The Voting News Daily: MD report shows paper ballots cost less than DREs, IA Justices deny separate ballot for judge retention

We’re back from a short holiday break! Tonight’s edition covers news published since our last full edition on Monday December 20. State news is organized by state and then by date. State news is followed by sections for national, Internet voting, and international news. Internationally, online voting in Ahmedabad, India is provoking discussion. At home the EAC has released data on HAVA appropriations, and as we reported in our holiday note, an independent cost study ordered by the Maryland General Assembly has found that the state could save $10 million by replacing its electronic voting machines with optical scanners and paper ballots. (Note: we have included one among a great many news articles published on the Alaska US Senate race.)

All this and more in today’s Voting News below.

AK: Miller won’t back Murkowski Senate certification [Dec. 27]
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101227/ap_on_re_us/us_alaska_senate

CA: 2011 Ushers In Boosts to Transparency in Election Security and Campaign Finance [Media Release, Dec. 21]
http://www.sos.ca.gov/admin/press-releases/2010/db10-120.pdf

CO: Premier AccuVote Machines Missed 0.4% of Votes in Aspen Elections [Dec. 27]
http://www.fairvote.org/premier-accuvote-machines-missed-0-4-of-ballots-in-aspen-elections

CO: SOS sends mixed signals on certification [Dec. 26]
http://www.examiner.com/conservative-in-colorado-springs/sos-sends-mixed-signals-on-certification

IA: Justices say no to quest to block removal [Dec. 21]
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20101221/NEWS/12210357/-1/caucus/Justices-say-no-to-quest-to-block-removal
University of Iowa computer science professor Doug Jones, who studies voting technology and practices, said a separate ballot for the justices runs contrary to state history.

“You create a bureaucratic monster when you double the amount of paper involved in an election,” Jones said. “If each judicial retention race is a separate piece of paper, which is the most extreme reading I can imagine, that’s an awful snow flurry of paper. County election offices are already strapped for money.”

IN: Recount commission did its job fairly and honestly [Opinion, Dec. 24]
http://www.southbendtribune.com/article/20101224/Opinion/101229802/-1/googleNews
“The recount commission was greatly served in its duty by current county Clerk Rita Glenn, several county voting machine technicians and Keith McGinnis from Illinois-based service contractor RBM Consulting to make the process run efficiently and smoothly. All of these individuals have my profound gratitude for their dedication to our work.”

KY: Trimble to buy new voting machines [Dec. 21]
http://madisoncourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=178&SubSectionID=270&ArticleID=60332

MD: Report: Scanners cost less than touch-screen machines [Dec. 24]
http://www.gazette.net/stories/12242010/polinew172811_32537.php
The independent analysis, conducted by a North Carolina research firm for the Department of Legislative Services, appears to confirm what supporters of a voter-verified paper trail system have long argued: It costs more money to maintain the current equipment than to purchase new
machines that allow voters to print out paper receipts of their selections.

MN: St. Paul preps for voting via ranked choice [Dec. 25]
http://www.startribune.com/politics/local/112459654.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DUoaK7D_V_eDc87DUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUoD3aPc:_27EQU

MS:Hinds rejects used voting machines [Dec. 21]
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20101221/NEWS/12210320/Hinds+rejects+used+voting+machines
Hinds County supervisors say they want to discard the county’s 8-year-old, $1.5 million voting system and start anew.

The Board of Supervisors denied a request Monday by some election commissioners to purchase 300 used voting machines. Instead, the board wants the commission to shop for a new system, such as an optical scanning system that would allow for better auditing of records.

MO: KC legislator may be denied seat over fraud allegations [Dec.

The Voting News Daily: Happy Holidays from the Team at Voting News

We wish you all safe and happy holidays, and for those who celebrate, a Merry Christmas. The Voting News will resume regular postings on Monday December 27 after a short holiday break. (News from this week will be archived.)

Today, though, we’d like to pass on several news stories that are a gift to those working hard for accurate elections. In Mississippi, one of the largest counties – currently using paperless voting machines – is considering switching to paper ballots. Kentucky’s movement away from unverifiable DREs continues, with election officials who previously used DREs reportedly more pleased with new paper ballot scanners. And from Maryland, perhaps the most exciting news: an independent cost study commissioned by the General Assembly shows that Maryland would save nearly $10 million by switching to paper ballot optical scan voting systems – and get recountable elections in the bargain.

We know our readers, like us, can’t help saving a small space for concern about elections even on a holiday, and we hope this news adds to your enjoyment of the day. We’ll be back in touch next week, and we look forward to serving you in the new year.

KY: Trimble to buy new voting machines
http://madisoncourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=178&SubSectionID=270&ArticleID=60332
The county currently uses ES&S for equipment and will switch to Harp Enterprises. The switch will mean new equipment and a new way of reading votes. Harp uses paper ballots that will be scanned into a computer to tally the numbers.

“I have talked to several counties that have switched to the paper ballot system and they all like the paper ballots over the machines,” Powell said in the letter. Paper ballots are expected to reduce
confusion by voters and be easier to tally.

MD: Report: Scanners cost less than touch-screen machines
http://www.gazette.net/stories/12242010/polinew172811_32537.php
The independent analysis, conducted by a North Carolina research firm for the Department of Legislative Services, appears to confirm what supporters of a voter-verified paper trail system have long argued: It costs more money to maintain the current equipment than to purchase new
machines that allow voters to print out paper receipts of their selections.

MS:Hinds rejects used voting machines
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20101221/NEWS/12210320/Hinds+rejects+used+voting+machines
Hinds County supervisors say they want to discard the county’s 8-year-old, $1.5 million voting system and start anew.

The Board of Supervisors denied a request Monday by some election commissioners to purchase 300 used voting machines. Instead, the board wants the commission to shop for a new system, such as an optical scanning system that would allow for better auditing of records.

Voting News archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/Also at Twitter http://twitter.com/VotingNewsSubscribe to Voting News at this link: http://tinyurl.com/votingnews =============================================The Voting News is a free service made possible by the Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018. Be sure to note “for Voting News” in the memo line of your check! Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.Donate online at this link: http://tinyurl.com/donate-vn

Disclaimer: Articles and commentary included in “Voting News” do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors of Voting News,or its allied organizations.

The Voting News Daily: Recount denied by court in NY Senate race, top vote-getter gains in NC’s recount, Russia looks at India’s voting system

New York’s highest court rejects petition for manual recount in the close State Senate District 7 race; top candidate gains votes in North Carolina’s instant-runoff judicial race; Russian officials take a close look at India’s electronic voting system…

All this and more in today’s voting news below.

CA: Cheaper, popular mail-in ballots worry critics
http://californiawatch.org/dailyreport/cheaper-popular-mail-ballots-worry-critics-7479

CO: Retabulation flips election results
http://www.examiner.com/conservative-in-colorado-springs/retabulation-flips-election-results

IN: Monroe commissioners finalizing purchase of paper ballot-scanning system
http://www.heraldtimesonline.com/stories/2010/12/18/news.qp-9884661.sto

IN: McNamara’s four-vote victory in Indiana House race is certified
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2010/dec/18/mcnamaras-four-vote-victory-indiana-house-race-cer/

MN: County election officials: We were stiffed by GOP
http://www.startribune.com/politics/recount/112108169.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUvDEhiaE3miUsZ

NJ: Recall Recount: Nothing Changes in West Wildwood
http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/article/government/west+wildwood/68758-recall+recount+nothing+changes

NY: Top NY Court Nixes Sen. Recount; GOP To Take Power in Albany
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local-beat/Democrats-want-NY-Court-to-Order-Senate-Recount-112196244.html
New York’s new voting machines have paper copies of every vote and the Democrats wanted all recounted in hopes there were errors and Johnson won.

However, the Court of Appeals says initial audits showed few discrepancies or “a substantial possibility” that Johnson won.

NY: Court Rejects Challenge to Republican Win of Nassau Senate Seat
http://www.law.com/jsp/nylj/PubArticleNY.jsp?id=1202476450504&Court_Rejects_Challenge_to_Republican_Win_of_Nassau_Senate_Seat&slreturn=1&hbxlogin=1

NY: Paper ballots offer certainty
http://www.newsday.com/opinion/oped/paper-ballots-offer-certainty-1.2556022
In New York’s first test case on using our new paper ballots, the state judiciary is setting an egregious precedent: nullifying audits and recounts in the interests of a quick decision.

In Nassau County’s 7th Senate District race, state courts have essentially ruled that even if New York’s audit laws require further manual counting of paper ballots, accepting machine results and declaring a winner outweigh the public’s right to know who really won the election.

NC: McCullough still ahead after NC judicial recount
http://www.wral.com/news/state/story/8805469/

TX: Republican challenges Democrat’s state House win
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/7347985.html

WA: Nick Handy retiring as Washington elections director
http://www.theolympian.com/2010/12/20/1480762/nick-handy-retiring-as-washington.html

WV: West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office Releases Byrd Special Election Costs
http://westvirginia.watchdog.org/2318/west-virginia-secretary-of-states-office-releases-byrd-special-election-costs/


National

EAC: Notes from the Road: Ginnen Bresso-Beach [published December 15]
http://www.eac.gov/about_the_eac/notes_from_the_road_gineen_bresso_beach.aspx
I recently visited Georgia to observe early voting activities, then traveled to Florida to observe both early voting and Election Day activities. Voters in Georgia and Florida are very fortunate to have such innovative and dedicated election officials. Voters in these states have access to a lot of information and services online, and both states have made it a priority to improve services for military and overseas voters.

Internet Voting Watch

Canada: Maybe Internet will entice young voters
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/fyi/Maybe-Internet-will-entice-young-voters.html

Canada: The spectre of Internet voting turns up in Manitoba
http://nitroglycol.blogspot.com/2010/12/spectre-of-internet-voting-turns-up-in.html


International

Canada: Public Leery of Electronic Vote Count
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/Public+Leery+Electronic+Vote+Experts/4002109/story.html

India: EVMS – Good Idea. But Is It Time Yet?
http://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/India/20101220/1652601.html

Russia, India: ECI: CEC of Russian Federation to sign Mou on field of elections tomorrow
http://www.indiasnews.net/story/722009
The Russian Commission has evinced keen interest in the various electoral management systems followed by Election Commission of India, especially the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

Voting News archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/Also at Twitter http://twitter.com/VotingNewsSubscribe to Voting News at this link: http://tinyurl.com/votingnews =============================================The Voting News is a free service made possible by the Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018.

The Voting News Daily: NY’s Senate District 7 case moves on, Voting Rights Act challenge rejected, FEC elects new chair

In New York, an Appellate Court sends a suit for a full hand recount of the ballots cast in the State Senate District 7 race to the State Court of Appeals. in Washington, D.C., a Federal court turns back a challenge to a major provision of the Voting Rights Act, and Minnesota closes the books on its gubernatorial recount.

All this and more in today’s Voting News below.

CA: Humboldt County Election Transparency Project officials to be honored by nonprofit
http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_16872734

CO: An Election Gone Wrong
http://www.examiner.com/conservative-in-colorado-springs/an-election-gone-wrong

CT: 1 in 4 Emergency Ballots Not Counted in Bridgeport
http://www.newhavenadvocate.com/featured-news/1-in-4-emergency-ballots-not-counted-in-bridgeport-037822

IN: Republicans drop recount request, ask for special election
http://www.browncountyindiana.com/index.php?id=6477

MN: Dayton gets election certificate
http://www.minnpost.com/marylahammer/2010/12/16/24299/dayton_gets_election_certificate

MN: Sec. of State closes book on recount
http://ecmpostreview.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6902&Itemid=1
[Secretary of State] Ritchie plans to visit with local elections officials to document the cost of the recount to local government — the Legislature may be able to help cover the expense, he indicated.

Speaking of possible changes to state election law, Ritchie suggested bipartisan support exists for a proposal to reduce the state’s current automatic recount trigger for elections from half a percent to a quarter.

NV: State elections official to resign
http://www.lvrj.com/news/state-elections-official-to-resign-112038219.html?ref=219

NJ: Fox, Maxwell want recount in recall election
http://www.shorenewstoday.com/index.php/wildwood-mainmenu/wildwood-leader/7002-
fox-maxwell-want-recount-in-recall-election.html

NY: Appellate Court Moves 7th Senate Case to Court of Appeals
http://mineola.patch.com/articles/appellate-court-moves-7th-senate-case-to-court-of-appeals
The New York State Second Department Appellate Court has unanimously kicked an appeal for a hand recount in the race for New York’s 7th Senate Seat from incumbent Sen. Craig Johnson, D – Port Washington, to the State Court of Appeals.

NY: Count the Paper
http://www.bolipari.com/boblog/2010/12/count-the-paper/

NY: Privacy, Misinformation Top Voting Machine Concerns
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2010/12/privacy-misinformation-top-voting-machine-concerns/
The League of Women Voters of New York State released the results of its 2010 voter survey, which basically codify a lot of anecdotal issues with the new electronic voting machines that we in the media heard during the September primary and November general election.

NY: Voters, Not Machines, Should Elect Candidates
http://www.commoncause.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=5287775&ct=8975779&notoc=1

OR: Recount finished; Bates is Winner
http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101215/NEWS/12150312


National

National: FEC Elects Bauerly Chair, Hunter to Serve as Vice Chair – FEC Press Release
http://www.fec.gov/press/20101216Bauerlyas2011Vchair.shtml

National: Federal Judge Dismisses Challenge to Key Voting Rights Provision
http://legaltimes.typepad.com/blt/2010/12/federal-judge-dismisses-challenge-to-key-voting-rights-act-provision.html

Voting News archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/Also at Twitter http://twitter.com/VotingNewsSubscribe to Voting News at this link: http://tinyurl.com/votingnews

=============================================The Voting News is a free service made possible by the Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018. Be sure to note “for Voting News” in the memo line of your check! Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.Donate online at this link: http://tinyurl.com/donate-vnDisclaimer: Articles and commentary included in “Voting News” do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors of Voting News,or its allied organizations. Articles are selected for inclusion to inform subscribers’ability to draw their own conclusions based on noteworthy and credible news,research, legislation, and debate bearing on the integrity of elections.

