Progressive Democrat Issue 52: ELECTION REFORM ACTION

Here was my analysis of election 2004 in my first newsletter:

To me the situation is like this. We had a very suspicious election in 2000 that left half of the nation feeling like the election was stolen. We had voting machines enter the fray, produced by a company run by a supporter of Bush’s, in 2002 in Georgia. The results there were suspicious and many think that election was stolen. Finally we have the 2004 election, with more widespread use of the machines that are made by a biased company, and there are once more suspicious results. I don’t think fraud has been proven in any case, but what is certain is that we have a.) voter intimidation by the Republicans, b.) election boards in many states dominated by one party (generally the Republicans), c.) voting machines produced by a company whose president is openly biased, d.) no paper trail for these voting machines, making it impossible for the results of the machines to be checked, and e.) in some cases (Florida) no recourse to a recount when the machines are used.

Whether or not fraud has happened, the system is rife with possibilities for fraud and is surrounded by suspicions in election after election. Democracy cannot work under such circumstances. The suspicions need to be allayed and the biases removed. Every single American needs to feel sure that the elections are fair. We need to hammer the media and our politicians with this message.

We are still battling against Republican attempts to subvert our election system. Some people think that the recent loss of a popular Democrat in the race for San Diego mayor is due to fraud because the machines being used in San Diego are suspect. (Though I also should note that San Diego is a very conservative town). Right now in every state of the Union, the sales reps of the eVote companies are pushing overpriced, unreliable machines made by companies whose executives are sworn Republicans. Do you want to prevent the death of American democracy? Then now is the time to see what is happening in your state and to find out what you can do in your state to save our election system.

Go to the Verified Voting website and find YOUR STATE and you will see what is going on and what you need to do,

But there is more. The basic controversy is this. Companies that make voting machines have succeeded in convincing the nation that we need new technology. This isn’t really true, but we in many ways have already lost that first fight. What is being fought state-by-state is the choice between unreliable and MORE EXPENSIVE eVote machines, or cheaper and more reliable precinct-based, optical scan machines. Our state and/or local politicians are faced with the decision between these two technologies right now. I have written blog diaries covering this issue several times before, and I can refer you to one of these diaries for DETAILED information on this issue, much of which I got from my compatriot and major activist Marjorie Gersten. Please go to this diary to learn in considerable detail about what is going on with our voting rights and what you can do to fight for your rights.

This may be the most important issue facing us. Visit the above diary and take action. YOUR voting rights are at risk. Stand up for your rights!