Friday, January 11, 2008
Appointment Do-Overs Necessary
Zimmerlink served two consecutive five-year terms on the housing authority prior to the expiration of her second term on Dec. 31, 2007. Both of her appointments to the board were made prior to her election as county commissioner. This year she began her second four-year term as commissioner. (Herald-Standard)
This time around, Zimmerlink took the oath of office Jan. 4, 2008 as a duly elected Fayette County Commissioner.
Her appointment to fill an open seat on the Housing Authority was made a mere weekend after taking that oath of office.
When Commissioner Zimmerlink voted on filling the open seat at the Housing Authority created by Radcliffe's resignation, she voted as a sitting-elected county commissioner. She provided the second vote thus confirming herself as a Housing Authority board member.
This was done just prior to the nomination of other candidates to fill the other expired and full terms of Housing Authority board appointments.
What makes the situation more controversial, as an elected commissioner and an Authority board member, Zimmerlink then provided the crucial and deciding seconds to motions made by Chairman Zapotosky, and then cast the deciding official vote on members appointed to the Housing Authority.
The legalities of those Housing Authority appointments should be questioned pronto.
At the time the appointments were made, an appointed Housing Authority board member actually voted on the confirmation of board members she would then serve with for the remainder of a one-year term.
Why don't commissioners simply appoint themselves to other Authorities in the county, authorities created by the board of commissioners, then turn around and as commissioner vote on the appointments of other Authority members?
Because there is a perceived, if not actual, conflict of interest.
Yet, no commissioner board member even requested an opinion from the legal counsel sitting before them.
Each commissioner should have publicly asked solicitor Ferens for his legal opinion on the potential for just such charges that might arise, on principle, and on fact.
Now we read that Harry Fike must submit a written statement and ask for HUD approval in a situation regarding his brother.
How did Fike pass scrutiny at the commissioners' meeting when Commissioner Zimmerlink questioned whether any candidate had any such potential encumberments, even noting in comments how over scrutized such instances have been in the past down to 8th-cousins once-removed?
Given the new revelation about Harry Fike, appointments made by Commissioner Zimmerlink's vote of confirmation must be questioned and legally challenged.
Net the Truth Online
Herald-Standard article clip
Herald Standard article clip
This time around, Zimmerlink took the oath of office Jan. 4, 2008 as a duly elected Fayette County Commissioner.
Her appointment to fill an open seat on the Housing Authority was made a mere weekend after taking that oath of office.
When Commissioner Zimmerlink voted on filling the open seat at the Housing Authority created by Radcliffe's resignation, she voted as a sitting-elected county commissioner. She provided the second vote thus confirming herself as a Housing Authority board member.
This was done just prior to the nomination of other candidates to fill the other expired and full terms of Housing Authority board appointments.
What makes the situation more controversial, as an elected commissioner and an Authority board member, Zimmerlink then provided the crucial and deciding seconds to motions made by Chairman Zapotosky, and then cast the deciding official vote on members appointed to the Housing Authority.
The legalities of those Housing Authority appointments should be questioned pronto.
At the time the appointments were made, an appointed Housing Authority board member actually voted on the confirmation of board members she would then serve with for the remainder of a one-year term.
Why don't commissioners simply appoint themselves to other Authorities in the county, authorities created by the board of commissioners, then turn around and as commissioner vote on the appointments of other Authority members?
Because there is a perceived, if not actual, conflict of interest.
Yet, no commissioner board member even requested an opinion from the legal counsel sitting before them.
Each commissioner should have publicly asked solicitor Ferens for his legal opinion on the potential for just such charges that might arise, on principle, and on fact.
Now we read that Harry Fike must submit a written statement and ask for HUD approval in a situation regarding his brother.
How did Fike pass scrutiny at the commissioners' meeting when Commissioner Zimmerlink questioned whether any candidate had any such potential encumberments, even noting in comments how over scrutized such instances have been in the past down to 8th-cousins once-removed?
Given the new revelation about Harry Fike, appointments made by Commissioner Zimmerlink's vote of confirmation must be questioned and legally challenged.
Net the Truth Online
Herald-Standard article clip
Fike elected chairman, DeBlasio vice-chairman of Housing Authority
By Amy Zalar, Herald-Standard
01/11/2008
Updated 01/11/2008 12:15:03 AM EST
Each of the motions were approved unanimously, with the exception of one 3-1 vote, in which DeBlasio voted against Fike as chairman. DeBlasio said later that he voted against Fike only in deference to former Chairwoman Angela M. Zimmerlink, who was conspicuously absent from the meeting.
When contacted after the meeting, Zimmerlink said she has decided not to accept the appointment to fill the remainder of the term of William "Trip" Radcliffe.
Zimmerlink, who is also a Fayette County commissioner, had voted along with Commission Chairman Vincent Zapotosky earlier this week to appoint herself to fill the unexpired term until Dec. 31. Commissioner Vincent A. Vicites voted against the appointment, saying he doesn't believe commissioners should serve on municipal authorities.
Zimmerlink served two consecutive five-year terms on the housing authority prior to the expiration of her second term on Dec. 31, 2007. Both of her appointments to the board were made prior to her election as county commissioner. This year she began her second four-year term as commissioner.
http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19188695&brd=2280&pag=461&dept_id=480247
Fike elected chairman, DeBlasio vice-chairman of Housing Authority
By Amy Zalar, Herald-Standard
01/11/2008
Updated 01/11/2008 12:15:03 AM EST
...At the beginning of the regular meeting, Harry Fike announced that his brother has one or two Section 8 rental units and said he would not be voting on Section 8 matters until the issue is reported to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Purcell told Harry Fike he must submit a written statement and ask for HUD approval.
Executive director Thomas Harkless said such issues have occurred in the past and since Harry Fike has disclosed the information the renters will likely be able to stay but Ed Fike will probably not be permitted to add additional Section 8 rental units.
http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19188695&brd=2280&pag=461&dept_id=480247
Herald Standard article clip
Zapotosky named commission chairman
By Amy Zalar, Herald-Standard
01/08/2008
Updated 01/09/2008 12:06:04 AM EST
...In appointments relating to the Fayette County Housing Authority, Zimmerlink and Zapotosky approved appointment of Zimmerlink to fill the unexpired term of William "Trip" Radcliffe, which will expire Dec. 31. Zimmerlink's five-year term expired in 2007. She has been appointed prior to winning election as a county commissioner.
Vicites, who voted against Zimmerlink's appointment, said he isn't in favor of Zimmerlink serving on the board.
"I would never serve on a municipal authority," Vicites said.
Zimmerlink pointed out that Vicites supported James V. Bitonti's appointment to the housing authority board, and Bitonti is the mayor of Belle Vernon. She also said that if it were an issue that she serves on the authority, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or the state Ethics Commission would have fielded complaints by now.
Zapotosky said he was initially against Zimmerlink's appointment, but now believes "her presence is required."
Ernie Deblasio was then selected for a four-year term on the housing authority. His term will expire Dec. 31, 2011.
After motions by Vicites to reappoint Bitonti and then select Harry Joseph failed to garner seconds, Zapotosky and Zimmerlink then voted to appoint Harry Fike to a five-year term.
Zapotosky said he couldn't support Bitonti's reappointment, citing a conflict of interest. Zimmerlink explained that Bitonti's son works for the housing authority.
Vicites said Bitonti did a good job and was very ethical and moral in his votes...
http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19176387&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=480247&rfi=6
Commissioner Reasons Rejecting Appointment Lack Self-Scutiny
Will wonders never cease. Maybe our post questioning the ethics of voting for yourself for an appointment to an autonomous authority hit home. Worse, the vote by the commissioner was the deciding vote. Had Zimmerlink not voted for herself on the appointment to the Housing Authority to fill the seat of the member who resigned, she would not have obtained a seat by majority vote of the board of commissioners.
It is unfortunate that Zimmerlink didn't consider the ethics angle before her vote, and it appears after her turn-around abandonment of the seat.
Even had Zimmerlink read our previous post, she didn't get it, otherwise she'd have given different reasons for letting the seat go.
Zimmerlink's reasons for rejecting the appointment she had the decisive vote on simply lack the self-scrutiny necessary to be appointed to the citizen-watch seat we were about to propose at the next commissioners' meeting.
Before this article, we were prepared to attend the next board meeting and ask the board at the agenda meeting to replace Zimmerlink in the official capacity of an Authority Board member, and create a citizen-watch non-voting seat. Zimmerlink then, along with others who were interested, could have been up for that appointment.
Such an appointment would have the benefit of reviewing Authority official business, make recommendations, but not participate in voting.
In fact, years ago there was just such a seat. It was an unofficial seat, with no voting privileges, always to be filled by a Housing Authority project resident. Unfortunately, rules and regulations were altered. In turn, that one seat remains one to be filled by a project resident.
The commissioners could still create another member category.
But Zimmerlink should not be selected given her unfortunate excuses as to why she is rejecting the official seat, now.
Just read the extracts from Zimmerlink's letter published in the Herald-Standard...
(Net the Truth Online)
Added post
What are the legalities here? At the Commissioners' meeting on Monday, Zimmerlink's appointment to an open seat was made prior to the series of motions which were made on candidates to fill the other expired and full-term seats.
Some of those candidates didn't make it to a seat as there was no second to the motion.
Commissioner Zimmerlink, at that point in time, having just been appointed as a voting board member of the Housing Authority, voted on the "commissioner" appointments of the other Housing Authority board members.
Not only did Commissioner Zimmerlink vote on the members she would "serve" with, however, her vote was the deciding vote when Commissioner Vicites neither provided a second for the candidate, nor did he cast a vote for the candidate.
The candidate was then appointed to a Housing Authority seat by one of its own appointed board members.
How valid are those new board appointments, now?
Can someone legally challenge the appointments made with elected Commissioner Zimmerlink's second and decisive vote when Zimmerlink had just prior been appointed to the open seat?
This entire episode is what we were supposed to be rid of, particularly with the Housing Authority's past history.
(Hold them all accountable)
It is unfortunate that Zimmerlink didn't consider the ethics angle before her vote, and it appears after her turn-around abandonment of the seat.
Even had Zimmerlink read our previous post, she didn't get it, otherwise she'd have given different reasons for letting the seat go.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Authority Appointment with Appointee Vote Questioned
http://netthetruthonline.blogspot.com/2008/01/authority-appointment-with-appointee.html
Zimmerlink's reasons for rejecting the appointment she had the decisive vote on simply lack the self-scrutiny necessary to be appointed to the citizen-watch seat we were about to propose at the next commissioners' meeting.
Before this article, we were prepared to attend the next board meeting and ask the board at the agenda meeting to replace Zimmerlink in the official capacity of an Authority Board member, and create a citizen-watch non-voting seat. Zimmerlink then, along with others who were interested, could have been up for that appointment.
Such an appointment would have the benefit of reviewing Authority official business, make recommendations, but not participate in voting.
In fact, years ago there was just such a seat. It was an unofficial seat, with no voting privileges, always to be filled by a Housing Authority project resident. Unfortunately, rules and regulations were altered. In turn, that one seat remains one to be filled by a project resident.
The commissioners could still create another member category.
But Zimmerlink should not be selected given her unfortunate excuses as to why she is rejecting the official seat, now.
Just read the extracts from Zimmerlink's letter published in the Herald-Standard...
(Net the Truth Online)
Zimmerlink steps down from housing authority
By Liz Zemba
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Fayette County Commissioner Angela Zimmerlink has resigned from the county housing authority board, less than a week after she was reappointed.
Zimmerlink, who had served two previous five-year terms on the board, said Friday she does not want potential controversy over her participation to distract from the board's work...
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribunereview/news/fayette/s_547086.html
Zimmerlink rejects housing authority appoinment
By Amy Zalar, Herald-Standard
01/11/2008
Updated 01/10/2008 10:00:06 PM EST
Just a few days after gaining appointment to a one-year term on the Fayette County Housing Authority, Fayette County Commissioner Angela M. Zimmerlink has decided not to accept the appointment, saying she believes certain people would go to great lengths this year to draw negative attention to her if she remained on the board.
Zimmerlink, who had completed her second five-year term on the FCHA on Dec. 31, 2007 received the nod for the unexpired term of William "Trip" Radcliffe during Monday's commissioner's reorganization meeting with a 2-1 vote, but since Monday she apparently had a change of heart...
...In a letter to her fellow commissioners written Wednesday, Zimmerlink wrote that her goal has always been and remains that "decisions be made for the right reasons and in the best interest of the county and this sentiment extends to the Fayette County Housing Authority."
However, Zimmerlink's letter explains that because much time and public tax dollars were spent in unsuccessful attempts to have her removed as a board member combined with the fact that her reappointment wasn't met with full commissioner support made her change her mind.
Zimmerlink points out in the letter that she was first appointed in 1998 and then reappointed in 2003 and throughout her time on the board, people have attempted to have her removed from the board. She cites payment of thousands of dollars to the Cohen & Grigsby law firm to research "Breach of fiduciary duty action against a public board member of a public authority taking into consideration the Whistleblower's Statue," and an "unfounded ethics charge," Zimmerlink wrote.
"Because the tenants, FCHA staff and taxpayers deserve the complete and undistracted attention of the board and knowing that this year certain individuals will either directly or through the shadows go to great lengths to deflect attention, waste time, resources and public dollars concentrating on their political and personal vendettas and unfounded claims toward me as a board member and county commissioner rather than doing their job at the offices of the FCHA, in the commissioners office, in the courthouse and wherever else these employees are employed or linger, I believe it is best and do withdraw my offer of service and will move to rescind the resolution appointing me to serve this unexpired one-year period," Zimmerlink wrote.
She further wrote that she is supporting the appointment to Uniontown businessman Donald Miller to the unexpired term, and asks her fellow commissioners to support her selection. Miller, like Zimmerlink is a Republican.
Zapotosky said Thursday that he stands by Zimmerlink's decision to not accept appointment to the housing authority board. When asked about whether or not he will support Miller, Zapotosky said he hasn't made a decision, saying he wants to sit down and look at the other applicants before making a final determination.
