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During Election 2004, Demos's Democracy Program monitored election related events through a comprehensive, up-to-the-minute review of news stories from local and national media outlets. Brief summaries of these articles and links to them are provided below.
Also check out the related Democracy Dispatches Daily Roundup Archives.
For more information on Election 2004, please call Lucy Mayo at 212-419-8772 or email lmayo@demos-usa.org.
News by date:
November 3, 2004 | November 2, 2004 | November 1, 2004 | October 31, 2004 | October 30, 2004 | October 29, 2004 | October 28, 2004 | October 27, 2004 | October 26, 2004 | October 25, 2004 | October 24, 2004 | October 23, 2004 |
November 3, 2004
Florida
Both Campaigns See Causes for Litigation in Florida
New York Lawyer
Subject: Absentee, Provisional Problems
Potential problems in Florida yesterday included erroneous demands by Republican poll workers in predominantly minority Miami-Dade County that voters produce two forms of identification, as well as claims by Democrats that thousands of absentee ballots had not been sent out in time in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. There were also complaints of malfunctioning electronic voting machines and of prohibitively long lines.
Iowa
Broken Vote-Counting Machines, MoveOn Draw Complaints in Iowa
Des Moines Register
Subject: Absentee Ballots, Provisional Ballots
A panoply of problems were evident today in Iowa, including the consequences of broken voting machines, a sense of vagueness about the application of provisional balloting rules, and problems with motor votor registration. The winner of the Iowa vote is projected to be unknown for days to come.
New Jersey
Missing Registrations Explained
Home News Tribune (NJ)
Subject: Registration Lists
The Middlesex County Board of Elections tried to explain today why many thousands of Rutgers students did not appear on the registration rolls when they tried to vote.
North Carolina
Plenty of N.C. Election Problems, But It's Not Florida
Durham Herald-Sun
Subject: Provisional Ballots, Voter Identification
The Herald-Sun reports that North Carolina voters experienced troubles throughout the state, including election officials not offering provisional ballots to eligible voter and giving misleading information about time limits and voter identification requirements.
New York
Irregularities Mar N.Y. Vote
New York Sun
Subject: Voting machines, long lines
Elections in New York saw voting machines breaking down, registration logs gone missing, lines exceedingly long, information phone lines and websites swamped, and other problems.
Strong Showing at Polls Catches City's Old System Off Guard
New York Times
Subject: Voting machines, long lines, provisional ballots
Heavy voter turnout overwhelmed New York Citys voting system. Voters at many polling sites faced confusion, long lines, and broken machines. There were also scattered problems in Connecticut and New Jersey.
Ohio
Parties' Lawyers Poised for Ohio Court Fight
king5.com
Subject: Ohio Fight Forthcoming
This article includes a list of potential litigation forthcoming in Ohio. The first priority in the counting of provisional ballots may be the establishment of uniform standards, which will not be easily determined.
Ohio Hinges on Absentee Ballots, Provisional Votes
Houston Chronicle
Subject: The Race for Ohio
In this morning's tally, President Bush leads John Kerry in Ohio by approximately 135,000 votes. The race continues, however, as at least 54 Ohio counties have uncounted absentee ballots and 140,000-250,000 provisional ballots remain uncounted statewide.
Pennsylvania
Judge Rules Voters Can't be Turned Away
The Reporter (PA)
Subject: Provisional Balloting Problems
A court order authorizing provisional ballots had to be issued in Pennsylvania during Election Day after Montgomery County's boards of elections told its precincts not to provide provisionals to those who did not appear on registration lists--unless they had voter-specific permission to do so.
Minor Problems Reported at Some Polls
The Patriot-News (PA)
Subject: Provisional Ballots, Long Lines, NVRA
There were numerous problems at poll sites in Pennsylvania. Some voters who registered through the 'motor voter' process were not on registration lists, voters faced long lines and there was confusion about provisional ballots.
Wisconsin
Long Lines Keep Poll Workers Busy in North Fond du Lac
Fond du Lac Reporter (Wisconsin)
Subject: Lines and Election Challengers
Long lines in Wisconsin deterred voters. One of the causes of the delay was harassment from challengers.
National
Voter Turnout Highest in Three Decades
kfmb.com
Subject: Voter Turnout
Approximately 120 million people voted in Tuesday's election--a figure representing nearly 60 percent of the eligible voting-age population--more voters by percentage than in any American election since 1968. The turnout figures in 1992 and 1996 were 55.2 percent and 49 percent of the eligible elctorate, respectively.
