://bit.ly/aPaRiN
US Federal Court: Decision Support, LLC et al v. Election Systems & Software, Inc. et al http://www.rfcexpress.com/lawsuit.asp?id=57694 (patent infringement)
...4/21/2010 1 COMPLAINT against Datacard Corporation, Election Systems & Software, Inc. with Jury Demand...filed by Decision Support, LLC, David Watson. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1)(Allan, Albert) (Entered: 04/21/2010)
Solving the Epidemic of Disappearing Poll Workers – Part 2: A Poll Worker Draft?
http://electls.blogs.wm.edu/2010/04/21/solving-the-epidemic-of-disappearing-poll-workers-%e2%80%93-part-2-a-poll-worker-draft/
Currently, there are only two counties in the entire country that uses a drafting system for poll workers. Nebraska law allows for a draft and both Douglas and Sarpy County have taken part.
On Voting Integrity, Johnny We Hardly Agree With Ye (Opinion)
http://www.ctvoterscount.org/?p=3062
For the second time in as many weeks, I find myself disagreeing on an election integrity issue with John Nichols of The Nation.
Elections Exclusively by Mail: A Terrible Idea Whose Time Should Never Come
Hans von Spakovsky (Opinion)
http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2010/04/Vote-by-Mail-Elections-Exclusively-by-Mail-are-a-Terrible-Idea
Letter in Defense of Caroline Hunter
Early in April I linked to a Raw Story series critical of FEC commissioner Caroline Hunter. http://electionlawblog.org/archives/015769.html
"You should know that the article, not Commissioner Hunter's statements, is breathtakingly misleading in its failure to disclose a number of basic facts..."
http://electionlawblog.org/archives/burchfield-ltr.pdf
How to Improve Voting in the U.S.? Through Tweets, Of Course
http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2010/04/20/how-to-improve-voting-in-the-us-through-tweets-of-course/ A fast-moving service such as Twitter can be the best way to get information about what is going on during elections, because it’s easier to access and doesn’t get tied up the way phone lines can, said California Secretary of State Debra Bowen
Voting News by Joyce McCloy.
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