Vicites, Zapotosky and Zimmerlink separately said they saw no reason to make an appointment before the Jan. 24 regular commissioner's meeting because the next meeting of the housing authority isn't until Feb. 14...
...In addition to Zimmerlink's appointment on Monday, Ernie DeBlasio was appointed unanimously to the board, while Harry Fike was appointed with a 2-1 vote, with Zapotosky and Zimmerlink voting in favor of the appointment and Vicites voting against it.
Current board members include Beverly Beal and Nancy Sutton.
http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19188481&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=480247&rfi=6
Added post
What are the legalities here? At the Commissioners' meeting on Monday, Zimmerlink's appointment to an open seat was made prior to the series of motions which were made on candidates to fill the other expired and full-term seats.
Some of those candidates didn't make it to a seat as there was no second to the motion.
Commissioner Zimmerlink, at that point in time, having just been appointed as a voting board member of the Housing Authority, voted on the "commissioner" appointments of the other Housing Authority board members.
Not only did Commissioner Zimmerlink vote on the members she would "serve" with, however, her vote was the deciding vote when Commissioner Vicites neither provided a second for the candidate, nor did he cast a vote for the candidate.
The candidate was then appointed to a Housing Authority seat by one of its own appointed board members.
How valid are those new board appointments, now?
Can someone legally challenge the appointments made with elected Commissioner Zimmerlink's second and decisive vote when Zimmerlink had just prior been appointed to the open seat?
This entire episode is what we were supposed to be rid of, particularly with the Housing Authority's past history.
(Hold them all accountable)
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Ron Paul asked to reject 9/11 Truthers support
During the Fox News network Republican Presidential debate, Ron Paul was asked about the 9/11 Truthers.
Will you disassociate yourself from the 9/11 Truthers who say 9/11 was an inside job.
I don't believe that, Paul said. I'm not going to tell them what to say and what not to say. Paul then asked if he could participate in the same question that had been asked of the other candidates preceding him.
Paul just digs himself in deeper and deeper. Why not say, if he doesn't believe 9/11 was an inside job, that those who do, their money and support - is no good here.
This is like, if you don't support abortion, are you going to accept monies from those known to be abortionists? There is a principle here.
If he does believe 9/11 was an inside job, then say so, and stand strong with those of the 9/11 Truther crowd, who do.
(Net the Truth Online)
If he’s not a truther, why not condemn these people?
http://www.lorien1973.com/ron-paul-911-truther-supporters/
Allowing Ron Paul to explain himself
http://thewritersjourney.wordpress.com/2007/12/19/allowing-ron-paul-to-explain-himself/
REASON MAGAZINE
It’s All About Ron Paul
Wednesday, May 16th, 2007
http://www.antiwar.com/blog/2007/05/16/its-all-about-ron-paul/
GOP New Hampshire Debate: Ron Paul Battles Fellow GOP Candidates On Iraq, Terrorism
By: Logan Murphy on Saturday, January 5th, 2008
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/01/05/gop-new-hampshire-debate-ron-paul-battles-fellow-gop-candidates-on-iraq-terrorism/
Live Leak Interview
... interviewer: every story that comes out with you and these videos of you talking to these kids... so your position then that as far as you are concerned, the official story... the suggestions by these people that 9/11 was orchestrated by the government, you do not support that theory
Ron Paul: Absolutely not.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=519_1185293237
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfdq6hoe-XY
Ron Paul Myths Exposed
http://ronpaulmyths.blogspot.com/2007/11/myth-ron-paul-is-truther-conspiracy.html
Will you disassociate yourself from the 9/11 Truthers who say 9/11 was an inside job.
I don't believe that, Paul said. I'm not going to tell them what to say and what not to say. Paul then asked if he could participate in the same question that had been asked of the other candidates preceding him.
Paul just digs himself in deeper and deeper. Why not say, if he doesn't believe 9/11 was an inside job, that those who do, their money and support - is no good here.
This is like, if you don't support abortion, are you going to accept monies from those known to be abortionists? There is a principle here.
If he does believe 9/11 was an inside job, then say so, and stand strong with those of the 9/11 Truther crowd, who do.
(Net the Truth Online)
If he’s not a truther, why not condemn these people?
http://www.lorien1973.com/ron-paul-911-truther-supporters/
Allowing Ron Paul to explain himself
http://thewritersjourney.wordpress.com/2007/12/19/allowing-ron-paul-to-explain-himself/
REASON MAGAZINE
Ron Paul on 9/11 and Eric Dondero
David Weigel | May 22, 2007, 11:41am
Right after that Ron Paul interview session I followed Paul to ask about his encounter with 9/11 "Truth" campaigners and Eric Dondero's planned primary challenge.
Reason: What did you mean when you told the Scholars that "the [9/11] investigation is an investigation in which there were government cover-ups"?
Paul: I do think there were cover-ups, and I think it was mainly to cover up who was blamed, who's inept. See, they had the information. The FBI had an agent who was very much aware of the terrorists getting flight lessons but obviously not training to be pilots. He reported it 70 times or whatever and it was totally ignored. We were spending $40 billion a year on intelligence. It wasn't a lack of money or a lack of intelligence, it was a lack of the ability to put the intelligence together. Even the administration had been forewarned that something was coming, the CIA had been forewarned. So it was a cover up of who to blame. I see it more that way.
Reason: The position of the Student Scholars is that 9/11 was executed by the U.S. government. Do you agree or disagree with that?
Paul: I'd say there's no evidence of that.
Reason: So what did you mean when you told Student Scholars you'd be open to a new 9/11 investigation?
Paul: Well, I think the more we know about what we went on is good. But I don't think there's any evidence of [an inside job] and I don't believe that. The blame goes to bad policy. And a lot of times bad policy is well-motivated. The people who believe in a one world government are well motivated, but they disagree with me.
http://www.reason.com/blog/show/120338.html
Ron Paul Supporters Panic Over False News Story
By John Stephenson | December 30, 2007 - 14:00 ET
Update: So I'm wrong...Lets get those boycotts rollin!
URGENT MESSAGE! CALL OFF THE BOYCOTTS!
Rumors went out that Ron Paul was being excluded from a FOX Debate and his fans freaked out, as they have become famous for doing. They called for boycotts and protests, etc. Turns out that he was never even excluded from any debate, and that the debate in question didn't even exist. Oops! Panic buttons off.
http://newsbusters.org/people/ron-paul
It’s All About Ron Paul
Wednesday, May 16th, 2007
http://www.antiwar.com/blog/2007/05/16/its-all-about-ron-paul/
GOP New Hampshire Debate: Ron Paul Battles Fellow GOP Candidates On Iraq, Terrorism
By: Logan Murphy on Saturday, January 5th, 2008
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/01/05/gop-new-hampshire-debate-ron-paul-battles-fellow-gop-candidates-on-iraq-terrorism/
Live Leak Interview
... interviewer: every story that comes out with you and these videos of you talking to these kids... so your position then that as far as you are concerned, the official story... the suggestions by these people that 9/11 was orchestrated by the government, you do not support that theory
Ron Paul: Absolutely not.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=519_1185293237
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfdq6hoe-XY
Ron Paul Myths Exposed
http://ronpaulmyths.blogspot.com/2007/11/myth-ron-paul-is-truther-conspiracy.html
Her Madame Defarge of the left
so said Chris Matthews
Love the internet
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=chris+matthews+hillary+clinton+campaign+&btnG=Search
Media Matters
Jan. 5, 2008
More violent imagery from Matthews: If Clinton beats Obama, "what does she do with the body?"
...Additionally, on the April 24, 2005, edition of his NBC-syndicated television show, Matthews referred to Clinton as "sort of a Madame Defarge of the left," referring to a villainous character in Charles Dickens' novel, A Tale of Two Cities. According to BookRags.com, a website that provides study guides for classic novels, Madame Defarge is "a cruel, vengeance-seeking agent of the [French] revolution ... [who] spends her days knitting a 'register' of names of people she has marked for death."
http://mediamatters.org/items/200801050005
Love the internet
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=chris+matthews+hillary+clinton+campaign+&btnG=Search
Bill O'Reilly Factor: Supremes review Voter ID
Megyn Kelly summarizes. Citing Indiana.
What is the downside of having somebody prove who they are
it's disenfranchising poor, elderly who have hard time getting to local area to obtain them, says the ACLU
There are people who can't obtain the id, but they can go to the polls on election day, says O'Reilly.
Kelly says the Surpreme Court is leaning to this is not a burden...
Megyn says she believes the ids would cut down on voter fraud. The Democrats say this isn't happening at an alarming rate, or at all. How do they know. It's hard to track.
Well, obviously Megyn didn't read our analysis where we provided links to articles about those students who double voted at the state University in-person, and by absentee ballots sent to their home state.
What is the downside of having somebody prove who they are
it's disenfranchising poor, elderly who have hard time getting to local area to obtain them, says the ACLU
There are people who can't obtain the id, but they can go to the polls on election day, says O'Reilly.
Kelly says the Surpreme Court is leaning to this is not a burden...
Megyn says she believes the ids would cut down on voter fraud. The Democrats say this isn't happening at an alarming rate, or at all. How do they know. It's hard to track.
Well, obviously Megyn didn't read our analysis where we provided links to articles about those students who double voted at the state University in-person, and by absentee ballots sent to their home state.
Anti-Indiana Voter ID Double Dipping
Fox News report hosted by cited stories that a woman cited as an example of how the voter ID law hurts Indiana voters is actually registered to vote in two states. Ticker on the screen questions: Double Dipping?
Related American Pundit post comment
Voter cited by opponents of Indiana's ID law registered in two states
WASHINGTON – On the eve of a hearing before the U.S. Supreme Court, the Indiana Voter ID law has become a story with a twist: One of the individuals used by opponents to the law as an example of how the law hurts older Hoosiers is registered to vote in two states.
Faye Buis-Ewing, 72, who has been telling the media she is a 50-year resident of Indiana, at one point in the past few years also
claimed two states as her primary residence and received a homestead exemption on her property taxes in both states.
Monday night from her Florida home, Ewing said she and her husband Kenneth “winter in Florida and summer in Indiana.” She admitted to registering to vote in both states, but stressed that she¹s never voted in Florida. She also has a Florida driver’s license, but when she tried to use it as her photo ID in the Indiana elections in November 2006, poll workers wouldn’t accept it.
Subsequently, Ewing became a sort-of poster child for the opposition when the Indiana League of Women Voters (ILWV) told media that the problems Ewing had voting that day shows why the high court should strike it down.
But Indiana Republican Secretary of State Todd Rokita said Monday that Ewing’s tale illustrates exactly why Indiana needs the law. “This shows that the Indiana ID law worked here, which also calls into question why the critics are so vehemently against this law, especially with persons like this, who may not have a legal right to vote in this election,” Rokita said...
The law
In 2005, Indiana passed a law requiring Hoosiers to present photo identification when they vote in person on Election Day, or when they cast a ballot in person at a county clerk¹s office prior to Election Day. Voters without an ID may cast a provisional ballot, then bring an ID back to their county clerk or election board within 10 days.
The law does not apply to those voting absentee or to citizens whose polling place is in a state-licensed care facility where the voter resides.
Proponents of the law, including Rokita, believe it will better protect Hoosiers from voter fraud and identity theft. Critics say it unfairly burdens the poor, elderly and members of certain faiths, such as Amish.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, other states have voter ID laws, but only Florida and Georgia join Indiana in requiring photo IDs to vote. Indiana¹s law has been called one of the strictest.
Even before Indiana¹s law was in place, opponents – including Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama – were lining up against it, apparently in fear that, if it stood, other states would follow. In 2005 Obama introduced a Senate resolution urging the Department of Justice to challenge any state law mandating photo IDs for voting.
In Indiana, the Democratic Party, the League of Women Voters and numerous other groups or agencies representing elderly, minority and disadvantaged voters have been challenging the law in court with the help of the Brennan Center for Justice, which states on its Web site that it is a non-partisan public policy and law institute that focuses on the fundamental issues of democracy and justice.
So far, the law has been upheld by a federal judge and a panel in the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review the law today and, according to the Brennan Center, “(It) is the most important voting rights case since Bush v. Gore.”
A standing ovation
Gearing up for the high court¹s review, news media around the country have been trumpeting the ordeals that Ewing and others in Indiana allegedly suffered due to Indiana¹s voter ID law. One news story related how Ewing received a standing ovation from poll workers in Lafayette after she spent several hours on Election Day 2006 obtaining an Indiana photo ID.
When poll workers wouldn¹t accept her Florida license as a valid ID for voting, she was told she could cast a provisional vote, but she declined. Her birth certificate wasn’t acceptable because it didn¹t have her married – and therefore identifying – name on it, according to a brief filed with the Supreme Court by the Brennan Center.
It took four hours and visits to two cities to secure the necessary documents for Ewing to vote, the brief and news stories said.
‘I¹m confused’
According to Ewing and Ann Nucatola, public information director for the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Ewing surrendered her Indiana driver¹s license in 2000, when she moved to Florida and obtained her Florida license. Nucatola said that a driver must have a Florida address to obtain a Florida driver¹s license.
“And if they own property in two states they have to get a license that says ‘valid in Florida only,’” Nucatola said.
Ewing said Monday that her license is a “regular” one that she uses in both states. She renewed it in 2007 on a Punta Gorda, Fla. address.
At the Charlotte County, Fla. voter registration office, Sandy Wharton, vote qualifying office manager, said Ewing registered to vote in Charlotte County on Sept. 18, 2002, and signed an oath that she was a Florida resident and understood that falsifying the voter application was a third-degree felony punishable by prison and a fine up to $5,000. Wharton said her office checked Ewing’s Florida residency and qualified her on Oct. 2, 2002. On Oct. 4, 2002, they mailed her Florida voter card to her, to the West Lafayette, Ind. address that Ewing gave as a mailing address.
However, Ewing didn’t vote in Florida that year, nor has she ever voted in Charlotte County, Wharton said. But, just a month after receiving her Florida voter card, she did vote in the November 2002 elections in Tippecanoe County, Ind., according to Heather Maddox, co-director of elections and registration in Tippecanoe.
