usdemocrats.com political news weblog
NOVEMBER 2006
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usdemocrats.com political news weblog
NOVEMBER 2006
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U.S. Attorney's Office: We're
ready to investigate -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- read source: http://baltimore.bizjournals.com/baltimo....ml?surround=lfn In a preemptive move that underscores the
highly partisan and tightly contested races for public office
that will be decided next week, the Maryland U.S. Attorney's
office said Wednesday that federal prosecutors and FBI agents
are prepared to review and investigate allegations of election
fraud. |
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Attorney's office to accept
calls election fraud -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- read at source: http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs....NGNEWS/61101015 By Loresha Wilson In an effort to deter election fraud and
discrimination at the polls Tuesday, the U.S. attorney’s
office will implement an election day ballot access and integrity
program for Shreveport and surrounding areas. |
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Possible Election Fraud Found
in Florida -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There was something odd about the poll tapes. read at source: http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1118-22.htm A "poll tape" is the phrase used to describe a printout from an optical scan voting machine made the evening of an election, after the machine has read all the ballots and crunched the numbers on its internal computer. It shows the total results of the election in that location. The printout is signed by the polling officials present in that precinct/location, and then submitted to the county elections office as the official record of how the people in that particular precinct had voted. (Usually each location has only one single optical scanner/reader, and thus produces only one poll tape.) Bev Harris of www.blackboxvoting.org, the erstwhile investigator of electronic voting machines, along with people from Florida Fair Elections, showed up at Florida's Volusia County Elections Office on the afternoon of Tuesday, November 16, 2004, and asked to see, under a public records request, each of the poll tapes for the 100+ optical scanners in the precincts in that county. The elections workers - having been notified in advance of her request - handed her a set of printouts, oddly dated November 15 and lacking signatures. Bev pointed out that the printouts given her were not the original poll tapes and had no signatures, and thus were not what she'd requested. Obligingly, they told her that the originals were held in another location, the Elections Office's Warehouse, and that since it was the end of the day they should meet Bev the following morning to show them to her. Bev showed up bright and early the morning of Wednesday the 17th - well before the scheduled meeting - and discovered three of the elections officials in the Elections Warehouse standing over a table covered with what looked like poll tapes. When they saw Bev and her friends, Bev told me in a telephone interview less than an hour later, "They immediately shoved us out and slammed the door." In a way, that was a blessing, because it led to the stinking evidence. "On the porch was a garbage bag," Bev said, "and so I looked in it and, and lo and behold, there were public record tapes." Thrown away. Discarded. Waiting to be hauled off. "It was technically stinking, in fact," Bev added, "because what they had done was to have thrown some of their polling tapes, which are the official records of the election, into the garbage. These were the ones signed by the poll workers. These are something we had done an official public records request for." When the elections officials inside realized that the people outside were going through the trash, they called the police and one came out to challenge Bev. Kathleen Wynne, a www.blackboxvoting.org investigator, was there. "We caught the whole thing on videotape," she said. "I don't think you'll ever see anything like this - Bev Harris having a tug of war with an election worker over a bag of garbage, and he held onto it and she pulled on it, and it split right open, spilling out those poll tapes. They were throwing away our democracy, and Bev wasn't going to let them do it." As I was interviewing Bev just moments after the tussle, she had to get off the phone, because, "Two police cars just showed up." She told me later in the day, in an on-air interview, that when the police arrived, "We all had a vigorous debate on the merits of my public records request." The outcome of that debate was that they all went from the Elections Warehouse back to the Elections Office, to compare the original, November 2 dated and signed poll tapes with the November 15 printouts the Elections Office had submitted to the Secretary of State. A camera crew from www.votergate.tv met them there, as well. And then things got even odder. "We were sitting there comparing the real [signed, original] tapes with the [later printout] ones that were given us," Bev said, "and finding things missing and finding things not matching, when one of the elections employees took a bin full of things that looked like garbage - that looked like polling tapes, actually - and passed by and disappeared out the back of the building." This provoked investigator Ellen Brodsky to walk outside and check the garbage of the Elections Office itself. Sure enough - more original, signed poll tapes, freshly trashed. "And I must tell you," Bev said, "that whatever they had taken out [the back door] just came right back in the front door and we said, 'What are these polling place tapes doing in your dumpster?'" A November 18 call to the Volusia County Elections Office found that Elections Supervisor Deanie Lowe was unavailable and nobody was willing to speak on the record with an out-of-state reporter. However, The Daytona Beach News (in Volusia County), in a November 17th article by staff writer Christine Girardin, noted, "Harris went to the Department of Elections' warehouse on State Road 44 in DeLand on Tuesday to inspect original Nov. 2 polling place tapes, after being given a set of reprints dated Nov. 15. While there, Harris saw Nov. 2 polling place tapes in a garbage bag, heightening her concern about the integrity of voting records." The Daytona Beach News further noted that, "[Elections Supervisor] Lowe confirmed Wednesday some backup copies of tapes from the Nov. 2 election were destined for the shredder," but pointed out that, according to Lowe, that was simply because there were two sets of tapes produced on election night, each signed. "One tape is delivered in one car along with the ballots and a memory card," the News reported. "The backup tape is delivered to the elections office in a second car." Suggesting that duplicates don't need to be kept, Lowe claims that Harris didn't want to hear an explanation of why some signed poll tapes would be in the garbage. "She's not wanting to listen to an explanation," Lowe told the News of Harris. "She has her own ideas." But the Ollie North action in two locations on two days was only half of the surprise that awaited Bev and her associates. When they compared the discarded, signed, original tapes with the recent printouts submitted to the state and used to tabulate the Florida election winners, Harris says a disturbing pattern emerged. "The difference was hundreds of votes in each of the different places we examined," said Bev, "and most of those were in minority areas." When I asked Bev if the errors they were finding in precinct after precinct were random, as one would expect from technical, clerical, or computer errors, she became uncomfortable. "You have to understand that we are non-partisan," she said. "We're not trying to change the outcome of an election, just to find out if there was any voting fraud." That said, Bev added: "The pattern was very clear. The anomalies favored George W. Bush. Every single time." Of course finding possible voting "anomalies" in one Florida county doesn't mean they'll show up in all counties. It's even conceivable there are innocent explanations for both the mismatched counts and trashed original records; this story undoubtedly will continue to play out. And, unless further investigation demonstrates a pervasive and statewide trend toward "anomalous" election results in many of Florida's counties, odds are none of this will change the outcome of the election (which exit polls showed John Kerry winning in Florida). Nonetheless, Bev and her merry band are off to hit another county. As she told me on her cell phone while driving toward their next destination, "We just put Volusia County and their lawyers on notice that they need to continue to keep a number of documents under seal, including all of the memory cards to the ballot boxes, and all of the signed poll tapes." Why? "Simple," she said. "Because we found anomalies indicative of fraud." Thom Hartmann (thom at thomhartmann.com) is a Project Censored Award-winning best-selling author and host of a nationally syndicated daily progressive talk show. www.thomhartmann.com His most recent books are "The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight," "Unequal Protection: The Rise of Corporate Dominance and the Theft of Human Rights," "We The People: A Call To Take Back America," and "What Would Jefferson Do?: A Return To Democracy." |
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Proof of Ohio Election Fraud
Exposed -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wednesday 15 December 2004 read at source: http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/121604Z.shtml Among activists and investigators looking into allegations of vote fraud in the 2004 Presidential election, the company always mentioned was Diebold and its suspicious electronic touch-screen voting machines. It is Diebold that has multiple avowed Republicans on its Board of Directors. It was Diebold that gave hundreds of thousands of dollars to Bush’s election campaign. It was Diebold CEO Walden O’Dell who vowed to deliver Ohio’s electoral votes to Bush. As it turns out, everyone was looking the wrong way. The company that requires immediate and penetrating scrutiny is Triad Systems. Triad is owned by a man named Tod Rapp, who has also donated money to both the Republican Party and the election campaign of George W. Bush. Triad manufactures punch-card voting systems, and also wrote the computer program that tallied the punch-card votes cast in 41 Ohio counties last November. This Triad company graphic displays the counties where their machines are used:
