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NEW RULE HELPS DEMS
New federal and state laws could hurt (New York) Republican state senators in 2008. The rules require new voting machines to reject ballots if any races are left blank, unless the voter pushes an override button. More voters will be encouraged to complete their ballots, says elections consultant Jerry Skurnik of Prime NY. That could boost totals for Democratic state Senate candidates when Democratic voters turn out in big numbers for the presidential election. In past presidential years, about 30% of voters failed to complete their ballots. It could also add votes for down-ballot Republicans, such as Rep. Vito Fossella of Staten Island, in areas where GOP turnout is high, Skurnik says.
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