Vote audit throws results into limbo

(Even though this is local (Charlotte, NC) it's important because the error was in our favor so naturally the republicans got the results overturned. Will it be so easy to get the results overturned for the pres. election?)

" A frenzied retallying of early-voting ballots Thursday edged out Democrat Wilhelmenia Rembert out of a Mecklenberg County commissioners seat and added Republican Ruth Samuelson to the board for now...

More than 3,200 votes were removed from results released Tuesday after republicans pointed out a discrepancy in early-voting totals: more ballots than voters."

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/special_packages/election2004/10104400.htm?1c

here's a login from bugmenot if anyone wants to read the whole article:hehateme@hotmail.com/password:zxcvbn

I've seen numerous stories of too many votes going to Bush. This is the first one where extra votes went to Democrats.

This will probably hit the national news big time.

It is probably going to offset all the stories about the big scam.

caused errors...shouldn't she?

Why not request her advocacy?

... How funny would that be if the various state results could be challenged based on this precedent, which only happened because of the GOP's own greed ?

I'd love it.


:hippie:

This makes me so damn mad. I have been crunching Florida data as well as others. I am risking losing a client, I am already broke, I have shared my data with others. Florida ACLU has been contacted. Others have done way more than me. We have found were there were reports of more ballots than voters.

....but it's in the presidential race. How could this recount happen? In the media? Candidates switched? Where in the hell are the people that were hired to do what a bunch of us are doing at our own risk/expense.

Where are those damn attorneys????????????? If they are working in secret it's time for them to come out. We are tired and broke and think we are sinking....come out come out from wherever you are???

on edit: did it ever occur to anyone but us if the damn machines are wrong in one place they very well are probably wrong in a lot of places. did it ever occur to anyone but us that we'd like the correct results even if they are innocent mistakes and not fraud...we'd like the people's vote to be what the people voted whatever that may be.

The machines apparently count, count, and then count some more.
What are they counting? Only god knows!

I thought this needed a little more emphasis.

And thanks seemslikeadream for post #8.

They add up more votes than there are actual voters.
Something is extremely fishy indeed.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2609760

House Judiciary Committee letter to GAO regarding voting machines

November 5, 2004

The Honorable David M. Walker

Comptroller General of the United States

U.S. General Accountability Office

441 G Street, NW

Washington, DC 20548

Dear Mr. Walker:

We write with an urgent request that the Government Accountability Office immediately undertake an investigation of the efficacy of voting machines and new technologies used in the 2004 election, how election officials responded to difficulties they encountered and what we can do in the future to improve our election systems and administration.

In particular, we are extremely troubled by the following reports, which we would also request that you review and evaluate for us:

In Columbus, Ohio, an electronic voting system gave President Bush nearly 4,000 extra votes. "Machine Error Gives Bush Extra Ohio Votes," Associated Press, November 5.

An electronic tally of a South Florida gambling ballot initiative failed to record thousands of votes. "South Florida OKs Slot Machines Proposal," Id.

In one North Carolina county, more than 4,500 votes were lost because officials mistakenly believed a computer that stored ballots could hold more data that it did. "Machine Error Gives Bush Extra Ohio Votes," Id.

In San Francisco, a glitch occurred with voting machines software that resulted in some votes being left uncounted. Id.

In Florida, there was a substantial drop off in Democratic votes in proportion to voter registration in counties utilizing optical scan machines that was apparently not present in counties using other mechanisms. http://ustogether.org/election04/florida_vote_patt.htm

The House Judiciary Committee Democratic staff has received numerous reports from Youngstown, Ohio that voters who attempted to cast a vote for John Kerry on electronic voting machines saw that their votes were instead recorded as votes for George W. Bush. In South Florida, Congressman Wexler's staff received numerous reports from voters in Palm Beach, Broward and Dade Counties that they attempted to select John Kerry but George Bush appeared on the screen. CNN has reported that a dozen voters in six states, particularly Democrats in Florida, reported similar problems. This was among over one thousand such problems reported. "Touchscreen Voting Problems Reported," Associated Press, November 5.

Excessively long lines were a frequent problem throughout the nation in Democratic precincts, particularly in Florida and Ohio. In one Ohio voting precinct serving students from Kenyon College, some voters were required to wait more than eight hours to vote. "All Eyes on Ohio," Dan Lothian, CNN, November 3, http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/blog/1...blog/index... ..

We are literally receiving additional reports every minute and will transmit additional information as it comes available. The essence of democracy is the confidence of the electorate in the accuracy of voting methods and the fairness of voting procedures. In 2000, that confidence suffered terribly, and we fear that such a blow to our democracy may have occurred in 2004.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this inquiry.

Sincerely,
John Conyers, Jr. Jerrold Nadler Robert Wexler
Ranking Member Ranking Member Member of Congress
House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on the Constitution
cc: Hon. F. James Sensenbrenner
Chairman

they were told the machines could hold 10,000 vote records, but they could only hold 3500.

I just can't believe this article. Repukes demand action and they get it immediately. Dems get beat and Bush is free to murder and steal at will.

As if a school board is much more pressing than an administration where people will die.

At least they "reported for duty."

to investigate the henhouse.

These guys are always on the battlefield for demockracy. I hope they can influence the GAO to do the honorable thing and have a non partisan investigation.

Since there are a few places that can be hit all over on that one!

Point out that this is the Repub camp crying foul!