Given the ubiquity of the Triad voting systems in Ohio, the allegations that have been leveled against this company strike to the heart of the assumed result of the 2004 election. Earlier this week, the allegations against triad were first raised by Green Party candidate David Cobb, who testified at a hearing held in Columbus, Ohio by Rep. John Conyers of the House Judiciary Committee. In his testimony, Cobb stated: Mr. Chairman, though our time is limited, I must bring to the committee's attention the most recent and perhaps most troubling incident that was related to my campaign on Sunday, December 12, about a shocking event that occurred last Friday, December 10. A representative from Triad Systems came into a county board of elections office un-announced. He said he was just stopping by to see if they had any questions about the up-coming recount. He then headed into the back room where the Triad supplied Tabulator (a card reader and older PC with custom software) is kept. He told them there was a problem and the system had a bad battery and had "lost all of its data". He then took the computer apart and started swapping parts in and out of it and another "spare" tower type PC also in the room. He may have had spare parts in his coat as one of the BOE people moved it and remarked as to how very heavy it was. He finally re-assembled everything and said it was working but to not turn it off. He then asked which precinct would be counted for the 3% recount test, and the one which had been selected as it had the right number of votes, was relayed to him. He then went back and did something else to the tabulator computer. The Triad Systems representative suggested that since the hand count had to match the machine count exactly, and since it would be hard to memorize the several numbers which would be needed to get the count to come out exactly right, that they should post this series of numbers on the wall where they would not be noticed by observers. He suggested making them look like employee information or something similar. The people doing the hand count could then just report these numbers no matter what the actual count of the ballots revealed. This would then "match" the tabulator report for this precinct exactly. The numbers were apparently the final certified counts for the selected precinct. Triad is contracted to do much of the elections work in this county and elsewhere in Ohio. This included programming the candidates into the tabulator, and coming up with the rotation of candidates in the various precincts (that is, the order of which candidate is first changes between precincts). They also have a technician in the office on election night to actually run the tabulator itself. Triad also supplies the network computers on which all of the voter registration information and processing is kept for the county. It was unusual for the computers to be taken apart. At least one member of the Board of Elections was told the tabulator was in pieces when he called to check on the office. The source of this report believes that the Triad representative was "making the rounds" of visiting other counties also before the recount. This person also stated they would not pass on the suggestion of the "posted" hidden totals, and would refuse to go along with it if it were suggested by the others in the office at the time. The source of this information believes they could lose their job if they come forward. The source of this information is named Sherole Eaton, Hocking County deputy director of elections. She has since written and signed an affidavit describing her experience with the Triad representative, the text of which is here:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Go to Original AFFIDAVIT On Friday, December 10 2004, Michael from TriAd called in the AM to inform us that he would be in our office in the PM on the same day. I asked him why he was visiting us. He said, "to check out your tabulator, computer, and that the attorneys will be asking some tricky questions and he wanted to go over some of the questions they maybe ask." He also added that there would be no charge for this service. He arrived at about 12:30PM. I hung his coat up and it was very heavy. I made a comment about it being so heavy. He, Lisa Schwartze and I chatted for a few minutes. He proceeded to go to the room where our computer and tabulation machine is kept. I followed him into the room. I had my back to him when he turned the computer on. He stated that the computer was not coming up. I did see some commands at the lower left hand of the screen but no menu. He said that the battery in the computer was dead and that the stored information was gone. He said that he could put a patch on it and fix it. My main concern was - what if this happened when we were ready to do the recount. He proceeded to take the computer apart and call his offices to get information to input into our computer. Our computer is fourteen years old and as far as I know had always worked in the past. I asked him if the older computer, that is in the same room. could be used for the recount. I don't remember exactly what he said but I did relay to him that the computer was old and a spare. At some point he asked if he could take the spare computer apart and I said "yes". He took both computers apart. I don't remember seeing any tools and he asked Sue Wallace, Clerk, for a screwdriver. She got it for him. At this point I was frustrated about the computer not performing and feared that it wouldn't work for the recount. I called Gerald Robinette, board chairman, to inform him regarding the computer problem and asked him if we could have Tri Ad come to our offices to run the program and tabulator for the recount. Gerald talked on the phone with Michael and Michael assured Gerald that he could fix our computer. He worked on the computer until about 3:00 PM and then asked me which precinct and the number of the precinct we were going to count. I told him, Good Hope 1 # 17. He went back into the tabulation room. Shortly after that he (illegible) stated that the computer was ready for the recount and told us not to turn the computer off so it would charge up. Before Lisa ran the tests, Michael said to turn the computer off. Lisa said, " I thought you said we weren't supposed to turn it off." He said turn it off and right back on and it should come up. It did come up and Lisa ran the tests. Michael gave us instructions on how to explain the rotarien, what the tests mean, etc. No advice on how to handle the attorneys but to have our Prosecuting Attorney at the recount to answer any of their legal questions. He said not to turn the computer off until after the recount. He advised Lisa and I on how to post a "cheat sheet" on the wall so that only the board members and staff would know about it and and what the codes meant so the count would come out perfect and we wouldn't have to do a full hand recount of the county. He left about 5:00 PM. My faith in Tri Ad and the Xenia staff has been nothing but good. The realization that this company and staff would do anything to dishonor or disrupt the voting process is distressing to me and hard to believe. I'm being completely objective about the above statements and the reason I'm bringing this forward is to, hopefully, rule out any wrongdoing. Further buttressing Eaton’s claim is an addendum to a previous affidavit filed by Evelyn Roberson who, you may recall, was involved in the Greene County recount action that was summarily shut down by Ohio Secretary of State Blackwell. Her addendum reads as follows: Addendum to Declaration of Evelyn Roberson
dated December 12, 2004 This is to add to the approximately 1 :15 p.m. portion of the visit with the Deputy Director of Elections Lyn McCoy with respect to the following comment: "She said they would have their computer
technician check over their computers on Monday in case they
has been tampered with." I declare under penalty of perjury the forgoing is true and correct. Dated: December 14, 2004 Evelyn Roberson Original versions of these documents should be available later on Wednesday on the website of Rep. Conyers. Conyers, upon hearing these allegations, sent a letter to both the FBI Special Agent in Charge in Ohio and the Hocking County Prosecutor. The text of that letter is as follows: December 15, 2004 As part of the Democratic staff's investigation into irregularities in the 2004 election and following up on a lead provided to me by Green Party Presidential Candidate, David Cobb, I have learned that Sherole Eaton, a Deputy Director of Board of Elections in Hocking County, Ohio, has first hand knowledge of inappropriate and likely illegal election tampering in the Ohio presidential election in violation of federal and state law. I have information that similar actions of this nature may be occurring in other counties in Ohio. I am therefore asking that you immediately investigate this alleged misconduct and that, among other things, you consider the immediate impoundment of election machinery to prevent any further tampering. On December 13, my staff met with Ms. Eaton who explained to them that last Friday, December 10, Michael Barbian, Jr., a representative of Triad GSI unilaterally sought and obtained access to the voting machinery and records in Hocking County, Ohio, modified the computer tabulator, learned which precinct was planned to be the subject of the initial test recount and made further alterations based on that information, and advised the election officials how to manipulate the machinery so that the preliminary hand recount matched the machine count. Ms. Eaton first relayed this information to Green Party representatives, and then completed, signed and notarized an affidavit describing this course of events, a copy of which is attached. The Triad official sought access to the voting machinery based on the apparent pretext that he wanted to review some "legal questions" the officials might receive as part of the recount process. At several times during this visit, Mr. Barbian telephoned into Triad's offices to obtain programming information relating to the machinery and the precinct in question. I have subsequently learned that Triad officials have been, or are in the process of intervening in several other counties in Ohio - Greene and Monroe, and perhaps others (see attached). There are several important considerations you should be aware of with respect to this matter. First, this course of conduct would appear to violate several provisions of federal law, in addition to the constitutional guarantees of equal protection and due process. 