Posted on 10/20/2004 4:21:01 PM PDT by Mike Fieschko
The Linn County Republicans say voters were intimidated and badgered at a satellite voting center. They say democrats gathered for a rally with John Edward's daughter in the same building at the same time. No matter where you were going, you walked by signs supporting the democratic ticket. It was an event republicans say unfairly influenced voters."Students voting yesterday when they entered the polling place could not do so without crossing a John Kerry sign," says Kirkwood student Ben Johnson.
Iowa law says that posting signs, soliciting votes and electioneering on the premises of a polling place or within thirty feet of a satellite voting location is prohibited. The law does not clearly define if a polling place involves the entire building or just the voting room.
At a press conference Tuesday in Mount Vernon, republicans took the opportunity to express the need for election reform.
"Both parties have made it clear they want people to vote and I feel a straight mail in system would provide that," says Linn County Republican Eric Rosenthal. Both parties agree no election laws were broken at Kirkwood and the auditor's office has not received any complaints. Democrats say republicans are trying to suppress voter participation.
"It may be the case that the democrats out organized the Republicans at Kirkwood...that's what's the bottom line. Clearly no one broke any laws," says democrat David Loebsack who's also a political science professor at Cornell College.
Iowa is the only state in the nation that allows people to petition for satellite voting locations. Many state lawmakers plan on making election reform a big issue in the 2005 legislative session.
Once again the Democrats show that it's only a crime if you're a Republican!
This is just unbelievable. These people are the absolute scum of the earth. I hope people see that.
I personally witnessed this in Palm Coast, Florida at the 2000 election.
Anybody who would walk into a voting place, and change their vote on the basis of having just seen a sign ought to become a finalist for a Darwin Award...
A little late for this election. Where were they for four years. What good does it do to make new laws if the only ones who must obey them are Republicans. Republicans almost always obey the law so any new law unless very, very well thought out will only benefit Democrats. All laws must be prosecuted no matter what party breaks them. The Democrats yell that we are disfranchising the minority vote if we don't let them get away with all their dirty tricks. We are going to have to prosecute and let them scream in order to set the example so people will not cheat. In the mean time the only one who can save this election for us is Almighty God. We had better say our prayers and monitor the polling places and also the centers where the vote numbers are sent to for tabulating the areas total vote outcome. PLEASE everybody volunteer if you possibly can.
Also, If they do this kind of thing again we should be ready for them. We must have a lawyer present who will call the police and know and site the law. It would be good for people to see these people cleared out by the police. Again, we must in every place be ready with an action plan if they try to pull this stuff.
Anybody here with the Linn Co GOP, freepmail me.
Loebsack is a COMMIE. I know firsthand.
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