E-Voting Irregularities Raise Eyebrows, Blood Pressure
USA Today
Subject: Electronic Voting
Verifiedvoting.org projected on Monday that over 20 percent of electronic voting machines could not properly count votes, and indeed e-voting problems abounded on Election Day. Machines in South Carolina broke down and needed to be replaced by paper ballots, and optical-scan machines in Florida failed to count as many as 13,000 votes.
Electronic Voting Machine Woes Reported
Associate Press via Yahoo News
Subject: Electronic Voting
Around 1,100 incidents of voting machine problems were reported yesterday. This article highlights some of the most startling glitches.
November 2, 2004
California
Scattered Problems Greet California Voters
LA Times
Subject: Election Day Problems
Election day problems in California include malfunctioning DRE machines, misprinted ballots, and delayed poll openings.
Florida
Reports Of People Voting Twice At Brevard County Precinct
wftv.com
Subject: Election Day Problems
Some voters cast two ballots because of a misprint on a paper ballot. The duplicate ballots may not have been removed and lawyers with the State Department of Elections are determining how to handle the situation.
Judge Blocks Democratic Party from 'Further Intimidation' of Poll Watchers
Orlando Sentinel
Subject: Voter Challenges
A Seminole County Circuit Court Judge issues an injunction to block Democrats from "intimidating" Republican poll watchers who seek to challenge voters.
ACLU Files Suit Seeking Inclusion of Late Absentee Ballots
Brandenton Herald
Subject: Absentee Ballots
The ACLU filed a lawsuit Tuesday asking Broward County election officials to extend the absentee ballot deadline until November 12 since thousands of voters did not receive an absentee ballot on time.
Wet Ballots Found, Rejected By Voting Machines
WKMG 6 FL
Subject: Election Day Problems
Several hundred wet ballots in Seminole County, FL got mysteriously wet and were rejected by voting machines. Complaints about voter intimidation were also reported at the same voting precinct.
Voting in PBC got off with some hitches
Palm Beach Post
Subject: Voter Turnout/Election Day Problems
After long lines this morning and some initial glitches, voting in Palm Beach Country is proceeding smoothly.
No major problems halfway through Florida voting
Miami Herald
Subject: Problems at the Polls/Absentee Ballots
Reports indicate that hundreds left a Hialeah polling place this morning without voting after election workers shut down the polls for 45 minutes shortly after opening time. Florida ACLU is planning a new lawsuit around absentee ballots.
Illinois
'Unheard Of' Turnout
Chicago Sun Times
Subject: Voter Turnout
Long lines haven't dampened the enthusiasm of record numbers of voters in Chicago.
Iowa
Voters Mistakenly Identified as Felons
Des Moines Register
Subject: Purges/Felony Disenfranchisement
Many Iowans mistakenly purged from the voter rolls after being incorrectly identified as felons.
Louisiana
Early Voting Problems Reported In and Around New Orleans
Nola.com
Subject: Problems at the Polls
Reports indicate many broken voting machines in areas in and around New Orleans. At one New Orleans precinct, all three voting machines are broken and voters have been turned away and told to come back later.
Michigan
Michigan GOP and NAACP File Lawsuits Over Election Challengers
Mercury News
Subject: Election Day lawsuits
The NAACP filed a lawsuit seeking to ban challengers from polling sites and to extend polling hours until 8pm. In a separate lawsuit, the GOP sued the city for allegedly throwing out challengers from precincts.
Big turnout, a few trouble spots, mark Election Day
Detroit Free Press
Subject: Voter Turnout/Voter Intimidation
Voting proceeds smoothly in many parts of Michigan, but police were called as when violence prompted by Republican challengers broke out in Detroit.
Voters Confused, Angry Over Bogus Calls
ABC 12
Subject: Dirty Tricks
Voters receive blatantly false, electioneering phone calls.
Minnesota
Outside Observers, Party Challengers Flock to Polls
Pioneer Press
Subject: Challengers
Voting in Minnesota is going well so far, despite challengers--who have not yet done much challenging.
Mississippi
Voters' Time in Booth May be Limited
Mississippi Sun Herald
Subject: Election Rules
Mississippi Voter Information posters, displayed in each precinct, specify that voters can spend 10 minutes in the voting booth if lines are short, but only 5 minutes if lines are long.
