Election day Blog

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

Leave it to Yoni to take a simple question and pose a partisan answer with no evidence from his blogs to back it up.

http://www.mediainfo.com/eandp/news/..._id=1003353389

Papers Cover Voting Problems in Early Web Stories


By Joe Strupp

Published: November 07, 2006 1:45 PM ET

NEW YORK With memories still fresh of alleged voting glitches, fraud and long lines just two years ago in many locations, numerous newspapers are making coverage of problems with today's vote a top issue on Web sites today.

As voters go to the polls to cast ballots in what may be the most significant mid-year elections in a dozen years, new concerns about the use of electronic voting machines and uncertainty over the experience of poll workers have made the focus on potential problems, and delays, more relevant than ever.

USA Today appeared to lead the newspaper reporting on the Web today about Election Day problems, with its lead story headlined, "Voting machine problems bedevil multiple states." The lengthy piece revealed information on poll worker confusion with electronic voting in Illinois, computer errors delaying votes in Indiana -- and prompting a court order to extend voting -- and non-functioning machines in Ohio.

Associated Press had several reports focused on voting problems, including one posted by mid-morning headlined "New Rules, Machines Frazzle Poll Workers."

"Programming errors and inexperience dealing with electronic voting machines frustrated poll workers in hundreds of precincts early Tuesday, delaying voters in Indiana, Ohio and Florida and leaving some with little choice but to use paper ballots instead," the story stated. After detailing some specific instances, the story added that "with a third of Americans voting on new equipment and voters navigating new registration databases and changing ID rules, election watchdogs worried about polling problems even before the voting began."

By late morning, The New York Times, The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times had few original Web stories on voting problems. The New York Times posted a version of the AP Web story, along with a blog item on Chelsea Clinton initially being denied a chance to vote in Manhattan because her name was not on the rolls. She did reportedly cast an affidavit ballot. The Post's main election day primer referred to some newspapers Web reports in other states, as well as the AP coverage of problems.

In Ohio, where the majority of voting problems and fraud complaints came about in the 2004 presidential elections, each major paper offered early voting problem reports.

The Plain Dealer in Cleveland had a story about more than 40 of the 573 polling places in its home county reporting problems with polls, stating that they either opened late or had electronic voting machine problems. The paper also ran a story about an 18-year-old in Cleveland Heights who was initially denied his first chance to vote, before proving that he was properly registered.

An AP story out of Cleveland tabulated problems ranging from lines as long as 30-people deep forming in Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus to examples of voter being denied the chance to cast ballots, despite having proof of registration. Many Ohio stories pointed to problems stemming from the state requiring proof of identification for the first time this year.

"They did offer me a provisional ballot but I have absolutely no faith in provisional ballots," one voter denied the chance to vote told AP. "I don't want to do a ballot that I fear won't be counted." One elections board received so many calls from voters and poll workers that the county's phone system collapsed for about 90 minutes, the story added.

At the Blade in Toledo, however, a top story reported few glitches in its local county voting, adding that there was "decent traffic at most polling locations but not long lines." The Columbus Dispatch had an early story about the county phone system crashing for 90 minutes under the weight of voter and poll worker calls.

Newspapers in Florida, where problems from the 2000 presidential voting are also still fresh, offered their own early Web reports. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale declared "few problems in Broward County," while The Miami Herald reported a 90-minute delay in voting in Deerfield Beach.

"Only three people had voted when all 14 machines stopped working," the Herald reported about the effect in one precinct. "After about 45 minutes, voters in Precinct 26A were able to cast ballots on four machines. But most voters, those in Precinct 23A, were out of luck until about 8:30 a.m., when technicians were able to get at least some machines back online."

At The Houston Chronicle, voters casting ballots in former Rep. Tom Delay's old district found electronic machine problems that delayed votes and cast "some uncertainty on ballots already cast." The paper also had an example of voting machines being used in the wrong district.

The Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News both played up a story about the Colorado Democratic Party seeking a two-hour voting extension after computer problems delayed voting statewide.

USA Today was one of several newspaper's seeking reader input on voting problems, with a site page asking online users to e-mail their voting stories, along with photos. "Whether you're taking a picture of your polling station or not, Electionline wants to hear about your voting experience today," the paper's request stated. "When did you go? Was the experience smooth? Was it ugly? How were the lines? How did you cast your ballot -- computer, paper or otherwise -- and what did you think of the method? And how's the weather where you are?"

Initial comments from USA Today readers offered a mix of smooth operations and frustrating problems.

"Today when voting in Broward County Florida ... there were people doing last minute campaigning at the entry door. I believe it is illegal to do that within a certain distance of the voting area," one reader stated in an e-mail. Another from New York wrote in, "My polling station level action machine was not working @ 6:10, 10 minutes after polls opened, had to use 'Emergency Paper Ballot'."

But others indicated no glitches, such as the Texas reader who wrote, "the electronic process was pretty intuitive and went smoothly," adding later that "weather here in Texas is sunny and seasonally warm."

The Chicago Tribune sought stories from voters as well, with Web pages set aside for input on how smoothly the ballots were cast. "Did you experience any difficulties while casting your vote?" The Tribune site asked. "Tell us about it. (You may also report irregularities to the U.S. attorney's office at 312-469-6157.)"

The Boston Globe, meanwhile, listed Web sites and phone numbers to call with voter problems.

[101A]

I did get the sarcasm in your post 101, and it was nicely played.

But if you would having taken care to read who I quoted when asking my question, instead of flying off at the handle at me due to the egregious humiliation and persecution you were subjected to by a ne’er-do-well attempting to pervert the election system, you would have noticed that I was not questioning you.

touche.

It's just that I'm trying to become a proper alarmist knee-jerk conspiracy theorist. Flying off the handle is part of the package.

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

Damn liberal media, always just blindly endorsing the commie Libs...

First, the Dallas Morning News

Whoops.

Well, that liberally-biased San Antonio Express-News must have done it.

Whoops.

Well, the Un-American-Statesman must have done it, right?

Austin American-Statesman

Whoops.

Well, maybe the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Well, so far, the only two major papers I can tell that didn't endorse Gov. Perry were the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram and the Houston Chronicle.

S-T endorsed Bell, Chronicle endorsed Strayhorn.

[j-6]

Funny stuff from Blaze's E&P site:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ik1pocRSRgQ

N.J. Sen. Menendez of Accused of Padlocking Opponent's Campaign HQ
3:45 PM ET, from CNN (via You Tube):

In a video clip the campaign of Republican Tom Kean accused staffers from the camp of in bent Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) of chaining and padlocking Kean campaign headquarters.

The Menendez camp has denied the charges, and calling the accusation "the biggest stunt since Britney Spears' 3 a.m. Las Vegas wedding."

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

Kind of a sad note since I've sat at length with both men and both struck me as very down-to-earth and truly caring about representing their cons uents.

State representative says former opponent punched him at polling place
Rose says Green attacked him at Dripping Springs church; no arrests made

By Laura Heinauer
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Hays County authorities are investigating a report that State House District 45 Rep. Patrick Rose, D-Dripping Springs was assaulted today while standing outside a polling place at Sunset Canyon Baptist Church east of Dripping Springs.

Rose, an attorney with the Ratliff Law Firm and a licensed Realtor, said he was punched by Rick Green, his 2002 Republican opponent.

"Rick lost his temper," he said. "It's unfortunate that something like this happened on election day."

Jackie Whalen, a witness to the incident, said she was standing in line to vote when she saw Rose and Green standing and talking between two vehicles. She said she saw Green push Rose against an SUV and then punch him in the face.

"Patrick Rose looked like he was trying to get away and then a bunch of men came over and pulled Rick Green off," Whalen said. "He continued trying to go after him and kept shouting 'You need to stop lying' and 'Let him defend himself, the big baby.' "

Rose said he was not hurt.

