Before the Ohio Election Fraud, this blog was entitled "Fairness". Since November 2, 2004, a day that will live in infamy, this blog has been devoted exclusively to fighting the crimes committed against the citizens of Ohio, and against our American way of life, in the 2004 "election".
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 6:30 PM
Bob Fitrakis and Steve Rosenfeld
Reflections Cafe, Talking Drum Books
Lecture/booksigning
446 NE Killingsworth Street, Portland
"Did George W. Bush Steal America's 2004 Election? Essential Documents." By Bob Fitrakis, Steve Rosenfeld, and Harvey Wasserman.
For more information, contact Kat L'Estrange
kinc@efn.org
or the Free Press
truth@freepress.org
One of the only Democratic leaders who has truly understood, and acted upon the understanding, that no true election reform can proceed from sweeping the misdeeds of 2000 and 2004 under the rug, Congressman John Conyers, Jr., is working to ensure that what happened then never happens again. He deserves the support of every single American -- Republican, Democrat, Green, Libertarian, or whatever -- who believes in the concept of democracy. The following is a message Congressman Conyers has sent to all those who wrote to him about the election of 2004:
Dear Friend:
After the 2004 Presidential election, you contacted my office concerning the number of problems surrounding the election, especially in the States of Ohio and Florida. The Committee’s email system was overwhelmed with letters relaying election-related problems and issues. Please accept my apologies for the long delay in responding to your email. My office has never before received such a large volume of correspondence and we have been working diligently to respond to the tens-of-thousands of concerned citizens who wrote to me.
I would like to update you on the election reform work that has been done since the last election. First, in December 2004, I convened a Democratic forum both here in Washington, DC and in Columbus, Ohio to hear first-hand accounts from voters. Second, my colleagues and I have written a number of letters to Ohio state election officials, the Department of Justice, the General Accountability Office, and several of the voting machine companies requesting information to uncover the extent of the voting problems. Third, my staff released a report, “What When Wrong in Ohio”, which was the basis for challenging the certification of the Ohio electors on January 6, 2005. On that day, I joined a number of my colleagues during this floor debate to voice the election concerns many of you shared with me, and to challenge the Congress to enact meaningful election reform so that our next election will be one all of our citizens can be proud of.
We have not yet completed our search for the truth in Ohio and in Florida, and we have just begun to fight for serious changes to the way we conduct federal elections. To that end, I am proud to have introduced, H.R. 533, the Voting Opportunity and Technology Enhancement Rights Act, (VOTER Act ) as a means to comprehensive election reform on a national level. This legislation mandates a voter verified paper ballot, allowing each voter to confirm their vote before their ballot is cast, and requires every state to establish a same day registration process, permitting any eligible citizen to register and participate in a federal election on election day. The VOTER Act also calls for increased protections of your civil rights, uniform standards for absentee and provisional voting, and early voting opportunities in all 50 states. Sponsored by Senator Chris Dodd on behalf of the Senate Democratic Leadership, the VOTER Act represents a renewed commitment to an electoral process that is both just and crystal clear.
While I look forward to fighting for these changes, the simple passage of Inauguration Day cannot make me forget the past. I continue to press both the Department of Justice and the Republican leadership to investigate Ohio voting irregularities and bring to justice those who would defraud the public of their most basic rights. My staff is continuing the investigation we began last November. “What Went Wrong in Ohio” was a status report. I expect to release a final report in several months. The election is over but election reform efforts will continue until we can ensure that every vote is and will be counted.
Election reform is one of the many issues facing the Judiciary Committee and our Nation. I’d like to communicate with you more regularly about some of these issues. If you would not like to receive these news updates, please unsubscribe.
Again, thank you for your email concerning the past election. I appreciate having the benefits of your views on this important issue.
Sincerely,
John Conyers, Jr.
John Conyers, Jr.
Ranking Member
Judiciary Committee
Contact Information
House Judiciary Committee Democratic Staff
Phone: 202-225-6906
B-351-C Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 7:30 PM
First United Methodist Church
9 Ross Valley Drive at the corner of 4th.
Video Screening of
"Got Democracy?"
Voices from the First National Teach-In
on our Election Crisis
Bob Fitrakis and Steve Rosenfeld
Co-Sponsors: Marin Peace and Justice Coalition and Ecological Options Network
For more information, contact Kat L'Estrange
kinc@efn.org
or the Free Press
truth@freepress.org
PANEL ON THE CRISIS OF U.S. ELECTIONS Friday, September 16th, 1:00-4:00 P.M.
Murrow, Lisagor Room (13th floor)
National Press Club
529 14th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.
