NVRI E-News Update - January 5, 2004

Dear Friends,

Happy new year.

As Congress prepares tomorrow to receive the electors' votes for President, Congressman John Conyers and the House Judiciary Committee Democratic Staff today issued a powerful report entitled "Preserving Democracy: What Went Wrong in Ohio." The report says "We have found numerous, serious irregularities ... which resulted in significant disenfranchisement of voters. Cumulatively, these irregularities, wihch affected hundreds of thousands of votes and voters in Ohio, raise grave doubts regarding whether it can be said the Ohio electors selected on December 13, 2004 were chosen in a manner that conforms to Ohio law, let alone federal requirements and constitutional standards."

It is indeed premature for Congress to accept electors votes from the state of Ohio, absent a fair recount of ballots. Through the work NVRI has done on behalf of a recount -- and on behalf of 2004 presidential candidates David Cobb (Green Party) and Michael Badnarik (Libertarian Party) -- we have found inconsistent, erratic and questionable recounting techniques, and have asked a Federal judge in Ohio to order a new recount. We don't expect the judge to rule soon on that, but continue to push.

Meanwhile, Congressman John Conyers and others have announced that they will object to the Ohio electors. If the Congressman is joined by any U.S. Senator in that objection, Congress will recess, at which point there will be two-hour hearings in each chamber to consider whether or not to accept the objection. If the objection is denied, the tally of votes continues. If it is accepted, the House of Representatives would hold a contingent election.

To read the Conyers report, click here. It's powerful, thorough, and presents a powerful call for change. In addition to continuing our fight in Ohio, NVRI is committed to seeing through the kinds of changes talked about here.

And thanks to all of you for your support of our efforts. Please circulate this notice to friends and colleagues. And if you don't already subscribe to the e-updates, do so here.

Best Regards,
Stu

Stuart Comstock-Gay
Executive Director
National Voting Rights Institute
617-624-3900 ext.16
[email protected]
www.nvri.org