ACTION: Californians....

To all of us on the left coast:

I started the following thread in the California room based on the idea that Mr. Madsen's piece might bring the story here. While I too am enjoying the story with a healthy level of skepticism, I think we should be prepared if something breaks with this story. Here is the link to the thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=141x4368

If you are in or near California, and feel you can assist should we need to coordinate something here, please sign in! :) :)

Remember Prop. 59, btw? The State Constitutional amendment that garauntees our right to access records and information from our government? It went into effect on Nov. 3rd with over 82% approval. Prior to that we enjoyed the CPRA and various open meeting laws. They won't be able to hide from us here without making it obvious that they are doing so. (See www.cfac.org for info on CA sunshine laws.)

Let's be ready. :)

Warmly,

George

kick...

kick

Hi jamboi,

I have loved reading your threads, btw. And great work coordinating with Mr. Madsen!! :)

Hopefully if something breaks on that story, we can be ready here in Cali. I think we have an above average chance of finding stupid stuff thanks to our state's wonderful, and recently enhanced sunshine laws.

Warmly,

George

kick

Thanks for checking in! :) -G

I was just about to start a thread, pulling out this bit from Casolaro (Madsen):

195. talking

They dare not talk to the Feds -- the FBI may be involved in this (not all of them but that part that constantly serves as cover up artists for Bush). The state officials in Ohio are mostly Republicans -- a Taft, Inc. state. Florida - well that is Jeb's personal banana republic. Texas - N/A. That leaves California where the Dems still control some statewide offices.

So who should we be contacting?

And should we start by poring over these California election stats by county?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x85267

start a California Project to look into the data county by county, possibly precinct by precinct. Once we discover our problem spots, we can use our wonderful sunshine laws here (which were enhanced on Nov. 3rd with Prop. 59) to get us some answers. :)

Thanks for checking in and keep in touch! :) Let me know if you have started to work on the numbers. :) :)

Warmly,

George

In California, there were 3250 incidents reported (this, according to www.voterprotect.org, who has an interactive map of the U.S. with voting problems broken down by state/county/precinct). The counties with the highest number of problems were San Bernardino (152), Los Angeles (a whopping 998), Riverside (145), and San Diego (188), and Orange (300). You can query on type of incident, which is very handy.

Here is a link to the map:
https://voteprotect.org/index.php?display=EIRMapNation&tab=ALL

You can see by the U.S. map that California is among those states with the highest (i.e., 1000+) number of incidents.

They have lots of other resources on their home page:
https://voteprotect.org/index.php?display=EIRAbout

Here's another good resource: http://www.votewatch.us/
They had people observe the voting and tell them of their experiences.

Just tell us what to do!

Funny how all the problems arise in Republican-based SoCal. I believe we are starting to see a very clear trend here.

Thanks for the links! California was among the highest number of reported incedents as well; go figure. :) - G

This is by no means the definitive database. I have sent www.voteprotect.org a number of links and emails pertaining to voter fraud that I've encountered. They're always happy to update their list. I know they're working very hard on this.

Just wanted to say that this isn't the entire list-- only what they've got so far. But it's a start!!

I almost wish I wasn't moving to the bay area this weekend. I'm up to offer my help with stuff up there though.

Hi:

My husband and I can help in the OC. We are both corporate types-- and my husband has an audit background. I'd love to catch the arrogant repugs here in OC in the act. Count us in!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

Had to get that 3,000,000 mandate, ya know? Go for it California. We love you!!!!

Something funky happened in our county. I walked in a bit late to the last meeting of the Democratic Club and heard about some kind of problem with the optical scanner. I didn't hear the whole story, so I don't know the details.

I've been assuming any shenanigans that went on happened back east, so I just dismissed the "irregularity" as equipment malfunction, which it very well may have been.

Still, I really don't trust Madsen's story. It didn't pass the smell test. Paper checks??? Why the hell would the BFEE risk something like that?

Va started using dibold machines this year. I was wondering if Bushes votes could have been padded here safely because no one would be looking here. I already asked Norfolk, which is all Dibold as of this year, for their records for 2000 and 2004. They were faxed to me today and I plan to go over the results shortly. Should we look into Va.?

We need to look everywhere. There is a thread over in the Voting Results forum that is looking for the data from all states:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=201&topic_id=4551&mesg_id=4983&page=

Just PM someone on the thread if it is too confusing.

:hi:

Yes! We should all be looking in our own backyards as much as we feel is warranted (and then some). I am in California where I suspected things went just fine. The results seemed a little different, but I didn't suspect. And then Mr. Madsen chimes in.