The Voting News Daily: More news from India, Indiana to review voter registration complaints, North Carolina’s IRV recount continues

More news from India, Indiana to review voter registration complaints, North Carolina recount of IRV race continues…

Editor’s Note: Verified Voting extends the deepest thanks to Joyce McCloy for her amazing work on the Voting News. We hope to maintain the Voting News at the high standard she has maintained.

AK: Murkowski Camp Expects Vote Certification by Christmas
http://realclearpolitics.blogs.time.com/2010/12/15/murkowski-camp-expects-vote-certification-by-christmas/

AR: Budget Committee Agrees to Pay Portion of Election Costs
http://www.katv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13673832

IN: State to review wrong-precinct voting
http://www.wibc.com/news/Story.aspx?id=1327108

NY: Editorial: How to Turn Off Voters
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/15/opinion/15wed3.html

NC: Counties recounting votes in instant runoff judge race
http://www.newbernsj.com/news/votes-93166-board-instant.html

OH: Brunner Proud of Elections Reforms
http://www.citybeat.com/cincinnati/article-22324-brunner-proud-of-elections-reforms.html

TX: Republican Jeffrey fires back at auditor’s election challenge
http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/default/article/Republican-Jeffrey-fires-back-at-auditor-s-900250.php

International

India: Lecture on EVMs creates chaos in Gandhinagar, rescheduled
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/lecture-on-evms-creates-chaos-in-gandhinagar-rescheduled/725480/


Archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/Also on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/VotingNews and at Twitter http://twitter.com/VotingNewsSubscribe to Voting News at this link:http://tinyurl.com/votingnews To assist with Daily Voting News, please send links to news articles to us at votingnews@earthlink.net

=============================================”The Voting News is a free service made possible in part by support from Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018. Be sure to note “for Voting News” in the memo line of your check! Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.”Donate online at this link: http://tinyurl.com/donate-vnDisclaimer: Articles and commentary included in “Voting News” do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors of Voting News,or its allied organizations. Articles are selected for inclusion to inform subscribers’ability to draw their own conclusions based on noteworthy and credible news,research, legislation, and debate bearing on the integrity of elections.

The Voting News Daily: Officials say e-voting researchers issued visas by mistake, recounts wind down, California turnout exceeds projections

India reportedly issues visas to e-voting researchers by mistake; recounts wind down in Maine, Oregon, and New Jersey; California turnout exceeds projections.

All this and more in today’s Voting News below.

CA: Capitol Alert: 2010 election produced high voter turnout
http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2010/12/2010-election-produced-high-vo.html
The turnout was about five percentage points, or 800,000 voters, higher than the pre-election estimate made by the Field Institute, the state’s leading polling organization. The secretary of state’s office used to make pre-election predictions, but Bowen stopped the practice when she took office.

CA: Registrars defend against David Harmer accusations

CT: UConn Team Ensures Election Integrity
http://news.engr.uconn.edu/uconn-team-ensures-election-integrity.php

IN: Recount Commission Dismisses Dems’ SOS Challenge
http://www.wibc.com/news/Story.aspx?ID=1326799

IN: Dems may appeal sec. of state challenge dismissal
http://www.wwltv.com/news/politics/national/111761879.html

KS: Battle brews over plan to require photo ID to vote
http://www.ksn.com/news/local/story/Battle-brews-over-plan-to-require-photo-ID-to-vote/zHA_yUYw5Ey5uOrW6VBBVQ.cspx

KY: New voting machines are here (McCreary County)
http://mccrearyrecord.com/local/x1168753425/New-voting-machines-are-here
Haynes and his staff now have five months to familiarize McCreary County voters with the new system, which uses paper ballots. “I wouldn’t have wanted to start with a county election, but I hope to ease lines with this system,” Haynes said. “I’m really excited about putting these machines into use.”

MA: Disputed house election raises question: who will be sworn in Jan. 5?
http://www.wickedlocal.com/sherborn/news/x719358088/Disputed-house-election-raises-question-who-will-be-sworn-in-Jan-5

ME: Maine casino vote recount effort dropped by opponents
http://ballotnews.org/2010/12/14/maine-casino-vote-recount-effort-dropped-by-opponents/
Dennis Bailey, executive director of Casinos No!, said, “We decided we had seen enough. We just were not seeing any big changes. But if we hadn’t done the recount, we would have always wondered. After all, it was one of the closest voting margins in state history.”

MN: Secretary of State thanks those who make democracy work
http://www.hometownsource.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15981:secretary-of-state-thanks-those-who-make-our-democracy-work&catid=13:capitol-news&Itemid=29

NJ: Second recount of South Amboy election maintains results
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20101214/NEWS/12140330/Second-recount-of-South-Amboy-election-maintains-results

OH: Sarantou sues over alleged vote error
http://toledoblade.com/article/20101214/NEWS09/12130420/-1/NEWS04

OH: [SOS-elect] Husted taps familiar faces for his senior staff
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/12/13/husted-taps-familiar-faces-for-his-staff.html?sid=101
Secretary of State-elect Jon Husted has assembled an experienced team to serve as his senior staff, including Matthew Damschroder, the former director and current deputy director of the Franklin County Board of Elections.

OR: Tiernan partly satisfied by Multnomah recount
http://blog.oregonlive.com/mapesonpolitics/2010/12/tiernan_partly_satisfied_by_mu.html
But Tiernan said he’s not done. He said the Republican Party will ask the Legislature to change the law to require more uniformity among counties on their ballot-handling procedures. And he said he’d like to give elections observers more power to intervene when they see a potential problem.

International

India: EVM flaw-finders not welcome in India?
http://goguu.com/2010/12/14/evm-flaw-finders-not-welcome-in-india/

India: EVM flaw-finders issued visa by mistake
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/EVM-flaw-finders-issued-visa-by-mistake/articleshow/7096316.cms
“We had never raised this issue with any ministry of the government of India,” deputy election commissioner Alok Shukla said. “Since we were contacted after they were denied entry, the commission felt we should clarify our position, and hence we wrote to the home ministry saying we were not opposed to the entry of anyone to India irrespective of the views they held about India’s electoral system. We are all for free speech,” Shukla said.
India: Hardnews Exclusive: We are examining the possibility of paper trails for the EVMs http://www.hardnewsmedia.com/2010/12/3751

Archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/

The Voting News Daily: Wikileaks, Estonia’s internet election and ‘Lessons Learned’. Editor’s Note

Maryland Report – Scanners Cost Less than DREs..EAC has $2,000,000 in grants for voting system pre-election logic & accuracy testing & post-election audits…Wikileak describes actual attacks on a Estonia’s first internet election in “SUBJECT: ESTONIA’S CYBER ATTACKS: LESSONS LEARNED”…Yesterday we ran a news article saying that US voting machine expert Alec Halderman was deported upon arrival in India. We have learned since that the article was wrong and Prof Halderman was not deported. We do not have a link yet.

All this and more in today’s voting news below…

EDITORS NOTE: This is my last voting news. Sean Flaherty of www.VerifiedVoting.org will be editing the very next edition. I’m happy because because 1) Verified Voting has the resources and brain trust of experts to provide high quality news that you need, with ability to answer technical questions as well; and 2) I will now be free to go back to work on voting issues in my own state. You will be notified in advance if delivery of the Voting News changes.

Thanks again to all of you for your support. Thanks to Sean & Verified Voting for taking over! I am excited to have more free time to write & research issues in my state and nationally. It will be fun to just read the news instead of editing it. Remember, transparency is the oxygen of democracy. Sincerely, Joyce McCloy, editor.

Wikileak: Viewing cable 07TALLINN375, ESTONIA’S CYBER ATTACKS: LESSONS LEARNED http://wikileaks.ch/cable/2007/06/07TALLINN375.html
… ¶5. (C) E-VOTING. In March 2007, Estonia held the world’s first national election where e-voting was used. From the outset of the crisis, the e-voting security team was immediately seconded to CERT and became a vital asset in responding to the attacks.
…
These experts were invaluable in addressing the wide variety of attacks (e.g., bots, spam, DDoS, Trojan Horses, etc.).

AK: Miller appeals ruling on write-in vote count
http://www.adn.com/2010/12/13/1601927/miller-faces-deadline-today-to.html
Miller filed his appeal Monday, three days after a lower court ruled against his lawsuit challenging how the state counted write-in ballots for his rival, Sen. Lisa Murkowski. Arguments are set for Friday.

CA: San Leandro to look at future of ranked-choice voting
http://www.insidebayarea.com/dailyreview/localnews/ci_16831489

CT: Analysis of What Happens When Elections Officials Print Too Few Ballots
http://www.ballot-access.org/2010/12/13/analysis-of-what-happens-when-elections-officials-print-too-few-ballots/

MD: Maryland Report – Scanners Cost Less than DREs
http://blog.verifiedvoting.org/2010/12/13/1299 The report recommends that the State should move to implement optical scan systems for “long-term cost-effectiveness and cost control.” and that “Maryland would spend $9.5 million less on an optical scan system than it would on a DRE system

NC: Not best way to boost confidence in elections
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/12/13/1906884/not-best-way-to-boost-confidence.html Instant Runoff Voting was alot faster than the counting.

TX: Straight-party voting bad for democracy, backers of ban say
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/state/stories/DN-straightticket_13met.ART.State.Edition2.436136c.html

VA: Absentee Ballots’ Suit Comes to an End
http://www.nbc29.com/Global/story.asp?S=13660375
Virginia election officials have agreed to take steps to make sure military members and Americans living overseas get a chance to cast absentee ballots

National

Voter ID a Misguided Effort
http://www.brennancenter.org/blog/archives/voter_id_misguided/

PUBLIC ADVOCATE DE BLASIO RELEASES REPORT ON IMPACT OF CITIZENS UNITED IN 2010 ELECTIONS http://pubadvocate.nyc.gov/news/2010-12-10/public-advocate-de-blasio-releases-report-impact-citizens-united-2010-elections

The Voting News Daily: India deports US voting machine expert. Bridgeport recount finds errors. Editor Note!

10 yrs after Bush V Gore: “HAVA has been misinterpreted and misused from the moment of its passage.”~ Joe Richey, Colorado SOS Elect. Best Pract.Commission..CT Post: Recount shows widespread miscalculations. “If you cast a photocopied ballot in last month’s gubernatorial election in Bridgeport, there’s a 1 in 4 chance your vote was miscounted.”..India: US prof behind EVM study deported on arrival…

All this and more in today’s voting news below…

EDITORS NOTE: Changes ahead! The Voting News will have a new editor(s). Sean Flaherty of www.VerifiedVoting.org will be editing the Voting News in the near future. This is a positive change for several reasons – 1) Verified Voting has the resources and brain trust of experts to provide high quality news that you need, with ability to answer technical questions as well; and 2) I will now be free to go back to work on voting issues in my own state. I just can’t do both with the time I have. What can you expect in the next few days? Your news delivery will not change at this time. If or when delivery changes, you will be notified in advance by Verified Voting so that you won’t miss a day of news.

I thank all of you for your support and assistance in getting the news out, and trust that you will do the same for Sean and anyone else from VV.org. My thanks to Sean & Verified Voting for taking over! Sincerely, Joyce McCloy, editor.

India: US prof behind EVM study deported on arrival
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/us-prof-behind-evm-study-deported-on-arrival/723897/ An American computer scientist, J Alex Halderman, who had co-authored a study titled “India’s EVMs are vulnerable to fraud”, was not allowed to enter the country after landing at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport here on Sunday evening. Airport sources said he would be deported, but offered no reason for the action.

CA: Your Turn: Counting mail-in ballots (Contra Costa County)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/opinion/ci_16827100?nclick_check=1
The three main causes for a vote-by-mail ballot to not be counted are; late, no signature, and no signature match.
We have seen a jump in rejections because signatures don’t match over the past two elections. Further analysis is warranted to determine why there has been a jump in rejections due to signatures not matching.

CT: CT Post: Recount shows widespread miscalculations (how recount conducted & more)
http://ctvoterscount.org/ct-post-recount-shows-widespread-miscalculations/
Given the circumstances I am not surprised that the Coalition found such differences. However, understanding how it happened does not justify complacency, it calls for appropriate action. Connecticut voters deserve a more accurate and resilient system. Democracy requires it.
(includes collection of related articles)

GA: Attempt to save time caused vote result delays (video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpyFZNHKrZI&has_verified=1
…during the general election, Board of Elections officials opted not to stop and post results by precinct, hoping to save time and just post final results. Payne said there was also a problem with the sole machine that can officially tally the votes, delaying the process about 45 minutes.

IN: Clerk wants to keep HAVA funds for 2012 election
http://timessentinel.com/county/x1199049350/Clerk-wants-to-keep-HAVA-funds-for-2012-election

The Voting News Daily: New York 7th SD recount quest about precedent. Alaska judge rules for state

Alaska Judge rules for state, against Miller. What does it mean? ..Johnson to appeal NY 7th Senate District loss: “The procedures governing these new voting machines are uncharted territory..What happens here could very well govern how all future close elections are decided. That is why I intend to take my request for a full hand recount to a higher court..” ~ incumbent Craig Johnson (D)..