Public Invited.
No pre-registration required; no admission charge.
*REP. JESSE JACKSON, JR AND 1980 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE JOHN ANDERSON TO
LEAD PANEL ON THE CRISIS OF U.S. ELECTIONS SET FOR SEPTEMBER 16*
Event: "A Call to Protect and Democratize U.S. Elections: A Panel
Presentation on the challenges to American elections," at the National
Press Club in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the Green Institute,
Liberty Tree, and Fairvote.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-Ill.), 1980 independent
presidential candidate John Anderson (who now heads Fairvote), Melanie
Campbell of the Coalition for Black Civic Participation, and other
leaders in the movement for election reform will speak at."A Call to
Protect and Democratize U.S. Elections: A Panel Presentation on the
challenges to American elections."
"The numerous allegations of manipulation in the 2000 and 2004 elections
and the change of personnel on the U.S. Supreme Court have raised
questions about the future of American democracy," said Dean Myerson,
executive director of the Green Institute. "The September 16 panel will
feature political and activist leaders with a lot to say about barriers
to voting, problems with computer voting machines, and challenges posed
by our at-large, winner-take-all election system."
The event will take place at the National Press Club on Friday,
September 16, 1-4 p.m., and is sponsored by the Green Institute, the
Liberty Tree Foundation for the Democratic Revolution, and Fairvote.
Also on the panel will be 2004 Green Party presidential candidate David
Cobb, who initiated the Ohio and New Mexico recounts in the wake of
numerous reports of election manipulation and vote obstruction by
Republican and Democratic officials in those states.
The panel will provide the media with concise information on these
problems and offer concrete solutions for restoring the promise of
American democracy. Liberty Tree Foundation fellow Patrick Barrett will
moderate. The web page for the event is located at
http://www.greeninstitute.net/democratize
A list of participants, sponsors, and other details follows below.
Refreshments will be
provided.
CONFIRMED PANELISTS:
• Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr, initiator of the Right to Vote Constitutional
Amendment,
http://www.house.gov/jackson/
• John Anderson, 1980 Independent Presidential Candidate and Chair of
the Center for Voting & Democracy http://www.fairvote.org
• Melanie Campbell, Executive Director of the Coalition for Black Civic
Participation
http://www.bigvote.org
• David Cobb, 2004 Green Party Presidential Candidate and initiator of
the Ohio and New Mexico recount efforts http://www.votecobb.org
• Terry Ao, Senior Attorney, National Asian-Pacific American Legal
Consortium
http://www.napalc.org
• Rebecca Mercuri: President and CEO of Notable Software and an expert
on electronic voting technology http://www.notablesoftware.org
• Linda Schade, Co-Founder and Spokesperson of TrueVoteMD: Campaign for
Verifiable Voting in Maryland http://www.truevotemd.org
• Juan Cartagena, General Counsel, Community Service Society, New York
http://www.cssny.org
SPONSORS:
• The Green Institute, http://www.greeninstitute.net
• The Liberty Tree Foundation for the Democratic Revolution,
http://www.libertytreefdr.org
• Fairvote: The Center for Voting & Democracy, http://www.fairvote.org
With additional support from the A. E. Havens Center,
http://www.havenscenter.org
For additional information:
http://www.greeninstitute.net/democratize
Green Institute
Scott McLarty, 202-518-5624, mclarty@greens.org
Ryan O'Donnell, 301-270-4616, ryan@fairvote.org
Patrick Barrett, 608-262-0854, barrett@libertrytreefdr.org
The VOTING RIGHTS TASK FORCE
with the support of KPFA Free Speech Radio, 94.1 FM
PRESENTS
ELECTIONS in CRISIS!
Who's Cheating, and What We Can Do About It
An All-Day Expose´ of Electronic Vote Theft, Suppression, and Media Coverup in Election 2004
featuring the nation's foremost fraud investigators, the best election documentaries you've never seen,
and action proposals from participating organizations with follow-through networking
TUESDAY, September 13, Noon to 10 p.m. (and beyond)
Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Avenue, Oakland
FEATURED SPEAKERS:
BOB FITRAKIS and STEVEN ROSENFELD, speaking on their new book
Did George W. Bush Steal America's 2004 Election? -- Essential Documents
BEV HARRIS, Investigative Reporter and Founder of Black Box Voting.org, speaking on
The Mechanics of Vote-Rigging: How They Do It
Introductions by Larry Bensky, Pacifica National Affairs Correspondent, host of KPFA's Sunday Salon
Act 1: Afternoon Fraud Fest of Documentary Shorts and Features, 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Suggested Donation: $6.00
Act 2: Evening Program: Elections In Crisis! 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Suggested Donation: $10.00
Act 3: Networking to Reclaim Democracy 9:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Priceless
TICKETS
Available one week in advance at the Grand Lake Theater box office noon to 10 p.m. daily, and at the door.