Ewing confirmed that she is registered in both states to vote, but at first said the Florida registration came automatically with her driver’s license. She repeatedly denied signing the oath on the Florida application. She also said Indiana mailed her an absentee ballot, but she didn’t use it or vote that year.
However, Heather Maddox, co-director of election registration in Tippecanoe County, said Ewing voted in Indiana in 2002, 2003 and 2004, before the Indiana ID law took effect in 2005.
When informed that the Florida voter office said she’d registered personally in 2002 for a Florida voter card, and that this newspaper had a copy of her application, Ewing said, “Well, why did I do that? I¹m confused. I can’t recall.” She reiterated that, even though she’s registered in two states, she only votes in Indiana, adding that she does have a car plated in Florida.
That doesn’t satisfy Florida officials.
“She can only be registered to vote in the place where she claims residency,² Wharton said. “You can’t be registered in two states. She has to claim one place or the other.”
Ordinarily when someone registers to vote in Florida, the state informs the election board where the applicant was previously registered. But according to Wharton, Ewing did not inform Florida that she was ever registered to vote anywhere else.
“She signed an oath saying she was a qualified elector and a legal resident of Florida,” Wharton said. “And the space where she was supposed to tell us where she was previously registered, she left blank.”
http://www.kpcnews.com/articles/2008/01/09/news/today/evening_star/doc478441f2313a5420740819.txt
Related American Pundit post comment
Woman Who Challenges Indiana ID Law Is Registered to Vote in Two States
by Brennan |
Call this an ironic twist. A woman who is challenging Indiana’s voter id law, is actually registered to vote in two states: Florida and Indiana...
...As Bryan says, if she didn’t intend to do anything wrong, what about the people who do intend to commit voter fraud? If she can unintentionally do it, what about the people who intend to do it?
The good news is that the U.S.S.C. is showing some support for the law she’s challenging. Laws like Indiana’s actually have wide base of support in the U.S.. A recent Rasmussen Reports survey finds that a whopping 80% of Americans support voters having to show identification in order to vote...
http://amerpundit.com/2008/01/10/woman-who-challenges-indiana-id-law-is-registered-to-vote-in-two-states/
Obama 44% lead South Carolina Will it hold?
Fox News just reported the percentages in poll results for Senator Barack Obama at 44 percent in South Carolina. Hillary Clinton a distant second.
Will the percentage gap you could drive a Mexican truck through hold on election day?
Will Hardball's Chris Matthews keep to his promise to find the "culprit" if the poll results - within reason - and election day results - within reason - do not match?
We'll be watching...
Will the percentage gap you could drive a Mexican truck through hold on election day?
Will Hardball's Chris Matthews keep to his promise to find the "culprit" if the poll results - within reason - and election day results - within reason - do not match?
We'll be watching...
Global Wind Cause of Rhino Virus and Our Colds and Sniffling
Yes. Finally, a pharmaceutical company that has identified after billions of dollars spent on research and development, largely consisting of taxpayers' donations, the reason for the season of American snifflings and colds.
The "rhino" virus. Yes. Unable to be tracked and considered as an effect on the yearly seasonal colds for some 25 years, Global Wind, caused by all the talk about Global Warming, primarily occurring some length of time yet to be known when United Nations affiliated and funded scientists gather in remote places where the rhinoceracses still reign, and additional late last year talked about who will be Presidential frontrunners in this year's United States elections, has finally been scientifically connected to the "Rhino Virus" which causes our seasonal colds and flus over here in the United States of America.
No other country in the world suffers through the Winter Cold, otherwise known as a mask of the true status of Global Warming, caused primarily by manmade "gasses" and animal exturciations if that is the proper way to phrase, and man's breathing and sometimes breathing more than their fair share of the air, and women's breathing, too, though not so unfairly much, and animals and man's, not women so much as they rarely go a hunting and have to go there, oh wait that's the anti-global warming groups' argument - manmade global warming is caused by man's use of fossil fuels which produces CO2 gasses - no other country globally in the entire world suffers through the season that's supposed to be cold and more often than not, is, than Americans - whether citizens, or not, illegal aliens, or not, or visitors from another country, or not.
Even visitors to the United States during this time period who never get a cold in their own countries invariably get a cold when the visit the United States, most often more than not New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Columbus, Minneapolis, North Folk, and even Los Angeles (strong winds from the East blow back on Los Angeles during this time of the year, sometimes these strong winds are called El Ninja), and other north-and north-eastern cities such as those in New Hampshire, Maine.
And if you look at a map of the United States and pick out all of the larger than others cities here, you will find the same statistics every year no matter the city. Rural areas are affected as well, sometimes these are called towns and bergs.
Virtually every single place that has an American federally-funded highway going through it sees the same thing happen year after year after year. A large amount of people, no matter if they are residents, citizens, illegal aliens, or visitors from another country, get a cold this time of year.
Even though New Hamshire temps broke a hundred-plus-year record for highest on this Winter-season date, evidence of Global Warming caused by CO2 emissions largely from the United States, people over there where the rhinoceroses reign, had gathered at some time prior to this month of January, and they talked about Global Warming and our Presidential races. That caused the Global Wind which we are now exposing and that caused the Rhino Virus which has just been identified as the cause of our colds and flus over here during this time of the year, and beyond.
The effect of Global Wind has this one effect the spread of the Rhino Virus.
Not until now this very day has this cause of the seasonal colds been identified.
Now we know the physical demonstrations in public all across these cities - in rural areas it doesn't matter - of humans never covering their mouths when sneezing - which is evidence of a cold, are caused by Global Wind over there where the rhinoceraces live and where scientists the globe over gather right before the time of the flu season here and over long days in long meetings talk about us over here, over there.
This year, they are additionally talking about our Presidential races and the candidates who are seeking support over there over here, everywhere, in the form of campaign contributions.
Rhino Virus caused by Global Wind which blows across the United States after United Nations delegates and others meet over there to talk about us over here.
It happens. It has happened, and it will happen again and again.
This is an expose unlike any other you will read anywhere else.
Global Wind Rhino Virus. Global Wind Rhino Virus. American Cold and Flu season.
The connection has finally been made. Why is this just now being discovered? Read on.
Zicam - a product produced by a major pharmaceutical company - is the solution to its - the Global Wind's - end result - the Rhino Virus - which causes seasonal cold. So says the ad that is running during this time on every network channel, even Fox News, just before coincidentally, perhaps, or conspiratorially to some, there is talk about either of the now frontrunning presidential candidates from the two major political parties battling it out, Hillary Clinton and John McCain.
Zicam's ad only included info about the Rhino Virus. We have dug deeper to determine where did the Rhino Virus originate. Has to be where the rhinocerosies still live, and that isn't here in the United States of America where we invariable get these seasonal colds.
The spread of the Rhino Virus from over there to over here. How does that happen. We have dug deep to determine since it comes from over there to over here and it's this time of year and the United Nations delegates and others invariably meet to talk about Global Warming just before the cold season over here starts - there is a connection between their talking about us all the time over there - at this time of year - and the spread of the Rhino Virus.
Digging deeper we found the charts and graphs on the internet that show Global Wind happens this time of year moreso than other times of the year.
Yes. We have found the truth here at Net the Truth Online. OUr everyday of the week efforts to do so have paid off.
Think about it. The Rhino Virus. We never ever heard of this cause of our colds and flus until this year of the Presidential Races after the Iowa Caucuses where the now two frontrunners, Hillary Clinton (liberal Democrat) and John McCain (mixed moderate Republican and liberal Democrat) won big in Primaries just held in New Hamshire.
Scoop time: Watch for Clinton and McCain to mention identification of the Rhino Virus and Zicam as the clear result of their senatorial efforts while in the Senate to fund just such studies with your hard-earned taxpayer dollars. No hidden earmarks were used. Why would they vote to use earmarks to fund such a great results-getting solution to our colds caused now we know by the Rhino Virus caused by now we know Global Winds. No, they used the clear budget process to help get this product, Zicam, on the market.
So it sounds like Spycam, don't be confused. That's a different issue for a different time as we are still tracking who funded that whopper.
They plan as President and Vice President, order to be determined, to continue their successful funding which resulted in this successful result of finding the Rhino Virus causes our colds initiated by Global Wind.
The Rhino Virus. Global Wind. Maybe if we here in these United States spread the truth, talk about what the two major frontrunners are supposed to be talking about rather than crying like a girl and hehawing like a cowboy there will be a reversal of the prevalance of colds at this time of year here in the United States.
Think about it. If we talk enough about what these two frontrunners really stand for, women who cry at the drop of a sad story and men who hehaw like football players when they win, we could balance the Global Wind effect from over there and the Rhino Virus will have to go somewhere else, preferably over there.
Then, these two frontrunners will have to talk about than their funding of research and development for pharmaceutical companies such as the one that produced Zicam that outed the Rhino Virus caused over here by we now know Global Winds from over there.
Oh, but hey, what happens next year during this time of year. We better keep talking about everybody and everyone just talk and talk and talk about who they really are before and after they win in these elections in a massive effort this time of year which will be next year, but you get it, to reverse the Rhino Virus caused by Global Wind from over there.
Related
Zicam
Scientific Study Reveals Zicam™ Cold Remedy Reduces Duration of Common Cold by an Average of 75% by Michael Hirt, M.D., Sion Nobel, M.D., Ernesto Barron, B.S.
ImmuneSupport.com
10-22-2001
Editor's Note: The ENT - Ear, Nose & Throat Journal (ENT Journal), a professional peer-reviewed medical journal, published the results of an independent scientific study on Zicam™ Cold Remedy, a revolutionary over-the-counter homeopathic cold remedy, in the October 2000 issue. In this study, entitled "Zinc Nasal Gel for the Treatment of Common Cold Symptoms: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial," Zicam™ Cold Remedy reduced the duration of the common cold by an average of 75%.
http://www.immunesupport.com/library/bulletinarticle.cfm?ID=3158&PROD=N080&SLP=yes
Zicam as close as you can get to curing the common cold
http://www.epinions.com/well-review-55BE-2D1E9F4D-3A4CAB5C-prod2
manmade cause global warming co2
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=manmade+cause+global+warming+co2&btnG=Google+Search
The "rhino" virus. Yes. Unable to be tracked and considered as an effect on the yearly seasonal colds for some 25 years, Global Wind, caused by all the talk about Global Warming, primarily occurring some length of time yet to be known when United Nations affiliated and funded scientists gather in remote places where the rhinoceracses still reign, and additional late last year talked about who will be Presidential frontrunners in this year's United States elections, has finally been scientifically connected to the "Rhino Virus" which causes our seasonal colds and flus over here in the United States of America.
No other country in the world suffers through the Winter Cold, otherwise known as a mask of the true status of Global Warming, caused primarily by manmade "gasses" and animal exturciations if that is the proper way to phrase, and man's breathing and sometimes breathing more than their fair share of the air, and women's breathing, too, though not so unfairly much, and animals and man's, not women so much as they rarely go a hunting and have to go there, oh wait that's the anti-global warming groups' argument - manmade global warming is caused by man's use of fossil fuels which produces CO2 gasses - no other country globally in the entire world suffers through the season that's supposed to be cold and more often than not, is, than Americans - whether citizens, or not, illegal aliens, or not, or visitors from another country, or not.
Even visitors to the United States during this time period who never get a cold in their own countries invariably get a cold when the visit the United States, most often more than not New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Columbus, Minneapolis, North Folk, and even Los Angeles (strong winds from the East blow back on Los Angeles during this time of the year, sometimes these strong winds are called El Ninja), and other north-and north-eastern cities such as those in New Hampshire, Maine.
And if you look at a map of the United States and pick out all of the larger than others cities here, you will find the same statistics every year no matter the city. Rural areas are affected as well, sometimes these are called towns and bergs.
Virtually every single place that has an American federally-funded highway going through it sees the same thing happen year after year after year. A large amount of people, no matter if they are residents, citizens, illegal aliens, or visitors from another country, get a cold this time of year.
Even though New Hamshire temps broke a hundred-plus-year record for highest on this Winter-season date, evidence of Global Warming caused by CO2 emissions largely from the United States, people over there where the rhinoceroses reign, had gathered at some time prior to this month of January, and they talked about Global Warming and our Presidential races. That caused the Global Wind which we are now exposing and that caused the Rhino Virus which has just been identified as the cause of our colds and flus over here during this time of the year, and beyond.
The effect of Global Wind has this one effect the spread of the Rhino Virus.
Not until now this very day has this cause of the seasonal colds been identified.
Now we know the physical demonstrations in public all across these cities - in rural areas it doesn't matter - of humans never covering their mouths when sneezing - which is evidence of a cold, are caused by Global Wind over there where the rhinoceraces live and where scientists the globe over gather right before the time of the flu season here and over long days in long meetings talk about us over here, over there.
This year, they are additionally talking about our Presidential races and the candidates who are seeking support over there over here, everywhere, in the form of campaign contributions.
Rhino Virus caused by Global Wind which blows across the United States after United Nations delegates and others meet over there to talk about us over here.
It happens. It has happened, and it will happen again and again.
This is an expose unlike any other you will read anywhere else.
Global Wind Rhino Virus. Global Wind Rhino Virus. American Cold and Flu season.
The connection has finally been made. Why is this just now being discovered? Read on.
Zicam - a product produced by a major pharmaceutical company - is the solution to its - the Global Wind's - end result - the Rhino Virus - which causes seasonal cold. So says the ad that is running during this time on every network channel, even Fox News, just before coincidentally, perhaps, or conspiratorially to some, there is talk about either of the now frontrunning presidential candidates from the two major political parties battling it out, Hillary Clinton and John McCain.
Zicam's ad only included info about the Rhino Virus. We have dug deeper to determine where did the Rhino Virus originate. Has to be where the rhinocerosies still live, and that isn't here in the United States of America where we invariable get these seasonal colds.
The spread of the Rhino Virus from over there to over here. How does that happen. We have dug deep to determine since it comes from over there to over here and it's this time of year and the United Nations delegates and others invariably meet to talk about Global Warming just before the cold season over here starts - there is a connection between their talking about us all the time over there - at this time of year - and the spread of the Rhino Virus.