All this and more in today’s voting news below…

AK: State judge rules in favor of state, against Miller, in election challenge
http://community.adn.com/?q=adn/node/154746 The judge found there was no evidence of election fraud and that there was nothing wrong with the state considering “voter intent” and counting misspelled write-in ballots for Murkowski. (Miller has until Tuesday to appeal.)

AK: Rick Hasen of ElectionLawBlog: JOE MILLER LOSES: WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
http://electionlawblog.org/archives/018256.html ..what happens next?

FL: Elections chief explores ways to count votes faster
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/state/elections-chief-explores-ways-to-count-votes-faster-1110264.html The county first will try counting votes at one of about 20 locations scattered throughout the county, work that was previously done at a warehouse in Riviera Beach, county Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher said.

By the end of 2011, she hopes to have modems that work with the county’s existing vote scanners, letting her staff send in results directly from the precinct.

IL: Champaign county clerk resigns
http://www.dailyillini.com/node/46116 Champaign County Clerk Mark Shelden is resigning from his position to become U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson’s (R-15) new chief of staff.
…
According to Shelden’s website, he developed new election management software for the County Clerk’s office that “greatly enhanced” the office’s efficiency.

The software, which deals with ballot design and vote counting, has saved the office hundreds of thousands of dollars over the last five years.

MO: Brother and Sister Arrested for Casting Extra Votes in November
http://ozarksfirst.com/fulltext?nxd_id=369587
24-year-old Mark Calhoun and 21-year-old Lindsey Calhoun participated in early voting October 30th, then went to the polls on election day, November 2nd, and voted again.

County Clerk Karen Pritchard says it’s the first time she’s seen that in almost 40 years of running elections.

NC: Scott Mooneyham: Addressing voter fraud
http://www.reflector.com/opinion/mooneyham/scott-mooneyham-addressing-voter-fraud-212217
What legislative Republicans should fear is that a requirement is so poorly crafted that local poll workers can use it to turn away voters with a valid ID.

If that happens, the voter fraud will have been committed in the Legislature Building, and voters will know who to blame.

NC: Instant Runoff Comments (Election official on NC Court of Appeals Contest)
http://mile181.blogspot.com/2010/12/instant-runoff-comments.html
Another way to avoid the expense of runoff primaries, as I previously suggested here is to abolish the runoff. We don’t need it. Most states don’t use it.

NY: Supreme Court Certifies Senate Race, Declares Martins Winner -Johnson Will Appeal
http://www.antonnews.com/illustratednews/news/12125-supreme-court-certifies-senate-race-declares-martins-winner.html Warshawsky did not hide his disdain for the new voting machines.

NY: New York State Board of Elections Expects to Release Official Tally on Monday, December 13 http://www.ballot-access.org/2010/12/10/new-york-state-board-of-elections-expects-to-release-official-tally-on-monday-december-13/

TX: New bill for verification of information on voter registration
http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=552675 Unclear handwriting and typos are just some of the reasons thousands of Texans have their voter registration applications delayed or denied.

The Voting News Daily: Creating elections we can trust – Columbia Co New York, Humboldt & Yolo CA

Kudos to Humboldt County CA Registrar Carolyn Crnich, Yolo County. CA Registrar Freddy Oakley, for adopting innovative methods to increase transparency & public involvement in elections..Big applause to Columbia Co New York Election Commish Virginia Martin for hand counting the votes, leaving no doubt about the results….Credibility of Minnesota’s election process vindicated.. Nassau SD 07 audit to expand..This headline make my hair explode-Tom Green Co TX: “1,545 local ballots found. Votes would not have changed election results”..

All this and more in today’s voting news below…

AK: Judge hears arguments in Miller’s Senate battle; decision won’t come before Friday http://www.alaskadispatch.com/dispatches/politics/7770-judge-hears-arguments-in-millers-senate-battle-decision-wont-come-before-friday

AK: Alaska elections director disputes Miller voting claims
http://newsminer.com/view/full_story/10606088/article-Alaska-elections-director-disputes-Miller-voting-claims-?instance=home_news_window_left_top_1
… disputed Republican Joe Miller’s allegations that perhaps hundreds of felons were wrongfully allowed to vote in last month’s U.S. Senate race.

Gail Fenumiai said the state Division of Elections compares its voter rolls weekly with data from the Department of Corrections and removes those who have lost their right to vote. Asked if she had any concerns that felons were wrongfully allowed to vote, she answered emphatically: “Absolutely not.

CA: Election Integrity Awards in Marin Co., California on 12/16
http://democracyandelectionintegrity.org/ MEET two brave and innovative registrars of voters and their associates who introduced the TEVS open source method to create safer, more transparent elections in their counties and engaged citizens in the process. MEET AND TALK TO THE AWARD WINNERS
From Humboldt County Carolyn Crnich, Mitch Trachtenberg and Kevin Collins
From Yolo County, Tom Stanionis and Freddie Oakley (Freddie is unable to attend)

CA: Board asks elections chief to make changes(Ventura County)
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2010/dec/08/board-asks-elections-chief-to-make-changes/

CO: Canvass Board submits vote abstract, files complaint* (Saguache County)
http://www.centerpostdispatch.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&story_id=1406&page=72 (machines not secured, logic & accuracy not according to rule, ballots altered with sticky tabs, audit not correctly performed, every time ballots scanned machine gave different result, various discrepancies…)

CO: Clerk misrepresents returns (Saguache County)
http://www.centerpostdispatch.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&page=72&story_id=1407 Contrary to Myers press release, the official canvass board statement found discrepancies in machine vote counts for all races and did not “sign off” on the final “audit” but instead submitted only a vote abstract..

MN: Credibility of Minnesota’s election process vindicated. http://ceimn.org/Minnesota_recount_Dayton_Emmer_Governor_Ritchie_elections_voting_SCTimes
The state’s elections system works in a credible and accurate way.

NC: Close call: Recount for statewide instant-runoff, judicial election
http://www.mountainx.com/news/2010/ballots_must_be_counted_again_in_statewide_instant-runoff_election

NC: Polston submits new protest of general election
http://www2.journalnow.com/news/2010/dec/09/polston-submits-new-protest-of-general-election-ar-602441/
He wants all results from East Winston center tossed out
Polston is asking the Forsyth County Board of Elections to toss out all the results from the East Winston Heritage Center precinct because blank ballots were found in the box when elections officials conducted a recount.

NY: Your vote counts. By VIRGINIA MARTIN Dem. election commissioner of Columbia Co. http://www.columbiapaper.com/index.php/opinions/1675-by-virginia-martin–
Why county is hand-counting all its ballots
…We’re using this as an opportunity to boost civic participation in our elections. In a hands-on, see-it-with-their-own-eyes way, we’re having individuals count the votes that were cast by their neighbors. No one in our county will speculate that the results were skewed because the machines didn’t work right.

The Voting News Daily: Michigan recount uncovers ballot probs. Internet voting in age of Cyber War

Michigan recount mess: 1000s of ballots in Huron & Tuscola Cnty weren’t secured properly so cant be recounted…NC Statewide IRV contest faces recount..MY City, How Do You Lose Nearly 200,000 Votes? “This calls into question the whole validity of the process.” — Sam Roberts..India missing 4,000 electronic voting machines..Dr. Barbara Simons on internet voting…All out Cyber War over Wikileaks shows risk of using internet for elections..

All this and more in today’s voting news below…

AK: Miller disputes Senate vote count at Juneau hearing
http://www.ktuu.com/news/ktuu-miller-senate-suit-hearing-120810,0,3656395.story
Miller argues that write-in votes must name “Lisa Murkowski,” exactly as her name appears on her declaration of candidacy, to be counted.

AK: Alaska judge to decide Senate challenge by Friday
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/08/AR2010120800930.html
A decision in Miller’s favor could result in thousands of challenged write-in ballots for incumbent Sen. Lisa Murkowski being tossed and lead to a recount

AR: Losing candidates file lawsuit over missing absentee ballots in Arkansas’ Phillips county http://www.kspr.com/sns-ap-ar–newsnow,0,7936274.story
Phillips County election officials say 65 absentee ballots from the Nov. 2 general election are missing and now several candidates who lost close races are filing a lawsuit.
…
The list showed 608 absentee votes were cast, but only 543 were turned over to commissioners for certification on Nov. 15.

CA: After losing, politician rethinks ranked-choice voting
http://californiawatch.org/dailyreport/after-losing-politician-rethinks-ranked-choice-voting-7291
San Leandro Mayor Tony Santos was a big booster of ranked-choice voting, the controversial new system for conducting local elections in California

FL: December 12th is the 10th Anniversary of Supreme Court Decision to Halt Florida Recount in 2000 Presidential Election http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/december-12th-is-the-10th-anniversary-of-supreme-court-decision-to-halt-florida-recount-in-2000-presidential-election-111481979.html

IL: Judge to Naperville: Return candidates to ballot
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20101207/news/712089915/
A DuPage County judge on Tuesday ordered the city of Naperville to allow two city council candidates back on the April 5 ballot.
They were among four kicked off the ballot due to what they called misleading paperwork issued by the city. In the wake of that ruling, two other candidates, forced off for the same reason, also were reinstated.

IN: Secretary of State-Elect Tries Again to Halt Election Challenge
http://www.wibc.com/news/Story.aspx?id=1322622 Parker claims White is ineligible to take office because he registered to vote at the wrong address. Brooks says that’s a misstatement of the law, which requires only that candidates be registered in the district they intend to serve — in White’s case, the entire state.

MA: Plymouth County election results official despite missing names
http://www.wickedlocal.com/norwell/news/x1921990420/Plymouth-County-election-results-official-despite-missing-names “The mantra is supposed to be ‘count every vote,’ ” Markham said, “but though the commonwealth must have known there was a problem with several towns when they didn’t report the names of their top write-ins, they did nothing.”

MI: Election recount uncovers ballot problems
http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=news/local&id=7831069 Trouble first showed up in Huron County, where about 25 percent of the ballots could not be recounted….
A state election official says at least 10 of the 32 precincts in Tuscola County cannot be recounted because of these and other mistakes made by precinct officials.
(Huron & Tuscola Cnty,ballots not properly secured can’t be recounted)

MI: Cost costs $250,000 and rising for Saugatuck Township in legal battle with developer Aubrey McClendon http://www.hollandsentinel.com/topstories/x1757248538/Cost-costs-250-000-and-rising-for-Saugatuck-Township-in-legal-battle-with-developer-Aubrey-McClendon

The Voting News Daily: NY SD 7 recount battle rages on. NC instant runoff wipes candidate’s 100K lead

Saturday a judge ruled against manual count of NY’s Sen Dist 7 contest. Prof. Philip Stark (Dept of Statistics, UC Berkeley)expert witness for Nassau Cnty DEMS was not allowed to testify but some remarks were read into the record: “The potential for error in this contest is large: In total, the 242 unaudited machines could hold enough error to account for the apparent margin 186 times over. Sixty-six of the 242 unaudited machines could individually hold enough error to account for the apparent margin.” hat tip to Lonna Atkeson at Election Updates blog. Johnson filed appeal ..

All this and more in today’s voting news below…

AK: Judge allows Murkowski to participate in election challenge
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/120310/loc_745154655.shtml

AR: Man Linked To Explosive Device Found At Polling Place Arrested
http://www.4029tv.com/r/26020238/detail.html …members of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force arrested Mark Krause, a 40-year-old Arkansas man, in connection with an explosive device found at a polling place in Osage, Ark., in Carroll County in June 2010.

CT: Registrars’ busy Monday: mayoral panel, recount nearing finish
http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Registrars-busy-Monday-mayoral-panel-recount-864481.php The Connecticut Post and the Connecticut Citizen Election Audit Coalition, which were granted access to the election materials by the city, will finish compiling the recount data over the next day or two. Meanwhile, the registrars are inspecting the figures — which were broken up by voting district and ballot type — and raising any concerns they have before the numbers are made public.

CT: Just who are the people counting the ballots? (in Bridgeport)
http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Just-who-are-the-people-counting-the-ballots-860614.php Most of them are members of the Connecticut Citizen Election Audit Coalition, which joins the League of Women Voters in Connecticut, Common Cause, CTVoters.org and Connecticut Citizen Action Group.

CT: End in sight as Bridgeport recount breaks for the weekend
http://www.ctpost.com/default/article/End-in-sight-as-Bridgeport-recount-breaks-for-the-859431.php While finalizing the recount numbers from one district, Weeks compared his team’s numbers for photocopied ballots with the city’s figures. He showed the comparison to Santa Ayala, Bridgeport’s Democratic registrar of voters. The numbers weren’t in alignment, so the two agreed to check for a recounting fault.

Guam: 1st Court Hearing Set for Election Fraud Lawsuit
http://guamnewswatch.com/201012063772/Local-News/1st-Court-Hearing-Set-for-Election-Fraud-Lawsuit.html

KS: Coalition says proposed voter ID law is costly, unneeded
http://www.kansas.com/2010/12/06/1620624/coalition-says-proposed-law-is.html

MN: Emmer Zooms in on Voter Database in Minn. Gov Race
http://kstp.com/news/stories/S1869158.shtml?cat=1 But routine post-election updates to the system won’t be completed anytime soon. And officials caution that the system can’t be used the way Emmer wants – to pair the number of votes and eligible voters.