New Jersey
Voters Seek Court Help as New Jerseyans Go to Polls
Miami Herald
Subject: Registration Problems
New Jersey registration problems prompted hearings at the Rutgers Constitutional Law clinic. Judges allowed more than 200 would be voters to cast provisional ballots by mid-day in Bergen County and an estimated 600-800 provisional ballots in Brunswick County.
New York
Voting problems reported in Albany
Capital News 9
Subject: Voting Problems
Hundreds are waiting in line at the Board of Elections in Albany to sort out errors that are preventing them from voting or from making last minute voter registration requests.
Lines, malfunctions as city votes
New York Newsday
Subject: Problems at the Polls
Snafus as the polls open in New York City
Early Problems At Some NYC Polling Places
WNBC
Subject: Polling Problems
Reports of long lines, poorly trained poll workers and at least one broken voting machine in New York City.
North Carolina
Early N.C. turnout creates long lines at precincts
News 14 Carolina
Subject: Voter Turnout
Early turnout Durham and Raleigh, NC is heavy.
Ohio
Judge orders officials to provide paper ballots
Columbus Dispatch
Subject:Paper Ballots
Long lines have resulted in a federal judge's orders to provide paper ballot to all voters still in line in Franklin or Knox Counties. Sec. of State Blackwell is seeking to make any vote not cast by an electronic machine illegal.
All Eyes On Ohio As Polls Close
Newsnet5.com
Subject: Election Day Problems
Problems processing provisional ballots and the shortage of poll workers have caused a near standstill in a Cleveland polling place. Some voters have left without voting, while other have waited 5 hours to vote.
Appeals Panel Allows Ohio Voter Challenges Based on List Newsday
Subject: Voter Challengers
Republican operatives can challenge voters at Ohio polls using a list of voters they suspect are not properly registered, the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals ruled late this afternoon. The decision reverses an earlier court ruling that banned such challenges based on a list of questionable addresses.
Fears of G.O.P. Challenges in Ohio Are Not Realized
New York Times
Subject: Voter Challenges
Despite people's fears, there have been relatively few voter challenges in Ohio.
Provisional Ballots Ordered if Absentee Ballots Not Received
Toledo Blade
Subject: Provisional/Absentee Ballots
A federal judge ruled that poll workers are required to provide provisional ballots to voters who requested an absentee ballot but never received one.
Ohio voters find partisan challenges
Reuters
Subject: Voter Challenges
Challengers from both parties have been stationed at selected number of polling places across Ohio. In heavily Republican Hudson, Sally Woznicki, 40, said: "I watched a woman walk out crying because she could not vote. (I) saw a number of people voting provisional (ballots)" with long lines and heavy scrutiny.
"There were five or six people at the tables and they were asking for IDs. A black man came to the table and said this was where he thought he should vote and then found out his name was not on the list," she said. He was given a telephone number to call to find out his polling place.
Lawsuit Filed in Toledo over Absentee Ballots, Long Lines at Ohio polls
Mercury News
Subject: Absentee/Provisional Ballot Lawsuit
A Lucas County resident filed a lawsuit after she was denied the right to cast a provisional ballot by election officials. The woman claims that she had requested an absentee ballot, but the ballot never arrived.
GOP sues; claims local calls fraud
Marion Star
Subject: Dirty Tricks
The Ohio Republican Party accuses the Marion County Democratic Party of trying to suppress turnout by misinforming registered Republicans that their polling places have changed.
Lawsuit filed in Toledo over absentee ballots, long lines at Ohio polls
Mercury News
Subject: Absentee Ballots
Ohio voters who did not receive their absentee ballots before the deadline file suit, asking for the right to cast provisional ballots at the polls.
Election Challengers in Place at Some Polling Places
KPVI-TV
Subject: Voter Challenges
In Ohio, challengers are ready to strike.
Republicans, Democrats file last-minute election appeals in state
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Subject: Voter Challenges
Article describes election eve legal wrangling about challenging voters at the polls.
Voter Challenges Will Be Allowed
Ohio New Network
Subject: Voter Challenges
Voter challengers will be allowed to enter polling sites in Ohio to challenge voters' eligibility, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said. The Democratically-backed plaintiffs' attempts to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court were unsuccessful.