Digging deeper we found the charts and graphs on the internet that show Global Wind happens this time of year moreso than other times of the year.
Yes. We have found the truth here at Net the Truth Online. OUr everyday of the week efforts to do so have paid off.
Think about it. The Rhino Virus. We never ever heard of this cause of our colds and flus until this year of the Presidential Races after the Iowa Caucuses where the now two frontrunners, Hillary Clinton (liberal Democrat) and John McCain (mixed moderate Republican and liberal Democrat) won big in Primaries just held in New Hamshire.
Scoop time: Watch for Clinton and McCain to mention identification of the Rhino Virus and Zicam as the clear result of their senatorial efforts while in the Senate to fund just such studies with your hard-earned taxpayer dollars. No hidden earmarks were used. Why would they vote to use earmarks to fund such a great results-getting solution to our colds caused now we know by the Rhino Virus caused by now we know Global Winds. No, they used the clear budget process to help get this product, Zicam, on the market.
So it sounds like Spycam, don't be confused. That's a different issue for a different time as we are still tracking who funded that whopper.
They plan as President and Vice President, order to be determined, to continue their successful funding which resulted in this successful result of finding the Rhino Virus causes our colds initiated by Global Wind.
The Rhino Virus. Global Wind. Maybe if we here in these United States spread the truth, talk about what the two major frontrunners are supposed to be talking about rather than crying like a girl and hehawing like a cowboy there will be a reversal of the prevalance of colds at this time of year here in the United States.
Think about it. If we talk enough about what these two frontrunners really stand for, women who cry at the drop of a sad story and men who hehaw like football players when they win, we could balance the Global Wind effect from over there and the Rhino Virus will have to go somewhere else, preferably over there.
Then, these two frontrunners will have to talk about than their funding of research and development for pharmaceutical companies such as the one that produced Zicam that outed the Rhino Virus caused over here by we now know Global Winds from over there.
Oh, but hey, what happens next year during this time of year. We better keep talking about everybody and everyone just talk and talk and talk about who they really are before and after they win in these elections in a massive effort this time of year which will be next year, but you get it, to reverse the Rhino Virus caused by Global Wind from over there.
Related
Zicam
Scientific Study Reveals Zicam™ Cold Remedy Reduces Duration of Common Cold by an Average of 75% by Michael Hirt, M.D., Sion Nobel, M.D., Ernesto Barron, B.S.
ImmuneSupport.com
10-22-2001
Editor's Note: The ENT - Ear, Nose & Throat Journal (ENT Journal), a professional peer-reviewed medical journal, published the results of an independent scientific study on Zicam™ Cold Remedy, a revolutionary over-the-counter homeopathic cold remedy, in the October 2000 issue. In this study, entitled "Zinc Nasal Gel for the Treatment of Common Cold Symptoms: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial," Zicam™ Cold Remedy reduced the duration of the common cold by an average of 75%.
http://www.immunesupport.com/library/bulletinarticle.cfm?ID=3158&PROD=N080&SLP=yes
Zicam as close as you can get to curing the common cold
http://www.epinions.com/well-review-55BE-2D1E9F4D-3A4CAB5C-prod2
manmade cause global warming co2
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=manmade+cause+global+warming+co2&btnG=Google+Search
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Rebecca Mercuri: Paper Ballots with Optical Scan
Rebecca Mercuri's Statement on Electronic Voting
Copyright © 2001 and 2007 by Rebecca Mercuri All Rights Reserved.
mercuri AT acm DOT org http://www.notablesoftware.com
...Since 2003, because of unresolvable problems with the implementation and deployment of the DRE/VVPAT systems, and the difficulties experienced in using the VVPATs in recounts, I have recommended (and continue to recommend) that municipalities ONLY purchase the opscan + ballot-marking systems.
http://notablesoftware.com/RMstatement.html
http://www.notablesoftware.com/evote.html
Copyright © 2001 and 2007 by Rebecca Mercuri All Rights Reserved.
mercuri AT acm DOT org http://www.notablesoftware.com
...Since 2003, because of unresolvable problems with the implementation and deployment of the DRE/VVPAT systems, and the difficulties experienced in using the VVPATs in recounts, I have recommended (and continue to recommend) that municipalities ONLY purchase the opscan + ballot-marking systems.
http://notablesoftware.com/RMstatement.html
http://www.notablesoftware.com/evote.html
Indiana Voter ID Fight
Guests on CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight included
Tom Fisher, solicitor general
Ted Shaw NAACP
Get the transcript
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/ldt.html
PS: the back and forth was interesting between Fisher and Shaw.
Dobbs appears to support the idea of a Voter-ID. But we must convince this independent populist that a photo-identification voter registration card that contains a permanent social security number is an affront to the rights we inherently possess.
See the comments section on this site, Net the Truth Online, for more on this issue.
Under no circumstances do I support a Voter-Photo-Id card which contains the permanent social security number of the individual.
I believe a photo-id may help to prevent voter-fraud as was demonstrated by students who were able to vote twice in an election in different states, using their own names, and similar attempts to use the names of deceased have been attempted in absentee voting particularly.
States should immediately clean up their voter registration databases of deceased persons and those who have moved to another state, permanently.
As the demonstration by the students shows, however, citizens who retain one permanent address still have the ability to register to vote in another state under different state guidelines for such.
The students demonstrated they could use the absentee ballot process in their home state to cast a vote, and then vote in-person in another state where they are studying.
This shows us all that something must be done to curb anything of the sort from happening again.
A photo-voter-id card could help prevent voter fraud.
But my suggestion is for a random number, one time use, to be stamped on the voter's id card. The number would expire after that election cycle.
This way there is no permanent number connected with anyone's voter registration card which includes the indivual's name and face.
I've objected locally when I changed my voter registration for a state election to vote in the Primary election for governor. I've objected when I went to renew my expired driver's license to my social security number being on it.
But I let them do it.
I won't let them put my name, my face, and my social security number on a voter registration card.
I will be among those who fight against that.
Still, the photo-ID with the safeguard of a random number to be used for that election only could work to prevent voter fraud.
It happens, and even though studies may show it doesn't happen in large numbers, even one case of voter-fraud waters down all of our votes and all of our rights.
As for the absentees and the potential for abuse. States have to again purge databases in the local counties of names which should not remain because the person is deceased, or moved out of the state, permanently changing their residency.
The problem occurs with many states permitting easy access to a driver's license and thereby the motor-voter law kicks in and a person cannot be denied access to voter registration when attempting to acquire a driver's license.
This is a rampant problem.
A suggestion brought up a few years back was to have the requests for absentee ballots numbered in some way. That didn't wash because the state doesn't want to abuse privacy rights which might connect a voter to a private ballot.
Something must be done to curb absentee ballot fraud attempts.
Maybe it's citizen volunteers who take an oath to help out at the election bureaus and who are responsible for checking the validity of the registration status of absentees.
In the case of the students demonstrating the potential to abuse the process of absentees, states might pick up on the random number at the polls.
As for absentees, again, once an absentee ballot comes in and before it is opened, a random number could be assigned to the outer envelope.
These are to be removed at the precinct, and set aside. The absentees are then to be scrambled so the way a voter voted cannot be known.
With the random number assigned back at the election bureau to that absentee voter's data, it will be known that person already voted by absentee.
A shared database nationwide would be used, but again, no permanent social security numbers should be on a voter-registration card with photograph.
That is un-American. It is just like a national identification card, which I oppose strongly.
(Net the Truth Online)
Related
See website Extemporaneous Discourse
http://tdugdale.blogspot.com/
Tom Fisher, solicitor general
Ted Shaw NAACP
Get the transcript
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/ldt.html
PS: the back and forth was interesting between Fisher and Shaw.
Dobbs appears to support the idea of a Voter-ID. But we must convince this independent populist that a photo-identification voter registration card that contains a permanent social security number is an affront to the rights we inherently possess.
See the comments section on this site, Net the Truth Online, for more on this issue.
Under no circumstances do I support a Voter-Photo-Id card which contains the permanent social security number of the individual.
I believe a photo-id may help to prevent voter-fraud as was demonstrated by students who were able to vote twice in an election in different states, using their own names, and similar attempts to use the names of deceased have been attempted in absentee voting particularly.
States should immediately clean up their voter registration databases of deceased persons and those who have moved to another state, permanently.
As the demonstration by the students shows, however, citizens who retain one permanent address still have the ability to register to vote in another state under different state guidelines for such.
The students demonstrated they could use the absentee ballot process in their home state to cast a vote, and then vote in-person in another state where they are studying.
This shows us all that something must be done to curb anything of the sort from happening again.
A photo-voter-id card could help prevent voter fraud.
But my suggestion is for a random number, one time use, to be stamped on the voter's id card. The number would expire after that election cycle.
This way there is no permanent number connected with anyone's voter registration card which includes the indivual's name and face.
I've objected locally when I changed my voter registration for a state election to vote in the Primary election for governor. I've objected when I went to renew my expired driver's license to my social security number being on it.
But I let them do it.
I won't let them put my name, my face, and my social security number on a voter registration card.
I will be among those who fight against that.
Still, the photo-ID with the safeguard of a random number to be used for that election only could work to prevent voter fraud.
It happens, and even though studies may show it doesn't happen in large numbers, even one case of voter-fraud waters down all of our votes and all of our rights.
As for the absentees and the potential for abuse. States have to again purge databases in the local counties of names which should not remain because the person is deceased, or moved out of the state, permanently changing their residency.
The problem occurs with many states permitting easy access to a driver's license and thereby the motor-voter law kicks in and a person cannot be denied access to voter registration when attempting to acquire a driver's license.
This is a rampant problem.
A suggestion brought up a few years back was to have the requests for absentee ballots numbered in some way. That didn't wash because the state doesn't want to abuse privacy rights which might connect a voter to a private ballot.
Something must be done to curb absentee ballot fraud attempts.
Maybe it's citizen volunteers who take an oath to help out at the election bureaus and who are responsible for checking the validity of the registration status of absentees.
In the case of the students demonstrating the potential to abuse the process of absentees, states might pick up on the random number at the polls.
As for absentees, again, once an absentee ballot comes in and before it is opened, a random number could be assigned to the outer envelope.
These are to be removed at the precinct, and set aside. The absentees are then to be scrambled so the way a voter voted cannot be known.
With the random number assigned back at the election bureau to that absentee voter's data, it will be known that person already voted by absentee.
A shared database nationwide would be used, but again, no permanent social security numbers should be on a voter-registration card with photograph.
That is un-American. It is just like a national identification card, which I oppose strongly.
(Net the Truth Online)
Voter Fraud at Colleges
A Common Occurrence?
Lisa Dietrich
Issue date: 12/4/00 Section: Features
Marquette University in Wisconsin was in the national news because some students admitted to voting as many as four times. The Marquette Tribune, the student newspaper of the university, conducted a survey of 1000 of their students. Nearly two out of every ten students surveyed voted more than once, and some of them voted as many as four times. One hundred seventy-four of the students voted at least twice, 26 voted three times, and 13 voted four times. Out of these students, three voted for cartoon characters, 57 for themselves, 76 for friends, and 35 for family.
Although most of these students were guided by a misdirected sense of humor when voting numerous times, this is a very serious offense. Each of these students, instead of voting for fake candidates, could have cast multiple votes for a single candidate, which potentially could have had an effect on the county and the state's vote, and ultimately the country's decision.
Most students who voted more than once said that they took advantage of the absentee ballot system. Ninety-one students said that they voted absentee in their home state, and voted again in Wisconsin. Others cast multiple ballots in Wisconsin alone.
http://media.www.clarksonintegrator.com/media/storage/paper280/news/2000/12/04/Features/Voter.Fraud.At.Colleges-11570.shtml
Photo ID at Polls Could Prevent Fraud
By: Seth Cooper
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
October 19, 2004
...Recent voter drives have produced hundreds of thousands of new registrants--a valuable expansion of democratic participation. But thousands of registrations are suspicious enough to have provoked investigations by election authorities. Officials in states such as Pennsylvania, Florida and Ohio report organized delivery of voter cards for people whose addresses don't exist or who moved away.
Universities have reached a point of political self-righteousness where some students boast openly of plans to vote twice: by absentee ballot in their home state and also in the state of their school. This is clearly illegal. Cheaters dilute ballot choices of honest voters...
http://www.discovery.org/a/2260
Related
See website Extemporaneous Discourse
http://tdugdale.blogspot.com/
Rare genetic glitch hikes risk of autism
Finding instills hope for better understanding, treatment of disorder
AP
A rare genetic variation dramatically raises the risk of developing autism, a large study showed, opening new research targets for better understanding the disorder and for treating it.
Research into the causes of autism has focused on genetic causes because so many families have multiple children with the disorder. Thus far, only about 10 percent of autism cases have a known genetic cause. Boston-area researchers estimate the gene glitch they’ve identified accounts for another 1 percent of cases.
They found a segment of a chromosome which has genes linked to brain development and various developmental disorders was either missing or duplicated far more often in autistic people. The defect was inherited in some cases, but more often the result of a random genetic accident.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22577335/
Panel : Pervasiveness Voter Fraud Open to Debate
The EAC is right to alter its general assessment of voter fraud statistics reported to them. The EAC's original report was largely based on the findings and conclusions of others. In that report note it was "experts" who concluded last year that there was little voter fraud around the nation...
The EAC itself did not make such a finding.
Now the EAC has altered the wording in its report.
As they should have done at the beginning, the panel should have said the pervasiveness of fraud was open to debate.
As it is. In tight, close races, a matter of only a half-dozen fraudulent votes - usually attempted by absentee ballots - can mean the difference between the winner and the loser. Who should legitimately take office, and who shouldn't.
Even one vote cast in the name of a deceased person whose name remains on outdated and over-inflated voter registry databases is one vote that waters down the right of all of the "eligible" voters.
It happens, and more often than not, goes undetected. As well, even if attempts at fraud are caught, they are rarely prosecuted because more often than not the judge determines that the difference wouldn't affect the outcome of the election.