NC: McCullough overtakes Thigpen in NC court race
http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/12/06/1854375/mccullough-overtakes-thigpen-in.html
Nearly complete results from the instant runoff race for the North Carolina Court of Appeals show the second-place candidate overtaking the leading candidate from the first round of voting. (goes from 100,000 votes ahead to 6,700 votes behind)

NC: N. Carolina GOP to push for voter photo IDs
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/12/06/1959602/nc-gop-to-push-for-voter-photo.html Republicans who take control of the General Assembly in January want to make North Carolina the 10th state requiring voters to show a driver’s license or other photo ID. House leaders hope to pass a bill in their first 100 days

NJ: Jurors in voter fraud trial involving Atlantic City Councilman Marty Small caught in legal marathon http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/press/atlantic_city/article_9eebd822-00d4-11e0-95de-001cc4c03286.html

The Voting News Daily: Travis Texas recount ‘shines light on election problems’. Minn recount slammed

Seriously? Politico piece slams Minnesota recounts, says they should be harder to get…Meanwhile judge rules against Dems quest for Nassau recount in Johnson-Martins NY 7th Senate race. Johnson to appeal..Value of recounts learned in Texas House Dist 48: “That recount has become like turning over a big rock to see all the unpleasant things that live in the darkness beneath it, and what it has revealed about voting in Travis County is not pretty.”..6 India EVMs recovered from scrap dealers..We bank online, why not vote online? Consider “Millions cashless in bank glitch”…

All this and more in today’s voting news below…

AK: Joe Miller gambles with Alaska Senate challenge
http://dailycaller.com/2010/12/04/joe-miller-gambles-with-alaska-senate-challenge/

CA: Three Compton residents sue city, allege voting rights violations
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/12/three-compton-residents-sue-city-allege-voting-rights-violations.html The complaint filed Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleges that the at-large elections for City Council seats have the effect of diluting the Latino vote.

GUAM: Gutierrez Election Lawsuit Gets 1st Hearing in Superior Court December 15th
http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9821:gutierrez-election-lawsuit-gets-1st-hearing-december-15th&catid=45:guam-news&Itemid=156
The lawsuit filed by former Governor Carl Gutierrez which seeks to over-turn the Guam Election Commission’s certification of Calvo-Tenorio as the winners of the 2010 Gubernatorial election will gets its first hearing in Superior Court next week Wednesday.

MA: Plymouth County Commission write-in winners written off?
Results don’t include top vote getters from Carver, Abington
http://www.wickedlocal.com/rochester/town_info/government/x556844365/Write-in-winners-written-off Governor’s Council to reconsider election results..

MN: Emmer drops nearly all Hennepin challenges
http://www.startribune.com/politics/recount/111328179.html?page=1&c=y
For Republican Tom Emmer, behind by nearly 9,000 votes, the path to the governor’s office has only gotten steeper since Election Day.

MN: (Editorial)States can avoid Minnesota’s recount mess
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1210/45913.html
Criticizes MN recount trigger, recounts are expensive, etc.

MN: Minnesota recount ends, but Emmer seeks answers
http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/185626/ When Hennepin County election officials ended their work Friday night, the five-day recount of all 2.1 million ballots cast on Nov. 2 wrapped up with Democrat Mark Dayton leading by about the same as when it started: roughly 9,000 votes. But work continues today as Emmer and Dayton’s campaigns begin examining ballots Emmer representatives challenged.

MN: State allows disputed ballots to be examined again
http://www.startribune.com/politics/recount/111303764.html A Supreme Court justice also scolded his former colleague who is now one of Tom Emmer’s attorneys in the recount.

MN: Ballot example 9 (one of the challenged ballots)
http://www.startribune.com/politics/recount/111147224.html A ballot challenged by volunteers for GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer that Hennepin County elections officials have deemed to be frivolous. (The ballot is clearly & correctly marked)

MN: Minn. prosecutor finds no evidence of voter fraud
http://plainsdaily.com/story/8367
A prosecutor in north-central Minnesota says he won’t file charges in a complaint that two disabled voters had their ballots filled out by a group home worker.

NY: Republicans Lay Claim to New York State Senate
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/05/nyregion/05elect.html?_r=1
Republicans claimed they had retaken the New York State Senate on Saturday after a State Supreme Court justice rejected a hand recount of a pivotal race in Nassau County. But Democrats said they planned to appeal the decision this week,

NY: 17% Of NYC Votes Not Counted In Midterm Election
http://gothamist.com/2010/12/03/17_of_nyc_votes_not_counted_in_midt.php
And if you voted in Queens, there was a 1 in 3 chance the the ballot wasn’t counted, with a whopping 80,000 uncounted ballots found in the borough alone.

The Voting News Daily: Election hangover,Bush V Gore legacy. N.Carolina still counting IRV contest

Champaign Ill Cnty Clerk compares return rate of emailed vs snail-mailed blank overseas military ballots….MN GOP candidate Emmer to withdraw some ballot challenges..MN counties await payment for election docs political parties demanded..Steven Schlesinger,atty for Johnson(D) count..said New York’s new optical scanning machines “suck,” and estimated 40 percent failed a required audit..Report: Barriers to Voting Access at 3 out of 4 NY Polling Sites..Election Hangover – The real legacy of Bush v. Gore…

All this and more in today’s voting news below…

AL: Jefferson CO, AL: Nell Hunter has retired after servicing 47 years as voter registrar http://www.votelaw.com/blog/archives/006485.html

AL: Illegally placed campaign signs may get the “death penalty” in Huntsville
http://blog.al.com/breaking/2010/12/illegally_placed_campaign_sign.html

CA: RIVERSIDE COUNTY: Glitch cited for Measure M recount (reporting error)
http://www.pe.com/localnews/stories/PE_News_Local_D_pension03.4207f6a.html
On election night, a computer problem led to early results not properly showing the number of precincts reporting. Officials have insisted the vote totals were accurate. The problem, along with late-arriving voters, led to delays in posting of results

CO: Fort Collins to consider instant-runoff voting
http://www.ncbr.com/article.asp?id=54882

CT: Democratic Registrar of Voters Talks Ballots, Cross-Endorsement
http://newtown.patch.com/articles/democratic-registrar-of-voters-talks-ballots-cross-endorsement LeReine Frampton wants to clarify how cross-endorsement works.

IL: FPCA Ballot Return Rates (ballots requested by overseas military voters)
http://blog.champaigncountyclerk.com/2010/12/03/fpca-ballot-return-rates/
For this election, we had 213 voters who requested a ballot through email and 583 who requested it through regular mail. We had a 27% return rate for the email ballots and a 40% return rate for mail ballots. For military voters, who seemed to be the primary focus of the law, we had 16 out of 41 email ballots returned (28%) against 93 out of 155 mail ballots returned (38%).

MA: Easton asked to close schools for statewide elections
http://www.enterprisenews.com/topstories/x652139263/Easton-School-Committee-asked-to-close-school-for-statewide-elections

MN: A Note on Reconcilation in Minnesota
http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/electionlaw/comments/index.php?ID=7977
It looks as is if, going forward, “reconciliation” will be the main issue in the still-unresolved gubernatorial election in Minnesota.

MN: Dayton withdraws ‘frivolous’ challenges
http://www.startribune.com/politics/recount/111236354.html

MN: Emmer to withdraw some ballot challenges
http://www.startribune.com/politics/blogs/111267109.html But in saying so, he also laid heavy stress on one of the arguments that would likely be used in a court challenge if DFLer Mark Dayton is declared the winner after the recount, a standard known as “reconciliation.”

MN: Counties Await Payment For Requested Election Documents
http://www.keyc.com/node/44637 Two weeks ago the County sent letters to both parties requiring a 1,000 dollar down payment.They say the DFL Party has paid…but the Republican Party has not…Kennedy says, “To date we haven’t received anything yet.”And other counties say they’re facing the same problem.
…
Both Nicollet County and Waseca County were threatened with litigation by the Republican Party if documents were not completed in a timely manner.Kennedy says, “Then we were notified that with threatened litigation that if we didn’t have that available that they would pursue another means of obtaining that information and or suing the city basically.”And now much of the work ready, neither party has arranged to pick up the completed documents in Nicollet County.

MN: Emmer, Minn. GOP weigh risks of election lawsuit
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/nation/emmer-minn-gop-weigh-risks-of-election-lawsuit-1097287.html As a recount in the Minnesota governor’s race nears completion with no evidence that it will change the outcome, the Republican candidate and his party face a critical decision: whether to contest the result in court or step aside and let Democrat Mark Dayton take office.

The Voting News Daily: New York City BoE finds 200,000 more votes. Bridgeport CT recount chugs on

Kudos to Connecticut Citizen Election Audit Coalition & CT Post for cosponsoring Bridgeport recount..Losing KY mayor sues,says voting machines set with wrong time…NYC finds 200K machine votes..EAC’s Dec 2 mtg is on webcast..Internet voting a good idea? See UK article: “China is waging cyber warfare on Britain..they’re carrying out most cyber attacks remotely, mining information that is stored on servers in the UK, from all over the world – making anything from the national grid to the banking system vulnerable..”.. Putin criticizes US elections…

All this and more in today’s voting news below…

AK: Judge sets expedited schedule for Senate vote-count lawsuit
http://www.adn.com/2010/12/01/1582468/alaska-judge-to-take-up-senate.html
Judge William Carey, in setting arguments for next Wednesday, also urged attorneys to file any legal actions they felt necessary — such as discovery requests — as quickly as they could

AK: Alaska Court Lets Lisa Murkowski Intervene in Joe Miller’s Lawsuit Over Vote Count http://www.ballot-access.org/2010/12/02/alaska-court-lets-lisa-murkowski-intervene-in-joe-millers-lawsuit-over-vote-count/

CA: Humbold County Transparency Project:Some Preliminary Results for November 2010 http://democracycounts.blogspot.com/2010/12/some-preliminary-results-for-november.html I’ve run the set of Transparency Project scans through the counting software and have preliminary results.

CO: SOS nixes hand count of contested races (Seguache)
http://www.centerpostdispatch.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&story_id=1397&page=72 On Monday, canvass board members were forbidden by the Secretary of State’s Office (SOS) to hand-count the contested commissioner and clerk races.
…
Several canvass board members were reluctant to use these totals as a baseline because, on Monday, the machine produced different totals when counting ballots and malfunctioned in other ways.

CT: Day Three: Recount chugs on in Bridgeport (Kudos to CTPOST and CCEAC)
http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Day-Three-Recount-chugs-on-in-Bridgeport-852008.php “We had two teams of counters today and we’ve got three teams of counters coming tomorrow,” said Luther Weeks, chairman of the Connecticut Citizen Election Audit Coalition, which is co-sponsoring the recount with the Connecticut Post.

KY: Losing mayor files lawsuit over election results*(Hart Intercivic EScan &Eslate)
http://www.local12.com/news/state/story/Losing-mayor-files-lawsuit-over-election-results/vktntvJLwESKz2snj9EMEw.cspx (Pike County)
ELKHORN CITY, Ky. (AP) — An eastern Kentucky mayor who lost his bid for re-election has filed a lawsuit asking that the results be thrown out and a new election held.

Attorney Steve Owens, who represents Elkhorn City Mayor Billy Powell, told WYMT-TV that voters were allowed to use city ballots without verifying their addresses. The suit also alleges that voting machines were on central time instead of eastern, meaning votes cast during the first hour may not have been counted.

KY: Part of Ky. vote-buying conviction dismissed
http://www.kentucky.com/2010/12/01/1548804/part-of-ky-vote-buying-conviction.html
The Lexington Herald-Leader reports that U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves found Wednesday there was insufficient evidence that former Clay County election commissioner Charles Wayne Jones’ attempts to get money from a candidate were based on an agreement for him to use his official position to help the candidate.

MN: Hennepin elections chief Rachel Smith shoots back; Canvassing Board to meet Friday http://www.minnpost.com/politicalagenda/2010/12/01/23836/hennepin_
elections_chief_rachel_smith_shoots_back_canvassing_board_to_meet_friday
http://tinyurl.com/2a42gc5 In an interview with MinnPost, Smith said: “I don’t work for either party, I work for the citizens of Hennepin County. I am trying to do the best job I can to get through a half-million ballots in the allotted time, and do it as fairly and expeditiously as I can.”

The Voting News Daily: New York 7th SD – give up or count the votes? Internet vote co hiring on Craigslist

Palm Beach County Commissioners dodge touchscreen question..NY Sen DEM spokesman says Craig Jackson won’t concede 7th SD yet:”anything less than the counting of every vote is a slap in the face to every voter.”…Lucas Co. recount continues after flub.. Audit shows Vt. ballot machines accurate..EAC Commish Gracia Hillman has resigned..Internet Vote company “EveryoneCounts” hiring off of Craigslist…Hackers took down 36 Pakistan govt websites…

All this and more in today’s voting news below….

AK: State seeks expedited ruling in Miller lawsuit over write-ins
VOTE SUIT: Alaska risks being deprived of a senator, they say.
http://www.adn.com/2010/11/30/1580321/state-seeks-quick-ruling-in-senate.html

AK: Miller camp combing through Alaska precinct logs
http://newsminer.com/view/full_story/10485657/article-Miller-camp-combing-through-Alaska-precinct-logs-?instance=home_news_window_left_bullets

AZ: No-excuse absentee ballots, voter ID, and slow counts in Arizona
http://www.earlyvoting.net/blog/2010/11/no-excuse-absentee-ballots-voter-id-and-slow-counts-arizona

CA: Stolen Ballots Won’t Be Counted (San Francisco)
http://www.baycitizen.org/elections/story/stolen-ballots-wont-be-counted/ Batch of ballots found floating in pond was too small to influence election outcomes, official

CA: Readers sound off on Jean Quan, ranked-choice voting, the Oakland A’s, and more.
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/ebx/letters-for-november-31/Content?oid=2241521
(For and against)

CO: Saguache vote ruling awaited
Group recounted ambulance district proposal Monday.
http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/article_a9db5f90-fd15-11df-8305-001cc4c03286.html
board member Lisa Cyriacks said the recount found different tallies among precinct and mail-in ballots.
…
But both Cyriacks and board member Jessica DuBoe said the outcomes did not reverse the leads held by incumbent Commissioner Linda Joseph and incumbent Clerk and Recorder Melinda Myers.
Those races drew scrutiny when election officials flipped election-night totals following a retabulation of the votes Nov. 5.
The move was meant to correct a software error that excluded results from 197 ballots from the election night count.

