Rep. Holt Puts the House on Record for Democracy in FL-13

by: JRB

Thu Jan 04, 2007 at 06:09:14 PM EST

Holt: Madam Speaker: In light of the facts that partisan and non-partisan lawsuits are underway with regard to Florida's 13th Congressional District and that the votes of 18,000 voters were not recorded on the paperless electronic voting machines in an election decided by 369 votes, may I ask for the record whether a notice of contest has been filed with the Clerk on behalf of Christine Jenningspursuant to law, and what effect, if any, today's proceedings have on pending contests?

Speaker Pelosi: The Chair is advised by the Clerk that a notice of contest pursuant to the statute, section 382 of title 2, United States Code, has been filed with the Clerk. Under section 5 of article I of the Constitution and the statute, the House remains the judge of the elections of its Members. The seating of this Member-elect is entirely without prejudice to the contest over the final right to that seat that is pending under the statute and will be reviewed in the ordinary course in the Committee on House Administration.

Paging Rush Holt

by: JRB

Wed Dec 06, 2006 at 04:20:25 PM EST

Rick Hansen of Election Law is calling on the House to take action. Representative Holt should take note. And you should contact his office, and tell him to take action.

NJDF free event :: Rush Holt & others on Election Protection

by: New Jersey's Democratic Future

Wed Nov 22, 2006 at 12:36:41 AM EST

An Open Letter to Rush Holt

by: JRB

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

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

Can Rep. Holt Bring Democracy to Florida 13?

by: JRB

Sun Nov 19, 2006 at 01:43:41 PM EST

But this was not a minor problem for a few absent-minded voters. In his press conference, Rep. Holt reminded, "More than 18,000 votes were uncounted in a race separated by less than 400 votes." Voters did not receive receipts (Good eye, FogerRox) left no paper trail to investigate their undervotes in the race, and their complaints have fallen on deaf ears. Like Holt said, "Without a voter-verified paper audit trail, no satisfactory resolution is possible. One side or the other will always doubt the result."

Tomorrow, Florida will certify the Republican as the winner, and some are asking whether there are other paths to recourse. This informative thread over at Kos asks whether a new election is possible. In the comments, readers cite the precedents of Indiana 8 in 1984 and New Hampshire Senate in 1974. In these cases, the federal government helped resolve the matter while the states sat on their hands. In the former, the House refused to seat either member until they reviewed the case and determined the winner qualified. In the latter case, the Senate was petitioned to review the matter and the two candidates agreed to a new election.

If the House refuses to seat the member from Florida 13, as Kos reader gatordem comments, "Under Florida law, the governor is required to call a special election to fill the vacant seat." But of course, a member of the House has to lead that effort.

As a nationally recognized voter-advocate, Representative Holt is the natural choice for such a job. He should strongly consider taking the lead. Contact his office here.

Holt's 'Voter Confidence' Has 221 Co-Sponsors

by: JRB

Wed Nov 15, 2006 at 05:29:40 PM EST

As we stand here today, the results in at least one House race remain unknown because thousands of votes were lost by electronic voting machines. Until we require that these systems produce a voter-verified paper audit trail, voters will continue to doubt the outcomes of elections involving these machines, because the results will be unauditable.

The inaccuracy of electronic touch-screen voting machines poses a direct threat to the integrity of our electoral system and to our nation’s democracy.  Once again this broken system has been exposed in Florida’s 13th Congressional district where over 18,000 votes went uncounted.  Without the means to fully guarantee that every vote is counted as fairly and accurately as possible, the authenticity of our recorded vote will always be uncertain and open to electoral and legal challenges.

Some of the bill's specifics are after the jump.

Electronic Voting in NJ -- Is It Safe?

by: City Belt

Tue Oct 31, 2006 at 08:27:36 AM EST

From Rush Holt's legislation to Edward Felten's team of computer scientists to citizen activists -- we cover all the bases.

"The election records are in a sealed bag. What are you going to do? Shoot the guy to get them? People don’t understand we really take excruciating pains with security.”
- Mary Meyers, who’s in charge of elections for Warren County.

Read the full story here.

And while you're over at City Belt, consider a subscription -- it's a very affordable way ($15 for 12 issues) to support independent media in New Jersey. 

NJDF :: Two Weeks' Notice

by: New Jersey's Democratic Future

Wed Oct 25, 2006 at 04:01:18 PM EDT

If you read or watch television, then you know our prospects are looking good for Election Day - but you also know that the difference between a two-seat majority and a ten-seat majority in the House of Representatives will have massive implications for our ability to keep the Administration honest and start moving a more progressive agenda.

Just as important, you know - in the words of Councilman Peter Cammarano, speaking with Bob Menendez in Hoboken on Sunday - that "ground zero in the fight for the U.S. Senate is right here in New Jersey."  The Republicans know they're losing seats in unlikely places like Montana and Ohio, and they're pinning a lot of hope on stealing back a New Jersey seat they haven't won in half a century.

It's about New Jersey, but it's also about America.

So here's what you can do:

Two Words that Say It All

by: noodletalk

Tue Oct 17, 2006 at 06:31:00 PM EDT

Click on thumbnail to see larger version.

City Belt's Meet the Candidates: Carol Gay

by: City Belt

Tue Sep 26, 2006 at 09:52:43 AM EDT

So we've sent our own questionnaire to all of the candidates in the races that are at least semi-competitive. Carol Gay was the first to step to the plate and provide us with her views on health care, Hurricane Katrina, immigration, Homeland Security, and of course, the Iraq War.

But we also need your help, Blue Jersey. It's a simple two-page questionnaire, and a candidate for office should be able to answer all of the questions fairly easily. But it seems that certain campaigns aren't interested in giving City Belt the time of day.

If you really want independent media and diverse voices in NJ, you've got to support it. Contacting the campaigns listed at the bottom of the story is Step Number One -- please take a few minutes and help everyone gain a better understanding of this fall's candidates.