The EAC should be commended for now appearing to be neutral rather than take the side of one political party, or the other.
Net the Truth Online
Panel Said to Alter Finding on Voter Fraud
By IAN URBINA
Published: April 11, 2007
WASHINGTON, April 10 — A federal panel responsible for conducting election research played down the findings of experts who concluded last year that there was little voter fraud around the nation, according to a review of the original report obtained by The New York Times.
Instead, the panel, the Election Assistance Commission, issued a report that said the pervasiveness of fraud was open to debate.
The revised version echoes complaints made by Republican politicians, who have long suggested that voter fraud is widespread and justifies the voter identification laws that have been passed in at least two dozen states.
Democrats say the threat is overstated and have opposed voter identification laws, which they say disenfranchise the poor, members of minority groups and the elderly, who are less likely to have photo IDs and are more likely to be Democrats.
Though the original report said that among experts “there is widespread but not unanimous agreement that there is little polling place fraud,” the final version of the report released to the public concluded in its executive summary that “there is a great deal of debate on the pervasiveness of fraud.”
The topic of voter fraud, usually defined as people misrepresenting themselves at the polls or improperly attempting to register voters, remains a lively division between the two parties...
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/11/washington/11voters.html
The EAC itself did not make such a finding.
Now the EAC has altered the wording in its report.
As they should have done at the beginning, the panel should have said the pervasiveness of fraud was open to debate.
As it is. In tight, close races, a matter of only a half-dozen fraudulent votes - usually attempted by absentee ballots - can mean the difference between the winner and the loser. Who should legitimately take office, and who shouldn't.
Even one vote cast in the name of a deceased person whose name remains on outdated and over-inflated voter registry databases is one vote that waters down the right of all of the "eligible" voters.
It happens, and more often than not, goes undetected. As well, even if attempts at fraud are caught, they are rarely prosecuted because more often than not the judge determines that the difference wouldn't affect the outcome of the election.
The EAC should be commended for now appearing to be neutral rather than take the side of one political party, or the other.
Net the Truth Online
Panel Said to Alter Finding on Voter Fraud
By IAN URBINA
Published: April 11, 2007
WASHINGTON, April 10 — A federal panel responsible for conducting election research played down the findings of experts who concluded last year that there was little voter fraud around the nation, according to a review of the original report obtained by The New York Times.
Instead, the panel, the Election Assistance Commission, issued a report that said the pervasiveness of fraud was open to debate.
The revised version echoes complaints made by Republican politicians, who have long suggested that voter fraud is widespread and justifies the voter identification laws that have been passed in at least two dozen states.
Democrats say the threat is overstated and have opposed voter identification laws, which they say disenfranchise the poor, members of minority groups and the elderly, who are less likely to have photo IDs and are more likely to be Democrats.
Though the original report said that among experts “there is widespread but not unanimous agreement that there is little polling place fraud,” the final version of the report released to the public concluded in its executive summary that “there is a great deal of debate on the pervasiveness of fraud.”
The topic of voter fraud, usually defined as people misrepresenting themselves at the polls or improperly attempting to register voters, remains a lively division between the two parties...
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/11/washington/11voters.html
Chris Matthews Final Tally Results in New Hampshire
Stunning results
Polsters got it wrong!
Even the polls fooled Hillary
Headlines from MSNBC
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3096434/
CNN Clinton Comeback: Defies Polls to Win New Hampshire
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/2008.01.09.html
Heads Up. Is the joke on us? Why the discrepancy between forefront polls, exit polls, vote results?
Chris Matthews. We're going to be watching closely these discrepancies like we've seen in New Hampshire, and if there are still these differences - dramatic - I'm going to be looking for culprits. (Hardball, Chris Matthews)
Matthews made the comment after lengthy discussion with his panel on tonight's Hardball programming. We must hold Matthews to his promise - should this same situation happen in other states down the road - Matthews said he'll be looking for the culprits.
MSNBC HARDBALL video
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/22577476#22577476
This all needs to be investigated, now, in New Hampshire.
Though Matthews didn't note where he got info to lead him to say was the bump up for Hillary because she cried... it is apparent he got the hint from What Happened to Polls In New Hampshire? January 09, 2008 Rasmussen Reports.
so nobody else polled like Rasmussen, heh, and Zogby didn't figure in the women for who was that ah Obama, ah Clinton, ah Ron Paul?
What are the voter registration regulations in New Hampshire anyway? Do they have same day voter registration? Early voting? When do they count any absentee ballots? Do they offer provisional ballots which may go uncounted until close to the tabulating of votes for the official results?
I'm real skeptical that the hand-counted paper ballot are any more secure than the paper ballot optical-scan. Both could engender fraud and abuse. I'll admit, the electronic reader/counters and tabulators should be investigated for any potential tampering...
Related for your information and assessment
Iowa's Numbers & New Hampshire
By: Devvy Kidd
January 7, 2008
© 2008 - NewsWithViews.com
http://www.newswithviews.com/Devvy/kidd334.htm
Interesting read had to post this obviously from viewpoint of hand-counting paper ballots
http://wedonotconsent.blogspot.com/
Warning: The Content in this Article May be InaccurateReaders have reported that this story contains information that may not be accurate
http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/New_Hampshire_Primary_Vote_Miscount_Takes_Win_From_Obama
Polsters got it wrong!
Even the polls fooled Hillary
Headlines from MSNBC
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3096434/
CNN Clinton Comeback: Defies Polls to Win New Hampshire
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/2008.01.09.html
Heads Up. Is the joke on us? Why the discrepancy between forefront polls, exit polls, vote results?
Chris Matthews. We're going to be watching closely these discrepancies like we've seen in New Hampshire, and if there are still these differences - dramatic - I'm going to be looking for culprits. (Hardball, Chris Matthews)
Matthews made the comment after lengthy discussion with his panel on tonight's Hardball programming. We must hold Matthews to his promise - should this same situation happen in other states down the road - Matthews said he'll be looking for the culprits.
MSNBC HARDBALL video
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/22577476#22577476
This all needs to be investigated, now, in New Hampshire.
Though Matthews didn't note where he got info to lead him to say was the bump up for Hillary because she cried... it is apparent he got the hint from What Happened to Polls In New Hampshire? January 09, 2008 Rasmussen Reports.
so nobody else polled like Rasmussen, heh, and Zogby didn't figure in the women for who was that ah Obama, ah Clinton, ah Ron Paul?
What are the voter registration regulations in New Hampshire anyway? Do they have same day voter registration? Early voting? When do they count any absentee ballots? Do they offer provisional ballots which may go uncounted until close to the tabulating of votes for the official results?
I'm real skeptical that the hand-counted paper ballot are any more secure than the paper ballot optical-scan. Both could engender fraud and abuse. I'll admit, the electronic reader/counters and tabulators should be investigated for any potential tampering...
Related for your information and assessment
Rasmussen: What Happened to Polls In New Hampshire?
January 09, 2008 Rasmussen Reports ^ |
Posted on 01/09/2008 1:43:15 PM PST by Aristotelian
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1951020/posts
Hillary Clinton’s victory in New Hampshire was a shock to anyone who followed the pre-election polls. At Rasmussen Reports, our final numbers suggested a 7-point victory for Barack Obama. In the end, Clinton won by three. Other polls also foreshadowed a solid victory for Obama, some projecting a double digit margin. The campaigns themselves expected a significant victory for Obama (the Clinton campaign was even saying that anything less than a double-digit loss would be a victory of sorts for their candidate).
It is hard to remember a time when the polling and expectations were so universally different from what really happened. At the same time, It is worth remembering that polling was generally on target for the Republican race. John McCain won, as expected, by splitting the Republican vote with Romney and winning big among Independents. Independents accounted for 37% of the Republican Primary voters, a bit higher than projected.
So what happened with the polling on the Democratic race? There are several possibilities.
First, there may truly have been very late changes in the race. Hillary’s tearing-up moment may have played a role (another powerful moment came in the debate on Saturday night where the only woman in the race reminded everyone that she embodies change). There is some evidence to support this theory, even if we only recognize it in hindsight.
In Rasmussen Reports polling, our final trend was in Clinton’s direction—our tracking poll showed Obama’s lead declining from 10-points following the Sunday interviews to seven points after the Monday night calls. Extrapolating that trend another day would have pointed to a much closer race. Additionally, the Rasmussen Reports surveys showed that Clinton supporters were somewhat more certain that they would stick with their candidate than supporters of Obama or Edwards. If this is the case, why didn’t the late trend get more notice? Perhaps because few other firms polled on Monday night. So, the last polls reported by many continued to show an uptick for Obama.
Further support for this theory comes from Exit Poll data showing that an astonishing 38% of voters made up their mind in the final three days of the race (after Iowa). Of these, more than a third ended up voting for Clinton. These last minute decisions gave Clinton 14% of the vote overall (more than a third of her total vote). It’s easy to imagine that many of these voters had been leaning towards Clinton before Iowa, were impressed by Obama during his weekend “wave,” but came back to Clinton by Election Day.
Another possibility is that the polls simply understated Clinton’s support. At one level, Clinton’s campaign organization may have been great at getting out the vote. One analyst noted that “The Clinton turnout operation in Manchester their strongest area, was very good, and turnout soared 33% over 2000. In Rochester-Dover-Somersworth, another strong Clinton area, turnout was up 94% from 2000.” That could account for a several percentage points, but not the ten point gap between our final poll and the actual results.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/new_hampshire/what_happened_to_polls_in_new_hampshire
Polling the New Hampshire Primaries: What Happened
John Zogby
Huffington Post January 9, 2008
There was no shortage of polls going into the New Hampshire primary in 2008 and it looks like we all missed the mark on the Democratic side. This will require a lot of scrutiny in the coming days and weeks, but here are some initial thoughts on what has been happening:
1. According to the exit polls, 18% of the voters said that they made up their minds on primary day. That is just an unprecedented number. I have polled many races, especially close ones, where 4% to 8% have said they finally decided on their vote the day of the election and that can wreak havoc on those of us who are in the business of capturing pre-election movements and trends. But nearly one in five this time?
2. It looks like the always feisty voters in both Iowa and New Hampshire have rejected pre-election coronations. In the case of Iowa, Democratic voters said that Mrs. Clinton is not inevitable, while in New Hampshire they were not ready to endorse the Obama train without checking the engine.
3. The compressed schedule of the two events may have had an impact. Normally the winning candidate gets an initial big bounce out of Iowa, and then plateaus. Then the next primary race begins. With less than five full days, Obama got his bounce in New Hampshire, then the settling down period began on the last day -- under the radar screen.
4. My polling showed Clinton doing well on the late Sunday night and all day Monday -- she was in a 2-point race in that portion of the polling. But since our methods call for a three-day rolling average, we had to legitimately factor the huge Obama numbers on Friday and Saturday -- thus his 12 point average lead. Unfortunately, one day or a day-and-a-half does not make a trend and we ran out of time.
5. Going into the New Hampshire primary, we certainly did see Clinton holding on to a significant lead among women and older voters. But we were focusing on Obama's massive lead among younger and independent voters. We seem to have missed the huge turnout of older women that apparently put Clinton over the top.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-zogby/polling-the-new-hampshire_b_80657.html
Iowa's Numbers & New Hampshire
By: Devvy Kidd
January 7, 2008
© 2008 - NewsWithViews.com
http://www.newswithviews.com/Devvy/kidd334.htm
Interesting read had to post this obviously from viewpoint of hand-counting paper ballots
http://wedonotconsent.blogspot.com/
Warning: The Content in this Article May be InaccurateReaders have reported that this story contains information that may not be accurate
http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/New_Hampshire_Primary_Vote_Miscount_Takes_Win_From_Obama
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Authority Appointment with Appointee Vote Questioned
How can it possibly pass legal scrutiny for a commissioner board member to vote on his, in this case, her reappointment to an independent, autonomous Housing Authority position. Technically, Commissioner Angela Zimmerlink was appointed to carry out the term of a Housing Authority member who resigned.
While Commissioner Zimmerlink was appointed over five years ago to the Housing Authority, at the time, she had not yet been elected to the office of county commissioners. Her 5 year term on the Housing Authority expired in 2007.
Commissioner and Chairman Vincent Zapotosky made the motion for Zimmerlink's appointment to the open one-year remainder of a term.
Not obtaining a second from Commissioner Vicites on the appointment to an open term should have been the end of the matter. Unfortunately, it wasn't.
Her vote as a re-elected county commissioner was the deciding vote to her own appointment to fill the open and unexpired term of William Radcliffe.
Even though I was present at the meeting, and saw first-hand what occurred, it would have been useless to raise an objection at the time. I would have been booed out of the room for questioning if not the legality, the ethics, of the matter. Plus, the conflict-of-interest laws are broad enough to ram through a Mexican super-sized truck.
There may not be an actual "conflict" of interest as that conflict technically must be shown to affect personal financial gain. This is precisely why oftentimes on school boards, we see directors able to hire relatives as teachers.
Even so, Zimmerlink - after her own "appointment to an unexpired term" on the Housing Authority board - now voting as a Fayette County commissioner - was able to then vote on other appointments to the Housing Authority.
Had this been someone in political disfavor doing this, there would have been a huge outcry from seated onlookers and possibly a revolt.
In fact, it became evident after her own appointment (which keep in mind included her vote as the deciding vote), that she was hesitant to appoint other members to the Housing Authority when Commissioner Vicites did not second a motion to Commissioner Zapotosky's motion. Zimmerlink commented on the quandry.
(Interested persons should contact the office of chairman of commissioners to obtain an unedited copy of the official audio recording of the proceedings)(The meeting may or may not be fully available on Herald-Standard TV programming and coverage of the meeting may be edited)
don't misconstrue, Zimmerlink was a pitbull on the Housing Authority, raising questions, acting carefully on issues that ultimately affected Fayette taxpayers.
But once she was re-elected to the office of county commissioner in November, 2007, and took the oath of office Jan. 4, 2008, she should have, on principle, recused herself from a vote to reappoint (terchnically, appoint to an open term) herself to an autonomous municipal authority.
A challenge is unlikely from any quarter because of the political cost and monetary cost of filing a legal challenge to such official actions.