Early Purchase Will-Call tickets available now. Send request to ca.voteraction@sbcglobal.net or leave message at 510 740 0572.
Only 600 tickets available; order early to reserve a seat.
PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS
Groups working for electoral integrity are invited to help publicize this event and mobilize our audience.
We intend to inform, motivate, and organize toward a unified strategy to restore democracy.
* Participating Organizations will be credited in publicity announcements, and invited to host literature and outreach tables in the theater lobby during the afternoon film fest and evening events.
* Those with projects to educate and engage citizens in electoral activism will be invited to make five-minute audience presentations, as time allows, then enlist citizen volunteers during the networking session following the speakers. We intend this event to continue long after we leave the theater, until the day everyone's vote is counted as cast.
* Organizations wishing to participate in this event, please respond with the name of your group, the name, phone, and e-mail of a contact person, a description of your group's involvement in voting rights and elections issues, and if you wish, a proposal for a five-minute presentation.
Please send your responses to ca.voteraction@sbcglobal.net or to (510) 740-0572 (voicemail).
This event is a benefit for the Voting Rights Task Force of the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club, the people who brought you the January 6 Boxer Rebellion, the Election Rigging 101 National Teach-in, and the continuing battle to eradicate Diebold from Alameda County, and all blackbox voting fraud from California and the nation.
The VRTF expresses its great appreciation to our speakers, the filmmakers, and Allen Michaan and the Grand Lake Theater for donating their time, creative work, and resources to this cause of securing our votes and reclaiming our democracy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YOU Can Help Promote this Event. Here's a poster you can photocopy and distribute. Download here: http://www.califelectprotect.net/da/ElectionCrisis_poster_BW.pdf
(a pdf file, black&white, prints vertically on legal (14") paper, or at 75% scale on standard 11" paper)
PLEASE FORWARD THIS NOTICE WIDELY
-Dan Ashby
For further information contact:
E-mail: ca.voteraction@sbcglobal.net
Phone: 510-233-2144
Voicemail and Fax: 510-740-0572
DAVIS/SACRAMENTO
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 7:00 PM
Yolo County Public Library
Blanchard Room
315 E. 14th Street
Essential Documents - Making the Case for Election Fraud
Co-Sponsors: Davis Peace Coalition, Yolo County ACLU, CodePink and Davis Human Relations Commission
For more information, contact Kat L'Estrange
kinc@efn.org
or the Free Press
truth@freepress.org
Bob Fitrakis and Steve Rosenfeld to Appear.
BOLINAS/PT. REYES/STINSON BEACH, CALIFORNIA
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 5:00 PM
Bolinas Community Center
14 Wharf Road
Video Screening of "Got Democracy?"
Voices from the First National Teach-In on our Election Crisis
Sponsor - Ecological Options Network
For more information, contact Kat L'Estrange
kinc@efn.org
or the Free Press
truth@freepress.org
An April 2005 report of the Ohio Secretary of State's Office Found the Lucas County Board of Elections guilty of numerous violations of election law, including
- Failure to maintain ballot security;
- Failure to implement and maintain a trackable system for voter ballot
reconciliation;
- Failure to prepare and develop a plan for the processing of the voluminous
amount of voter registration forms received;
- Issuance of incorrect absentee ballot forms;
- Acceptance of incorrect absentee ballots;
- Manipulation of the process involving the 3% recount;
- Failure to follow Court order directing removal of Nader and
Camejo from the ballot;
- Failure to properly issue hospital ballots in accordance with statutory
requirements;
- Failure to maintain the security of poll books during the official canvass;
- Failure to examine campaign finance reports in a timely manner;
- Failure to guard and protect public documents;
- Failure to prepare staff election plan;
- Deficient current administrative operations; and,
- Failure to comply with administrative oversight status mandates.
A copy of the complete report is available at http://www.solarbus.org/election/docs/lucas.pdf
We need lots of people to show up at the next meetings of the:
*Thursday, September 1st, 5:30 p.m.
*Tuesday, September 6th, 9:00 a.m.
*Monday, September 12th, 5:00 p.m.
*Tuesday, September 13th, 9:00 a.m.
It is ALWAYS good to have as many people as possible.
Here is the official calendar:
http://boe.cuyahogacounty.us/boe/calendar/boardmeetings.htm
Victoria Lovegren
Ohio Vigilance