42 U.S.C. §1973 provides for criminal penalties against any person who, in any election for federal office, "knowingly and willfully deprives, defrauds, or attempts to defraud the residents of a State of a fair and impartially conducted election process, by . . . the procurement, casting, or tabulation of ballots that are known by the person to be materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent under the laws of the State in which the election is held." 42 U.S.C. § 1974 also requires the retention and preservation, for a period of twenty-two months from the date of a federal election, of all voting records and papers and makes it a felony for any person to "willfully steal, destroy, conceal, mutilate, or alter" any such record. Further, any tampering with ballots and/or election machinery would violate the constitutional rights of all citizens to vote and have their votes properly counted, as guaranteed by the Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Second, the course of conduct would also appear to violate several provisions of Ohio law. No less than 4 provisions of the Ohio Revised Code make it a felony to tamper with or destroy election records or machines.1 Clearly, modifying election equipment in order to make sure that the hand count matches the machine count would appear to fall within these proscriptions. Moreover, bringing in Triad officials into other Ohio Counties would also appear to violate Ohio Revised Code § 3505.32 which provides that during a period of official canvassing, all interaction with ballots must be "in the presence of all of the members of the board and any other persons who are entitled to witness the official canvass," given that last Friday, the Ohio Secretary of State has issued orders to the effect that election officials are to treat all election materials as if they were in a period of canvassing,2 and that "Teams of one Democrat and one Republican must be present with ballots at all times of processing." Third, it is important to recognize that the companies implicated in the wrongdoing, Triad and its affiliates, are the leading suppliers of voting machines involving the counting of paper ballots and punch cards in the critical states of Ohio and Florida. Triad is controlled by the Rapp family, and its founder Tod A. Rapp has been a consistent contributor to Republican causes.4 A Triad affiliate, Psephos corporation, supplied the notorious butterfly ballot used in Palm Beach County, Florida, in the 2000 presidential election. Sincerely, John Conyers, Jr. Enclosures cc: The Honorable F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The New York Times published a report on the matter late Tuesday night: Go to Original Lawmaker Seeks Inquiry into Ohio Vote Wednesday 15 December 2004 The ranking Democratic member of the House Judiciary Committee, Representative John Conyers Jr. of Michigan, plans to ask the Federal Bureau of Investigation and a county prosecutor in Ohio today to explore "inappropriate and likely illegal election tampering" in at least one and perhaps several Ohio counties. The request for an investigation, made in a letter that was also provided to The New York Times, includes accounts from at least two county employees, but is based largely on a sworn affidavit provided by the Hocking County deputy director of elections, Sherole Eaton. Among other things, Ms. Eaton says in her affidavit that a representative of Triad Governmental Systems, the Ohio firm that created and maintains the vote-counting software in dozens of Ohio counties, made several adjustments to the Hocking County tabulator last Friday, in advance of the state's recount, which is taking place this week. Ohio recount rules require that only 3 percent of a county's votes be tallied by hand, and typically one or more whole precincts are selected and combined to get the 3 percent sample. After the hand count, the sample is fed into the tabulator. If there is no discrepancy, the remaining ballots can be counted by the machine. Otherwise, a hand recount must be done for the whole county. Ms. Eaton contends that the Triad employee asked which precinct Hocking County planned to count as its representative 3 percent, and, upon being told, made further adjustments to the machine. County officials decided to use a different precinct when the recount was done yesterday. No discrepancies were found. "This is pretty outrageous," Mr. Conyers said. "We want to pursue it as vigorously as we can." But Brett Rapp, the president of Triad, said that although it would be unusual for an employee to ask about a specific precinct, preparing the machines for a recount was standard procedure and was done in all 41 counties where Triad handles vote counts. He added that he welcomed any investigation. "I've been doing this since 1985, and in all my experience this is the first time that we have had any complaints whatsoever," Mr. Rapp said.
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50-State Strategy: The State
Houses -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- With more than 6,000 state legislative seats on the ballot next week, Democrats could gain control of a majority of state capitols for the first time in a decade. This would increase the number of women in leadership positions, and influence the outcomes on issues such as the minimum wage and stem cell research. read at source: http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/10/50-state_strate_30.php
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Poll: Do you think the US
government is broken? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Kerry apologizes for Iraq
' joke' -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- and kerry was probably directing attention at george bush saying a more studied and educated president wouldnt have recklessly gotten america stuck in a chaotic place in the middle east and look at the soldiers there as human beings and not just a set of 'boots' this guy is fighting for our troops to
get them out from being sitting ducks and setting up a new dynamic
where iraq can be helped and security ensured through a new international
process that would obviously mandate military troops but america
wont be running from anything obviously theyre gonna have to
be involved militarily for a long time but its gonna be essential
that they make a symbolic move that Bush did make a big mistake
to dignify the civilian population of iraq, maybe focus on securing
administrative areas then counsel with the rest of the world
on how to rebuild and police other areas of iraq which will involve
a large international military force to stabilize things but
this wont be possible until Bush decides to withdraw occupation
forces in some symbolic gesture |
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Authorities to monitor election
for fraud -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- read at source: http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll....20348/1001/NEWS PUBLISHED: November 2, 2006 As part of a 2002 voter integrity initiative,
U.S. Attorney Marty Jackley and assistant U.S. Attorney Robert
Mandel, who has been appointed district election officer, will
be on duty while the polls are open Tuesday. |
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U.S. Attorney, FBI Ready Team
to Combat Election Fraud in Md. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- read at source: http://somd.com/news/headlines/2006/4735.shtml BALTIMORE - A team of federal prosecutors
and FBI agents will review any allegations of election fraud
in connection with the general election in Maryland on November
7, 2006, United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein announced yesterday.
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$250,000 Reward For Information
About Vote Fraud In The November Election -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- read at source: http://www.democraticunderground.com/dis....ess=364x2353766 VelvetRevolution and its co-founder Justice Through Music are offering a $250,000 reward for information about vote fraud and manipulation in the upcoming mid-term elections. That’s a quarter million dollars to the persons or persons who provide us with definitive and conclusive proof that a United States House or Senate election has been rigged by illegal means. The information must result in an overturning
of a congressional election and a conviction of the person or
persons responsible for the fraud. We want whistelblowers to
come forward and to provide us with evidence, documents, tape
recordings, and admissions. Send to tips at velvetrevolution.us. member is offline
Joined: Nov 2004 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $500,000 Reward for Evidence of Election Fraud in Tuesday's Congressional Elections read at source: http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=75660 11/3/2006 10:47:00 AM
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To: National Desk Contact: Ilene Proctor PR 310-271-5857 for VelvetRevolution WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 /U.S. Newswire/ -- VelvetRevolution is offering a $500,000 reward for information about election fraud and manipulation in the Nov. 7 mid-term elections. That's a half million dollars to the person or persons who provide us with definitive and conclusive proof that a United States House or Senate election has been rigged by illegal means. The information must result in an overturning of a congressional election and a conviction of the person or persons responsible for the fraud. We want whistleblowers to come forward and to provide us with evidence, documents, tape recordings and admissions. Send to tips@velvetrevolution.us or call the hotline at 1-888-VOTETIP. This hotline is for fraud tips only. All other reports of election problems should be made at 1-866-OUR-VOTE. This is part of the election protection strike force. http://www.velvetrevolution.us/electionstrikeforce http://www.usnewswire.com/ -0- /© 2006 U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/ |
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Report Election Fraud And
Voting Rights Abuse -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- source: http://cbs2.com/topstories/local_story_311092724.html (CBS) LOS ANGELES Assistant U.S. Attorney Dennis Mitchell will field general election fraud complaints and voting rights abuses throughout the Southland. Mitchell will take complaints from Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. Mitchell works in the Public Corruption
and Civil Rights Section of the U.S. Attorney's Office and will
be on duty while the polls are open. His office can be reached
at (213) 894-2484. |
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FBI will look into voting
irregularities -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A federal prosecutor will handle complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses in Los Angeles and six other counties during today's general election. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dennis Mitchell will take complaints from Los Angeles County. Mitchell, who works in the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section of the U.S. Attorney's Office, will be on duty while the polls are open, and can be reached at 213-894-2484. read source: http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/articles/4582396.html |
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U.S. Attorney: Report any
fraud -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- source: http://www.guampdn.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061108/NEWS01/611080321/1002 Report suspected election fraud and voting abuses to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Under the Justice Department's Election Day Program, Guam residents have the option of calling local fraud abuse numbers or a Washington, D.C. hot line.
ADVERTISEMENT The Justice Department in its statement said its program aims to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process. "(Voting) is the cornerstone of American
democracy," the federal agency said. "We all must ensure
that those who are entitled to the franchise exercise it, while
those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice."
REPORT ELECTION FRAUD
Reports of fraud and abuse can be made by calling Assistant U.S. Attorney Marivic P. David at 479-4120 or 479-4144.
Call FBI Special Agent Kevin Peterson at 472-7422.