Late Ruling Allows GOP to Challenge Ohio Voters
LA Times
Subject: Voter Challenges
An Ohio federal court of appeals overturned an earlier decision and will now allow the GOP to challenge more than 23,000 potential voters. Democrats have appealed the decision.
Oregon
Proof of ID rule stirs ballot dispute
The Register-Guard
Subject: Voter Challenges
The Oregon Republican Party is distancing itself from a letter sent to Multnomah County's election director challenging ballots cast by new voters who were not asked to provide identification.
Pennsylvania
Provisional Deadline Extended
The Pittsburgh Channel
Subject: Polling Hours
A Pennsyvlania Judge has extened the voting deadline for provisional ballots until 9:30 in parts of Allegheny County.
Judge Bars Absentee Vote Count in Philadelphia
Philadelphia Inquirer
Subject: Absentee Voting
A federal judge ruled today that election officials must wait to count more than 12,000 absentee ballots until after a hearing tomorrow at 9:30 A.M.
Provisional Ballot Problems Reported
WTAE-TV
Subject: Provisional Ballots
Due to a shortage of provisional ballots in 22 precincts, voters were permitted to use a voting machine, instead. An attorney with the Election Protection effort in Allegheny County will file a motion to extend voting hours because of the shortage of provisional ballots.
Political Operatives Dispatched To Polling Locations
WPXI
Subject: Election Day problems
This article summarizes some of Pennsylvania's Election Day problems, including a lawsuit by Republicans over counting absentee ballots and at least a dozen election districts in Alleghany County that ran out of provisional ballots.
City GOP Challenges Absentee Ballot Count
Philadelphia Inquirer
Subject: Absentee Ballot count
The Philadelphia Republican Committee sued city election officials in federal court today, saying that absentee ballots cannot be counted tonight because election officials failed to give GOP advance copies of approved absentee ballots.
Some Precincts Out of Provisional Ballots
KDKA 2 Pittsburgh
Subject: Provisional Ballots
100 local precincts in Western Pennsylvania ran out of provisional ballots by 3pm.
No Planted Votes; Machine Counters Misread
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Subject: Election Fraud
Philadelphia's District Attorney refutes reports that 2,000 votes were "planted" on voting machines at various polling places in the city. The article cites the Drudge Report website as the source of the misinformation.
Lawsuit Filed to Block Pa. Prisoners' Ballots
The Express-Times
Subject: Felony Disenfranchisement
A Pennsylvania congressman has sued nine counties to prevent them from counting prisoners' absentee ballots before they can be verified by election officials.
Voting access, challenges debated with hours to go
Philadelphia Inquirer
Subject: Voter Challenges/ Vote Suppression
The city's top election administrator said a letter from state Republicans sought to suppress the vote. GOP officials also plan to question the eligibility of thousands at the polls.
South Carolina
Glitches Thwart Some S.C. Voters
Miami Herald
Subject: Election Day Problems/Voter Intimidation
Reports of problems with voter intimidation at a Benedict College Precinct, and technical difficulties with malfunctioning voting machines throughout the state.
Technical Problems Thwart Some S.C. Voters
The Wichita Eagle
Subject: Voting Machine Problems
South Carolina voters had to vote on paper ballots after electronic machines malfunctioned in the state.
South Dakota
Judge orders GOP to halt poll tactics
Argus Leader
Subject: Voter Intimidation
After Republican poll workers intimidated Native American voters yesterday, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order to protect voters.
Daschle Sues to Stop 'Intimidation' of Indians
Argus Leader
Subject: Voter Intimidation
Sen. Daschle successfully sued Republican poll workers who were intimidating Native American voters. Republicans poll workers will not be allowed to follow voters in Lakes Andes out of the poll or write down their license plate numbers.
Texas
North Texans Reportedly Turned Away From Polls
NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth
Subject: Election Day Problems
Dozens of North Texas residents who registered to vote when filing for driver's licenses claim they were turned away at the polls because their names were not on the voter lists.
Frustrated Voters Wait Long Lines Due to Equipment Failure
ABC 13 Eyewitness News
Subject: Voting Machine Problems
Electronic voting machines broken down this morning in Harris County creating long lines and causing confusion for voters and poll workers. The problem was eventually fixed, but some voters left due to the delay.
Virginia
Voters Confront Switched Congressional Districts
The Daily Press
Subject: Problems at the Polls
Voting machines at one Richmond precinct listed the wrong congressional candidates. It is unclear how many people voted on the machines before the error was discovered.
