Serious problems plague the Secretaries of States' of New Mexico and Colorado's voter fraud analyses/ conclusions

From a Brennan Center for Justice article, which doesn't offer reader commenting.  For analysis details, please read the entire article.

"Recently the Secretaries of State in New Mexico and Colorado announced seemingly shocking findings that their research identified “thousands” of non-citizens, apparently voting illegally in their respective states.  A careful review of the reports and information released (they have not released the complete set of data and methodology used to arrive at their conclusions) shows some serious problems with the methods used based upon the information they did disclose resulting in questionable conclusions. ...

Until there is the opportunity to review the methodology and analysis used to arrive at the conclusions of the Secretaries of State in New Mexico and Colorado, everyone should blow away the smoke, ignore the mirrors and look at this data critically, with their own eyes."

Remember, "voting turnout and activism means spreading the word!"

"Your papers, please": Americans are more likely to be killed by a bolt of lightning than commit voter fraud!

From a ThinkProgress article, which includes reader commenting -- for a short history of the century-long conservatives' anti-voter agenda in the USA, please read the article.

"Thursday, ThinkProgress reported that the Ohio House had approved the most restrictive voter id law in the nation — a bill that would exclude 890,000 Ohioans from voting. Earlier this week Texas lawmakers passed a similar bill, and voter id legislation — which would make it significantly more difficult for seniors, students and minorities to vote — is now under consideration in more than 22 states across the country.

Conservatives have said voter id laws are necessary to combat mass voter fraud. Yet according to the Brennan Center for Justice, Americans are more likely to be killed by a bolt of lightning than commit voter fraud. And the Bush administration’s five-year national “war on voter fraud” resulted in only 86 convictions of illegal voting out of more than 196 million votes cast. Instead conservatives are employing an old tactic: using the specter of false voting to restrict the voting rights of minorities and the poor.

Below, ThinkProgress examines the history of conservatives anti-voter agenda:"

Remember, "voting turnout and activism means spreading the word!"

Colorado Secretary of State report: Some of 4,947 individuals almost certainly were not citizens at the time they voted in November, 2010

From The PJ Tatler blog, which has commenting:

"Up to 4,947 non-citizens may have voted in Colorado in November 2010.  That’s the conclusion from a report issued today by the Colorado Secretary of State.  Here is the money line:  'For the reasons discussed above, however, it is likely that many of the 4,947 voters were not citizens when they cast their vote in 2010.'”

The title of the report is, "COMPARISON OF COLORADO’S VOTER ROLLS WITH DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE NON-CITIZEN RECORDS, MARCH 8, 2011." Why didn't poll workers during last November's elections do this on-the-fly as all of the voters signed in? That would have avoided any voter fraud.


Thanks to Election Law Center for the link.


Remember, "voting turnout and activism means spreading the word!"

KETV Omaha: Voter Fraud Probe Findings Released

"The Douglas County Sheriff's Office [Omaha, Nebraska] said there was no criminal intent to commit voter fraud after several voters cast more than one ballot in Omaha's mayoral recall election.After the Jan. 25 election, Election Commissioner Dave Phipps contacted authorities because he said five people had voted twice. In addition, one person voted in Douglas County as a Sarpy County resident.Officials said there was no indication the six people were acquainted with one another.Investigators said the six gave several reasons for voting erroneously. The voters said they either simply forgot that they had voted previously due to health problems, were confused about residency requirements or there was some doubt as to whether their early vote was valid.The average age of those questioned in the case is 65."

The entire article, with commenting, is at http://www.ketv.com/r/27068556/detail.html 

C'mon, you Republicans across the country, quit wasting taxpayer money on frivolous voter fraud cases.  We have real work to do.



Remember, "voting turnout and activism means spreading the word!"

IndyStar.com: Indiana Secretary of State Charlie White indicted, faces 7 felony counts

"The state’s top election official will face seven felony counts, including voter fraud, perjury and theft, a special prosecutor said today.
Secretary of State Charlie White was accused of intentionally voting in the wrong precinct during the May 2010 primary, a potential felony.
White turned himself in at the Hamilton County Jail Thursday afternoon and was released after posting $10,000 bond.
If ultimately convicted of a felony, White would have to give up the position that he won by a wide margin over Democrat Vop Osili in November’s election."

The entire article, with commenting, is at http://www.indystar.com/article/201103031500/NEWS/110303019 

It should be noted in these days of Republican voting rights reforms, that Mr. White was an elected official at the time of the alleged offences, and is still a Republican as Indiana Secretary of State (the state's highest election official.)


Remember, "voting turnout and activism means spreading the word!"

Bakersfield.com: Grand jury debunks reports of local [California] voter fraud

"Many instances of voter fraud alleged in recent years have "morphed from facts and allegations to urban legend" and the biggest instances of the problem locally happened 20-plus years ago, according to a Kern County grand jury report released Thursday.
Jurors investigated the local voting system, according to the report, after receiving a letter last year detailing a public presentation made by a 2002 30th Assembly District candidate alleging there were "huge discrepancies in voter registrations" before his loss.
The report doesn't name names but it's obviously referring to Bakersfield businessman and Republican Dean Gardner, who lost the race to Democrat Nicole Parra by a razor-thin margin and alleged voter fraud at the time.
The large increases in Democratic Party registrations in that district before the November 2002 general election "appears to be the result of more active organizing by that party rather than devious or illegal activities," grand jurors wrote. ...
The report said elections officials have many, thorough ways to keep the voter rolls clean and to minimize fraud. The only recommendations made in the report were for county elections officials and other staff to "continue to do the excellent job they have been doing" and for the auditor-controller to post a copy of the report for public review."

The entire article, with commenting and the Grand Jury Report, is at http://www.bakersfield.com/blogs/politics/x1284224764/Grand-jury-debunks-reports-of-local-voter-fraud 

A hat tip to Voting News blog from Verified Voting.

http://diigo.com/0czgp
Quotes:

Election Law: "Despite Dearth Of Evidence, Right Wing Voter Fraud Fear Machine Carries On"

• TPMMuckraker reports.