Complaints about ballot access problems or discrimination can be made directly to the Justice Department Civil Rights Division's Voting Section in Washington, D.C. by calling 1-800-253-3931 or 202-307-2767. ON THE NET
Justice Department Civil Rights Division's
Voting Section: www.usdoj.gov/crt |
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"Tennessee Protects Against
Voter Fraud" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The monitoring is a nationwide effort,
watching polling places across the country. In Tennessee, there
have been complaints at some precincts. If you have a concern,
call 736-5151. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posted By: Sarah Buduson view source: http://www.myeyewitnessnews.com/news/loc....fb-27e3242dd555 There are new claims of voter fraud in
Shelby County. The Shelby County District Attorney is reviewing
the accusations to see if anyone committed a crime. |
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All Voting Problems Linked
to GOP, Liberals Charge -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- read source: http://www.cnsnews.com/news/viewstory.as....T20061107c.html (CNSNews.com) - A liberal group monitoring the midterm elections said Tuesday it had received numerous tips on "dirty tricks" being played at polling places and accused the Republicans of being behind all of them. "The most widespread problem seems
to be voter intimidation through the use of robo-calls and threats
to arrest people for voting," the group going by the name
of Velvet Revolution said in a release. "All of these have
been linked to the GOP so far." |
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West Virginia Voter Fraud -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- source: http://www.wvvotes.com/fraud/index.php A message from Secretary of State Betty Ireland As Secretary of State, I am very serious about ensuring to the best of my ability clean and fair elections in West Virginia. As the state’s chief elections official, I have empowered the Election Fraud Unit, the strongest, most highly trained team imaginable to enforce the election laws. We are taking a proactive approach to a problem that undermines our most basic, yet powerful, exercise of democracy—the right to vote and have our vote count. My staff, and more specifically our newly
created Election Fraud Unit, will ensure a level playing field
for all candidates running for public office, and put an end
to the deception of the public by any unlawful or technical tactics
aimed at skewing the results of an election. Those who commit
or conspire to commit election fraud undermine our right to vote,
deceive the public and corrupt our democracy. This office will
not turn a blind eye to election fraud. |
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Virginia Voting Machines Chop
Off Candidates' Names -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Leef Smith read source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/con....2301178_pf.html U.S. Senate candidate James Webb's last name has been cut off on part of the electronic ballot used by voters in Alexandria, Falls Church and Charlottesville because of a computer glitch that also affects other candidates with long names, city officials said yesterday. Although the problem creates some voter confusion, it will not cause votes to be cast incorrectly, election officials emphasized. The error shows up only on the summary page, where voters are asked to review their selections before hitting the button to cast their votes. Webb's full name appears on the page where voters choose for whom to vote. Election officials attribute the mistake to an increase in the type size on the ballot. Although the larger type is easier to read, it also unintentionally shortens the longer names on the summary page of the ballot. Thus, Democratic candidate Webb will appear
with his first name and nickname only -- or "James H. 'Jim'
" -- on summary pages in Alexandria, Falls Church and Charlottesville,
the only jurisdictions in Virginia that use balloting machines
manufactured by Hart InterCivic of Austin. |
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Virginia Voter Rights -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/Voter_In....sibilities.html
To be treated with courtesy and respect by the election officials
To be notified if your voter registration has been accepted or denied.
To vote if you have registered at your current address at least 29 days before Election Day.
To seek help from the election officials if you are unsure about anything relating to the voting process.
To be given a demonstration of how the voting equipment works. To have your paper ballot voided BEFORE IT IS CAST and be given a new one if you feel you have voted incorrectly. (This applies only if your polling place uses paper or paper–style [punchcard or optical scan] ballot.)
To enter the full name of a write-in candidate if the candidate of your choice is not on the ballot (except in party primaries).
To have a ballot brought to your vehicle instead of entering the polling place if you are 65 years of age or older, or if you are disabled.
To have an officer of election or other person help you vote if you are physically disabled or unable to read or write. Blind voters may have any person assist them. Other voters may have anyone who is not their employer or union representative assist them. Note: The officer of election or other person so designated who assists you in the preparation of your ballot shall do so in accordance with your instructions, without soliciting your vote or in any manner attempting to influence your vote, and shall not in any manner divulge or indicate, by signs or otherwise, how you voted on any office or question.
To vote even if you have no identification with you at the polling place. You must sign the “Affirmation of Identity” statement before voting if you have no ID.
Exception: Voters who registered by mail for the first time in Virginia on or after January 1, 2003, and who did not mail in a copy of their ID at that time, and who fail to show one of the federally-required forms of ID when voting for the first time in a federal election must vote by Provisional Ballot in that election. They may not use the “Affirmation of Identity” statement at that election.
To vote a Provisional Ballot if your status as a qualified voter is in question, and to be present when the Electoral Board meets to determine if your ballot will be counted. See “Provisional Ballots” below.
To bring your minor child (age 15 or younger) into the voting booth with you to observe you vote. To vote if you are in line by 7:00 p.m. when the polls close.
To cast an absentee ballot if you are qualified to vote absentee.
To register to vote absentee in Virginia if you are a U.S. Citizen overseas and your last residence in the U. S. was in Virginia, or you are a Virginia resident away in the military.
You cannot be denied the right to vote if you are eligible to do so.
As a Virginia Voter, you have the following responsibilities: To treat the election officials with courtesy and respect.
To keep your voter registration information up-to-date with your current address.
To show your identification (ID) at the polls. If you do not have an ID with you at the polling place, you may still vote if you sign an Affirmation of Identity statement, depending on your registration status. See “Provisional Ballots” below.
To request assistance if you do not know how to use the voting equipment or have other questions about the voting process, or need assistance preparing your ballot because of a physical disability or inability to read or write.
To check your ballot for correctness BEFORE casting it.
To understand that once your ballot is cast, you CANNOT be given another ballot even if you think you voted incorrectly.
To ask the election official to call the
General Registrar’s office BEFORE you leave the polling
place if you have problems regarding your eligibility to vote
or the casting of your ballot. A Provisional Ballot is a paper ballot which is cast separately and sealed in a green envelope. An officer of election will assist the voter in completing the information on both sides of the envelope. The voter must provide the information requested and sign the Statement of Voter. Provisional Ballots are not counted on Election Day. Your local Electoral Board will meet the day after the election to determine whether each provisional voter was qualified to vote. The votes of qualified voters will then be counted and included in the results for your locality. Provisional voters are allowed to be present when the Electoral Board meets to determine if their vote was valid. The election officials will tell each provisional voter when and where the Electoral Board will meet, and provide a phone number to call to find out if their Provisional Ballot was counted. Provisional Ballots are used: When the voter’s name is not on the
pollbook, the voter believes he is registered in that precinct,
and the registrar’s office cannot be contacted to verify
that the voter is registered. When a voter who registered by mail on or after January 1, 2003, and did not mail in a copy of their ID at that time, fails to show one of the federally-required forms of ID when voting for the first time in a federal election.
When the normal voting hours are extended by court order.
Acts of Election Fraud and Misrepresentation No person may procure or submit materially false, fraudulent or fictitious voter registration applications.
No person may submit false information as to name, address, citizenship or period of residence in a voting district for the purpose of establishing eligibility to register or vote in any election. No person may intentionally register at more than one address at the same time, or vote more than once in the same election.
No person may carry the official ballot furnished by the officers of election further than the voting booth, and should they decide not to vote after receiving the ballot, they shall immediately return the ballot to the officers.
No person may procure, cast or tabulate materially false, fraudulent or fictitious ballots in any election.
No person may pay, offer to pay or accept
payment for voting, registering to vote, withholding their vote,
or voting for or against any candidate. No person may steal or willfully, fraudulently, or wrongfully tamper with any part of any ballot container, voting or registration equipment, records, or documents, which are used in any way within the registration or election process. No person may, by bribery, intimidation,
or other means in violation of the election laws, willfully hinder
or prevent, or attempt to hinder or prevent, the officers of
election at any precinct from holding an election. If you have any questions about your voter registration status or about elections in your locality, please contact your local voter registration office. How to report violations of election laws & your Rights:
If you feel your voting rights have been violated or that you may have witnessed an election law being broken, contact the State Board of Elections at 1-800-552-9745, or via e-mail at info@sbe.virginia.gov.