National
Guess What? For Voters at the Polls, the Process Seemed to Work This Time
Boston Globe
Subject: Voting Machines, Provisional Ballots
The Associated Press reports that few serious problems arose around the country.
Americans Wait Hours to Vote; Record Levels Predicted -- Observers Challenge Voting Process
Bloomberg
Subject: Voter Turnout
Long lines are reported at polling places across the country. Meanwhile, Republicans and Democrats trade allegations about ballot-box improprieties.
Voting Problems Reported
WPVI Channel 6 (Philadelphia)
Subject: Problems at the Polls
Reports of voting irregularities in Ohio, Maryland, Florida and South Carolina.
Fact Sheet: Voting Disputes
WESH.com
Subject: Election-related Disputes
A state-by-state overview of election-related disputes, rulings and laws concerning a range of issues including voter ID and provisional ballots.
Polling Places See Scattered Problems
Sierra Times
Subject: Problems at the Polls
A wide range of problems at the polls have been reported this morning. The article describes specific problems in Ohio, Florida, South Carolina, Maryland and Virginia.
As Voting Begins, First Reports of Technical Troubles, Late Openings
azcentral.com
Subject: Poll Problems
This AP article highlights some of the problems voters have already experienced at polling places around the country.
Lines of Voters Try to Cast Ballots Early
Tuscaloosa News
Subject: Lines of Voters Try to Cast Ballots Early
Tens of millions report they have headed, or plan to head, to the polls early today.
Experts brace for problems at polls
USA Today
Subject: Potential Election Day Problems
Lawyers descend on battleground states anticipating problems with voting machines, provisional ballots and more.
Long Lines Greet Early Morning Voters
Washington Post
Subject: Turnout and Pre-election Court Fights
Voter turnout is heavy. The federal District Court in South Dakota has issued a temporary restraining order to prevent Republicans from following Native Americans voters after they leave the polls or from taking down their license plate numbers.
November 1, 2004
California
Poll Finds Third of Voters Lack Confidence in Devices
San Jose Mercury News
Subject: Low Confidence for E-Voting
A poll of Californians found that fully one-third of voters are not confident that electronic voting will count their votes correctly.
Florida
Republicans lose 11th-hour suit challenging Broward voter rolls
Miami Herald
Subject: Voter Challenges
Broward County Circuit Judge David Krathen dismisses a suit to challenge Broward County's voter rolls.
Canvassing Board, Lawyers Duel Over Votes
Palm Beach Post
Subject: Absentee Voting
Democrats and Republicans in Palm Beach County are already battling over absentee ballot signatures.
Louisiana
State Prepared for Election Day, Officials say; Voters with No Photo ID Can Cast Ballot
Times-Picayune
Subject: Voter ID
Louisiana Secretary of the State apoligizes for earlier confusion, sets standards for voter identification.
Michigan
Presidential Campaigns, Voters Upset About Misleading Calls
Detroit Free Press
Subject: Voter intimidation
Michigan voters have complained of misleading automated phone calls claiming that voters' poll sites had changed and that a vote for John Kerry would "protect" gay marriage.
Ohio
Justice Department Joins Election Legal Fight in Ohio
LA Times
Subject: Voter Challenges
In an unusual move, the Justice Department weighed in on two lawsuits that contend Ohio's voter challenger laws are unconstitutional. Assistant Atty. Gen. R. Alexander Acosta said that a voter whose "eligibility to vote is called into question" can cast a provisional ballot and that "nothing" in the Voting Rights Act barred challenge statutes.
Judges Bar Challengers From Ohio Polls
The Times and Democrat
Subject: Election Challengers
Two federal judges today barred election challengers from the polls, saying that such challengers were unconstitutional and that poll workers should determine the legality of voters.
GOP Plan Targeted New Voters
The Cincinnati Post
Subject: Election Challengers Denied
This article highlights the election challenger manual that was prepared for Ohio election challengers, who were today declared unconstitutional and will not be allowed in polling precincts tomorrow.
Ohio/New Jersey
Rulings on Challengers at Polls Expected Today
Columbus Dispatch
Subject: Legality of Challengers
Three rulings to be delivered today in Ohio and New Jersey will determine whether any partisan challengers will be allowed at poll sites on Election Day.