DC: D.C. board of elections wants to expand early voting
http://washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/capital-land/2010/11/dc-board-elections-wants-expand-early-voting-1

FL: Palm Beach County may ask state for more time to handle election recounts
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/fl-palm-touch-screen-machines-20101130,0,3610319.story Chairwoman Karen Marcus asked the commission to direct staff to lobby for making touch-screen voting machines legal again. But the commission dodged the controversial issue for now and asked for more information from Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher.

IL: Retab finds a Glitch
http://blog.champaigncountyclerk.com/2010/12/01/retab-finds-a-glitch/
However, for the first time, we had two ballots, in Mahomet 5, which alternately counted as overvotes for three offices, as unreadable, or correctly. After identifying the ballots we continued to run them in a variety of orientations and failed to ever get a consistent outcome.
…
But it does speak to the value of redundant counts of ballots and mandatory recounts in the event of close races.

MN: Recounts are a pain, but let’s be grateful we have them here
http://www.startribune.com/politics/recount/111153564.html?elr=KArks:DCiUec7PaP3E77K_0c::D3aDhUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUec7PaP3i_vPQL7PQLaU

MN: ‘Frivolous’ challenges? Judge for yourself
http://www.startribune.com/politics/recount/111150859.html

MN: Slowly: Count, then challenge
http://www.startribune.com/politics/recount/111091254.html GOP chair said the party’s frequent challenges to ballots are simply an attempt to defend its interests.

NJ: Seven are arrested, face voter fraud charges stemming from Paterson election
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/12/seven_are_arrested_face_voter.html

NY: GOP to Johnson: Do the right thing and give up! (NY 7th SD)
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2010/12/gop-to-johnson-do-the-right-th.html Senate Democratic spokesman Austin Shafran just issued a response to the GOP. “The margin in Nassau is less than half of one percent and there are still machine problems and vote count irregularities which call into question the accuracy of the count.

The Voting News Daily: Minnesota recount a long feisty process. Just How Bad Was Bush v. Gore?

Saguache County CO election problems the result of computer errors…Recount of Bridgeport CT ballots under way..Indiana’s newly elected SoS is accused of “Voter Fraud” because his voter registration has incorrect address…Minnesota ‘Happy Recount Day’: First day is the start of a long and sometimes feisty process..NYC Election board stuck in time warp – voters get outdated voting guides…NY Court moves closer to expanding audit, hand recount possible in 7th Senate Race…..The EAC will discuss commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products in mtg Dec 2…

All this and more in today’s voting news below…

Just How Bad Was Bush v. Gore?
http://www.nationaljournal.com/dailyfray/just-how-bad-was-bush-v-gore–20101129?page=1

AK: Judge moves Miller lawsuit to Juneau
http://www.adn.com/2010/11/29/1578269/miller-makes-false-claims-murkowski.html
Judge Douglas Blankenship said the case brought by Republican nominee Joe Miller raises statewide issues and that he believes it’s inconvenient for the state to be involved in a case in Fairbanks, about 620 miles from Juneau.
[Judge didn’t want the ballots to be moved in case they must be reviewed]

AK: Alaska certifying nearly all its election results
http://www.adn.com/2010/11/29/1578666/alaska-certifying-nearly-all-its.html

AK: Murkowski Gets a Write-in Vote in Concrete Sidewalk
http://www.ballot-access.org/2010/11/30/murkowski-gets-a-write-in-vote-in-concrete-sidewalk/

AZ: U.S. Supreme Court to take on Arizona Clean Elections
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2010/11/30
/20101130cleanelex1130.html http://tinyurl.com/34eq62s

AZ: Election canvass sets up first known recount of ballot measure
http://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/113010_election_recount

CA: CALIFORNIA ELECTION UPDATES: ATTORNEY GENERAL RACE DECIDED, OTHER NEWS http://electionupdates.caltech.edu/?p=3659 Also later today, the first eight members of the new California redistricting commission will hold their first meeting.

CO: Saguache County election problems the result of computer errors
http://crestoneeagle.com/?p=2175 Sec. of State gives the all-ok; Saguache County election problems the result of computer errors
…
The mandatory recount, due to the closeness of the race, for the Northern Saguache County Ambulance District has been scheduled for November 29

CT: Recount of Bridgeport ballots under way
http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Recount-of-Bridgeport-ballots-under-way-840037.php “People think you just throw everyone in a room and say, `Count,’ ” said Cheryl Dunson, of the League of Women Voters in Connecticut. “But a credible outcome is dependent on a credible process.”

Guam: Guam Tabulators Imbalanced? “We Have A Real Problem!”
http://guamnewswatch.com/201011303725/2010-Election/Guam-Tabulators-Imbalanced-We-Have-A-Real-Problem-Commissioners-Sign-Certificates-Anyway.html

Guam: GEC to discuss election complaints
http://www.guampdn.com/article/20101130/NEWS01/11300301

IN: Panel to meet Sunday on secretary of state race
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2010/nov/29/panel-meet-sunday-secretary-state-race/
State Democrats say Republican Charlie White shouldn’t become Indiana’s chief election officer even though he won the November race. They say he committed vote fraud by using his ex-wife’s home instead his condo as his address in the May primary.

KY: Bullitt jailer race recount halted; Knox declared winner
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20101130/ZONE10/311300058/Bullitt
+jailer+race+recount+halted+;+Knox+declared+winner http://tinyurl.com/39mgvke
“It was costing me too much money,” Watkins said. “We just fell a little short, and to me, the recanvass and recount and all this stuff, you just need to have the money hand over fist to fight the system.”

MA: Taunton officials eye discrepancy between Election Day and precinct recount vote tallies* http://www.tauntongazette.com/campaign2010/x1966826229/Taunton-officials-eye-discrepancy-between-Election-Day-and-precinct-recount-vote-tallies With the district-wide recount for the 3rd Bristol House District quickly approaching, city officials are still investigating why there was an 18-vote discrepancy between results from Election Day and the Nov. 20 precinct-level recount.
…
O’Connell said she was concerned that there were 18 fewer votes from precinct 1B in the recount.

The Voting News Daily: NYC war against the machines. Bridgeport CT recount ‘will take as long as necessary’

Is challenge to Alaska write-ins a ‘literacy test’?..Bridgeport recount: Luther Weeks, executive director of the Connecticut Citizen Election Audit Coalition, said the recount beginning Monday will take as long as necessary, but will probably end this week…..W&M School of Law writes on “Optical Scanners, Punch Cards, and Levers: New York City’s Continuing War Against the Machines”…Trust the internet with your vote? Massive Chinese Net Reroute Exposes Web’s Achilles’ Heel…

All this and more in today’s voting news below…

AK: Miller’s write-in challenges face high hurdle
Is Republican’s spelling demand an illegal ‘literacy test?’
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/112910/sta_743006893.shtml

AK: Miller opposes Murkowski motion to intervene in suit
http://www.ktuu.com/news/ktuu-miller-murkowski-lawsuit-intervention-112610,0,1385788.story

CA: Election crews work weekend to finish official tally (of a recount)
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_16728823 From 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, about 23 people worked in teams of four, double checking the latest figures, which were last updated on the County Clerk’s website on Nov. 24.

CA: Recounts requested in two O.C. elections (close contests)
http://www.ocregister.com/news/votes-277844-race-recounts.html

CA: Humboldt County Transparency Project – Progress Update 3
http://democracycounts.blogspot.com/2010/11/progress-update-3.html
Humboldt County released the remaining ballots for us to scan late last week. As of
Sunday night, we have fewer than 1500 ballots remaining to be scanned (each ballot is two sheets). That means we’re 97% done with the scanning

CT: Bridgeport Ballot Recount Beginning In Governor’s Race
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2010/11/29/bridgeport-ballot-recount-beginning-in-governors-race/
He (Luther Weeks) says about 30 to 40 volunteers are helping and he hopes to have a few more.

CT: Voter registration owes a debt to the typewriter, house numbers
http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Voter-registration-owes-a-debt-to-the-typewriter-839783.php “The real potential for fraud is not at polls, but rather with mail-in ballots,” he said. “A person could very easily buy an unmarked mail-in ballot from someone for, say, five bucks, mark it up the way he wants, and mail it in.”

CT: Recount could be a new vote on optical scanning
http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Recount-could-be-a-new-vote-on-optical-scanning-836169.php This week’s independent recount of Bridgeport’s Nov. 2 voting results will show how well — or how poorly — residents of the state’s largest city understood the four-year-old paper ballot and optical-scanner technology.

CT: Registrars of Voters to shed unused ballots
http://www.thehour.com/story/495127 it’s better than running out of ballots on Election Day as happened in Bridgeport..

FL: New voting system is no cure for late returns
Editorial. ISSUE: Some local pols renew talk of touch screen voting.
http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2010-11-27/news/fl-voting-system-editorial-nb-20101127_1_touch-screens-new-voting-system-sequoia-voting-systems Broaching the idea of spending money the county doesn’t have on a system switch, just to buy a few hours on election returns, shows neither responsible leadership nor sound fiscal judgment. For one thing, returning to touch screens would be foolish. The higher-tech machines were easy and more efficient, but they were thrown out because voters didn’t like them or trust them.

KS: Kansas election results certified; few irregularities
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2010/nov/29/election-results-certified-few-irregularities/ Biggs, a Democrat, was defeated by Republican Kris Kobach, who had said during the campaign that voter fraud was a major problem in Kansas.

MN: Another statewide recount puts Minnesota politicos back in familiar territory
http://ballotnews.org/2010/11/29/another-statewide-recount-puts-minnesota-politicos-back-in-familiar-territory/ If the expected mid-December certification leads to a lawsuit, outgoing Governor Tim Pawlenty, a Republican, will not leave office on January 3, 2011

MN: Emmer observers make more ballot challenges
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/11/29/recount-day-one-ballot-challenges-mark-dayton-tom-emmer/

The Voting News Daily: A ‘toxic’ idea for Florida elections. CT Post, advocates to recount Bridgeport election

Palm Beach CO Commish Karen Marcus wants to lobby for return to touchscreen voting. FL Voters Coalition Pres Dan McCrea:”We all understand the pretty picture that is painted of a clean electronic push-button election that’s over and gives everybody an early night and reliable results..It remains fantasy with today’s technology.”..Illegal 6-foot barrier blocks CO poll watchers..Bridgeport recount starts Monday..Wikileaks: China’s politburo directed hacks on Google. Still think internet voting a good idea?..

All this and more in today’s voting news below…

AK: Despite Alaska Senate race results, Joe Miller presses on in principle
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/27/AR2010112702896.html
Miller, a tea party favorite who beat Murkoswki in the GOP primary, has alleged bias on the part of state officials as well as voter fraud, arguing that some of the ballots have suspiciously similar handwriting.
…
And he has asked for a hand recount of all the ballots saying the machine-counted votes that went largely for him should receive the same scrutiny – and potentially benefit of the doubt – as the write-in ones cast for Murkowski

AK: Joe Miller Lawsuit Over Lisa Murkowski Write-ins Gets Tangled Up in Side Issues
http://www.ballot-access.org/2010/11/26/joe-miller-lawsuit-over-lisa-murkowski-write-ins-gets-tangled-up-in-side-issues/

AZ: ‘Early’ voting causes count delays
http://azstarnet.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/article_ed24dc19-b440-5953-880b-95b1a970a9ea.html
Ballots Dropped Off at Polls Need to be Verified, Then Recorded

CA: San Leandro mayor won’t challenge election, but won’t concede, either
http://www.insidebayarea.com/dailyreview/localnews/ci_16718681

CA: On the perils of ‘Instant runoff’ voting
A blindfold and a dartboard
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/11/27/INQT1GEP3A.DTL

Co: Illegal 6-foot barrier blocks Colorado poll watchers
http://coloradovotergroup.blogspot.com/2010/11/illegal-6-foot-barrier-blocks-colorado.html

CO: What if “none of the above” were to win an election?
http://www.denverpost.com/recommended/ci_16718136

CT: How the recount will take place
http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/How-the-recount-will-take-place-836087.php
Who are the counters? How can I help?
The point man for the recount is Luther Weeks, the executive director of the Connecticut Citizen Election Audit Coalition, which formed in 2007 after the state switched to optical-scanning voter machines.

FL: Is Palm Beach County’s voting system too much paper?
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/state/is-palm-beach-countys-voting-system-too-much-1075923.html (Palm Beach County Commissioner Karen Marcus)says touch screens should be made legal again, which she says is a better system with fewer problems. She wants the county to lobby for the law to be changed and says she will bring it up with the rest of the commission Tuesday.

MN: Will ballot-challenge warfare be waged again? Even with new rules, it’s complicated – Recent decision may cause trouble
http://www.twincities.com/ci_16722404?nclick_check=1

MT: Legislator wants to cut 2 paid holidays (Election day and Columbus day)
http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_6490dada-01c9-5eea-8bad-b93a1dcdc9bf.html Sands said she intends to tie her proposal to another legislator’s separate bill to change Montana’s current election system to a statewide vote-by-mail system.