Virginia State Board of Elections |
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Democrats poised to win majority
of governorships -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- • NEW: Gov. Mike Rounds, a Democrat,
projected winner in South Dakota source: http://edition.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/07/election.governors/index.html (CNN) -- Democrats were well on their way Tuesday to winning control of a majority of governorships for the first time in 12 years. Democrats need a net pickup of four governorships
in 36 races to get to the magic number of 26 -- and with polls
closed in more than half of the states, CNN projected Democratic
gains in six of the state posts. Heading into the balloting,
five GOP-held seats were considered likely to switch, and races
for six others were down to the wire. |
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Corruption named as key issue
by voters in exit polls -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- source: http://edition.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/07/election.exitpolls/index.html (CNN) -- By a wide margin, Americans who voted Tuesday in the midterm election say they disapprove of the war in Iraq. But when asked which issue was extremely important to their vote, more voters said corruption and ethics in government than any other issue, including the war, according to national exit polls. A large majority of voters also disapproved of how Congress and President Bush are doing their jobs. However, Bush fared slightly better on that score than members of the GOP-led Congress. And defying the traditional political maxim that "all politics is local," 62 percent of voters said national issues mattered more than local issues when deciding which House candidate to pick. (Watch how national issues are playing a more critical role than local issues, which could favor the Democrats -- 2:19 ) These numbers are based on interviews conducted with voters on Tuesday morning and afternoon. Exit poll interviewers, working on behalf of the Associated Press, CNN and four other networks, were stationed at about 1,000 precincts around the country Tuesday, asking voters to describe themselves and their opinions on important issues. For the first time, media representatives were restricted at the computer facility where the data was being collected to prevent any early disclosure. Asked which issues were extremely important to their vote, 42 percent said corruption and ethics; 40 percent, terrorism; 39 percent, the economy; 37 percent, Iraq; 36 percent, values; and 29 percent, illegal immigration. As Democrats had hoped, among voters who were against the war in Iraq, almost nine out of 10 said they chose a Democratic House candidate. But those who approved of the war chose the Republicans by nearly the same margin. And despite Republican attempts to paint the Democrats as unable to handle terrorism, a majority of voters said they believed both parties were capable of handling that issue. Asked if they approved of how Congress is handling its job, 62 percent said they did not, while just 36 percent said they did. Despite good economic news in recent days that GOP leaders hoped would boost their fortunes, voters were split nearly equally on whether the economy is in good or poor shape, according to the early exit poll results. The exit polls showed that 29 percent of voters felt their families' financial situations were better than they were two years ago, while 25 percent said they were worse and 45 percent said they were unchanged. Those who said their financial condition hadn't changed chose Democratic House candidates over Republicans, 57 percent to 40 percent. That number increased to 79 percent among those who said their financial condition was worse. Of the voters who thought their economic
prospects had improved, 70 percent voted for Republican House
candidates. |
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World reaction: Democratic
win welcomed -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MADRID, Spain (AP) -- The seismic shift that midterm elections brought to Washington's political landscape was welcomed by many Wednesday in a world sharply opposed to the war in Iraq and outraged over the harsh methods the Bush administration has employed in fighting terrorism. read at source: http://edition.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/08/vote.world.reax.ap/index.html
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Allen concedes, giving Senate
control to Dems -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Republican Sen. George Allen of Virginia conceded defeat Thursday afternoon to Democratic challenger Jim Webb, giving Democrats control of the Senate. source: http://edition.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/09/va.senate/index.html
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electoral college system -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- the electoral college system for all those
who dont know is was initially put in place Each State is allocated a number of Presidential
'Electors' equal to the number of eg California or Texas has way more local residents than say Nebraska or DC. So therefor California would get 2 senate
+ 53 representative votes heres the current electoral vote allocations: (may change in future depending on number of district rep seats based on population and districting factors) Alabama 9 After the popular national vote for president
voted by every citizen, The winning president from each state accumulates 'electoral votes' to vote with on the each state's behalf with the state's appointed 'electors'. so as an example; in 2004 Ohio 'supposedly'
voted (before all the vote thievery and In the case that the popular vote is won
and the electoral college vote To put it simply, a pure democracy should
be collect all the votes from every citizen in the At its core, the purity of a true vote should go to the citizen. anyways carrying on,... sonicthehedgehog Kerry Edwards won these states Now in theory by ensuring the proper representation at the state and presidential levels this electoral college is a protection mechanism to ensure proper parity and bridge the electing the president by the statehouse or by the people. The people of each state vote for the president
and the winner of that Eg. again like sampled above, Ohio supposedly
voted for a republican president In theory the panel of electors are automatically
cast by the same vote for the In 2004 the GOP secured 286 electoral votes
and the democratic party got In 2000 they illegally blocked recounts
in Florida and there was some illegal crap Gore in 2000 officially got 50,999,897 votes from the American People, GWB got 50,456,002 total votes. Al Gore won. The electoral college was used as a political device used to scam the election and set up an incorrect polluted dynamic where it declared, 'we, the elected governors, certain judges, lawyers and politicians are more powerful than you the people and our opinions, can outveto you as the public and our votes carry more weight than you the people' .. and therefor set up an arrogant dynamic of a dictatorship. This is OBVIOUSLY wrong. Subsequently it was found the Gore did
win Florida and and therefor won The Democratic party on behalf of the American
people should go back after this now and re-discover what went
on here, why a proper vote count was denied and put accountability
on indicting the supreme court justices on fraudulent or criminal
sonicthehedgehog A member of the congress or federal government
cannot be an 'elector' The U.S. Constitution states only that,
"no Senator or Representative, Under Title III, chapter 1, section 15
of the United States Code, This is where the public should support
members of congress if they as your If you want to get the names of electors,
you can get them from After the election results are final and
certified, the governor of the This "Certificate of Ascertainment"
lists the names of the electors appointed Images of the actual Certificates of Ascertainment
listing the names, Anyways there you go. |
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CIA chief who served George
Bush Sr --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dan Glaister read at source> http://www.guardian.co.uk/midterms2006/story/0,,1942952,00.html George Bush's nomination of 63-year-old
Robert Michael Gates as secretary of defence is another indication
of the ascendancy of the team that served the president's father. |
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Kentucky AG Greg Stumbo Announces
Election Fraud Hotline Results -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- read at source> http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/m-news+article+storyid-16951.html November 08, 2006 -- Kentucky Attorney General Greg Stumbo announced today that his Election Fraud Hotline received 235 complaints from voters between 6a.m. and 7p.m. on Election Day. The most common complaint concerned electronic voting machine irregularities. Fifty-five voters across Kentucky expressed a variety of concerns about the new voting machines ranging from fears that votes had not been counted to allegations that votes were being switched to opposing candidates. “Kentucky Bureau of Investigation
(KBI) agents worked closely with county clerks and voting machine
technicians to maintain voter confidence in the new system,”
Attorney General Stumbo stated. “The public has the right
to demand assurances that their vote counts.” |
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Democrats look to sustain
majority after anti-GOP -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- read at source> http://edition.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/12/dems.lease.ap/index.html WASHINGTON (AP) -- It's the question Democrats would rather not ask in their moment of revelry: Are their new majorities in the House and Senate sustainable? What if the war in Iraq is over by 2008? Or what if it is still being waged despite Democratic pledges to change the course? What if voter antipathy toward President Bush is irrelevant in two years? After all, he will be on his way out. "Who knows whether these things are long-term trends or not," Sen. Byron Dorgan, a North Dakota Democrat, said last week. Voters gave Democrats control of Congress but did not undergo an ideological conversion. The Democrats' success had more to do with anger toward President Bush, weariness over the war and contempt for the corruption and scandal in Congress -- a confluence of negatives that became a political force. As some Democrats begin looking to 2008 and beyond, the challenge is how to turn antipathy toward Republicans into affection for Democrats. "You can't count on that kind of a wave in every election by any means," Democratic pollster Mark Mellman said. Sen. Charles Schumer of New York, the chairman of the Senate Democratic campaign committee, acknowledged that the Democrats' 51-49 majority in the Senate was the result of the narrowest of victories in six race. "Had 10,000 votes flipped we would have four seats, not six," he said. Democrats do see opportunities ahead. |
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America and Voter Fraud -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- read at source> http://www.newwest.net/index.php/citjo/a...._fraud/C37/L37/ Are future election outcomes at risk? A Sept 16, 2006 study by Princeton tried to answer the question. Recently released to show that most of the new computer voting machines now being used for all elections can easily and quietly change and steal specific votes in less than a minute. The Princeton computer wiz team took the challenge to prove just how something like this could happen. Shockingly changing votes does not take
an expert |
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Climate report 'bound to have
impact' -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) -- A long-awaited report by an international scientific network will offer "much stronger" evidence of how man is changing Earth's climate, and should prompt reluctant governments into action against global warming, the group's chief scientist said Monday. read at source> http://edition.cnn.com/2006/TECH/science/11/13/climate.scientist.ap/index.html |
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Howard Dean's Statement on
2006 Election Results -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/11/howard_deans_st.php Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean today issued the following statement regarding the 2006 election results: "Today the American people sent a clear message for a new direction. Voting for hope and opportunity, they rejected the Republican culture of corruption and the politics of fear and smear. "I want to congratulate all of our Democratic candidates who ran strong campaigns, worked hard, and offered the American people a clear choice and a strong vision for a new direction based on the priorities of the American people. The American voters also sent a message to Democrats that if we show up, work hard and ask for their vote, we can win in any part of the country. "I also want to congratulate Representatives Emanuel and Pelosi, Senators Reid and Schumer, DGA Chair Governor Bill Richardson and DLCC Chair Joan Fitz-Gerald, Colorado State Senate President, for their hard work. Our work doesn't end tonight; it begins tomorrow as we put forward an agenda that puts the American people first. Democrats are unified and ready to change the tone of politics in Washington to get things done for the American people. "We will honor the trust the American
people have put in us with the promise that we will respect all
Americans. We will value your beliefs and your families as we
restore America to its position of moral leadership thought the
world. Together America will be stronger. Together we will move
America in a new direction." |
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Need to Protect Voters' Rights -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- source> http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/10/ohio_voter_id_r.php DNC Launches Online Resource Center for Voters' Rights: www.democrats.org/voterprotection
A day after a U.S. District Court issued a temporary restraining order suspending the Voter Identification requirements for absentee voting in Ohio, Republican Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell flip-flopped and allowed an appeal to be filed, adding further confusion to the November 7th elections. [Columbus Dispatch, 10/27/06] The decision yesterday puts a stop to the disparate application of parts of Ohio's Election law allowing voters to cast absentee ballots without fear that they are illegally being disenfranchised.