One bright spot, the appointment will expire reportedly Dec. 31, 2008. In the interim, more information can be gathered on the legalities concerning a sitting commissioner appointing himself, or herself, to what is supposed to be an autonomous Authority one-step removed from just such potential political influence or even the appearance of such potential political influence by the board (board members) which appointed the Authority members!
In fact, why can't all three sitting commissioners vote for each of themselves to be appointed to any number of listed municipal authorities in the county? All they need is one other vote from their own.
Then the member of the Authority board can turn around at the commissioners' meeting, voting as a commissioner, and make several more appointments of Authority board members? Then, what happens on a board consisting of five members? You'd have the commissioner-Authority board member, and two other board members appointed by that commissioner on the Authority board. Should the other members' votes always even appear to keep in line with the commissioner-Authority board member, wouldn't those votes be under challenge?
Wouldn't the Authority be something less than independent from those who created it?
(Net the Truth Online)
Article clips from the Herald-Standard and Tribune-Review
While Commissioner Zimmerlink was appointed over five years ago to the Housing Authority, at the time, she had not yet been elected to the office of county commissioners. Her 5 year term on the Housing Authority expired in 2007.
Commissioner and Chairman Vincent Zapotosky made the motion for Zimmerlink's appointment to the open one-year remainder of a term.
Not obtaining a second from Commissioner Vicites on the appointment to an open term should have been the end of the matter. Unfortunately, it wasn't.
Her vote as a re-elected county commissioner was the deciding vote to her own appointment to fill the open and unexpired term of William Radcliffe.
Even though I was present at the meeting, and saw first-hand what occurred, it would have been useless to raise an objection at the time. I would have been booed out of the room for questioning if not the legality, the ethics, of the matter. Plus, the conflict-of-interest laws are broad enough to ram through a Mexican super-sized truck.
There may not be an actual "conflict" of interest as that conflict technically must be shown to affect personal financial gain. This is precisely why oftentimes on school boards, we see directors able to hire relatives as teachers.
Even so, Zimmerlink - after her own "appointment to an unexpired term" on the Housing Authority board - now voting as a Fayette County commissioner - was able to then vote on other appointments to the Housing Authority.
Had this been someone in political disfavor doing this, there would have been a huge outcry from seated onlookers and possibly a revolt.
In fact, it became evident after her own appointment (which keep in mind included her vote as the deciding vote), that she was hesitant to appoint other members to the Housing Authority when Commissioner Vicites did not second a motion to Commissioner Zapotosky's motion. Zimmerlink commented on the quandry.
(Interested persons should contact the office of chairman of commissioners to obtain an unedited copy of the official audio recording of the proceedings)(The meeting may or may not be fully available on Herald-Standard TV programming and coverage of the meeting may be edited)
don't misconstrue, Zimmerlink was a pitbull on the Housing Authority, raising questions, acting carefully on issues that ultimately affected Fayette taxpayers.
But once she was re-elected to the office of county commissioner in November, 2007, and took the oath of office Jan. 4, 2008, she should have, on principle, recused herself from a vote to reappoint (terchnically, appoint to an open term) herself to an autonomous municipal authority.
A challenge is unlikely from any quarter because of the political cost and monetary cost of filing a legal challenge to such official actions.
One bright spot, the appointment will expire reportedly Dec. 31, 2008. In the interim, more information can be gathered on the legalities concerning a sitting commissioner appointing himself, or herself, to what is supposed to be an autonomous Authority one-step removed from just such potential political influence or even the appearance of such potential political influence by the board (board members) which appointed the Authority members!
In fact, why can't all three sitting commissioners vote for each of themselves to be appointed to any number of listed municipal authorities in the county? All they need is one other vote from their own.
Then the member of the Authority board can turn around at the commissioners' meeting, voting as a commissioner, and make several more appointments of Authority board members? Then, what happens on a board consisting of five members? You'd have the commissioner-Authority board member, and two other board members appointed by that commissioner on the Authority board. Should the other members' votes always even appear to keep in line with the commissioner-Authority board member, wouldn't those votes be under challenge?
Wouldn't the Authority be something less than independent from those who created it?
(Net the Truth Online)
Article clips from the Herald-Standard and Tribune-Review
Zapotosky named commission chairman
By Amy Zalar, Herald-Standard
01/08/2008
Updated 01/07/2008 07:15:13 PM EST
In appointments relating to the Fayette County Housing Authority, Zimmerlink and Zapotosky approved appointment of Zimmerlink to fill the unexpired term of William "Trip" Radcliffe, which will expire Dec. 31. Zimmerlink's five-year term expired in 2007. She has been appointed prior to winning election as a county commissioner.
Vicites, who voted against Zimmerlink's appointment, said he isn't in favor of Zimmerlink serving on the board.
"I would never serve on a municipal authority," Vicites said.
Zimmerlink pointed out that Vicites supported James V. Bitonti's appointment to the housing authority board, and Bitonti is the mayor of Belle Vernon. She also said that if it were an issue that she serves on the authority, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or the state Ethics Commission would have fielded complaints by now.
Zapotosky said he was initially against Zimmerlink's appointment, but now believes "her presence is required."
Ernie Deblasio was then selected for a four-year term on the housing authority. His term will expire Dec. 31, 2011.
After motions by Vicites to reappoint Bitonti and then select Harry Joseph failed to garner seconds, Zapotosky and Zimmerlink then voted to appoint Harry Fike to a five-year term.
Zapotosky said he couldn't support Bitonti's reappointment, citing a conflict of interest. Zimmerlink explained that Bitonti's son works for the housing authority.
Vicites said Bitonti did a good job and was very ethical and moral in his votes.
http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19176387&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=480247&rfi=6
Democrat named Fayette chairman
By Liz Zemba
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
...Zimmerlink was reappointed by a 2-1 vote to the housing authority, but only through Dec. 31. She will fill out the unexpired term of William Radcliffe, who resigned.
Vicites opposed Zimmerlink's reappointment on the grounds that housing authorities are meant to be free of any potential political pressure. Zapotosky said he, too, had previously opposed Zimmerlink's reappointment, but agreed to the one-year term only in light of Radcliffe's recent resignation.
Zimmerlink said her participation on the board is "overseen" and "scrutinized" to such an extent that any improprieties would be reported immediately to investigating agencies.
Vicites wanted to reappoint Jim Bitonti to the board, but his motion died for lack of a second. Commissioners instead voted 2-1, with Vicites in opposition, to place Harry Fike on the board.
Zapotosky said he did not want to reappoint Bitonti because Bitonti's son works for the authority. Although Vicites said Bitonti abstained from voting on matters involving his son, Zapotosky said he wanted to avoid any possibility of allegations of a conflict of interest.
Commissioners voted unanimously to appoint Ernie Deblasio to the board.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribunereview/news/fayette/s_546385.html
Monday, January 07, 2008
Fayette Board Heard Demand Paper Ballot Opti-Scan
The Fayette board of county commissioners heard a citizen's demand for a polling-place right - a choice of the paper ballot with optical scan reader. Will they listen?
Prepared comment to Fayette County commissioners (Jan. 6, 2008 Special commissioners' meeting.)
It didn't go quite like the following pre-prepared comment, but the major points were highlighted during my presentation. Commissioner Vincent Vicites asked several pertinent questions which hopefully elicited answers which were helpful. After my comments, Commissioner Zimmerlink made several remarks.
She said the previous board which included Commissioner Vicites were presented with both the Hart InterCivic eSlates and the paper ballot eScans a few years back and the board then chose to go with only the DRE eSlates.
It's unfortunate, her most astonishing remark was the paper ballot with the optical scan reader is not a voter verified paper audit trail.
It is difficult to understand why the commissioner made such a comment.
The paper ballot with optical scan reader actually is a voter verified paper "record."
The DREs, even with the voter verified paper audit trail - or printed final selections behind a plastic window which the voter reviews but doesn't remove - cannot ever be considered to produce a voter verified paper "record" as the voter does not mark paper on a paper-less voting machine.
DRE-produced ballots later printed out on paper are merely images copied from the "digital" record - there is still no way to verify the way the voter actually voted was counted as cast, or even as the voter "intended" to cast.
The DRE even with what has been called the voter verified paper audit trail - retrofitted on the direct recording electronic machines when states certify - also cannot ever produce a paper record - the DRE can only reproduce a copy of a digital image stored in the machine's system.
The paper ballot is the only truly voter verifiable paper "record."
Net the Truth Online
Public Comment Jan. 7, 2008
I had emailed commissioners Vicites and Zapotosky prior to this with information. I didn't email Commissioner Zimmerlink as she had stated on the local WMBS talk radio program that her preference was to add more of the eSlates and not go with paper ballot optical scan, though she was aware other counties used them both.
I did ask VotePA members to contact all the commissioners. VotePA is a statewide voter integrity group, I believe originating in Greensburg. I trust you received their material.
Consider:
The paper ballot optical-scan is the system of choice among many computer experts and voting integrity groups.
Lancaster County opted to go with the same vendor - Hart InterCivic - as Fayette but chose both the eslate and eScan to comply with requirements for handicapped accessibility, privacy and second chance voting at the polling place.
Using the eSlate, attempt to conduct one write-in with the daisy wheel dial. Recommendation is for each voter to take 3-minutes tops to vote on an eSlate. Voters who face the eSlate console, must turn the dial to each individual letter of a write-in candidate's name. This takes more than 3-minutes.
If you forget to leave a space between the first and last name, there is uncertainty that your vote will be counted by the machine.
Even if Pennsylvania had adopted the voter verified paper trail for DREs, that still wouldn't provide certainty your vote was counted, so importantly, counted correctly. You could review your ballot on the listing that remains behind a plastic screen, you could see that you electronically wrote in a few names, but you might miss that you didn't leave a space.
Will the machine reject the write-in vote? You cannot be sure.
At least with a paper ballot and the optical scan you have more of a certainty that your vote will be counted as cast - there is the same opportunity to review your selections before you cast the ballot.
If you make errors, the opti-scan notifies you of such, and according to state laws you are afforded up to two replacement ballots to make corrections or changes.
With the paper ballot, in a dispute if someone's name was spelled incorrectly and so the vote might be under dispute, at least there is a paper ballot - record - which the election board officials could review.
There is no such protection with a paperless voting machine or even with the voter verified paper audit trail as you still would be unsure whether the machine counted your vote if a write-in candidates' name was misspelled.
Another consideration is an undervoted ballot or one where the voter didn't vote for as many candidates in one office as allowed.
Florida encountered just such a situation with tens of thousands of ballots being blank using the electronic direct recording machines. To date, Florida is still unable to determine if blank ballots or portions of ballots left blank for key offices were machine error or voter intent.
Even had a voter verified paper audit trail been available, there would still be uncertainty as a print-out of the ballot is all that is available, a print-out from a digital image. Still, there is uncertainty the ballot was counted correctly and the voter's intent carried out to vote for none of the selections, thus a blank ballot.
On a paper ballot with the second chance voting the voter completes the paper ballot and carries it over to the optical scan reader. The reader notifies the voter of any errors, voting for more than allowed in one office, and undervoted areas, or blanks. The voter could then make corrections, or simply run the ballot through as intended - to make no selections, or none of the above.
There is greater certainty the voter's intent will be carried out - none of the above - with a blank ballot cast on a paper ballot with optical scan second chance voting.
I was fortunate to be appointed a judge of election in a local ward. Even during the initial election using the eSlates, where Fayette didn't see long lines and hour plus waits, voters complained about the machines and wished first for a return to the old lever machines. Their next option was for a paper ballot. I suggested to them they should contact the commissioners since the same company we are dealing with has a paper ballot with an optical scan reader, and to suggest the county acquire these in addition to what we have.
Calculations reveal that even if a voter takes only the recommended three minutes on the eSlate, that permits only 20 voters per hour per eSlate to vote.
How will adding only more eSlates solve long waits should voters show up in bunches during peak hours?
You should contact Lancaster County election officials to see how their system worked together and whether they had long lines.
Visit their website and review the how to vote using eScan.
My suggestion has been for commissioners to opt for a swap with Hart InterCivic.
Retain the handicapped accessible eSlate units. Per HAVA requirements, one handicapped accessible voting unit per precinct which is the eSlate with Hart. Since Fayette has 103 precincts, that would mean 103 eSlates.
My understanding from reports is Fayette has 268 eSlates.
Swap eSlate units for paper ballot eScans to give Fayette at least 103 eScans, possibly more. It surely takes less time to vote on the paper ballot and scan the ballot - including write-ins - than it would take on the eSlate - attempting to complete even one write-in vote.
Lancaster County has provided their voters with a choice of the eSlate and the paper ballot eScan. Why can't Fayette.
Finally, the primary concern is there is a paper ballot record in the event of any disputes or lawsuits or close races which may go challenged. This isn't just crucial in a presidential election which is upcoming in 2008. This should be a right retained by the people of Fayette as it is a right of the people of Lancaster County.
A paper ballot record of my vote, your vote, our votes. That should be an individual choice for every voter.
Face us at the next election with the knowledge that you've assured us a true voice and our voice will be heard whether we choose those selections on the ballot, make a write-in, or half a dozen write-ins, or choose none of the above.
Prepared comment to Fayette County commissioners (Jan. 6, 2008 Special commissioners' meeting.)
It didn't go quite like the following pre-prepared comment, but the major points were highlighted during my presentation. Commissioner Vincent Vicites asked several pertinent questions which hopefully elicited answers which were helpful. After my comments, Commissioner Zimmerlink made several remarks.
She said the previous board which included Commissioner Vicites were presented with both the Hart InterCivic eSlates and the paper ballot eScans a few years back and the board then chose to go with only the DRE eSlates.
It's unfortunate, her most astonishing remark was the paper ballot with the optical scan reader is not a voter verified paper audit trail.
It is difficult to understand why the commissioner made such a comment.
The paper ballot with optical scan reader actually is a voter verified paper "record."
The DREs, even with the voter verified paper audit trail - or printed final selections behind a plastic window which the voter reviews but doesn't remove - cannot ever be considered to produce a voter verified paper "record" as the voter does not mark paper on a paper-less voting machine.