Oregon
Wyden Tries to Help Clear Up Oregon Election Conflict
kgw.com
Subject: Youth Voter Suppression
Democrats are accusing Republicans of suppressing youth voters, after Republicans filed a request that votes from new voters in Oregon's largest county be set aside until they can be more fully authenticated.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Republicans Question Another 37,000 Milwaukee Addresses
GM Today
Subject: Voter Challenging
The Wisconsin GOP has announced that it plans to challenge 37,000 Milwaukee voters in addition to the 5,000 voters that the state has already agreed to ask for identification from on Tuesday.
National
Watchdog Groups Report Tricks To Keep Voters Home
Thebostonchannel.com
Subject: Dirty Tricks
The NAACP reports numerous dirty tricks aimed at keeping people of color away from the polls.
Charges of Fraud and Voter Suppression Already Flying
New York Times
Subject: Fraud Vs. Suppression
This article lists several charges of voter suppression and charges of voter fraud from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida and Michigan. It focuses on Democratic charges of suppression and Republican defenses of their behavior.
What to Do on Election Day
The New York Times
Subject: Voting Tips
A New York Times editorial gives voters last minute tips to ensure that their votes are counted on Election Day. The advice is as follows: 1) show up at correct polling place; 2) bring photo ID; 3) review sample ballot before voting; 4) check ballot before finalizing your vote; 5) know your rights concerning provisional ballots; 6) be prepared for long line; and, 7) If you experience problems voting or witness improper activity at the polls, consult with a non-partisan poll monitor or call either 1-866-OUR-VOTE or 1-866-MYVOTE1.
When the Voting Bloc Lives Inside a Cellblock
The New York Times
Subject: Voting From Prison
Felon voting rights differ across the country. In most states felons can not vote until they complete their sentence. Seven states prohibit felons from voting after their release unless they successfully petition for the restoration of their voting rights. In Maine and Vermont, where prisoners are able to vote while in jail, a greater number of inmates are casting ballots this year.
October 31, 2004
State
Florida
Clemency Proving Elusive for Florida's Ex-Cons
The Miami Herald
Subject: Ex-Felon Voting Rights
Despite Governor Jeb Bush's pledge in 2001 to improve Florida's clemency system, ex-felons continue to have the restoration of their voting rights blocked. Even though the number of cases has grown from about 6,000 to 65,000 during Bush's time in office, the governor has refused to hire more staff members to handle the backlog and has denied rights to more than 85% of applicants.
Pennsylvania
Lawyers Preparing for Election Tangles
Philadelphia Inquirer
Subject: Election Challenges
Republicans are poised to contest as many as 10,000 registered voters.
Wisconsin
GOP, city reach deal on voter list
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Subject: Voter Challenges
Under an agreement reached on Sunday between the Republican Party of Wisconsin and Milwaukee city officials, 5,512 GOP challenged voters will be asked to verify their addresses at the polls on Tuesday. These voters must complete a change of address or registration form and prove residency by presenting a driver's license, utility bill, or other form of documentation. Any voter who does not provide proof of residency will be asked to take an oath before being allowed to vote.
National/Florida
Foreign Voting Monitors Fell Like Outsiders
The Los Angeles Times
Subject: International Monitors
The OSCE's voting monitors have arrived in the United States. Their process has already been marred by a lack of access and they have complained about the decentralization of the U.S. voting system.
National
Let Felons Cast Ballots and Others Will Follow
LA Times
Subject: Felon Disenfranchisement - Commentary
Sasha Abramsky argues that felon disenfranchisement laws have reduced voter turnout both directly and indirectly.
Now They're Registered, Now They're Not
The Washington Post
Subject: Voter Supression
Dirty tricks targeting voters continue across the country. Students in Florida are unknowingly having their party registrations switched. Fliers distributed in Pennsylvania are telling people that Republicans should vote on November 2 and Democrats on November 3rd due to the expectation of high voter turnout. Blacks in Milwaukee are being told that they they will be sent to prison if they vote in the presidential election after having already voted in another election this year.
New Poll Shows Voter Doubts, Tight Race
NY Times
Subject: Opinion Poll
A New York Times/CBS News poll finds that a majority of voters - and an overwhelming number of African-Americans - say they do not have a lot of confidence their own votes will be counted properly, and one-third said they expect to encounter problems when they go to vote.