Lesson learned. We need to have our eyes open wherever and whenever we can.

Thanks for writing Rainy! And thanks for responding Ojai Person! :) :)

Warmly,

George

I'm just waiting for instructions.

(remotely from a D.C. College...but yea)

I heard (from a totally reliable source) that there was definitely voter intimidation in Marin City and in the Canal District. I was so surprised-- I guess I assumed that only places like Florida and Ohio had crooks in them!!

AND California used the wonderful GEMS servers ("hacker friendly," according to one of BBV's employees) for its vote tallies.

I'm suspicious.

voter intimidation in the canal eh...
guess it's everywhere else...why not home?

Of course we all know that since thats mainly the only places there are minorities in the county that they were the logical target.
So sad that this is the state of our ...democracy.

I just e-mailed using a link on the CA Secretary of State Elections site requesting for their election data in an easier to read format such as table/spreadsheet...I don't exactly have high hopes for a response; but it killed five minutes.

I too am suspicious

a lot of fraud was hidden in California, probably since it has so many people (I'm guessing). And an compliant idiot for guv...

I was so furious when I heard that minorities were being hassled-- I felt like I was going to have a fit. Why aren't those poll workers getting in trouble?? It can't be legal to hassle people.

And I also heard that these voters were NOT ALLOWED TO TAKE THEIR VOTING PAMPHLETS IN THE VOTING BOOTH WITH THEM!!!

Like it's cheating on a test or something. That is utter BS!!!

make sure to mention that you asking pursuant to your right to access as described in the California Public Records Act, and the California State Constitution. Also, make sure to ask that you recieve the records in electronic form should they be available, and to not exceed copying costs of x amount of dollars without your permission. If they give you any trouble past that, Pm me. :) - G

(more info on CPRA, Prop 59, Open Meeting Laws, etc. at www.cfac.org )

Thanks, I already sent my request, so i'll give them two days and then will send a new one with tougher language.
Good to know about the legal aspects of such requests though.
Thanks :) (I'll read up on them later tonight)

The increase for Kerry in Marin could be due to the tireless efforts of the Marin County DNC and other groups. I know I never got directly involved before in any election, yet this year, the headquarters was always packed, and we made a lot of phone calls and put out a lot of signs. MoveOn.org is in the Bay Area and was very active in the community.
I wouldn't doubt a 25% increase for the Democrats, though we were already solidly Dem.

Come to our http://www.usvip.org/ meeting tonight at the church where www.mpjc.org meets. 7:30

That's fantastic

http://www.usvip.org/article.asp?id=14&bc=3

Can anyone confirm that for me?

Having lived here most of my life, those numbers don't surprise me.

Check the 2000 votes for Gore and they should be similiar.

It's crazy being a Dem in this area.


:crazy:

Come to our http://www.usvip.org/ meeting tonight at the church where www.mpjc.org meets. 7:30

I am brand-spankin new! Please be KIND! I am in South Orange County and I'm anxious to do something, anything. I've been lurking for a looong time and finally decided to participate. I didn't think there would be much to do here in O.C. Let me know how I can help.

Welome to DU from another relative newbie :)

if you wish there are refreshments in the corner and here is your honorary tinfoilhat

:tinfoilhat:

Good day all
:toast:

p.s. yes i'm still fascinated with the animated icons

Thanks! "There's no place like home!" I was also thinking about the icons, just figured I had to earn them!

Welcome to DU. Just dig in. Honest, we don't bite.

:kick:

:kick:
...now sleep

Hi all,

It is great to see so many people ready to tear into this!

CA is broken down into 58 counties. I am hoping to find someone in each county who can help coordinate, and others that can help support. Please go to this thread to help us get a start:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=203&topic_id=91254#

I'll publish an updated list of who is working on what county as the data comes in. :)

Warmly,

George

volunteers at the new thread. I have already added anyone who posted here to the updated list at "Project California." :) - G

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=203&topic_id=91254#

Thanks! :) - G

:kick: :kick:

:) -G

Let me know what I can do. rather new to this, too. Since Mr. Madsen mentioned padding in CA, Merced, I downloaded the excel file on all county registrants, to compare with the current results to see for myself.

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

I did not realize. I am kind of new to all this posting thing :)

They turned away all people seeking provisional ballots if they were not from Orange County. Additionally they only had 4 e-voting machines and you could easily choose to do a paper ballot instead. However I could have easily done my paper ballot and gotten back in line to do the e voting because they were not checking which lines we were going in. Lot of shady things happened at the one polling place I went to...