The Democratic Party advocates a voting process that is accessible and inclusive of all eligible voters, and that promotes participation, not confusion. The temporary restraining order and the potential appeal in Ohio are reminders that many Americans this November will be facing potential burdens, new voting technology for the first time, and confusing laws designed to make it harder for them to cast their ballots. That's why leading up to Election Day, the Democratic National Committee has implemented a 50 state voter protection strategy to ensure that Election Day is a fair and open process. As part of that expansive effort, the DNC is today launching its voter protection online resource center at www.democrats.org/voterprotection. "It's important for voters to understand their rights, and to feel ownership in the political process," said Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean in announcing the online resource center. "Ken Blackwell and Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro's decision to appeal unfortunately puts them on the side of chaos and confusion, not on the side of the voters, many of whom have already experienced problems in early absentee voting. Democrats are committed to not only protecting our most fundamental right to vote but also to encouraging active civic participation in our democracy by all eligible voters and restoring the American people's confidence in the electoral process." Through the website, voters can go online across the country to get the latest up-to-date information about their rights on Election Day and learn more about the DNC's national voter protection hotline, 1-888- DEM-VOTE. The site also includes information and tools to help provide voters with information on using absentee ballots in their states, as well as downloadable flyers and brochures to share vital information with friends and family. In addition to the establishment of a national voter protection hotline and the placement of election protection staff in key states, the DNC is implementing a comprehensive series of efforts aimed at helping Americans register to vote, learn how and where to cast their ballot, and provide assistance in overcoming Republican-led efforts to suppress voter turnout for the November elections. "Every eligible voter deserves the right to cast his or her vote and have that vote counted. That is why Democrats are working hard every single day to protect the right of the American people to participate in our democracy," concluded Dean, "and it's the reason we have the most expansive and comprehensive Election Protection program taking place in all 50 states for the first time ever. In Ohio and across the country, voters should head to the polls with confidence that they will be able to vote and that their votes will be counted." The following are key elements of the national Democratic voter protection strategy for 2006:
NATIONAL VOTER PROTECTION HOTLINE: The DNC established the national 1-888-DEM-VOTE hotline so voters all across the country can get information about how and where to vote and to report problems at the polls on Election Day; PROVIDING ELECTION PROTECTION STAFF: National Democrats will place election protection staff in 18 key states and provide training and step-by-step Election Protection manuals to other states. RECRUITING LEGAL ASSISTANCE ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY: The National Lawyers Council is recruiting 7,500 pro-bono lawyers and law students to support the DNC's election protection program. These lawyers will be placed in precincts to augment voter protection efforts at every level-including not just statewide office and Congressional races, but local and county races as well. These offices from state representatives to county sheriffs and judges will have a profound impact on the lives of real citizens throughout the year. ADVANCING LEGISLATION FOR VERIFIED VOTING: The DNC will continue working with Congressional leaders, grassroots activists and state parties to build support for federal legislation to mandate a verified voting paper trail for voting machines that has been proven as the best method of securing votes. FILING LITIGATION TO BLOCK LEGISLATION: The DNC will work with state parties to file litigation to prevent imposition of egregious photo ID and other Republican sponsored legislation that disenfranchise voters. This follows the successful partnership the DNC has undertaken with state parties pursuing legal challenges to, for example, Indiana's voter ID law and to the effort to investigate the criminal phone-jamming scheme in New Hampshire. MONITORING STATE LEGISLATION: The National
Lawyers Council and the Voting Rights Institute will continue
to meet with top election law attorneys and monitor state legislative
initiatives that have the potential to dilute the voting rights
of key constituency voters. They are also updating manuals from
the last election cycle to reflect new changes in election laws
across the country. |
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Cheney: Crafty Like A Fox -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- read at source> http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/10/cheney_crafty_l.php Today, during an interview on Fox News, Vice President Cheney once again continued his tradition of spinning facts even after they’ve been dismissed by everyone else. Cheney contradicted President Bush’s comments at last week’s press conference by saying that “we’re on the right track” in Iraq. “Once again, Dick Cheney has resorted to spin and misleading statements instead of being honest with the American people,” said Democratic National Committee Press Secretary Stacie Paxton. “As the election nears, Republicans are increasingly desperate because they have no record to point to and no credibility left with the American people. Americans want a new direction in Iraq, not a new set of talking points from the Vice President. Democrats are offering the American people a new direction that includes a strategy for victory in Iraq that redeploys our troops to better fight the war on terror, economic policies that create good jobs here in America.” CHENEY ON IRAQ • Bush On Iraq: “I’m Not Satisfied.” “I know many Americans are not satisfied with the situation in Iraq. I'm not satisfied, either.” [President Bush, 10/25/06] ON THE LINK BETWEEN IRAQ AND AL QAEDA |
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Dean on MD Voter Challenges
and OH Voter ID Developments -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- source> http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/11/dean_on_md_vote.php The Washington Post reported today on a Republican effort to distribute a guide for GOP “poll watchers in Maryland [that] spells out how to aggressively challenge the credentials of voters and urges these volunteers to tell election judges they could face jail time if a challenge is ignored.” The Post's exposure of these GOP tactics, along with the Democratic Party's expansive voter protection program in all 50 states, will help ensure that every American’s right to vote is protected. [Washington Post, 11/02/06] The guide being used in Maryland is consistent with Republican efforts across the country, and in past elections, to challenge voters in order to deny them their right to vote and to manipulate the outcome of an election. A similar effort in 1981 led to a court ruling that forces the Republican National Committee to obtain the court’s permission prior to carrying out any such program, and to give the Democratic National Committee 20 days notice prior to going to court. On Monday, DNC Chairman Howard Dean sent a letter to RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman asking him to comply with both the letter and the spirit of the law, and confirm that neither the RNC or its affiliates would carry out any such tactics to disenfranchise voters. The effort to challenge voters in Maryland uncovered by the Washington Post clearly shows a disregard for that court ruling and is further evidence of the Republican Party’s commitment to keeping Americans they disagree with from voting. The Washington Post story also comes a day after an agreement was reached in front of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, which gives voters a partial victory guaranteeing that nobody will be turned away by a lack of ID documentation. [Columbus Dispatch, 11/02/06] Thanks to the plaintiffs who took on the Republican Voter ID law, hundreds if not thousands of voters, including college students and our brave men and women in uniform, who otherwise might not have been able to vote will now get to cast a ballot. However, the confusion surrounding this year's election only reinforces the need to closely examine these requirements after Election Day. Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement: “The Republican efforts in Maryland to keep Americans from voting, and the fact that voters in states like Ohio and Indiana are still facing confusing voter ID laws are exactly why the Democratic National Committee has established the most comprehensive national voter protection program ever in all 50 states. “All Americans should have full confidence that they will be able to vote, and that their votes will be counted. The DNC will continue to fight to restore the American people’s confidence in their elections, and to protect the most fundamental right we have as Americans. I challenge my Republican counterpart, Ken Mehlman, to denounce the Maryland GOP manual, and to join the DNC in working to ensure that no American ever has to worry about their right to vote being challenged or their votes counted. And I encourage every American who can, to come out to vote next Tuesday. The best way to deter and defeat voter suppression is to have greater turnout.” The following are key elements of the national Democratic voter protection strategy for 2006. For information visit the DNC’s Voter Protection Resource Center online at http://www.democrats.org/voterprotection : NATIONAL VOTER PROTECTION HOTLINE: The DNC established the national 1-888-DEM-VOTE hotline so voters all across the country can get information about how and where to vote and to report problems at the polls on Election Day; PROVIDING ELECTION PROTECTION STAFF: National Democrats will place election protection staff in key states and provide training and step-by-step Election Protection manuals to other states. RECRUITING LEGAL ASSISTANCE ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY: The National Lawyers Council is recruiting 7,500 pro-bono lawyers and law students to support the DNC's election protection program. These lawyers will be placed in precincts to augment voter protection efforts at every level-including not just statewide office and Congressional races, but local and county races as well. These offices from state representatives to county sheriffs and judges will have a profound impact on the lives of real citizens throughout the year. ADVANCING LEGISLATION FOR VERIFIED VOTING: The DNC will continue working with Congressional leaders, grassroots activists and state parties to build support for federal legislation to mandate a verified voting paper trail for voting machines that has been proven as the best method of securing votes. FILING LITIGATION TO BLOCK LEGISLATION: The DNC will work with state parties to file litigation to prevent imposition of egregious photo ID and other Republican sponsored legislation that disenfranchise voters. This follows the successful partnership the DNC has undertaken with state parties pursuing legal challenges to, for example, Indiana's voter ID law and to the effort to investigate the criminal phone-jamming scheme in New Hampshire. MONITORING STATE LEGISLATION: The National