U.S. Short at Least 500,000 Poll Workers
Associate Press via Yahoo News
Subject: Poll Workers
The Election Assistance Commission said that 1.4 million poll workers have been trained for November 2, but that at least 2 million will be needed. The high expected turnout combined with a shortage of trained workers could cause headaches and long lines for many voters in urban areas. Election officials have had trouble motiviating pollworkers: for every three pollworkers trained only two show up on Election Day.
October 30, 2004
State
California
Loss of Funds For Voter Outreach Hits Local Groups
San Francisco Chronicle
Subject: Voter Outreach
Federal funds set aside for voter outreach will not be distributed to Bay Area community groups for voter outreach for this year's election.
Florida
Investigation of felon voters is delayed until after election
NY Times
Subject: Purge List
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said it would not investigate claims by Republicans that nearly 1,000 felons had requested absentee ballots until after the election. The GOP had used a flawed felon purge list developed by the secretary of state's office to make its claim.
Early Voting Compounds Problem of 'Ghost' Votes Getting Through
Miami Herald
Subject: Early Voting
Elections officials in some states are making a concerted effort to invalidate "ghost" votes this election season, but the process is not always equitable. While an absentee ballot faxed to the Pentagon by an overseas soldier is likely to be pulled from the bunch and invalidated if he gets killed before Election Day, the electronic ballot of an early voter who dies before Election Day will most likely count since there is no way to retrieve it from the system.
Georgia
Metro Short of Voting Machines
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Subject: Voting Machines
High voter turnout will leave six Georgia counties with less than the recommended number of voting machines on Election Day. Elections officials predict that voters will be waiting in long lines and casting ballots for up to 90 minutes after polls close.
Minnesota
Order Broadens Use of Indian IDs
The Star Tribune
Subject: Expanded ID Requirements for Minnesotan Indians
U.S. District Judge Rosenbaum ruled on Friday that tribal identification cards fulfill voter identity requirements for Minnesotan Indians living off reservations. Judge Rosenbaum said that an earlier decision made by the Minnesotan Secretary of State which allows tribal cards to be used only for reservaton voters violates the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Missouri
Vote Challenges Could Clog Polls
St. Louis Post Dispatch
Subject: Voter Challenges
Faced with a record number of voter registrations, millions of dollars in advertisements, and challengers from both national parties, many predict that Missouri is bound to encounter long lines at polling places and court battles after Election Day.
Ohio
Court Rejects GOP Voter Challenge
Toledo Blade
Subject: Voter Challenges
A federal appeals court in Cincinatti ruled on Friday to end hearings in all Ohio counties where the GOP had challenged the eligibilty of thousands of registered voters. This directive expanded Judge Dlott's decision to halt hearings in six counties and blocked an appeal made by Republicans and the Franklin Board of Elections to proceed with litigation throughout the weekend. Despite the court's order, some counties moved forward with hearings resulting in the successful challenge of about 200 voters.
Wisconsin
GOP Fliers Give Wrong Voting Info- UW Tries to Alert Students
The Capital Times
Subject: Student Voting/Misinformation
A flier distributed on Friday to six University of Wisconsin residence halls urges students to vote at the polling place of "their choice." In Wisconsin, voters must cast their ballots at the correct polling place in order to be counted.
GOP Demands IDs of 37,000 in City
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Subject: Voter ID
Republicans have called upon Milwaukee city officials to require that 37,000 residents show ID on Election Day after furnishing a list of individuals whose addresses are incomplete. The GOP says it's prepared to challenge these individuals at the polls if the city does not take immediate action. City officials say that a meaningful investigation into the questionable addresses only a few days before the election is implausible. Similar attempts have been made by the GOP in Ohio, Michigan and Florida, all states that are crucial to this year's Election. The majority of the GOP's challenges have been made in minority rich urban areas that trend Democratic.
October 29, 2004
States
Florida
E-mail Reveals Postal Service May Have Mishandled Broward Ballots
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Subject: Missing Absentee Ballots
An email from a U.S. Postal Service District Manager indicates that Postal Service employees may be mishandling ballots.
For New Florida Vote Chief, Some Precount Butterflies
New York Times
Subject: Election Administration
Reporter Abby Goodnough profiles Florida's Glenda Hood.
Tallahassee Readies 'Election Fallout' Plan
Tallahassee Democrat
Subject: Post-Election Problems
The City of Tallahassee announced a range of plans that will be implemented in the event that post-election problems bring large numbers of reporters, attorneys, and party representatives to Florida's capital.