"Next time I see Rick, I'll remember to keep my left up," he said.

Green could not be reached for comment.

Hays County Sheriff's spokeswoman Pam Robinson said deputies responded to a call about a fight at about 11:30 a.m., but no arrests were made. She would not confirm who was involved in the incident other than Rose and said Rose did not require medical treatment.

Rose, who lives in Dripping Springs, beat Green, who was then the in bent, by 335 votes in 2002. He has won twice as a Democrat in a district drawn to favor a Republican, but just barely — squeaking by Green, then fending off Alan Askew by about 5,700 votes in 2004.

Rose's 2006 GOP challenger, Jim Neuhaus, said he was at the polling place this morning before the incident.

"My first reaction, if indeed it is an assault, that's pretty serious," Neuhaus said.

Hays County Election Administrator Joyce Cowan said the polling site has been busy and the incident doesn't appear to have affected voting.

"It's been a busy polling site all day," she said. "I don't think it did anything but give the people in line something to look at."

http://www.statesman.com/news/conten...08/8fight.html

I got to watch a great do entary about their race in 2002 in which Rose unseated the in bent Green. Let me see if I can find the name of it.

Here it is...Last Man Standing

http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2004/lastm...ing/about.html

Happier times for Rose and Green.

[1369]

touche.

It's just that I'm trying to become a proper alarmist knee-jerk conspiracy theorist. Flying off the handle is part of the package.

Ah, I didn't get that memo.

But can we still wear the uber-cool foil hats like Joaquin did in Signs?

[xrayzebra]

I love people mocking the voting problems. I understand Republican voters need a way to laugh today, and if this is it, so be it I guess. I guess I just don't understand what is funny about an electronic system that has many vulnerabilities and does not leave a paper trail.

Manny, not every state/county/city is run by Republicans. The dimm-o-craps
ed about the hanging chads wanted a new system, electronic, they got
it. Now I am wondering. Are the dimm-o-crap voters the only folks who
have problems with the voting system? Are they the only ones who have
problems proving who they are with another id? Are they the only ones
who have a problem being surpressed? Are they the only ones standing in
line that need voting times extended? Dimms sure have lots of problems
casting their ballots.

[Yonivore]

I've yet to go cast my vote. There are quite a few libertarian's on my ballot, however.

I voted Libertarian except where there wasn't one on the ballot and then, I voted Republican.

[MannyIsGod]

I voted Libertarian except where there wasn't one on the ballot and then, I voted Republican.

Interestingly enough, our ballots will probably be very similar. Hows that for an election day suprise?

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

Interestingly enough, our ballots will probably be very similar. Hows that for an election day suprise?

What the just hit me in the head and what the is all this stuff falling from the sky?

[101A]

Based on my own exit polling, albeit with a relatively limited sampling; the Libertarian party is going to sweep to power in Texas this year; having attracted vast support from the Left and Right

[MannyIsGod]

Manny, not every state/county/city is run by Republicans. The dimm-o-craps
ed about the hanging chads wanted a new system, electronic, they got
it. Now I am wondering. Are the dimm-o-crap voters the only folks who
have problems with the voting system? Are they the only ones who have
problems proving who they are with another id? Are they the only ones
who have a problem being surpressed? Are they the only ones standing in
line that need voting times extended? Dimms sure have lots of problems
casting their ballots.

Democrats are not the only ones experiencing voter problems in any way shape or form. Thats why I don't understand why people keep bringing this up.

[Yonivore]

Happier times for Rose and Green.



That looks like Mark Strama on the left in that photo...

[MannyIsGod]

Based on my own exit polling, albeit with a relatively limited sampling; the Libertarian party is going to sweep to power in Texas this year; having attracted vast support from the Left and Right

The EN had a front page article on Werner about a week ago. Maybe it'll bring in 2 more votes.

[Yonivore]

The EN had a front page article on Werner about a week ago. Maybe it'll bring in 2 more votes.

