What democracy in AZ ????? (Tucson, Congress: law, authority, activity)

[AksarbeN]

A fish out of water starts to smell worse every day and so does the AZ election office with failures to get the ballots counted. Yes, I want to see an accurate total, but not a month later. A democracy entitles all those represented the opportunity to vote, but if a vote is NOT counted then it’s no longer a democracy. Nearly 500,000+ voters have been denied their right to have their vote counted. That’s a ½ million people in our state and this simply shouldn’t be tolerated in this day and age.

Arizona election results: 524,633 early, provisional ballots yet to be counted

I’m not talking about hanging chads or election failures at a polling location; I’m looking why we have officials who fail to do their job of getting the vote counted. From what I’m seeing (I could be wrong) from Florida to Washington state ballots we counted.

This isn’t a political right or left issue, it’s a voter’s right issue! What's wrong with Arizona?

[Bondurant]

Did you read the entire article or just the headline?

[tumamoc]

One problem in Tucson, but probably other areas, too, is that people requested early ballots, but instead of filling them out, they showed up to their polling place wanting to vote in the booth. These folks were given provisonal ballot status because of the possibility of voting twice (they already received a ballot).

I would rather that it take longer to get an accurate count than run the risk of someone having two votes. That's as bas as not having your single vote count.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by tumamoc

One problem in Tucson, but probably other areas, too, is that people requested early ballots, but instead of filling them out, they showed up to their polling place wanting to vote in the booth. These folks were given provisonal ballot status because of the possibility of voting twice (they already received a ballot).

I would rather that it take longer to get an accurate count than run the risk of someone having two votes. That's as bas as not having your single vote count.

I could not agree more, Tumamoc.

In a perfect world this type of BS, provisional ballots and time consuming vote verification, etc, would never exist, however, thanks to the sleazy actions of a few, Voter Fraud has become far too common making these precautions no longer an option but mandatory.

[Bondurant]

I'm in favor of uniform ballots that are hand counted. Machines are not to be counted. The machines malfunction and can be manipulated. Voters receive no verification other and any register tape that may exist can be stolen or "misplaced". Our media demands the circus and gratification of instant results and they want everything wrapped up in one night.

I say no early voting and hand counted ballots only. I'd rather wait a few days or even weeks for the results if it means better accuracy and more votes are accounted for.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by Bummer

I could not agree more, Tumamoc.

In a perfect world this type of BS, provisional ballots and time consuming vote verification, etc, would never exist, however, thanks to the sleazy actions of a few, Voter Fraud has become far too common making these precautions no longer an option but mandatory.

Actually, the idea of voter fraud being a common problem is a fallacy primarily promoted by those pushing draconian voter ID laws and other restrictive practices. In the last TWELVE years, there have been ten cases of proven in person voter fraud nationally. I'd suggest that there are far more than ten cases of registered voters having their vote not count because of some state or local technicality or the overreaching voter ID laws enacted to deal with this very rare problem. Congress has the authority over federal elections. They need to work on a lot of changes; states like AZ would have to fall in line.

One of the big problems is the provision of state law that provisional ballots have to be cast on the proper precinct. That's not the case everywhere.

[corydon]

Michelle Malkin » Voter fraud

Voter Fraud is Real: Why the Voting Rights Act Should Be Used to Fight Election Fraud

Fraud Map :: Rotten Acorn ::

Exactly 10 cases?????

[observer53]

The "ten" number refers to in person voter fraud, ( my omission in the first post, sorry) which is what the voter ID laws are all directed to. An arsenal of legislation directed at a small problem. Clearly there are more issues and potential issues with the
mail in ballots, but the voter suppression issues and the voter ID issues involve the in person vote. I do not believe it is the huge problem it's painted to be in certain media. And the provisional ballot mess we have here is all tied up with this perceived problem.

Taking this back to topic, yes, these ballots need to get counted faster. The idea that the "early" ballots, which take longer to process, are left entirely to the end doesn't make a lot of sense. There needs to be a more streamlined process to handling the provisional ballots. And, frankly, individuals who care enough to vote need to be sure that they are properly registered at the correct address well before the election. When you move, there's a lot of address changes to report. The elections office needs to be added to the list.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by observer53

Actually, the idea of voter fraud being a common problem is a fallacy primarily promoted by those pushing draconian voter ID laws and other restrictive practices. In the last TWELVE years, there have been ten cases of proven in person voter fraud nationally. I'd suggest that there are far more than ten cases of registered voters having their vote not count because of some state or local technicality or the overreaching voter ID laws enacted to deal with this very rare problem. Congress has the authority over federal elections. They need to work on a lot of changes; states like AZ would have to fall in line.

One of the big problems is the provision of state law that provisional ballots have to be cast on the proper precinct. That's not the case everywhere.

With all due respect, Observer . . . ONE case of Voter Fraud in TOO MANY.

Sadly, I firmly believer anyone who believes there were only ten cases of Voter Fraud, even in the last election, let alone over the last twelve years, is suffering from a serious case of DENIAL.

[Packard fan]

Originally Posted by observer53

Actually, the idea of voter fraud being a common problem is a fallacy primarily promoted by those pushing draconian voter ID laws and other restrictive practices. In the last TWELVE years, there have been ten cases of proven in person voter fraud nationally. I'd suggest that there are far more than ten cases of registered voters having their vote not count because of some state or local technicality or the overreaching voter ID laws enacted to deal with this very rare problem. Congress has the authority over federal elections. They need to work on a lot of changes; states like AZ would have to fall in line.

One of the big problems is the provision of state law that provisional ballots have to be cast on the proper precinct. That's not the case everywhere.

I voted early and IF I waited till Election Day; I'd be OK in having to show ID.