I have a few friends that go to school there. I am not totally suprised though. So, can we count you in for Orange County? :) -G

and i will bring with myself a few friends who I have already mobilized to some degree...

cool. :) -G

what is it that i can do i witnessed certain things but im not sure what it is i can do about those things...

:) - G

:kick:

Take a look at the photos from a demonstration in California

http://www.indybay.org/news/2004/11/1707625.php


-snip-
"The demonstration, organized by the Wellstone Democratic Club of Silicon Valley, and by The Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley, was to protest the Media's near complete silence concerning voting irregularities in the 2004 presidential election."

Here's a little gift for the numbers-impaired (or old eyes):

--------------------2000----------2004---------change---%change
County----------Gore-----------Kerry
fresno------------95,059--------95,925---------866-------0.91%-
riverside --------202,576--------228,806------26,230----12.95%-
sanbernardino---214,749---------222,143------7,394-------3.44%
stanislaus--------56,448--------58,829--------2,381------4.22%
tulare-------------33,006--------32,494-------(-)512----(-)1.55%


-------------------2000----------2004-----change------%change
County----------W Shrub------W Shrub
fresno------------117,342-----134,532----17,190----14.65%
riverside---------231,955-----322,473----90,518----39.02%
sanbernardino----221,757-----283,902----62,145----28.02%
stanislaus---------67,188-------85,407-----18,219----27.12%
tulare-------------54,070-------65,399-----11,329----20.95%

Now that I can see these numbers--they beggar belief. They are NOT possible. Anecdote: My brother, lifelong resident of San Bernardino, has never done anything political IN HIS LIFE (although he is a loyal Dem voter). But THIS election, he volunteered for GOTV phone banks! I can't tell you how astonished I was! And wanted to talk politics! He said everybody was out doing phoning or precinct walking, even him. He'd never seen such activism. SB is a traditional Dem area, strong union county--some inroads by rightwing C's, but still. The shrub jump to 28% of the vote, with Kerry jumping only 3.4%, is simply not believable for SB.

I have a lot of personal knowledge of SB/Riverside, parts of L.A. (Hollywood-West L.A., downtown LA, & beach cities), and North CA-Mendocino (and nearby Sonoma and Humboldt), with some knowledge of LA-Valley area, SF/Bay area, central valley (Merced area) and San Diego.

GIVE ME ASSIGNMENTS. Tonight (Tues., 11/30). All day Thursday. A.M. only on Wed., Fri., and Sat. Then more time starting Sunday.

I can't travel to check election records, but I can do internet research and simple number crunching. Give me whatever helps you can (relevant urls, etc.) and benefit of your experience in the art of election fraud detection.

pirohuck@mcn.org

Criminy--I wasn't all that WORRIED about CA until recently! But after I read the Berkeley report--that all those phantom votes for Bush were found in FLA's three biggest Democratic counties--I began to realize that they could have taken votes from ANYWHERE, and that big Dem areas like CA might be the MOST LIKELY place for them to pad Bush's vote. (I've thought since around midnight Nov. 2 that padding Bush's popular vote in numerous states was likely part of the plan, but I just didn't think they'd risk it here with our anti-Diebold Sec'y of State, and so many Dems breathing down their necks.)

Now this Wayne Madsen thing. I'm very concerned that it may be a CBS-type dirty trick. Although I have no reason at all to suspect Madsen himself--what better way to discredit the growing mountain of evidence of election fraud than to have a big splashy scandal about a $29 million dollar check explode in our faces in some way, with the entire buffoonery of American journalism out to debunk any taint on their warmonger's dirty little face?

I would proceed cautiously on Madsen's allegations. But as for pursuing the facts on this stinking swamp of an "election" wherever it takes us--yes, yes, yes!

Ready and willing to help however I can. What's the plan?

Hello Fellow Dems...

yes can coordinate. Long time activist Dem here, former precinct committeeman, knows election law, active in 2004 local campaigns, was present in Ohio late October-November for the big blow-out...(saddest and longest trip back across the country, ever...)

John Gordon
619 379-5561

Hi John,

I'm sorry I didn't see your post earlier. I'll add you to the project list in the "Project California" thread.

Thanks for checking in! :) :)

Warmly,

George

Here in Burbank!

I have said forever that they were planning on rigging CA. The recall was the dress rehearsal.

I'll add you to the project list for L.A. County. :)

Thanks for checking in!! :) :) -G

kick

Here's the link from this morning's L.A. Times:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-prop1dec01,1,6655841.story?coll=la-headlines-california

"Late ballots appear to make measure a winner, but a clerical error may be responsible (snip) election night reports had the measure narrowly losing by a margin of 157,462 votes"....

