The Rep defense that there were 15,000 in 1996 and no one complained is very
weak. Isn't that evidence that there was a problem and maybe the Republican
Sec of State should have done something before 2000?
Why didn't anyone complain in 1996? Easy. It did not affect the outcome of
the race. I think the public has a right to expect that the Secretary of
State would have acted on this matter. She is the state's top election
official and the ultimate responsibility for this mess is hers. She didn't
act. Why? Well, 19,000 wasted votes in Palm Beach (even if the ballot wasn't
biased which it was in this case) means fewer votes for Democrats in state
elections as the county typically votes heavily for democrats. Republicans
better watch the rhetoric on this because it all points back to the
Republicans leaving a clearly flawed system in place that they knew was
biased towards their campaigns.
Dr. David Coursey
Askew School
Florida State
-----Original Message-----
From: dennis roberts <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Friday, November 10, 2000 11:44 AM
Subject: Re: Stats on Palm Beach votes
>the people claim that since it had been publicized in the newspaper trial
>printing of the ballot ... that it was assumed that al gore, who IS listed
>second on the left ... that his vote would be the second hole ... so, it
>seems like many just like automatons ... punched the second hole ... which
>was for buchannan ... but, the ballot is clear enough ... the arrow next to
>gore is clearly >>>>>> this way to the right hole ...
>
>but, i want to know why there has not be as much fervor over the 19,000
>invalidated ballots (primarily for double voting for TWO PRESIDENTIAL
>CANDIDATES) and WHY that is the case? sure, they say that it was 15,000
>last time (and then no one presses further on this issue) but ... this
>seems real high to me ...
>
>i would like to see some county listings ... with total votes and %
>invalidated for double voting and see if what palm beach is within the
>typical range or, really an outlier ... IF it is an outlier ... then how
>come? is it because the voters there are SO stupid as to vote for two
>presidential candidates??? i seriously doubt it ... however, if that is not
>a plausible alternative, then .. what about the layout of the ballot
>compared to what was publicized in the local media??
>
>no one has really pressed this issue ... which seems crucial to me
>
>now, i am totally against REVOTES ... since, folks now know the results and
>could alter their votes accordingly ... so that is not fair ... but, there
>has to be some ways to attempt to recreate from the invalidated ballots ...
>what happened and to try to recount those in relation to what appears to be
>a read ballot design fiasco ...
>
>
>
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