DRE-produced ballots later printed out on paper are merely images copied from the "digital" record - there is still no way to verify the way the voter actually voted was counted as cast, or even as the voter "intended" to cast.
The DRE even with what has been called the voter verified paper audit trail - retrofitted on the direct recording electronic machines when states certify - also cannot ever produce a paper record - the DRE can only reproduce a copy of a digital image stored in the machine's system.
The paper ballot is the only truly voter verifiable paper "record."
Net the Truth Online
Public Comment Jan. 7, 2008
I had emailed commissioners Vicites and Zapotosky prior to this with information. I didn't email Commissioner Zimmerlink as she had stated on the local WMBS talk radio program that her preference was to add more of the eSlates and not go with paper ballot optical scan, though she was aware other counties used them both.
I did ask VotePA members to contact all the commissioners. VotePA is a statewide voter integrity group, I believe originating in Greensburg. I trust you received their material.
Consider:
The paper ballot optical-scan is the system of choice among many computer experts and voting integrity groups.
Lancaster County opted to go with the same vendor - Hart InterCivic - as Fayette but chose both the eslate and eScan to comply with requirements for handicapped accessibility, privacy and second chance voting at the polling place.
Using the eSlate, attempt to conduct one write-in with the daisy wheel dial. Recommendation is for each voter to take 3-minutes tops to vote on an eSlate. Voters who face the eSlate console, must turn the dial to each individual letter of a write-in candidate's name. This takes more than 3-minutes.
If you forget to leave a space between the first and last name, there is uncertainty that your vote will be counted by the machine.
Even if Pennsylvania had adopted the voter verified paper trail for DREs, that still wouldn't provide certainty your vote was counted, so importantly, counted correctly. You could review your ballot on the listing that remains behind a plastic screen, you could see that you electronically wrote in a few names, but you might miss that you didn't leave a space.
Will the machine reject the write-in vote? You cannot be sure.
At least with a paper ballot and the optical scan you have more of a certainty that your vote will be counted as cast - there is the same opportunity to review your selections before you cast the ballot.
If you make errors, the opti-scan notifies you of such, and according to state laws you are afforded up to two replacement ballots to make corrections or changes.
With the paper ballot, in a dispute if someone's name was spelled incorrectly and so the vote might be under dispute, at least there is a paper ballot - record - which the election board officials could review.
There is no such protection with a paperless voting machine or even with the voter verified paper audit trail as you still would be unsure whether the machine counted your vote if a write-in candidates' name was misspelled.
Another consideration is an undervoted ballot or one where the voter didn't vote for as many candidates in one office as allowed.
Florida encountered just such a situation with tens of thousands of ballots being blank using the electronic direct recording machines. To date, Florida is still unable to determine if blank ballots or portions of ballots left blank for key offices were machine error or voter intent.
Even had a voter verified paper audit trail been available, there would still be uncertainty as a print-out of the ballot is all that is available, a print-out from a digital image. Still, there is uncertainty the ballot was counted correctly and the voter's intent carried out to vote for none of the selections, thus a blank ballot.
On a paper ballot with the second chance voting the voter completes the paper ballot and carries it over to the optical scan reader. The reader notifies the voter of any errors, voting for more than allowed in one office, and undervoted areas, or blanks. The voter could then make corrections, or simply run the ballot through as intended - to make no selections, or none of the above.
There is greater certainty the voter's intent will be carried out - none of the above - with a blank ballot cast on a paper ballot with optical scan second chance voting.
I was fortunate to be appointed a judge of election in a local ward. Even during the initial election using the eSlates, where Fayette didn't see long lines and hour plus waits, voters complained about the machines and wished first for a return to the old lever machines. Their next option was for a paper ballot. I suggested to them they should contact the commissioners since the same company we are dealing with has a paper ballot with an optical scan reader, and to suggest the county acquire these in addition to what we have.
Calculations reveal that even if a voter takes only the recommended three minutes on the eSlate, that permits only 20 voters per hour per eSlate to vote.
How will adding only more eSlates solve long waits should voters show up in bunches during peak hours?
You should contact Lancaster County election officials to see how their system worked together and whether they had long lines.
Visit their website and review the how to vote using eScan.
My suggestion has been for commissioners to opt for a swap with Hart InterCivic.
Retain the handicapped accessible eSlate units. Per HAVA requirements, one handicapped accessible voting unit per precinct which is the eSlate with Hart. Since Fayette has 103 precincts, that would mean 103 eSlates.
My understanding from reports is Fayette has 268 eSlates.
Swap eSlate units for paper ballot eScans to give Fayette at least 103 eScans, possibly more. It surely takes less time to vote on the paper ballot and scan the ballot - including write-ins - than it would take on the eSlate - attempting to complete even one write-in vote.
Lancaster County has provided their voters with a choice of the eSlate and the paper ballot eScan. Why can't Fayette.
Finally, the primary concern is there is a paper ballot record in the event of any disputes or lawsuits or close races which may go challenged. This isn't just crucial in a presidential election which is upcoming in 2008. This should be a right retained by the people of Fayette as it is a right of the people of Lancaster County.
A paper ballot record of my vote, your vote, our votes. That should be an individual choice for every voter.
Face us at the next election with the knowledge that you've assured us a true voice and our voice will be heard whether we choose those selections on the ballot, make a write-in, or half a dozen write-ins, or choose none of the above.
Fayette Commissioners: Will Paper Ballot Opti-Scan Win Board Approval
Net the Truth Online will be attending the Fayette County board of commissioners meetings to be held in Uniontown at the 911 Building starting at 12:30 PM today.
Neither of the local newspapers have published an agenda for the Special Meeting, nor have they reported the board may be considering the issue of purchasing additional voting machines to add to a current county inventory of 265 Direct Recording Electronic Hart InterCivic eSlates.
We will be reporting what happens late afternoon, after the meetings to get a news jump on the locals.
Also, we'll be pursuing an upcoming story on how the 'absentee' paper ballots are handled. Will also be lobbying for the PA election laws to be changed to allow for "early voting." This measure could cut down dramatically any potential long lines at the polls, and as well, since paper ballots would be used, we would lobby for adoption of paper ballot optical scans to enable second-chance voting and a paper record.
Daily Courier
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/dailycourier/
Tribune-Review
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribunereview/news/fayette/
Herald-Standard
http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.asp?brd=2280
See our previous posts which include links to information concerning Lancaster County's websites, and links to how to use the Hart Intercivic paper ballot optical scan, eScan.
Previous posts covered as many factors as possible to urge the board members who had not yet expressed a preference to adopt the eScans in conjunction with retaining the one handicapped accessible eSlate per precinct.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Commissioners Aware Paper Ballot Optical Scan Issue
http://netthetruthonline.blogspot.com/2008/01/commissioners-aware-paper-ballot.html
Originally entitled "commissioners deny paper ballot optica scan" unfortunately due to the way the information was presented in a newspaper article. It pays to do some private leg-work to get all of the record straight. Commissioner Zimmerlink had made it known publicly on WMBS radio station she supported acquiring only more DRE eSlates. Commissioner Vicites is not quoted as saying his preference was for only the eSlates, nor did he state publicly he would not consider the paper ballot with optical scan. Commissioner Zapotosky has not recently given his preference, though he did indicate a mere month-and-a-half ago, after the election, he would take a look at the paper ballot optical scan systems and actually thought about them when learning of reports of the long lines and chaos at the polls.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Commissioner denies citizens paper ballot optical scan
http://netthetruthonline.blogspot.com/2008/01/commissioners-deny-citizens-paper.html
Neither of the local newspapers have published an agenda for the Special Meeting, nor have they reported the board may be considering the issue of purchasing additional voting machines to add to a current county inventory of 265 Direct Recording Electronic Hart InterCivic eSlates.
We will be reporting what happens late afternoon, after the meetings to get a news jump on the locals.
Also, we'll be pursuing an upcoming story on how the 'absentee' paper ballots are handled. Will also be lobbying for the PA election laws to be changed to allow for "early voting." This measure could cut down dramatically any potential long lines at the polls, and as well, since paper ballots would be used, we would lobby for adoption of paper ballot optical scans to enable second-chance voting and a paper record.
Daily Courier
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/dailycourier/
Tribune-Review
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribunereview/news/fayette/
Herald-Standard
http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.asp?brd=2280
See our previous posts which include links to information concerning Lancaster County's websites, and links to how to use the Hart Intercivic paper ballot optical scan, eScan.
Previous posts covered as many factors as possible to urge the board members who had not yet expressed a preference to adopt the eScans in conjunction with retaining the one handicapped accessible eSlate per precinct.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Commissioners Aware Paper Ballot Optical Scan Issue
http://netthetruthonline.blogspot.com/2008/01/commissioners-aware-paper-ballot.html
Originally entitled "commissioners deny paper ballot optica scan" unfortunately due to the way the information was presented in a newspaper article. It pays to do some private leg-work to get all of the record straight. Commissioner Zimmerlink had made it known publicly on WMBS radio station she supported acquiring only more DRE eSlates. Commissioner Vicites is not quoted as saying his preference was for only the eSlates, nor did he state publicly he would not consider the paper ballot with optical scan. Commissioner Zapotosky has not recently given his preference, though he did indicate a mere month-and-a-half ago, after the election, he would take a look at the paper ballot optical scan systems and actually thought about them when learning of reports of the long lines and chaos at the polls.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Commissioner denies citizens paper ballot optical scan
http://netthetruthonline.blogspot.com/2008/01/commissioners-deny-citizens-paper.html
Pennsylvania Watch Leaders Dance
DeWeese vows to push agenda
By Brad Bumsted
STATE CAPITOL REPORTER
Monday, January 7, 2008
HARRISBURG -- Although a grand jury investigation of bonuses paid to staff members has proved a distraction in the House, Majority Leader Bill DeWeese pledges to move aggressively on an agenda that again includes open records legislation, a smoking ban and property tax reductions.
Outside experts are skeptical of lawmakers' ability to get much done this year. The same issues -- along with health care and alternative energy programs -- were supposed to be dealt with last fall. The House and Senate return to session Jan. 14...
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/dailycourier/news/s_546177.html
By Brad Bumsted
STATE CAPITOL REPORTER
Monday, January 7, 2008
HARRISBURG -- Although a grand jury investigation of bonuses paid to staff members has proved a distraction in the House, Majority Leader Bill DeWeese pledges to move aggressively on an agenda that again includes open records legislation, a smoking ban and property tax reductions.
Outside experts are skeptical of lawmakers' ability to get much done this year. The same issues -- along with health care and alternative energy programs -- were supposed to be dealt with last fall. The House and Senate return to session Jan. 14...
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/dailycourier/news/s_546177.html
Friday, January 04, 2008
Commissioners Aware Paper Ballot Optical Scan Issue
Update: We'll be attending the Special Meeting Monday, Jan. 6, 2008, to be held starting at 12:30 PM (organizational followed by salary board, then special) at the 911 Building in Uniontown. Watch for our upcoming report on this important issue.
Note: Neither of the local newspapers have reported the agenda schedule for the Special meeting, or whether the voting machine issue will be considered during the Special meeting.
(Net the Truth Online)
Apparently in a move to address long lines at the polls the last few elections where Hart Intercivic's daisy wheel eSlates were employed, at least one of the Fayette commissioners is considering adding more of the same electronic voting machines to the county's current array of 268 units.
The 2008 board members were sworn into office Friday, Jan. 4, and will reorganize on Monday at 12:30 PM. Following will be a Salary Board organization meeting and business meeting. Following that will be a special commissioners' board meeting.
Commissioner Angela Zimmerlink stated on a radio talk program that she felt the board needed to act by Monday or Tuesday on the purchase of additional inventory in order to have them delivered and in place by the April Primary.
Zimmerlink indicated she supported purchasing the same eSlates, around 50 to 55 units.
Email to Vincent Zapotosky and Vincent Vicites Saturday, apprising of a post to the message board of VotePA including link to post.
Email to Vincent Zapotosky and Vincent Vicites was sent after the WMBS radio program comments made by current Fayette Chair.
Friday Jan. 4, 2008
Pervious post included the following
Herald Standard article clip
Tribune Review article clip
Related
Dear Lancaster County Voter:
After several months of careful review, we have selected a new voting system for our voters. Beginning with the Primary Election in May 2006, the Hart Voting System will replace our lever machines. The new voting system has two components: the eScan for paper ballots and the eSlate for accessible voting. Both will be available at each polling place, so you may use either system.
The eScan is a precinct-based digital scanner for paper ballots and the eSlate is an accessible voting machine that ensures those who are blind or have low-vision, have limited or no upper-body mobility, and those who have difficulty reading can vote in privacy without any assistance. If you are an absentee voter, you will continue to vote by mail.
The purchase of this new system is necessary to comply with the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) signed into law by the President on October 29, 2002. This law requires voting systems to be accessible so that all voters can cast a vote privately and independently, including those who are blind or who have mobility impairments. It also requires second-chance voting, giving voters a chance to review and change a vote or correct a ballot where an incorrect mark may have been made. Through HAVA, the federal government has appropriated funds to assist with the purchase of new systems.
http://www.cityoflancasterpa.com/lanco/cwp/view.asp?a=977&q=571742&pp=12&n=1
http://www.co.lancaster.pa.us/lanco/cwp/view.asp?a=977&q=571742
County's 550 new voting machines ready for debut
by Chad Umble - Lancaster New Era
published May 12, 2006
http://www.hartic.com/news/35
How to use
http://www.co.lancaster.pa.us/lanco/cwp/view.asp?a=977&q=571630
Hart Intercivic white paper
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2005_Jan_20/ai_n8701815
Q & A
http://www.hartic.com/pages/214
Note: Neither of the local newspapers have reported the agenda schedule for the Special meeting, or whether the voting machine issue will be considered during the Special meeting.
(Net the Truth Online)
Apparently in a move to address long lines at the polls the last few elections where Hart Intercivic's daisy wheel eSlates were employed, at least one of the Fayette commissioners is considering adding more of the same electronic voting machines to the county's current array of 268 units.