Lawyers Council and the Voting Rights Institute will continue
to meet with top election law attorneys and monitor state legislative
initiatives that have the potential to dilute the voting rights
of key constituency voters. They are also updating manuals from
the last election cycle to reflect new changes in election laws
across the country. |
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Today in Iraq: Resistance
to Deadlines for Iraq Weakening -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As the number of U.S. deaths in Iraq reaches 103 for the month of October, the Los Angeles Times today reports that a growing number of American military officials now believe that the advantage of setting deadlines will push the Iraqi forces to stand up and defend their country. This news comes as violence escalates and U.S. troops face increasing fatalities because Iraqi troops have failed to quell the growing power and influence of sectarian militias. Democrats reject President Bush's failed stay-the-course strategy in Iraq and want a new direction that is both tough and smart. Resistance to Deadlines for Iraq Weakening "Growing numbers of American military officers have begun to privately question a key tenet of U.S. strategy in Iraq - that setting a hard deadline for troop reductions would strengthen the insurgency and undermine efforts to create a stable state. "The Iraqi government's refusal to take certain measures to reduce sectarian tensions between Sunni Arabs and the nation's Shiite Muslim majority has led these officers to conclude that Iraqis will not make difficult decisions unless they are pushed. "Therefore, they say, the advantages of deadlines may outweigh the drawbacks. ..." To read this entire article, please click here. read at source> http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/10/today_in_iraq_r.php
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Democratic Revolution -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Election by election, state by state, precinct by precinct, door by door, vote by vote...we're going to lift our Party up and take this country back for the people who built it." Governor Howard Dean said this when he launched the 50-state strategy in February 2005. Thanks to all the activists who helped make this a reality, and congratulations to all of the newly-elected Democrats. http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/11/democratic_revo_1.php
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Corrupt political lobbyists
going to prison -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By DAVID DISHNEAU and MATT APUZZO read at source> http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/con....6111501159.html CUMBERLAND, Md. -- Hours before entering federal prison Wednesday, lobbyist Jack Abramoff sent friends an e-mail lamenting "this nightmare" political scandal and predicting things were about to get worse _ but still looking optimistically to the future. Abramoff, who parlayed campaign donations and expensive gifts into political influence from Congress to the White House, reported to a Maryland prison where he will earn no more than 40 cents an hour for assigned jobs.
Jack Abramoff leaves Federal Court in Washington in this Jan. 3, 2006 file photo. Abramoff, convicted of federal charges after using expensive gifts, campaign donations and exotic trips to win access to the powerful in Washington, went to prison Wednesday. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert - AP) Shortly before dawn, he sent an e-mail to friends thanking them for standing by him. He then set out for prison, leaving behind a city shaken by his scandal. A congressman has admitted corruption, a Bush administration official was convicted of lying, Republicans were driven from office and several aides have pleaded guilty. "This nightmare has gone on for almost three years so far and I expect we are not even half way through," Abramoff wrote. He will serve a six-year sentence for a fraudulent Florida casino deal. He is awaiting sentencing in a Capitol Hill public corruption case in which he also is the star witness. "Unfortunately, things are going to get worse (starting today no doubt) before they get better, but I am confident that ultimately the turmoil will subside and we will have our lives back," Abramoff wrote in his e-mail. The message, described by Abramoff as "my last e-mail for a while," was provided to The Associated Press by one his correspondents, who asked to remain anonymous. Abramoff, inmate No. 27593-112, was delivered to prison out of sight of reporters and camera crews. He will be held at a 334-bed, minimum-security prison camp. From prison, Abramoff is to continue cooperating
with the Justice Department, helping explain how he manipulated
government decisions and who else was involved. The case has
already led to the conviction of former Bush administration official
David Safavian and guilty pleas from former Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio,
and several congressional aides. |
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Republican ideology, incompetence
and corruption -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- They're desperate to convince pundits, reporters and the public that the 2006 elections are anything but what they were: a complete rejection of the Republican ideology, incompetence and corruption. Americans asked for change in the Congress and in state capitals across the country, and sent a crystal clear message about what kind of change they wanted: every single incumbent Democrat running for the House, the Senate or Governor was re-elected, and we made historic gains everywhere. All of this happened by trying something new. After years of running the same kinds of campaign, our 50-state strategy helped expand the playing field and provide the foundation for victories up and down the ballot. Now we'll be moving quickly onto another chapter of new tactics. That's why I'm writing you today. For the first time in decades, we're keeping our operation alive after the election. Our successful 50-State Turnout staff and volunteer networks will be put right back to work building the party in preparation for 2008 and beyond. What's your role in this? Now is the time for you to create your PartyBuilder account and cement the connections you've made in this election season. PartyBuilder is a suite of online tools that put you in the driver's seat. You can create your own events, write your own blog, create and lead your own group (or join someone else's), and much more. But most importantly you can create and sustain connection with people in your area -- capturing the work of this election and laying the groundwork for elections to come. Will you set up your profile and make some PartyBuilder connections? Just click here to get started: http://www.democrats.org/partybuilder We just proved that by organizing early and building from the ground up, Democrats can win elections -- and win decisively. If we're going to win in 2008 we've got to start now. We need to support the new Democratic majority in Congress by organizing everywhere, and in doing so we will be laying the groundwork for the presidential race. If we get to work now, we will repeat our success -- expanding the playing field and keeping the Republicans back on their heels, scrambling to keep up. Right now we have the opportunity to show people what amazing things can happen when the party in power is beholden to no one but the people. It's going to be a great time, and I hope you'll join in. Thank you, Tom McMahon |
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News on Democratic plan to
prevent future election -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- read at source> http://www.progressiveu.org/131915-news-....-election-fraud This is GREAT news! Senator Reid and the Democrats are fighting election shenanigans that have been the the core of the Republican policies in the last few elections! I'm doing the happy dance at THIS NEWS! "The Senate Democratic leadership
team plans a long, laborious slog for the Senate next year even
as party leaders continue to formalize their legislative agenda
for the 110th Congress — an agenda that already includes
a couple of surprises. "Noting that such tactics were used in both the Missouri and Maryland Senate races, Schumer said, “I think the person or people who authorized that should go to jail for 10 years.” Currently, civil fines usually are the most serious penalty assessed for such ploys. Schumer added that a separate unit should be created within the Justice Department to deal with cases of election fraud." (Roll Call) Let's make sure they outlaw those e-voting machines too. And for a party that understood that the 04 election was stolen in the machines and suppression, and the 2002 midterms was stolen in the machines and suppression, and the 2000 elections were stolen in the machines and the suppression....I have only ONE question? WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG? And i have ONE huge thanks to give too...to RFK Jr. who made the mainstream media report on this and who has ongoing cases on this too. Is it January yet? I can't wait to see
all of this talk get put into action! my list of items that the
Democratic Congress has said they will act on is getting longer...