NC: Instant runoff not so quick
http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/news/instant-runoff-not-so-quick-182937
The county’s elections board and staff will meet at 10 a.m. Monday inside the auditorium of the Nash County Agriculture Center to count tallies for Court of Appeals Judge candidates Cressie Thigpen and Doug McCullough. They are the two leading vote-getters in this year’s judicial race, which had 11 other candidates.
…
Thigpen garnered 20.3 percent of votes cast, or 395,220 votes, while McCullough captured 15.2 percent, or 295,619 votes

TN: EDITORIAL: Election hiring to be closely watched
http://www.dnj.com/article/20101128/OPINION01/11280314

The Voting News Daily: New York, Colorado vote tabulator troubles. Internet Vote hacked – for Palin?

Alaska GOP repudiates all of Joe Miller vote count allegations…Open Records request for Georgia election data denied…Minnesota starts recount of gubernatorial election Monday..Was internet vote for ‘Dancing with the Stars’ rigged?. In real internet elections Canadian citizens in Township of Huron-Kinloss council worried more about system crashes or not getting to vote rather than tampering…John Sebes of TrustTheVote writes about Colorado & New York tabulator troubles…

All this and more in today’s voting news below…

AK: Murkowski argues election delay could cost seniority
http://newsminer.com/pages/full_story/push?blog-entry-Murkowski+argues+election+delay+could+cost+seniority%20
&id=10439318&instance=blogs_editors_desk http://tinyurl.com/2793jwr
Murkowski responded …by filing as an intervener, saying she could suffer a “gap in service” if she isn’t sworn in with her colleagues on Jan. 3, 2011.

AK: Alaska lieutenant governor calls Miller’s lawsuit over write-in ballots ‘baseless’ http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/130655-alaska-lt-gov-calls-millers-lawsuit-baseless “…the state courts have erred on the side of enfranchising voters when their intent is clear,” Campbell said.

AK: ALASKA REPUBLICAN PARTY OFFERS POINT BY POINT REPUDIATION AGAINST JOE MILLER’S CHARGES OF PROBLEMS IN ALASKA VOTE COUNT http://electionlawblog.org/archives/018088.html

AL: R.I.P. — ANNIE LEE COOPER
http://www.votelaw.com/blog/archives/006481.html
The Selma Times-Journal reports: Annie Lee Cooper, a civil rights hero, died Wednesday afternoon at Vaughan Regional Medical Center. She was 100 years old.

Cooper became known worldwide in 1965 for a confrontation with Sheriff James G. Clark.

AL: Voting Rights Act still vital, representatives of Shelby County blacks tell judge
http://blog.al.com/sweethome/2010/11/voting_rights_act_still_vital.html The law, in part, requires certain areas of the country with a history of voter discrimination to have their voting-related activities pre-screened by the Justice Department to ensure minority voters are not disenfranchised.

CA: Cooley concedes California attorney general race to Harris
http://www.scpr.org/news/2010/11/24/cooley-concedes-california-attorney-general-race-h/ Facing a more than 50,000 vote deficit, with a little over 100,000 votes to count, Cooley conceded in a morning telephone call
…
In a statement, the Harris campaign said the Democrat would wait until the vote count concludes next week before she declares victory.

CA: Ballots mislaid in Indian Wells (absentee ballots, Riverside County)
http://www.mydesert.com/article/20101122/NEWS0301/11220305/
1006/NEWS01/Ballots+mislaid+in+Indian+Wells http://tinyurl.com/2fx2se6 The Desert Sun learned last week that 137 vote-by-mail ballots from an Indian Wells precinct were mistakenly stored away with unused ballots so their results weren’t reported until 10 days after the election.

CA: Final Sonoma County votes in; school bonds win
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20101124/ARTICLES/101129760/1349?Title=Final-Sonoma-County-votes-in

CA: Federal voting rights cited in Watsonville Council appointment lawsuit: Lawyers says plaintiffs seek to deprive District 2 people of representation
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_16683722

CO: Canvass board members withdraw certification
http://www.centerpostdispatch.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&page=72&story_id=1393 SAGUACHE — After meeting all day Friday Nov. 19 to audit the contentious Nov. 2 election and signing election certification documents then forwarded to the Secretary of State (SOS), four canvass board members withdrew their signatures on Monday.
…
“In every instance,” the letter continues, “we were either informed that those reports were not available, that the data from Nov. 2 was no longer available as it had been corrupted, or that we, as a canvass board, did not have the authority to make those requests — including the request for a hand count as was made numerous times. Reports of election results by precinct were not provided to many of the canvass board members until shortly before we convened on Friday, Nov.19, making it virtually impossible to independently assess the outcomes.

The Voting News Daily: NY Count the ballots – ‘best way to settle disputes.’ Bridgeport Conn to have recount

Indiana voter describes “Voting as a deaf blind person” ..Bridgeport Conn to allow recount…Colorado Sunshine law partly cloudy after Election Day..Palm Beach Election sup changes mind,will consider new modems instead of whole new voting system. Modems are $1,500 each??.Minn. canvas board launches recount, battle over rules…Nevada SoS says time to replace old voting machines…New York: “It’s time to count the paper ballots. That is the best way to settle these disputes and get on with governing.” ~NY Times…

All this and more in today’s voting news below…

Voting as a deaf blind person (the challenges she faced)
http://hearnoevil-seenoevil.blogspot.com/2010/11/voting-as-deaf-blind-person.html
So yeah- for the time being I’ll still vote at the polls, however I reluctantly realize that my time is drawing near, much sooner than I care to admit, where I am probably going to have to retreat to the ranks of others who vote via absentee ballot in order to perform my duty as a citizen to vote.

AK: Miller Brings Alaska Senate Election Lawsuit To State Court
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7020614695?Miller%20Brings%20Alaska%20Senate%20Election%20Lawsuit%20To%20State%20Court

CA: STILL ALMOST 500,000 VOTES LEFT TO COUNT IN CA IN UNDECIDED AG RACE
http://electionlawblog.org/archives/018062.html

CA: San Leandro mayor’s race drawing to a close
http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/localnews/ci_16683848
Santos has until Wednesday to challenge

CA: Our View: Of instant runoffs and our democracy (Pasadena)
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/opinions/ci_16688670

CO: Sunshine law partly cloudy after Election Day – The Denver Post
http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_16494067#ixzz148ysNuLw
When public records are withheld, they cease to be open public records. And with a trend in Colorado to prevent citizen and media oversight and verification of election results, the electorate should be asking, “Are these our elections?”

CO: SOS-elect Gessler dubbed ‘real activist in support of voter suppression’
http://coloradoindependent.com/68221/sos-elect-gessler-dubbed-real-activist-in-support-of-voter-suppression

CT: City agrees to unseal ballots for recount by Post, citizen groups (Bridgeport)
http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/City-agrees-to-unseal-ballots-for-recount-by-826193.php A recount “will answer the questions that a lot of people are asking,” said Luther Weeks, executive director of CTVotersCount.org and the CT Citizen Election Audit Coalition. “It will resolve those questions.”

FL: Bucher changes mind: Now willing to fix voting system instead of buying new one
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/state/bucher-changes-mind-now-willing-to-fix-voting-1070029.html
She said she is now telling the company that sold the county its equipment to show her modem options – options she had previously called too unreliable to trust with voting results.
…
Bucher said she’s been told each modem would cost about $1,500 plus an install fee. She thinks she might need as many as 450 or 500.

FL: Osceola Complaint attached (Contest-of-Election Lawsuit)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/electionreform/message/14372
This contest-of-election complaint (attached) filed yesterday in Osceola District Court includes absentee ballot fraud (individuals shown as having voted by absentee ballot who never voted; and people who voted for one candidate but are shown as voting for the other candidate); memory card failures; the forceful and extensive shaking of voting machines; the unlawful rejection of Provisional ballots; the failure to count military overseas ballots; the failure of the optical scans to read certain colors and types of ink; and much more.

GA: Fraudsters Target Absentee Ballots (McIntosh County)
http://www.gpb.org/news/2010/11/23/fraudsters-target-absentee-ballots The women were charged with three felony counts of mishandling absentee ballots, after a local postal worker tipped off authorities that one of them mailed a stack of ballots before the November 2nd general election.

The Voting News Daily: Osceola CO Florida voting machines shaken too hard? E-voting ‘vulnerable’

Osceola County candidate sues over election loss, cites irregularities. “While absentee ballots were being scanned, election workers shook the machines vigorously and often, at times even banging the wall with them.”..Tues night Brad Friedman radio interview outgoing Ohio Sec of State Jennifer Brunner…NYT: What the Secret Donors Want..No internet voting for Singapore: “The internet platform while convenient is vulnerable to power outage, hacking and service attacks..”~ Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng….

All this and more in today’s voting news below…

CA: Editorial: Setting a vote-count standard
http://www.insidebayarea.com/opinion/ci_16662610 More than two weeks after Election Day, the California Republican Party is pursuing a lawsuit against Contra Costa County over whether vote-count observers have the right to challenge specific signatures on mail-vote ballots.

CA: Ranked-choice voting complaints mount
http://californiawatch.org/watchblog/ranked-choice-voting-complaints-mount-6839
Meanwhile, Oakland election data shows that vote-by-mail voters were far more likely to make mistakes in the mayor’s contest than voters who cast ballots at the polls.

CA: Busy weekend for elections staff: Final results may be available by Thanksgiving
http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_16666518 Humboldt County Registrar of Voters Carolyn Crnich said Friday that her office is still sorting through the almost 1,700 provisional ballots that were cast on Election Day, trying to determine if the voters who cast them were eligible and, if so, where they were registered to vote.

CO: State review confirms Myers-Joseph win – Saguache County
http://www.centerpostdispatch.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&story_id=1385&page=72
(County officials initially blocked media from observing claiming meeting was not public. Officials were wrong on legal code & reversed decision after SoS & Colorado Press Assoc. Atty were contacted.)

CO: Election discrepancies explained* Saguache County
http://www.centerpostdispatch.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&page=72&story_id=1384
One of the primary issues revolving around the retabulation of the votes cast on Nov. 2 was the cause of the error that resulted in the generation of additional votes.
…
Other than the one error loading the wrong group totals into the mail-in group, King said he did not see any procedural issues in his review of the ERM system log.  “My only suggestion is to print the final reports on the 650 itself and use those to verify that the reporting software totals match,” he concluded.

CT: A few bucks for a few more ballots would have changed history
http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/A-few-bucks-for-a-few-more-ballots-would-have-823774.php
For less than $1,000, there would have been enough ballots in Bridgeport to handle the flow of voters and there would have been no need to use makeshift photocopies or seek a judge’s order to keep a dozen precincts open an additional two hours.
…
Cliff Heintz, who heads the printing operation at Adkins Printing Inc. in New Britain, said that when Bridgeport faxed through its initial request for 21,100, he thought it wasn’t going to be enough. “I’m sure that we said that was pretty low,” he said, recalling that the price was 30 cents a sheet.

FL: Former Osceola County candidate sues over his election loss
County Commission candidate Armando Ramirez says he lost because of election irregularities http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/osceola/os-osceola-elections-lawsuit-20101122,0,1261357.story One of Brett’s main contentions has to do with 304 ballots the county’s optical scanners didn’t read.

The Voting News Daily: New York Dems mull recount in 60th. CA GOP challenges provisional ballot signatures

California GOP challenges signatures on provisional ballots…Update on 2 “lost” voting machines in NY..Dems mull recount in New York’s 60th District: “Make no mistake, this is really bad. The state put into law that there has to be a paper trail precisely so that when there are irregularities of exactly the type we’re seeing in this race we can ensure that the votes are counted properly.” ~ Downstate Senator-Elect Mike Gianaris & attorney overseeing count..My Florida Recount Memory… CT voters says no patchwork solutions please… Wisconsin: Better way than photo ID?..

All this and more in today’s voting news below…

AK: Abstention in Alaska
http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/electionlaw/ …there seems little likelihood that either a state or federal court would end up nullfying the outcome of this election

AK: Federal Judge Rules for Miller, Temporarily Halts Certification of Murkowski in AK Senate Race http://www.bradblog.com/?p=8203
Question of misspelled write-in ballots belongs in state court, says judge…
…
Miller would be performing a service to the voters of Alaska and the rest of the country if he used his standing to insist on a full, public hand-count…

CA: GOP challenges signatures on provisional ballots
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/opinionshop/detail?entry_id=77478
Contra Costa County Registrar Steve Weir: “We cannot allow a ‘casual’ observer to challenge a voter’s right to participate when he or she is not present.”

CA: Harris’ lead over Cooley grows in attorney general race
The Democrat is ahead by about 40,000, with about 300,000 ballots left to count.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-attorney-general-20101120,0,4410535.story
Most of the remaining votes statewide are provisional ballots, given to voters when polling places do not have a record of their registration, often because a voter has moved.
…
About 80% to 85% of provisional ballots are usually deemed valid, said Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean C. Logan.

CA: Bay Area races increase scrutiny of ranked-choice voting
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-ranked-choice-20101120,0,6759361.story
The method avoids runoffs by having voters pick candidates in order of preference. Some question its fairness, but all agree it will transform the nature of campaigning.

CO: Boyd brings election complaint to BOCC* (asks for recount)
http://www.southforktines.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&page=72&story_id=1278
Boyd also brought an affidavit from Sheila Saudevs Casias, who worked as an Elections Assistant, that reported “at the main Elections Polling Precinct, there were several mechanical problems that occurred while the Rio Grande County Elections Officials were tallying the ballot votes using the scanner machines” and that “due to inconsistencies… the ballots had to be rescanned numerous times, because the numbers kept changing.”

