I received this and wanted to forward it to the group should some be able
to attend.
Paul Double
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>The Kiffmeyer Update
>The easiest way to get the latest news regarding Mary Kiffmeyer,
Minnesota's 20th Secretary of State.
>
>
>For Release:
Contact: Kent Kaiser
>1 December 2000
651-297-8919
>
>Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer Holds
>Town Hall Meetings on Minnesota Elections
>
>Public Input Sought on Election Procedures and Integrity
>
>SAINT PAUL-Minnesota Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer today announced
that she is holding a series of statewide town hall meetings concerning
election integrity. With unprecedented national and state-level interest
in elections, the gatherings are designed to solicit citizen input and
share information about the election process.
>
>"Following the most remarkable election in modern times, there has been an
enormous amount of attention focused on elections," said Kiffmeyer. "While
we have a great deal to proud of in Minnesota, we all know there is always
room for improvement. I believe some of the very best ideas will come from
directly from the voters themselves."
>
>Town Hall Meeting Schedule:
>
>December 4, 2000 December 6, 2000
>Redwood Community Center Lynnhurst Community
Center Multipurpose Room
>100 George Ramseth Drive 1345 W Minnehaha Parkway
>Redwood Falls Minneapolis
>6:30-8:00 PM 7:00-8:30 PM
>
>December 7, 2000 December 11, 2000
>Austin City Council Chambers Temporary City Council
Chambers
>500 4th Ave NE Old Valley
Elementary School
>Austin 610
2nd Ave NE
>7:00-8:30 PM East Grand
Forks
>
7:00-8:30 PM
>
>Note: Additional meetings may be scheduled later, according to public
demand.
>
>*****************************************************************
>
>
>For Release:
Contact: Kent Kaiser
>4 December 2000
651-297-8919
>
>Commentary
>(Radio Actuality Available by calling 651-296-6242)
>
>Could Florida's Fiasco Happen In Minnesota?
>
>By Mary Kiffmeyer
>
>People wonder, "Could what's happening with the election in Florida happen
in Minnesota?"
>
>Minnesotans can rest assured that certain aspects of the Florida situation
simply could not happen in our state. We have no "butterfly" or punch card
ballots. We have no chads-hanging, dimpled, pregnant, or otherwise.
>
>On the other hand, could we have a close election? Sure. Then, we too
probably would be looking at a recount or other challenges.
>
>Reasons to challenge an election can range from simply disputing the
number of ballots counted, to identifying irregularities in the conduct of
the election, to identifying voter fraud.
>
>The disputes in Florida have centered around the counting of ballots.
>
>Thankfully, for many years Minnesota's policymakers have been very
effective at making sure that our ballots are easy to understand and that
they are counted accurately. Consequently, the technical aspects of the
casting and counting of ballots are not as big a deal here as in some other
states.
>
>There are some 4000 voting precincts in Minnesota. Over 1300 precincts,
containing 67 percent of the voters, have ballot-scanning machines for the
voters to deposit their ballots after voting. If there are mistakes, the
machine immediately spits out the ballot and allows the voter a chance to
revote. Ballot-scanning technology eliminates most of the human error that
might be associated with the casting and counting of ballots.
>
>Unfortunately, about 2700 precincts, containing 33 percent of voters, do
not have precinct-based ballot scanners. Alas, the cost of the
ballot-scanning technology often is prohibitive for the local governments
that must foot the bill.
>
>So, even though everyone in Minnesota votes on an easy-to-use ballot,
there are many-mostly in rural areas-who are at a technological
disadvantage when it comes to casting their votes and having them counted.
Voters in these areas are more likely to cast a "defective" ballot without
knowing it.
>
>A ballot is considered defective when a voter either makes a mistake or
does not vote in a particular race. By the way: a defect in one race does
not affect the validity of the vote in other races on the ballot.
>
>If there were a recount in Minnesota, most of the spotlight probably would
be on our defective ballots.
>
>It is important to understand that not all defective ballots are cast
mistakenly. A good number of the 0.70 percent of ballots considered
defective in this year's Presidential race in Minnesota might very well
have been submitted by members of the Independence Party, which did not
field a candidate for President; many of that party's voters may have
exercised their right simply to skip the Presidential race and move down
the ballot to the US Senate race in which they had a candidate.
>
>Nevertheless, others of these defective ballots may have been
unintentional "overvotes," where voters marked the ballot for more than one
Presidential candidate and election judges could not discern their single
choice for that office. Some may have had other voter mistakes that
prevented election judges from being able to understand the voters' intent.
A precinct-based ballot scanner could detect these mistakes and give
voters a second chance.
>
>This is a fairness issue that I have been addressing, with some
significant success, since taking office. I hope the situation in Florida
will bring attention to the technological improvements that we still
require to bring equality to voters all across Minnesota.
>
>Still, I believe our goal must be not just better ballots and election
equipment, but a long-term diligence to educate the public about election
topics generally and thereby to strengthen our democracy overall.
>
>In time, we may find that this year's tense and often contentious
"national civics lesson" has produced an unintended benefit. Indeed, I am
optimistic that the current focus on how we conduct elections will extend
into a broader interest in elections and other citizenship activities.
>
>Mary Kiffmeyer (R-Big Lake Township) is Minnesota's 20th Secretary of State.
>
>***************************************************************************
********
>The Kiffmeyer Update is sent by James Kiffmeyer, and much of the past
information sent in Updates can be found at the kiffmeyer.org website.
Also see the web site for information on contacting Mary, pictures,
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>
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>
>
>
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Kiffmeye
