|
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 Tuesdays 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 isnt necessarily about disputing the results, its 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: its 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.
###
|