CT: Bysiewicz: Secretary of the State powerless to enforce election laws, count ballots http://www.ctvoterscount.org/bysiewicz-secretary-of-the-state-powerless-to-enforce-election-laws-count-ballots/ We caution agains patchwork solutions. The problem goes well beyond the number of ballots printed; voting integrity and confidence call for a much broader study and action than proposed by the current Secretary

FL: My Florida Recount Memory
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/21/opinion/21florida.html
Ten years ago this month, all eyes were on Florida ..The Op-Ed editors asked some of the people at the center of the recount to share their reminiscences.

MN: New voting not as simple as 1-2-3
http://www.startribune.com/politics/local/109543404.html?elr=KArks:DCiUHc3E7_V_nDaycUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aU6:iPhD_oD3aPc:i_kchO7DU
Minneapolis’ 2009 foray into the ranked-voting system showed promise for statewide use but pitfalls, too.

The Voting News Daily: ‘new’ voting machines turn up in Buffalo. Ballot removal for Minnesota?

US Senate candidate Miller(R)wins delay on Alaska election cert…Palm Beach officials building their case for touchscreen voting, now claim its about disability access…Now That He’s Been Elected, KS Sec. of State-Elect Kris Kobach Can’t Find Any ‘Voter Fraud’…Minnesota GOP lays groundwork to “remove” alleged phantom ballots. Ramsey County says suit should be rejected…2 ‘new’ voting machines turn up in Buffalo 3 weeks after election…”Tabulator Troubles in New York:What actually malfunctioned? Could the glitch have effect the election result?”..Unique Challenges of Election Administration…

All this and more in today’s voting news below…

AK: U.S. District Court in Alaska Tells Joe Miller to File Case on Vote-Counting in State Court; Tells State Not to Certify Election Until State Court Rules
http://www.ballot-access.org/2010/11/19/u-s-district-court-in-alaska-tells-joe-miller-to-file-case-on-vote-counting-in-state-court-tells-state-not-to-certify-election-until-state-court-rules/

FL: Sarasota ‘Conduct of Election Report’ offers little elaboration on early vote glitch* http://floridaindependent.com/15327/sarasota-conduct-of-election-report-offers-little-elaboration-on-early-vote-glitch The report describes the early vote failure as the result of an “intermittent signal on network port switch.” Dent told The Florida Independent the morning after the glitch that the voting site lost “connectivity” with her main office, which delayed voting by around 40 minutes. The report indicates that elections staff replaced the “network switch and network cables” to correct the problem, and offers no other information. (report at link)

FL: PB County commissioner joins elections chief in push for return to touch screens
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/state/pb-county-commissioner-joins-elections-chief-in-push-1056815.html In conjunction with Bucher’s announcement, County Commissioner Karen Marcus said she will lobby to have that part of the law overturned, saying that “touch screens are a better system” with “less opportunity for human error.”

Bucher said she hopes to speak to the county commission in January. She wants to replace all of her equipment before the 2012 election, with touch screens if Marcus is successful and with newer optical machines if she is not.

FL: Disabilities Act might force PB County to replace all voting machines by 2016
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/state/disabilities-act-might-force-pb-county-to-replace-1060662.html

Guam: Lawsuit Seeking to Overturn 2010 Gubernitorial Results Expected To Be Filed By End of Today http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9459:lawsuit-seeking-to-overturn-2010-gubernitorial-results-expected-to-be-filed-by-end-of-today&catid=45:guam-news&Itemid=156

IA: District 13 Senate recount hits a snag
http://www.thonline.com/article.cfm?id=302806 Democrat Tod Bowman holds a 71-vote lead against Republican Andrew Naeve.
After hand-counting the absentee ballots, the Dubuque County recount board came up 11 ballots short and decided to recess until Wednesday, Nov. 24. After the board left, election officials searched through the ballots and found all 11 by 5:45 p.m., according to Tom O’Neill, deputy commissioner of elections for Dubuque County.

IN: Critic claims a voting machine shortage in suburbs*
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/article_f38cedc4-6110-5216-ba40-591bc26c632f.html
Republican activist claims election officials were practicing voter suppression “by accident or design” by failing to provide enough electronic voting machines in suburban communities.
“I’m not blaming anybody, but it’s a situation that needs to be looked at,” Joe Hero said.

IN: “DEMS CONTEST CHARLIE WHITE’S ELIGIBILITY AS SECRETARY OF STATE“
http://electionlawblog.org/archives/018030.html

IN: Decision On Charlie White Charges Expected Next Month
http://www.theindychannel.com/news/25843447/detail.html
Embattled Secretary of State-elect Charlie White may learn his fate within the next 30 days
…
White got into trouble when it was discovered he had voted in the primary from his ex-wife’s home where he used to live, not his new home across town, 6News reported.

The Voting News Daily: Palm Beach to ‘retry touch-screen voting’? NC election protest cites vote flipping

Brad Friedman writes “Why Joe Miller is right to call for a ‘hand count’ in Alaska’s Senate Race”…Clarification – Bridgeport Questions its Legal Authority to Revisit Balloting”…Bad news: “Palm Beach County Elections Chief Susan Bucher wants to retry touch-screen voting” & she promises to lobby legislature to bring back touchscreens…Meanwhile, touchscreen vote flipping was cited in a demand for new election for North Carolina House District 45…

All this and more in today’s voting news below…

AK: Miller seeks to stop Alaska Senate election certification
http://newsminer.com/view/full_story/10370038/article-Miller-seeks-to-s top-Alaska-Senate-election-certification-?instance=home_news_window_left_top_1
The GOP candidate in the Alaska U.S. Senate race asked a federal judge Thursday for a preliminary injunction stopping officials from certifying the election.

An attorney for Joe Miller sought the injunction as part of a previous lawsuit challenging write-in ballots for Lisa Murkowski, the incumbent senator.

AK: Murkowski triumphs in Alaska Senate race
Alaska’s Murkowski appears to be first write-in candidate to win Senate since 1954
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2013461497_murkowski18.html
The state Republican Party, which backed Miller, called the race for Murkowski and asked him to withdraw.

AK: Joe Miller May Seek ‘Hand Count’ in Alaska’s U.S. Senate Race – He’d Be Wise To Do So. http://www.bradblog.com/?p=8199 A fully transparent reconciliation would well serve democracy, particularly given AK’s dreadful election history..

AK: Alaska is not Florida
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/111710/sta_737414986.shtml
State officials say they are using the “voter intent” standard adopted by Alaska courts over the years.

CA: State GOP will go after Contra Costa County election officials
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_16640379?nclick_check=1
The California Republican Party says it will pursue its lawsuit against Contra Costa County over whether election count observers have the right to challenge specific signatures on vote-by-mail ballots, calling it a critical statewide issue.

CA: Citizens picked to draw political boundaries
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/california-politics/2010/11/citizens-picked-to-draw-political-boundaries.html
State officials Thursday selected a handful of everyday Californians to tackle the politically incendiary task of redrawing the state’s voting districts — a job that voters decided to take away from political insiders.

CO: Final election results in Colorado expected by Friday
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_16632233

CO: Crippled hand count and recount
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20101118/LETTER/101119860/1020&ParentProfile=1061
The court-ordered count is deliberately crippled. It is limited to solely adding counts to Curry’s total. In Eagle during this “examination” judges noticed an uncounted vote for Roger Wilson — the box was fully filled in — but in pencil. It remains uncounted as probably others also are…

CT: BRIDGEPORT QUESTIONS ITS LEGAL AUTHORITY TO REVISIT BALLOTING
http://scullycommunications.com/archives/1199 Bridgeport city officials say they are not “refusing” to participate in a recount of their troubled election night voting precincts but rather doubt their legal authority to do so. Such an undertaking would also create a logistical nightmare, they say.

CT: Two weeks after election, Bridgeport voters still frustrated
http://www.ctmirror.org/story/8480/two-weeks-later-bridgeport-voters-still-frustrated-about-election

FL: GOP state senator says he’ll support Brown’s lawsuit
http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2010-11-18/gop-state-senator-says-hell-support-browns-lawsuit at least one Republican state senator says he will help a Democrat, U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown of Jacksonville, in her quest to derail a constitutional amendment that would change the way political boundaries are drawn.

FL: Palm Beach County Elections Chief Susan Bucher wants to retry touch-screen voting http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/state/palm-beach-county-elections-chief-susan-bucher-wants-1056815.html

The Voting News Daily: Bridgeport CT refuses election audit. Recounts everywhere, what are the laws?

AP news says Murkowski won Alaska Senate Race.Miller did not concede..The Connecticut city with too few ballots – “Bridgeport Embarrasses Itself Once Again, Refusing to be Audited”…Will California ever finish counting absentee ballots?..Who Stole Election Day? (Early voting)…Machine recounts in NC 2nd CD. Election fraud charged in Madison,Yancey Co NC..Photo ID proposed in OK and TX, plans to propose in NC, with LWV filing suit in Oklahoma…Cuomo Seeks Expedited Senate Recount…

All this and more in today’s voting news below…

State Recount Laws Searchable Database:
http://ceimn.org/ceimn-state-recount-laws-searchable-database

AK: Murkowski emerges as winner in Alaska Senate race
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101117/ap_on_el_se/us_alaska_senate
Sen. Lisa Murkowski on Wednesday became the first Senate candidate in more than 50 years to win a write-in campaign..
…
Murkowski has a lead of 10,400 votes, a total that includes 8,153 ballots in which Miller observers challenged over things like misspellings, extra words or legibility issues.

AK: State to provide Miller with voter rolls
http://www.adn.com/2010/11/16/1557705/state-to-provide-miller-with-voter.html
The state will provide GOP nominee Joe Miller with voter rolls his campaign requested to ensure there was no voter fraud or irregularities in the Alaska Senate race.

AK: Senator leads; Miller wants hand recount
BUT HANG ON: Miller team, citing “suspect” computer system, wants entire election recounted by hand http://www.adn.com/2010/11/16/1557873/murkowskis-lead-more-than-10000.html

AK: Judge denies AFN in election lawsuit
http://www.adn.com/2010/11/16/1558190/judge-denies-afn-in-election-lawsuit.html
A federal court judge has denied a request by the Alaska Federation of Natives to intervene in the write-in election lawsuit brought by U.S. Senate candidate Joe Miller.

AL: Election officials plan recount for Jefferson County Circuit Court Place 20 judicial race http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2010/11/election_officials_plan_recoun.html

AL: Alabama: Vendor Supplies Pencils for Marking Ballots (Trust the Vote Commentary)
http://www.trustthevote.org/alabama-vendor-supplies-pencils-for-marking-ballots
I guess that what Etowah County deserves, but does not have today, is a voting system with optical scanners that are “functionally compatible” with a “marking device” that local election officials can easily buy by the hundred dozen at a local store.

AR: Benton County OKs Election Changes
OFFICIALS APPROVE PLAN FOR VOTING MACHINE SOFTWARE
http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2010/nov/17/benton-county-oks-election-changes/ …which would eliminate sending information and material back and forth between Bentonville and Omaha, Neb..

CA: Vote count tight, messy in California attorney general race
http://www.scpr.org/news/2010/11/17/AG-race-rhetoric/

CA: Registrar of voters continues count of remaining absentees, work on election certification http://lakeconews.com/content/view/16964/919 Still being counted are 4,500 vote by mail ballots turned in between Oct. 29 and Nov. 2. Of those, 1,834 were turned in on election day, Fridley said.

CA: City, county, state votes still being counted
http://www.willitsnews.com/ci_16637892 While several Mendocino County candidates are still waiting for votes to be counted, the statewide contest for attorney general also remains to close to call. As of noon, November 16, there were 774,065 votes left to be counted statewide, and Kamala Harris was leading Steve Cooley by only 18,064 votes.
There were only 12 counties that have completed counting votes.

CA: Riverside County names acting registrar of voters
http://blogs.pe.com/news/digest/2010/11/riverside-county-names-acting.html
Luna appointed Chief Deputy Registrar Rebecca Spencer to the post.

CA: Reilly and Kelly concede D2 and D10 races
http://www.sfbg.com/politics/2010/11/17/reilly-and-kelly-concede-d2-and-d10-races
For Reilly, the disappointment was sharpened by the knowledge that she received more first-place votes than any other D2 candidate.

The Voting News Daily: In favor of paper ballots,recounts. Internet Voting is ‘an affront to democracy’

Bo Lipari on “Pulling the Lever for Paper”..Virginia needs paper ballots by 2012 to avoid fiasco: “It’s been a few years since Fairfax County got through an entire election cycle without a piece of voting equipment breaking down, a handful of votes vaporizing or an election result being delayed.”..Internet voting is “an affront to democracy..It does not fulfill the requirement of one person, one vote and a guarantee of a secret ballot..it excludes people who are intimidated by it.”~Stratford,Canada..”The Great Cyberheist”: our security on the web is an illusion…

All this and more in today’s voting news below…

National: Undecided Race Round Up: Nine Still Hang in the Balance
http://politics.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/11/16/undecided-race-round-nine-still-hang-balance

AK: Sitkan sees no wrongdoing in Fairbanks precinct*(ballot jammed in Accuvote)
http://kcaw.org/modules/local_news/index.php?op=centerBlock&ID=1012
A poll watcher for the Democratic Party in Fairbanks says he too was concerned by a malfunctioning voting machine in his precinct on election day, but saw no wrongdoing.
…
Kreiss-Tomkins arrived at the Tanana Valley Fairgrounds precinct a little after 7 AM to find poll workers struggling with an Accuvote machine that wasn’t feeding properly. They had opened the machine up, and were extracting a jammed ballot.

AK: Murkowski passes Miller in vote count
http://www.adn.com/2010/11/15/1555926/murkowski-passes-miller-in-vote.html
Miller spokesman Randy DeSoto said he still thinks the court challenge could get enough votes thrown out for Miller to win.
…
Miller was hoping to get a boost from absentee ballots. But Monday was the last big count of absentees and there turned out to be more write-ins than Miller votes.

