Reply #11: Here's the letter I sent last week [View All]

Dear (my representative)

I am a graduate student in the astronomy department at (my school) and a registered voter in (my town).

I have grave concerns regarding the legitimacy of the 2004 presidential vote, and by extension, the health of our democratic process in this country. I am sure you are aware of the ongoing efforts of your colleague, Representative John Conyers, to investigate claims of voting irregularities and voter fraud during the 2004 election, particularly in the key state of Ohio. While I think it wise to remain skeptical with regards to claims of widespread election fraud--thus sticking to the principle that "extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence"--I wholeheartedly applaud Rep. Conyers's efforts to collect and examine such evidence.

Such evidence is accumulating that significant numbers of voters in strategically important districts were disenfranchised in this election. Tactics range from old-fashioned methods of voter suppression in minority districts (through non-uniform distribution of voting machines, resulting in disproportionate waiting times) to the even more serious and abhorrent possibility that official election tallies were hacked in a central database. The noted discrepancy between the raw, "uncalibrated" exit poll numbers and the official election results warrants, indeed demands, a full explanation--particularly in light of the respect exit polls draw in every other country's elections (see Ukraine).

If the 2004 election was indeed tainted, this must be remedied. Now. Time is short. As I'm sure you know, the U.S. Constitution provides a means for Congress to contest the electoral votes on January 6, 2005. Too much is at stake to let the current administration enact its tragically inept policies without making sure the United States citizens did indeed give them their blessing.

I urge you, (my representative), to support Rep. Conyers in his efforts, and to pay close and careful attention to what he finds and concludes. Right now I consider him one of the few elected representatives who is actively guarding the principle that a legitimate government derives its power only from the governed. He should not be in the minority on this issue.

Sincerely,

(my name and town)