Florida GOP, Democrats Trade Accusations
Associated Press via Yahoo News
Subject: Absentee Ballots/Voter Challengers
The Broward County Board of Elections is expected to send up to 14,000 duplicate absentee ballots today after it was discovered earlier this week that tens of thousands of Floridians never received a ballot. An internal post office memo seems to indicate that postal workers were mishandling some absentee applications. Also, the Florida GOP is defending its list of new voters who they say are improperly registered and will likely be challenged on Election Day.
Iowa
Ballots in Wrong Precinct Not Valid
Des Moines Register
Subject: Provisional Ballots
Iowa Secretary of State Chet Culver reverses his earlier decision in the face of threats of legal action. He will now invalidate provisional ballots cast in the wrong precinct, even votes cast for President.
Ohio
Summit Bard Rejects 976 Voter Challenges
Akron Beacon Journal
Subject: Voter Challenges
The Summit County Board of Elections has found that some of the returned mail Republican operatives used as a basis for challenging voters was a result of individuals refusing the mail because it was sent from the GOP. The 976 voter registrations that Republicans had challenged cannot be challenged on Election Day.
Ohio Court Battles Flare Over Challenges to Voters
New York Times
Subject: Voter Challenges
Litigation continues over voter challenges filed in Ohio by the Republican Party.
U.S. Rep. Brown Learns He Can't Serve as Kerry Elector, Steps Down
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Subject: Electoral College
U.S. Rep. Sherrod Brown stepped down as a presidential elector for John Kerry after he learned that it is unconstitutional for a federal office holder to serve as an Elector. Apparently still improperly slated to serve as Electors are Senator Fritz Hollings of South Carolina and U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek of Florida.
The Return of the 'Butterfly Ballot'
New York Times
Subject: Butterfly Ballots - Commentary
Ohio continues to use confusing butterfly ballots in parts of the state.
Ohio GOP Loses Bid to Fight Registrations
Associated Press via Yahoo News
Subject: Voter Challenges
Today an appeals court in Cincinnati turned down Republican attempts to restart hearings on thousands of voter registrations challenged by the GOP.
Pennsylvania
Rendell Says He'll Seek More Time for Overseas Military Voters
The Sentinel Online
Subject: Absentee Voters
Governor Ed Rendell said he will ask a federal judge to extend the deadline for counting overseas ballots by one week. The request came after a Republican-financed lawsuit was filed on Wednesday alleging that two service men did not receive the absentee ballots they requested.
National
Bush Seeks Limit to Suits Over Voting Rights
LA Times
Subject: Election Protection
Bush administration lawyers argued last week that only the Justice Department may sue to enforce new rules set up by the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) saying that "Congress clearly did not intend to create a right enforceable" in court by individual voters. The legal briefs were piggybacked on three other lawsuits filed in the battleground states of Michigan, Ohio and Florida.
It Will Be Worse Than 2000
Truthout.org
Subject: Voter Suppression - Interview
Julian Bond, head of the NAACP, describes the GOP's attempts to prevent African Americans from getting to the polls on Election Day in an interview with Salon reporter Mary Jacoby.
October 28, 2004
States
California
Voter Guide in Spanish is Recalled
San Diego Union-Tribune
Subject: Language Assistance for Voters
A San Diego Registrar of voters has recalled 8,000 to 12,000 voter guides in Spanish that were poorly translated and caused confusion among Spanish-speaking voters.
E-Voting Rules Likely to Lead to Confusion in 10 Counties
San Jose Mercury News
Subject: Voting Machines
In an attempt to reconcile differences regarding how counties will handle voters who seek to vote on paper ballots rather than electronic voting machines, California Secretary of State Kevin Shelley held a conference call Wednesday with officials from 10 counties that are using the electronic machines. Some counties have proposed to offer paper ballots only to those who specifically request them while others have said they would not allow voters to cast paper ballots until everyone on line to use the electronic machines had voted. Skelley has directed that voters be treated equally, whether they seek to vote on electronic or paper ballots.
Florida
Florida to Replace Missing Absentee Ballots
Houston Chronicle
Subject: Absentee ballots
Broward County elections supervisor Brenda Snipes began sending duplicate absentee applications to Florida voters who requested ballots but never received them. Attention focused on a batch of 58,000 Broward County ballots delivered to the post office on October
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