Hey, Manny and I voted for the same gubernatorial candidate! Kum-bah-freakin'-yah!

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

Happier times for Rose and Green.



That looks like Mark Strama on the left in that photo...

That is pretty uncanny.

But it's Rose.


Strama


Patrick Rose

The ladies of Texas State just went ga-ga over Rose, though...

[xrayzebra]

^^
Really! Haven't seen many Republicans raising about much of anything. I
may be wrong, but I don't think so. I do stand corrected. I heard about a certain
precinct in New Mexico that didn't have enough ballots and the Pubs were ing
about it.

[101A]

Hey, Manny and I voted for the same gubernatorial candidate! Kum-bah-freakin'-yah!

Hitler: "Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr"

[j-6]

There's no way that Rose guy's over 30 years old. What's the minimum age requirement for the state House?

[Ocotillo]

, Democrats pick up winos and lure them to the polls on election day with booze and cigarettes. Why can't they do the same, year 'round, and take them to the local DPS office?

Actually, that would be the Republicans

The ballots were handed out by people who said they arrived by buses this morning from Pennsylvania and Delaware.

Nice touch, bussing the homeless in from out of state.

Erik Markle, one of the people handing out literature for Ehrlich, who is seeking reelection, and Steele, the current lieutenant governor who is campaigning to replace retiring Sen. Paul Sarbanes (D), said he was recruited at a homeless shelter in Philadelphia.

After a two-hour bus ride to Maryland, Markle said the workers were greeted early this morning by first lady Kendel Ehrlich, who thanked them as they were outfitted in T-shirts and hats with the logo for Ehrlich's reelection campaign. Nearly all of those recruited, Markle said, are poor and black. Workers traveled to Maryland in at least seven large buses.

[Yonivore]

Actually, that would be the Republicans

The ballots were handed out by people who said they arrived by buses this morning from Pennsylvania and Delaware.

Nice touch, bussing the homeless in from out of state.

Erik Markle, one of the people handing out literature for Ehrlich, who is seeking reelection, and Steele, the current lieutenant governor who is campaigning to replace retiring Sen. Paul Sarbanes (D), said he was recruited at a homeless shelter in Philadelphia.

After a two-hour bus ride to Maryland, Markle said the workers were greeted early this morning by first lady Kendel Ehrlich, who thanked them as they were outfitted in T-shirts and hats with the logo for Ehrlich's reelection campaign. Nearly all of those recruited, Markle said, are poor and black. Workers traveled to Maryland in at least seven large buses.

Okay, I was talking about voters and you're mocking an effort to employ the homeless by a Republican candidate. Are you related to John Kerry?

[Yonivore]

There's no way that Rose guy's over 30 years old. What's the minimum age requirement for the state House?

Judging by some of the in bents we have, 2.

[101A]

Actually, that would be the Republicans

The ballots were handed out by people who said they arrived by buses this morning from Pennsylvania and Delaware.

Nice touch, bussing the homeless in from out of state.

Erik Markle, one of the people handing out literature for Ehrlich, who is seeking reelection, and Steele, the current lieutenant governor who is campaigning to replace retiring Sen. Paul Sarbanes (D), said he was recruited at a homeless shelter in Philadelphia.

After a two-hour bus ride to Maryland, Markle said the workers were greeted early this morning by first lady Kendel Ehrlich, who thanked them as they were outfitted in T-shirts and hats with the logo for Ehrlich's reelection campaign. Nearly all of those recruited, Markle said, are poor and black. Workers traveled to Maryland in at least seven large buses.

Also gets them out of Philly; can't vote for Casey.

[Yonivore]

Also gets them out of Philly; can't vote for Casey.

I guess they couldn't have voted early.

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

There's no way that Rose guy's over 30 years old. What's the minimum age requirement for the state House?

IIRC, he should be about 27-28.

I know he was 23 when he won election, but I can't remember his birthdate off the top of my head.