They'll certainly have their work cut out for them! |
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Clear Evidence 2006 Congressional
Elections Hacked -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OpEdNews Exclusive by Rob Kall read at source> http://www.opednews.com/articles/genera_rob_kall_061117_clear_evidence_2006_.htm Results Skewed Nationwide In Favor of Republicans by 4 percent, 3 million votes
A major undercount of Democratic votes and an overcount of Republican votes in U.S. House and Senate races across the country is indicated by an analysis of national exit polling data, by the Election Defense Alliance (EDA), a national election integrity organization. These findings have led EDA to issue an urgent call for further investigation into the 2006 election results and a moratorium on deployment of all electronic election equipment. "We see evidence of pervasive fraud, but apparently calibrated to political conditions existing before recent developments shifted the political landscape," said attorney Jonathan Simon, co-founder of Election Defense Alliance, "so 'the fix' turned out not to be sufficient for the actual circumstances." Explained Simon, "When you set out to rig an election, you want to do just enough to win. The greater the shift from expectations, (from exit polling, pre-election polling, demographics) the greater the risk of exposure--of provoking investigation. What was plenty to win on October 1 fell short on November 7. "The findings raise urgent questions about the electoral machinery and vote counting systems used in the United States," according to Sally Castleman, National Chair of EDA. "This is a nothing less than a national indictment of the vote counting process in the United States!"
"The numbers tell us there absolutely
was hacking going on, just not enough to overcome the size of
the actual turnout. The tide turned so much in the last few weeks
before the eleciton. It looks for all the world that they'd already
figured out the percentage they needed to rig, when the programming
of the vote rigging software was distributed weeks before the
election, and it wasn't enough," Castleman commented. |
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Kissinger: Victory in Iraq
no longer possible -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- read at source> http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/11/19/iraq.kissinger/index.html WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A U.S. victory in Iraq is no longer possible under the conditions the Bush administration hopes to achieve, but a quick withdrawal of American troops would have "disastrous consequences," former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said Sunday. President Bush has said the United States will remain in Iraq until the country's government "can sustain itself and defend itself," and a top Iraqi official disputed Kissinger's assessment of the three-year-old war in an interview with CNN. But in a BBC interview Sunday morning, Kissinger said the U.S. course needs to be redefined -- and the breakup of Iraq could be the eventual outcome. member is online
www.usdemocrats.com
Joined: Mar 2004 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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George Bush - Stranded on
the Iceberg -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- read at source> http://americaabroad.tpmcafe.com/blog/gw...._on_the_iceberg Judging by the reactions to the Republican debacle by columnists and pundits from both parties, a certain group, the Bush entourage, the neocons, not only lost their credibility on November 8th, they face the prospect of ostracism from both sides of the political spectrum. The lessons of extremism have been learned by both parties. Most interesting were the Republican responses and how much in common they have at the core with those from the Democratic side. It's a real sign of how low a party has come when the most hard core members of the party condemn it's condition and choose to chastise it when it hits bottom. Cal Thomas is as conservative as they come, so I was surprised to read these paragraphs in his reaction to Election Day: In the end, the Republican "revolution" ran out of gas and out of vision. Too many congressional Republicans appeared to care more about maintaining power than using power to implement an agenda, which they also abandoned. Republicans reverted to fear tactics about Democrats raising taxes and "cutting and running" from Iraq. Democrats probably will try to raise taxes (they call it "pay as you go") and introduce resolutions to withdraw from Iraq under cover of a "plan" that has little to do with victory. Investigations of the administration will be labeled "oversight," and headed by the most liberal members of the House. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), a probable 2008 GOP presidential candidate, said on NBC Tuesday night that too many congressional Republicans had not been "careful stewards of taxpayer dollars," nor had they "adhered to conservative principles." He specifically mentioned such spending boondoggles as Alaska's "bridge to nowhere," numerous earmarks, pork barrel spending, and scandals. When Republicans behave like Democrats, they lose. Why should people settle for counterfeits when they can have the genuine article? Wow! If someone very influential in conservative circles says that, it amounts to a very personal intervention! The Republican leadership has isolated itself. For instance, it's funny how there are many basics that people of divergent ideologies can agree on, You see, honesty matters very much to most people, Also, it matters very much if your leaders betray the basic tenets your party lives by. I say this because including Thomas, I found other conservative columnists with whom I have many fundamental disagreements who agreed with the Left substantially on many of the reasons why the Republicans deserved to lose this election. Carol Platt Liebau in her article for Townhall.com "Recapturing the Spirit of 94," gives a perfect example of what I mean in her article "Recapturing the spirit of '94." Three paragraphs in this piece are quintessential examples what I mean: The first two paragraphs are the condemnation: Its long been said that there are two kinds of men who seek the presidency: Those who want to be someone, and those who want to do something. As we've seen, the same is true when it comes to the Congress. Recently, it seems that there have been too many of the former among congressional Republicans and not enough of the latter. Accordingly, the party was chastised by the voters last Tuesday night, when the American people sent Republicans packing. Electoral casualties included good men like Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania and Jim Talent of Missouri, whose status as incumbents in swing states meant that they were forced to take the punishment that more justly should have been meted out to others. And just to put things in perspective here's where we part company on the war: Dishonest, disgusting or cowardly behavior
is galling to the electorate at any time, but never more than
when the country is at war. Certainly, contrary to what lefties
are claiming, the election wasn’t a referendum on our presence
in Iraq. Voters aren’t angry that the United States is trying
to secure Iraq and establish a foothold for democracy in the
Middle East. Instead, they’re frustrated at a war that,
it seems, is being fought with half measures, little discernible
forward progress, and an Administration that appears hesitant
about presenting a thorough, sure-footed case for our continued
presence there or a clear plan for victory. |
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What to do about our debt?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- read at source> http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.d....08/1035/OPINION November 20, 2006
The issue: The United States is a debtor nation. Each day this country's national debt grows $1.6 billion. We're in the red about $8.5 trillion in public debt. The national debt is what the U.S. government has borrowed to meet its deficit - the difference between what the government collects and spends. Over half the national debt is now financed by foreigners. Is that nothing to worry about or a path to financial ruin? Could the billions being paid in interest be better spent elsewhere?
Return to pay-as-you-go budgeting President Bush inherited from President Clinton the largest annual budget surplus in history, plus a projected 10-year surplus of $5.6 trillion, enough to completely eliminate the national debt. That inheritance has been squandered. |
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Report Election Fraud And
Voting Rights Abuse -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Report Election Fraud And Voting Rights
Abuse read full article at source> http://cbs2.com/topstories/local_story_311092724.html
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Voting Expert: Widespread
Election Fraud Again -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paul Joseph Watson read at source> http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/november2006/071106votefraud.htm Vote fraud crusader and rights activist Bev Harris has told the nationally syndicated Alex Jones Show that she is in possession of voting software used by the big three voting systems companies and is now in a position to completely expose the true scale of electronic vote fraud, as a cascade of stories about voter intimidation, arrests and machine meltdowns arrived on election day. "They aren't even being sneaky about it now," said Harris in summarizing the widespread voting machine failures and election fraud that unfolded throughout the day, referring to policies whereby voting precincts have imposed complete blackouts on any indication of their results until the official confirmation from headquarters is given. Precinct reports are now being treated as illegal and individuals are being charged for even suggesting that precincts keep tally counts of votes so comparison checks can be conducted later. Harris also related stories of arrests of those merely trying to ensure checks and balances are taking place as voting machines fail nationwide, including an entire county blackout in Indiana. Harris also discussed dirty tricks in Los
Angeles, whereby polling precincts remain closed anything to
an hour after they were supposed to open and election workers
are putting green lines through ballot papers to denote the location
of voting, knowing full well that this invalidates the paper
during the subsequent optical scan. Pollsters were caught telling
colleagues in hushed tones not to let voters know about this
scam. |
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U.N.: Iran agrees to open
nuclear books -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- read at source> http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/11/23/iran.plant.ap/index.html VIENNA, Austria (AP) -- Iran has agreed to crack open the books on its uranium enrichment activities, the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency said Thursday -- a move that could give experts a better grasp of a program the Security Council fears could be misused to produce atomic bombs. The concession appeared timed in hopes
of heading off a rejection by the International Atomic Energy
Agency of Iran's request for technical help in building its Arak
plutonium-producing reactor. Unmoved, the IAEA's 35-nation board
denied the aid for at least two years. |
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Connors pleads guilty to election
fraud -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Connors pleads guilty to election fraud
By DENNIS YUSKO, Staff writer read at source> http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.a....date=11/30/2006 Last updated: 12:57 p.m., Thursday, November 30, 2006 BALLSTON SPA -- Mayor Anthony Sylvester
placed William Connors, the chairman of the city's Community
Development Agency, on administrative leave Thursday, hours after
Connors pleaded guilty in Saratoga County Court to 16 election
law misdemeanors. |
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