AK: AFN seeks to intervene in Senate voting lawsuit
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2010/nov/15/afn-seeks-to-intervene-in-senate-voting-lawsuit/
Alaska’s largest Native organization on Monday sought to intervene in a lawsuit filed against election officials by GOP Senate candidate Joe Miller, claiming he seeks to disenfranchise Alaska Natives by invalidating their votes if they do not spell another candidate’s name perfectly.

AK: State allowed spelling mistakes in 1998 on write-in ballots, news reports say
http://newsminer.com/pages/full_story/push?blog-entry-State+allowed+spelling+mistakes+in+1998+on+write-in+ballots-+news+reports+say%20&id=10321605&instance=blogs_editors_desk

AZ: Arizona Prop. 112 recount triggered
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2010/
11/16/20101116arizona-prop-112-recount.html http://tinyurl.com/2wbe2gg
Measure to move up deadline to file citizen petitions failed by 123 votes

CA: Nevada County Election Results Update Nov.15
http://yubanet.com/regional/Nevada-County-Election-Results-Update-Nov-15.php
All absentee ballots for the 2010 General Election have been counted. Only a few provisional ballots remain to be incorporated, if they are deemed to be valid.

CA: The Ranked-Choice Voting Debate
http://blogs.kqed.org/newsfix/2010/11/16/rankechoicevoting/

CO: HD-61 hand counts happening today
http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/home/143718 Election officials from Glenwood Springs to Gunnison are sorting through undervoted ballots in the House District 61 race (hand count of undervotes for write-ins only)

CT: Bridgeport Ballot Issues To Be Discussed At Meeting
Panel To Review Polling Issues In City http://www.wfsb.com/politics/25807914/detail.html

CT: 86 Voting Precincts to Be Audited
http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/ctnj.php/archives/entry/86_voting_
precincts_to_be_audited/ http://tinyurl.com/395egpl In addition to the dozen Bridgeport voting precincts, which were allowed to stay open until 10 p.m. based on a judge’s order, 74 voting precincts throughout the state will be audited before Nov. 22.

CT: Post-Election Audits Announced
http://wtic.cbslocal.com/2010/11/15/post-election-audits-announced/
Connecticut’s tight race for governor, which came under close scrutiny after Bridgeport poll workers ran out of ballots on Election Day, has been selected as one of several state races that will undergo a post-election audit
…
Bysiewicz said she supports proposed legislation that would require every municipality to order at least enough ballots for every registered voter
…
Lesley Mara, the deputy secretary of the state, said she’s not aware of any other state with optical scan voting machines that requires cities and towns to order a certain percentage of ballots.

The Voting News Daily: Colorado poll watchers need binoculars? Time for a Recount New York

”Election Day has come and gone, but for elections officials across California who must provide complete and accurate results, the election truly does not end until Nov. 30,”~ SoS Debra Bowen..Coloradoans need binoculars to observe processing of mail ballots..CT lawmaker drafts bill requiring 1 ballot per reg. voter..Ga. wants new voters to prove citizenship…100,000 Maryland ‘Relax’ Election Day Robocalls Violated Law..Missouri election robo calls used fake caller IDs..Montana eyes vote by mail…Several NC contests to be recounted…Key New York Races Undecided…

All this and more in today’s voting news below…

AK: Alaska’s Miller sees hope in military vote
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/articles/2010/11/15/ alaskas_miller_sees_hope_in_military_vote/ http://tinyurl.com/2blmp9j The state has so far recorded more than 98,500 write-in ballots cast.

AK: Alaska elections director thrust into spotlight
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jMOx8d_eEIbYX6hvuyG4Kp
Ey1n2w?docId=eb57ba42fc9742d1baae9c1eb1c128af http://tinyurl.com/2bva2ky
She presses a ballot close to her red glasses, pauses to scrutinize the botched spelling and declares in a singsong voice: “Murkowski.”
“Challenge,” comes the reflexive retort from an observer.

AK: Alaska Division of Elections Posts Write-in Totals for All Declared Write-in Candidates for U.S. Senate http://www.ballot-access.org/2010/11/14/alaska-division-of-elections-posts-write-in-totals-for-all-declared-write-in-candidates-for-u-s-senate/
The Alaska Division of Elections has posted a tentative tally of the number of write-in votes for all declared write-in candidates. Other than Lisa Murkowski, no declared write-in candidate for U.S. Senate received more than eleven votes.

AK: Absentee Senate ballot count slated to start Monday
http://www.ktuu.com/news/ktuu-2010elect-senate-ballot-count-update-111410,0,1653487.story

AR: Changes Ahead For Early Voting
http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2010/nov/14/changes-ahead-early-voting/

CA: Voting Group Demands Grand Jury Look (Fresno County)
http://www.kmjnow.com/pages/landing_news?Voting-Group-Demands-Grand-Jury-Look=1&blockID=351750&feedID=806
Sabina Gonzalez of Communities for a New California told reporters at a news conference that county clerk Victor Salazar’s decision to cut the number of polling places in half because of budget cuts may have discouraged as many as 20,000 voters.

CA: Registrar tried, not hard enough; balloting system needs to change
http://www.mydesert.com/article/20101114/COLUMNS26/11130361/Registrar-tried-not-hard-enough-balloting-system-needs-to-change …She is the victim of very unequal voting laws plus a computer system that cannot handle the upsurge in absentee ballot voting. It continues to increase as voters find it much easier to vote from home and let the Postal Service do the legwork.
…
It is state law that the ballot must be in the registrar’s office by the close of Election Day. This is a horrible penalty for the citizens of the Coachella Valley, because we do not have direct mail access to the Riverside post office…

CA: ‘Grinding on’: Elections office continues to sort through ballots; final results likely more than a week away http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_16603456
In Humboldt, Crnich said elections staff is still working through the process of auditing materials returned from the polls and updating voter histories, which she said need to be completed before the county can even begin to sort through the almost 13,000 ballots that remain to be counted. Crnich said she’s hopeful those processes will be completed by the end of next week, at which point staff will be able to begin verifying signatures on the outstanding vote-by-mail ballots, sorting them and counting them…

CA: Jumping the gun
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101115/A_OPINION01/11150304/-1/A_OPINION
Harmer wise not to concede to McNerney just yet in 11th District race
…
Harmer still refused to concede.

The Voting News Daily: Broken voting machine seals in Putnam TN raise doubts. Clash over recount for NY 1st

In Alaska, the write in votes favor Murkowski so Miller awaits the military ballots..Another bad idea for elections in the Ohio Dayton Daily News: “Unused paper ballots are big waste for Ohio”. The Dayton DN editors should read the New Haven Register editorial: “Scrimping on ballots proved foolish”…Tennessee GOP requests investigation of possible voting machines tampering in Putnam Co…Clash over vote recount for NY 1st Congressional Dist…Philippine officials learn to use “glitch” now that they have computer vote counting…

All this and more in today’s voting news below…

AK: Alaska Senate Race Ballot Madness: The STRANGEST Write-In Votes (PHOTOS)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/12/alaska-senate-race-write-in-ballots_n_782724.html#s180931

AK: Little Ammunition Found in Fight Over Alaska Votes
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/14/us/politics/14alaska.html?_r=2&ref=politics
JUNEAU, Alaska — The lawyers have started leaving.
…
With each passing day that election workers here in the state capital manually count write-in votes cast for Senator Lisa Murkowski, it appears increasingly likely that Alaskans spell too well for Mr. Miller’s math to work

AK: GOP Senate hopeful awaits military vote
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/nov/14/politics-scene-360299773/ GOP nominee Joe Miller said he won’t spend a lot of time, energy and effort fighting over ballots in Alaska’s undecided U.S. Senate race if the math doesn’t add up in his favor.

But Mr. Miller said Saturday that he won’t make any announcements until after absentee ballots arrive next week from military voters – a constituency the Army veteran thinks could go heavily for him.

AK: Enough already–Miller campaign adviser has endless allegations but no evidence
http://newsminer.com/bookmark/10305887/Enough%20already%E2%80%93Miller%20campaign%20adviser%20has%20no%20evidence%20of%20election%20fraud

CA: Progress Update (Humboldt County Election Transparency Project)
http://democracycounts.blogspot.com/2010/11/progress-update.html
Scanners have now reached the 100,000 images count for the November 2010 election.

CA: NEW VOTE COUNTS INCREASE CASSIDY’S LEAD
http://www.sanleandrobytes.com/archives/012501.html
This gives Cassidy 50.57% of the continuing ballots cast to 49.43% for Santos. There were 2,134 exhausted ballots out of 23,493 ballots cast and a total of 20,321 continuing ballots in the final round.

Santos has not conceded the race and has recommended that the San Leandro City Council revoke the ranked choice voting ordinance and that the City return to run-off elections.

KY: Recount Hearing Set in Boyd County
http://www.wsaz.com/home/headlines/Boyd_County_Races_106585618.html There were only six votes separating him from the candidate who won the final commission seat.

MN: With Dayton’s big lead, recount so far not mirroring ’08
http://www.startribune.com/politics/recount/107613378.html “This number is virtually unchanged,” said Ken Martin, Dayton’s recount manager. “It will be mathematically impossible for Tom Emmer to overturn these results, barring some unforeseen problem.”

MO: Voting Group Challenges State Senate Election; Wash. U. Students Turned Away at Polls http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2010/11 / v oting_group_challenges_state_senate_election_missouri.php
http://tinyurl.com/3ysen26

In a statement yesterday on behalf of Advancement Project, St. Louis attorney Denise Lieberman (former legal counsel for the ACLU of Eastern Missouri), questioned why Washington University students who voted in the 2008 presidential election were turned away from the polls on November 2.

“We received reports that students who were duly registered and voted at the polling site on Washington University’s campus as recently as two years ago could not be found on the voter rolls at all, were turned away without being directed to their correct polling location and were expressly refused provisional ballots,” said Lieberman.

The Voting News Daily: Dust settles on voting machine failures. Beware the Perils of Internet voting

Arizona Pot smokers ‘edgy’: Prop 203 still undecided..Colorado SoS to investigate Saguache County election after discovery of uncounted absentee ballots…Minnesota Recount part 2? Fewer absentee ballot rejections in 2010 vote…Spokane WA County Ballot Copying — Problem?..Six House Races Remain in Limbo..Africa election commission mulls EVMs for “ensuring free elections”..Beware the Perils of Internet Voting says Kyle Geske of www.WinnipegElection.ca…The dust settles – for now…

All this and more in today’s voting news below…

US: Six House Races Remain in Limbo
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/12/six-house-races-remain-in-limbo/?partner=rss&emc=rss

AK: Write-ins still going for Murkowski
http://community.adn.com/adn/node/154312 More than 90 percent are unchallenged for her. The Miller campaign challenged an additional 7.7 percent of Murkowski votes, but was overruled by Elections Director Gail Fenumiai.

Those are “counted but challenged” and could go to court.

The Miller campaign’s ballot observers have successfully challenged 1.48 percent of the 56,088 write-in ballots reviewed.

AK: On Alaska’s ‘Hinky’ Elections & the Fight for Oversight of Their U.S. Senate Write-In Count http://www.bradblog.com/?p=8193 (podcast available)
Where Brown is inappropriately suggesting “voter fraud” without evidence to back it up, he is exactly right in calling for the right for the campaign to be allowed to reconcile the poll rosters to determine if the lower-than-expected number of ballots so far tabulated are, indeed, accurate.

AK: Miller campaign plans to sue state over alleged voter fraud
http://www.wsbt.com/news/elections/ktuu-2010elect-miller-voter-fraud-state-lawsuit-111110,0,1111649.story

AZ: Pot smokers ‘edgy’: Prop 203 still undecided
http://tucsoncitizen.com/tucson-progressive/2010/11/12/pot-smokers-edgy-prop-203-still-undecided/ With tens of thousands of ballots to count in Maricopa County, Props 110 and 203 are losing by about 3000 votes, while Prop 112 is winning by less than 2000 votes, according to the Star. All three propositions have gained ground in the past week.

AZ: Appeals court won’t force Arizona to count ballots from citizenship dispute
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/arizona/article_7d0ec6f8-edef-11df-90b1-001cc4c002e0.html
In an unsigned order Thursday, the three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals acknowledged its earlier ruling that the citizenship-proof requirement imposed by Arizona voters in 2004 runs afoul of federal statutes.
But the judges said that ruling came weeks after the deadline to register to vote in Arizona had closed on Oct. 4. That was also the day that early ballots were mailed.

CA: Santos not ready to concede
http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_16588954
Santos says “questions” remain about the election

SAN LEANDRO — Mayor Tony Santos said Thursday that he is not set to concede the mayor’s seat for the next four years, despite unofficial results that show him losing his re-election bid by less than 200 votes.

CA: The Winning Strategy in Oakland: Concentrate on Being 2nd or 3rd Choice
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/12/us/politics/12bcvoting.html

CA: Public Supports Ranked-Choice Voting
http://www.beyondchron.org/articles/Public_Supports_Ranked_Choice_Voting_8669.html
For the first time in San Francisco Bay Area history, ranked choice voting gave victories to candidates who did not win the most first-placed votes.

CO: State to investigate Saguache County election*
http://www.alamosanews.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&page=72&story_id=18643
SAGUACHE — The Colorado Secretary of State’s Office (SOS) announced Tuesday that it will launch an official investigation into the reversal of the Nov. 2 election results following the discovery of mail-in ballots not counted on election night.

CO: Election Update: Saguache County Clerk presents report to County Commissioners; computer and scanner errors blamed for discrepencies in ballot tallies*
http://crestoneeagle.com/?p=2107