The 2008 board members were sworn into office Friday, Jan. 4, and will reorganize on Monday at 12:30 PM. Following will be a Salary Board organization meeting and business meeting. Following that will be a special commissioners' board meeting.
Commissioner Angela Zimmerlink stated on a radio talk program that she felt the board needed to act by Monday or Tuesday on the purchase of additional inventory in order to have them delivered and in place by the April Primary.
Zimmerlink indicated she supported purchasing the same eSlates, around 50 to 55 units.
Email to Vincent Zapotosky and Vincent Vicites Saturday, apprising of a post to the message board of VotePA including link to post.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Dear Commissioner Vincent Vicites
Re: Fayette acquisition additional voting units to alleviate long lines at polls
The following is a message board communication I have posted to the voting integrity organization based in PA known as VotePA.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VotePA/message/3514
The post includes email I sent to both you and Commissioner Zapotosky on Friday. Commissioner Zimmerlink had already expressed her decision to acquire additional eSlates, rejecting the paper ballot eScans. (During WMBS guest spot with Bob Foltz, Friday)
I thought I would apprise you of my VotePA post, as hopefully you and Commissioner Zapotosky will receive input from the organization members prior to the Monday special commissioners' meeting where you might consider adding voting machines units in time for delivery for the April Primary.
I strongly urge you to choose to give Fayette voters the same choice Lancaster County has employed for two-election cycles. Hart InterCivic's eSlate, for handicapped accessibility, and Hart's paper ballot eScan. Both systems comply with Help America Vote Act and state requirements for accessibily, privacy, and second chance voting. At the very least, commissioners should have the benefit of knowing how Lancaster's elections went using the eSlate and eScans in comparison with Fayette's use of only the eSlate.
It is unfortunate that commissioners may be pressed to make a decision Monday - possibly to sign vouchers for the additional machines under contract with Hart InterCivic - before Commissioner Zapotosky has time to set up office email and maybe make a few phone calls to Lancaster County. I have asked also that a town-hall style meeting be held to bring in experts such as VotePA activists and Dr. Rebecca Mercuri, a Philadelphia-based computer expert I've referenced in previous communications to the Fayette board of commissioners.
It seems to me that some arrangement could easily be made with Hart InterCivic to employ one eSlate, handicapped accessible, unit per precinct and swap additional machines for the paper ballot eScans. It seems there wouldn't be any financial loss to the county to swap with the same vendor. Fayette would then have one eSlate per precinct and at least one eScan per precinct. We may not need 3rd or 5th units as it seems Lancaster County has not needed, only backups in emergency cases.
As I must also reiterate, the paper ballot with the optical scan is the only voting system to currently provide a true paper record. To many, having their vote recorded securely, accurately, and transparently, is important enough to wait any length of time in long lines.
Thank you for your time.
Email to Vincent Zapotosky and Vincent Vicites was sent after the WMBS radio program comments made by current Fayette Chair.
Friday Jan. 4, 2008
Dear Commissioner
As you are aware, I have had a long-standing interest in the election process and voting procedures. Over the years, I've conducted research on the variety of issues concerning the Help America Vote Act, the use of Direct Recording Electronic voting machines, and the use of paper ballots with optical scan readers.
When the board of commissioners determined to adopt Hart InterCivic as the vendor, I emailed the then-board with a recommendation to purchase both Hart's electronic DRE eSlate and Hart's paper ballot system with the optical scan reader, known as eScan.
During that time period, I became aware of several voting related organizations which recommend a paper ballot optical scan over the direct recording systems.
I also had the opportunity during the past two elections to be appointed as an election judge for Uniontown Ward 3. I underwent the training on the eSlate machine, and handled the judge of elections position with interest.
There were instances with long lines and during the last Primary, I requested an additional machine which was supplied. Even with a third machine for that precinct, come the General election, there were still long lines. One woman left after several minutes, she'd completed the process, but she was in tears. We also had one expired access code. A handful of people signed in, left, and some never returned.
It isn't, in my estimation, just a matter of unfamiliarity with the new electronic machines that presents a problem for the voters. The eSlate dial daisy wheel makes it necessary for the individual to turn and highlight each letter in order to do a machine write-in. That alone takes someone a few minutes if doing more than one write-in.
I've assessed that even if voters take only the recommended three minutes to complete the process, in one hour, then, only 20 people can vote per voting machine (eSlate). Should Fayette face a lengthy ballot or list of candidates, and a higher turnout rate, even with additional eSlates, the situation of long lines and frustration will still occur.
Lancaster County adopted both the eSlate and the eScan for their voters and have successfully met the requirements of the Help America Vote Act and state requirements with them.
For our county, since the past elections have been fraught with long lines at the polling place, it is understandable the board of commissioners would want to purchase additional machines.
My question is why not implement, as Lancaster County has, the paper ballot eScans for placement as well in each of the polling places?
Before a decision is made, why not contact the election bureau and/or commissioners of Lancaster County to determine how their voting systems work well together?
I urge you to consider implementing the paper ballot with optical scan voting system, Hart InterCivic's eScan along with the eSlate. Surely, some arrangement can be made to leave one eSlate in place per precinct as that meets the requirement for handicapped accessibility, and swap the second and third machines for the paper ballot optical scan - eScan.
A primary benefit of the eScan is of course the paper ballot. The paper ballot provides a paper record in the event of any disputes or lawsuits that might arise, and in the event a recount is needed.
As well, the time it takes to do a write-in on the eSlate is far more lengthy than on a paper ballot. Many people at the polls either weren't aware of the feature for the write-in process, or they simply chose not to do a write-in because of the difficulty and time consumption.
On a paper ballot, write-ins are less time consuming.
The eScan also presents the voter with the option to review a paper ballot before it is cast, and importantly, make any alterations, corrections before casting the ballot on the optical scan machine.
I have added informational material which I hope you will review. Please call if you have any questions.
Thank you for your time.
Dear Lancaster County Voter:
After several months of careful review, we have selected a new voting system for our voters. Beginning with the Primary Election in May 2006, the Hart Voting System will replace our lever machines. The new voting system has two components: the eScan for paper ballots and the eSlate for accessible voting. Both will be available at each polling place, so you may use either system.
The eScan is a precinct-based digital scanner for paper ballots and the eSlate is an accessible voting machine that ensures those who are blind or have low-vision, have limited or no upper-body mobility, and those who have difficulty reading can vote in privacy without any assistance. If you are an absentee voter, you will continue to vote by mail.
The purchase of this new system is necessary to comply with the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) signed into law by the President on October 29, 2002. This law requires voting systems to be accessible so that all voters can cast a vote privately and independently, including those who are blind or who have mobility impairments. It also requires second-chance voting, giving voters a chance to review and change a vote or correct a ballot where an incorrect mark may have been made. Through HAVA, the federal government has appropriated funds to assist with the purchase of new systems.
http://www.cityoflancasterpa.com/lanco/cwp/view.asp?a=977&q=571742&pp=12&n=1
http://www.co.lancaster.pa.us/lanco/cwp/view.asp?a=977&q=571742
County's 550 new voting machines ready for debut
by Chad Umble - Lancaster New Era
published May 12, 2006
http://www.hartic.com/news/35
How to use
http://www.co.lancaster.pa.us/lanco/cwp/view.asp?a=977&q=571630
Hart Intercivic white paper
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2005_Jan_20/ai_n8701815
Q & A
http://www.hartic.com/pages/214
Pervious post included the following
Herald Standard article clip
Fayette budget holds tax rate steady
By Amy Zalar, Herald-Standard
01/01/2008
Updated 01/02/2008
...Following adoption of the budget, Zimmerlink spoke about the need to purchase additional electronic voting machines in advance of the April presidential primary. She said when the commissioners initially purchased the 268 machines following a federal mandate that deemed lever machines illegal, at the time they believed there were enough machines for the county's 103 precincts.
However, in the four elections since purchase of the machines, Zimmerlink said the number of negative comments has increased. Following the November election, numerous individuals complained about the long wait time at some precincts.
Zimmerlink said after speaking with a representative of Hart Intercivic, she asked Vicites and commissioner-elect Vincent Zapotosky to respond about purchasing new machines, but then did not get a response.
"I think we need to make a decision on the purchasing of machines," Zimmerlink said.
Following Zimmerlink's comments, Vicites said he is prepared to purchase more machines.
"We put money in the budget. I think we have to get more machines. A presidential year always has a higher turnout," Vicites said.
Zimmerlink said the commissioners put a minimum of $170,000 to use for additional voting machines.
Both Zimmerlink and Vicites said additional outreach is needed to teach voters how to use the electronic machines. Zimmerlink said she wants to make a decision soon about purchasing more machines, although she acknowledged that Zapotosky couldn't really take action until taking office on Jan. 4...
http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19159657&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=480247&rfi=6
Tribune Review article clip
Fayette County holds line on taxes
By Liz Zemba
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Fayette County commissioners on Monday passed a budget for 2008 that holds the line on taxes...
Commissioners included $170,000 in the budget for electronic voting machines, said Angela Zimmerlink, commissioner chairwoman.
Zimmerlink said her research has shown that 45 to 55 machines are needed to help reduce waiting times at polls. She added that voting lines will be cut by continuing public demonstrations of the devices and training poll workers.
Zimmerlink said she wants the board to approve the purchase during the next several days to expedite delivery.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribunereview/news/fayette/s_545372.html
Related
Dear Lancaster County Voter:
After several months of careful review, we have selected a new voting system for our voters. Beginning with the Primary Election in May 2006, the Hart Voting System will replace our lever machines. The new voting system has two components: the eScan for paper ballots and the eSlate for accessible voting. Both will be available at each polling place, so you may use either system.
The eScan is a precinct-based digital scanner for paper ballots and the eSlate is an accessible voting machine that ensures those who are blind or have low-vision, have limited or no upper-body mobility, and those who have difficulty reading can vote in privacy without any assistance. If you are an absentee voter, you will continue to vote by mail.
The purchase of this new system is necessary to comply with the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) signed into law by the President on October 29, 2002. This law requires voting systems to be accessible so that all voters can cast a vote privately and independently, including those who are blind or who have mobility impairments. It also requires second-chance voting, giving voters a chance to review and change a vote or correct a ballot where an incorrect mark may have been made. Through HAVA, the federal government has appropriated funds to assist with the purchase of new systems.
http://www.cityoflancasterpa.com/lanco/cwp/view.asp?a=977&q=571742&pp=12&n=1
http://www.co.lancaster.pa.us/lanco/cwp/view.asp?a=977&q=571742
County's 550 new voting machines ready for debut
by Chad Umble - Lancaster New Era
published May 12, 2006
http://www.hartic.com/news/35
How to use
http://www.co.lancaster.pa.us/lanco/cwp/view.asp?a=977&q=571630
Hart Intercivic white paper
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2005_Jan_20/ai_n8701815
Q & A
http://www.hartic.com/pages/214
2012 Cold Spell
Russian scientist says the earth's warming is at an end and will begin cooling. By 2012, according to a Fox News report around 6:30 PM EST, the scientist says the earth will see a cold spell.
We will have to wait and see whether this is an Internet hoax and Fox is just now getting this news. Finds below are dated Feb. and March 2006. Another's dated 2005. So this is old news. If it is news.
My thoughts almost exactly 2012 Mayan calendar potential redesigning of the earth, not necessarily and end to the world...
More
Russian Expert Predicts Global Cooling From 2012
http://www.divinecosmos.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-6817.html
Wally Miller Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 10:56 pm
Guest
We only have 6 more years of the GW chicken littles and in 2012 - Al
Gore's head may explode.
http://www.mosnews.com/news/2006/02/06/globalcold.shtml
Russian Expert Predicts Global Cooling from 2012
Created: 06.02.2006 17:18 MSK (GMT +3), Updated: 15:24 MSK
http://www.groupsrv.com/science/about140269.html
Global Cooling endorsed,
ABD 'Freezelock' affirmed
Russian Expert Predicts Global Cooling from 2012.
Affirms ABD 'Freezelock' scenario (PR # 469, 17 Nov 05).
http://www.abd.org.uk/pr/479.htm
Google search
http://www.google.com/search?q=russian+Absudamatov+earth+cool+2012&hl=en&start=10&sa=N
More
http://www.junkscience.com/feb06.html
RECORD SNOW-MUST BE GLOBAL WARMING
http://environmentallegal.blogs.com/sholzer/2008/01/record-snow-mus.html
We will have to wait and see whether this is an Internet hoax and Fox is just now getting this news. Finds below are dated Feb. and March 2006. Another's dated 2005. So this is old news. If it is news.
My thoughts almost exactly 2012 Mayan calendar potential redesigning of the earth, not necessarily and end to the world...
08-March-2006, 10:52 AM
novaderrik
Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Ashby, MN, USA
Posts: 1,592
hmm...
2012..
the year the Mayan calender resets itself and the world "ends"..
coincidence... or
NOT...
http://www.bautforum.com/against-mainstream/38978-russian-expert-predicts-global-cooling-2012-a.html
More
Russian Expert Predicts Global Cooling From 2012
http://www.divinecosmos.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-6817.html
Wally Miller Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 10:56 pm
Guest
We only have 6 more years of the GW chicken littles and in 2012 - Al
Gore's head may explode.
http://www.mosnews.com/news/2006/02/06/globalcold.shtml
Russian Expert Predicts Global Cooling from 2012
Created: 06.02.2006 17:18 MSK (GMT +3), Updated: 15:24 MSK
http://www.groupsrv.com/science/about140269.html
Global Cooling endorsed,
ABD 'Freezelock' affirmed
Russian Expert Predicts Global Cooling from 2012.
Affirms ABD 'Freezelock' scenario (PR # 469, 17 Nov 05).
http://www.abd.org.uk/pr/479.htm
Google search
http://www.google.com/search?q=russian+Absudamatov+earth+cool+2012&hl=en&start=10&sa=N
More
http://www.junkscience.com/feb06.html
RECORD SNOW-MUST BE GLOBAL WARMING
http://environmentallegal.blogs.com/sholzer/2008/01/record-snow-mus.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
