An Open Letter to Rush Holt

by: JRB

Mon Nov 20, 2006 at 03:26:02 PM EST

Sent to his office this afternoon. Do the same, if you think it's right.

Rep. Holt,
I was glad to see you step up and say something about the voting irregularities in Florida 13, where 18,000 votes are missing in an election decided by a mere 400. Today, as you know, a lack of a paper trail prevented a thorough audit, and Florida has certified a winner in this election.
That is unacceptable.
While legal actions are being taken, there's a good chance they will not succeed. Something more must be done.
That is why I ask that you lead the fight on the House floor to prevent a member being seated from this district until the House investigates and produces a reccomendation. Petitioning a federal election on the floor of Congress has precedent in Indiana 8 in 1984 and New Hampshire Senate in 1974.
As a nationally recognized advocate for clean electronic-voting, you should lead this fight. For if this and similar acts of disenfranchisement are not beaten back now, then when?
Thank you and good luck.
Your constituent,
JRB

JRB :: An Open Letter to Rush Holt

Tags: 2006 elections, elections, voting irregularities, electronic voting, verified voting, Rush Holt, (All Tags)

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An Open Letter to Rush Holt | 4 comments

TPMCafe comments (0.00 / 0)

Don't know if they're Blue Jerseyans, but TPMCafe commenters Sara and dbs are pushing Holt to take action in this thread.

by: JRB @ Tue Nov 21, 2006 at 05:24:21 AM UTC

Asbury Park Press Editorial (0.00 / 0)

Even the Asbury Park press is getting in on the action, citing Florida 13 as a reason for Holt's bill to pass. Here's an excerpt:

. . . A paper receipt of every vote would restore shaken faith in the voting process.
That's what Rep. Rush Holt, D-N.J., has been pushing since the Help America Vote Act was enacted in 2002. Last week, Holt renewed his call for congressional approval of his bill to require a paper trail in light of disputed votes in a Florida congressional district and the Ocean County glitches.
The Florida foul-up with touch-screen machines is an election official's worst nightmare. More than 18,000 votes have gone uncounted. That's about one of every eight votes cast in the district. The candidates are separated by only 377 votes.
A paper trail would have assured that every vote was counted. The paper, signed by the voter, becomes the vote of record in the event of a recount or computer malfunction. It also would allay the well-grounded fears about tampering.

We say take it a step further and don't let another fraudulent election fall by the wayside.

by: JRB @ Tue Nov 21, 2006 at 05:29:56 AM UTC