What could this mean????

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

keep the faith sisters and brothers . . . we can / will make a difference . . .

here is a fun and worthy pastime that is helpful and smart . . . kids love it!!!!

make a sign --- large or small . . . hang them up on the community bill boards, phone poles, phone booths etc

or go for the FREEWAY ala the master. . .

http://www.freewayblogger.com/

i keep pimping this idea cause it is GREAT!!!!!!

I think there was fraud in California. Didn't it seem like some propositions kind of magically changed numbers late in the day, all of a sudden? Just like the Bush win?

Just to summarize, as I understand what seems most important about California wrt Masden's contentions are these:

1) What were the specific CA counties that Masden mentioned, and do numbers there add up?

2) What incidents of possible "machine tamperers" can be gleaned from incident or voters' reports from these counties?

3) What Dem CA candidate is Masden refering to in article 3 and might it be worth talking to him or her?

4) Who or what CA statewide Democratic offices, referenced by Masden in Q&A session on DU, would be worth approaching, putting together evidence for, since Masden suggested that our best legal recourse might be in CA.

Doesn't that make our state important!

Hi Ojai Person,

"3) What Dem CA candidate is Masden refering to in article 3 and might it be worth talking to him or her?"

Mind taking a peek at it? If you have time, I'll Pm you with a list of counties I would check first. :) -G

:kick:

Riverside and Alameda county areas. Please check in on the "Project California" thread. :) -G

I compiled the complaints which are specific to machine problems(Diebold) . Geographically and economically the Oakland area, which is most of the complaints, is the most econ. depressed, urban and mostly African American. This includes especially Fruitvale which is very depressed. Berkeley(urban) is the next area and it is more affluent in some areas, but still has depressed and African American areas as noted in one complaint. Also I noticed the startling lack of any machine complaints in any of the largly white, suburban and more republican areas which I am familiar withwhich are mosly east and south of Oakland. One exception is thecaller who complained of a power outage in Pleasanton.

Many of the other complaints center around voters not wanting to use the machines and requesting a paper ballot. Most were told to use a priovisional ballot, rather than a paper ballot. The use of almost exclusively provisional ballots for registerd voters on the roles was widespread.

There were a few cases of voters registered but not on the roles..
Many cases of voters who registered prior to the deadline but never got confirmation (40).
And 45 who complained of never getting absentee ballots


I am not sure if you still want the specific complaints or how to send the list. If you do just let me know.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x130381

:) -G

kick

***Maybe everyone who is crunching the numbers already knows about this site but then again maybe not.... sorry if its a dupe.****


http://www.hmdc.harvard.edu/ROAD/

*****This is a huge data set on prior elections which is (if I understand it correctly) geographically located for each voting area down to cities and precincts, which also lists socioeconomic data and demographic factors. I see this could be useful for those who are seeking to debunk the myth that certain areas split their vote or other questions we may need answered. When using this be careful to read the notes on the data as they clearly point out errors in the data.************

The Record of American Democracy
by Gary King - Bradley Palmquist
Published in PS: Political Science and Politics and Sociological Methods and Research

A massive new aggregate data set on American politics is now available. Our Record Of American Democracy (ROAD) data include election returns, socioeconomic summaries, and demographic measures of the American public at unusually low levels of geographic aggregation. The NSF-supported ROAD project covers every state in the country from 1984 through 1990 (including some off-year elections). One collection of data sets includes every election at and above State House, along with party registration and other variables, in each state for the roughly 170,000 precincts nationwide (about 60 times the number of counties). Another collection has added to these (roughly 30-40) political variables an additional 3,725 variables merged from the 1990 U.S. Census for 47,327 aggregate units (about 15 times the number of counties) about the size one or more cities or towns. These units completely tile the U.S. landmass. This collection also includes geographic boundary files so users can easily draw maps with these data.

We find it remarkable that the electoral record of the world's leading democracy is routinely lost or discarded. Election returns in the U.S. are collected by precinct and passed on to county offices in every state. In these county offices, the official electoral record then gets stuffed under desks, recycled, occasionally put into archives, or most often discarded. For the first time, a substantial piece of the entire electoral record of American democracy has been preserved. We hope someone (or our elected officials) takes on the task of institutionalizing the formal preservation of this record. For now, we hope the scientific community will take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity.

The ROAD data represent an opportunity for political scientists, geographers, quantitative historians, sociologists, and others to learn about electoral behavior, the political characteristics of local community context, electoral geography, the role of minority groups in elections and legislative redistricting, split ticket voting and divided government, elections under federalism, and numerous other topics of central importance to many disciplines.