Common Dreams NewsCenter

We Can't Do It Without You!
 

Home | About Us | Donate | Signup | Archives | Search

Home > Progressive Community > NewsWire > For Immediate Release
   
Printer Friendly Version E-Mail This Article
   
The Free Press
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOVEMBER 10, 2004
5:31 PM
CONTACT: The Free Press 
Dr. Robert Fitrakis: 614-253-2571
Amy Kaplan: 614-405-2160
Naina Khanna: 347-528-6023
 
Hearings on Widespread Voting Irregularities that Call Thousands of Votes into Question
This Saturday, Voters, Elections Officials, Voting Experts, and Legislators Unite to Address Systematic Voting “Irregularities" Faith in our Democracy at Stake
 
COLUMBUS, OH -- November 10 -- Public hearings to investigate voting irregularities and voter suppression will be held this Saturday, November 13th in Columbus, Ohio to address widespread reports of electoral fraud during last Tuesday’s elections. The hearing will feature testimony by voters from around the state of Ohio, elections officials, legislators, and national voting rights/election protection experts.

This week, several news sources, including MSNBC, USA Today and the New York Times have presented mounting evidence of electoral fraud in crucial states like Ohio and Florida. These reports call into question tens of thousands of votes, and perhaps hundreds of thousands of votes.

“Every eligible voter has the right to have his or her vote counted,” said Naina Khanna from the League of Young Voters. “This isn’t necessarily about disputing the results, it’s about disputing the process, which is clearly flawed. We have heard of widespread machine malfunctions, in addition to the thousands of reports received of people, particularly first-time voters, students and people of color facing problems at the polls."

The coalition convening the Ohio hearings includes the League of Young Voters, People for the American Way Foundation, Citizens Alliance for Secure Elections (CASE-OH), and legislators, including Ohio State Senators Teresa Fedor and Ray Miller. The coalition calls for a complete count of every ballot cast, as well as thorough investigations into the origin of each instance of disenfranchisement, voter suppression, and mechanical or electronic malfunctions.

WHO: Voters, elections officials, legislators, voting experts

WHAT: Public hearings on voting irregularities and voter suppression

WHEN: Saturday November 13, 1-4 PM

WHERE: New Faith Baptist Church, 955 Oak Street, Columbus, Ohio

Throughout election day and the weeks of early voting, the Election Protection Coalition, Common Cause, and the League of Young Voters documented serious violations of voters’ rights, including: inequitable access to voting machines, machine malfunctions, irregularities with provisional ballot access, lack of uniform ID acceptance by poll workers, and inadequate provision for voters requiring assistance at the polls.

“We have received many reports of voter suppression, and the Election Protection hotline was overwhelmed with calls. This must be addressed. Counting each ballot is not a favor: it’s the foundation of our democracy,” said Adrienne Maree Brown, of the League of Young Voters.

Throughout Election Day, the Election Protection hotline at 1 (866) OUR VOTE was inundated with calls. Ms. Khanna said the League has also independently documented irregularities throughout the country, including Ohio, Missouri, Florida and Wisconsin.

###

Printer Friendly Version E-Mail This Article
Common Dreams NewsCenter is a non-profit news service
providing breaking news and views for the Progressive Community.

The press release posted here has been provided to Common Dreams NewsWire by one of the many progressive organizations who make up America's Progressive Community. If you wish to comment on this press release or would like more information, please contact the organization directly.
*all times Eastern US (GMT-5:00)

Making News?
Read our Guidelines for Submitting News Releases

CommonDreams.org is an Internet-based progressive news and grassroots activism organization, founded in 1997.
We are a nonprofit, progressive, independent and nonpartisan organization.

Home | About Us | Donate | Signup | Archives | Search

To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good.

© Copyrighted 1997-2009
www.commondreams.org