if the newspaper gets call after call - they'll give it publicity
How do you keep this up top?
Somebody give me the direct lowdown on this,please.
What is the exact deal with the military absentee ballots.
Is it [A]that some were not mailed out in time...due to the fact that nader had to be removed?
Or is it[B] that the were mailed out....but ones with nader listed on them....won't be accepted?
If it is [A], then one would hope that the gop will file a federal law suit....because that is clear disenfranchisement of the military voters. It is the fault of the state that the ballots would not have been mailed out in time for the soldiers to get them back.
It's easy to see why he would do this.
Criminals vote for Kerry.
Soldiers vote for Bush.
Here is the e-mail reply I got from Fast Eddie after I e-mailed his office with my gentle reminder to treat the servicepersons' ballots with care:
______________
Thank you for contacting my office regarding military and overseas absentee ballots in Pennsylvania.
Let me begin by saying that my first priority as Governor is to guarantee a fair election. Let me also stress that everyone’s vote will be counted, including ballots cast by members of our military, particularly those serving overseas.
On Monday, October 25th, I held a conference call with members of the state and national news media to clear up misinformation that has made its way into this election. Pennsylvania’s county boards of elections have certified that all military and overseas ballots have been sent out in accordance with federal law, and that all of these ballots will be counted in accordance with law for the November 2nd General Election.
No one will be denied the right to vote nor will their ballot not count if it is received by the appropriate deadline. Absentee ballots with votes for the entire statewide slate of candidates will be accepted until October 29th. Ballots that come in after October 29th will be counted, only for the office of President, through Election Day.
Just last week the U.S. District Court ruled that all military and overseas absentee voters will have ample time to complete and return their ballots and their votes will be counted. As Judge Yvette Kane noted in her decision, the proposal by the federal government would have “invited unpredictability to an otherwise orderly and time tested elections process” and “may do more to disenfranchise overseas voters than the harm they seek to cure.”
The Court also ruled that sending a second ballot would be “confusing” and would not benefit the 67 county elections offices throughout Pennsylvania. However, I have promised to look into any credible evidence that proves that someone’s right to vote has been violated. I take this responsibility very seriously.
As I wrote to Senator Rick Santorum, there is no greater privilege we as Americans enjoy than that of our right to vote, and as Governor, I have a constitutional obligation to protect that right while ensuring each vote is counted. I do not however have the power to unilaterally extend deadlines set by statute – and it is disingenuous for anyone who believes in the rule of law even to suggest such action.
My administration, namely the Department of State, has worked to help counties with mailing their military and overseas absentee ballots. For instance, with the Court’s permission, we assisted Huntingdon and Venango counties to provide absentee ballots to military personnel via express mail as well as a paid express mail service to return completed ballots.
I believe in the sanctity of our election laws and am offended by accusations of partisan politics. I wish to reassure voters that military and overseas voters will have their ballots counted.
As Governor, I will continue to do all that I can to ensure a fair election where every vote counts and every voice is heard.
Sincerely,
Edward G. Rendell
Governor
That's profound. Thank you again you "fiscally conservative" Rendell Republicans.
ping