Posted on 11/19/2004 5:23:35 PM PST by ambrose
Posted on Fri, Nov. 19, 2004
Lawyers documenting voting problems say they'll challenge results
ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS
Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Lawyers who have been documenting voting day problems in Ohio say they'll challenge the results of the presidential election as soon as the vote is official.
The lawyers say documented cases of long lines, a shortage of machines and a pattern of problems in predominantly black neighborhoods are enough evidence to bring such a challenge.
"The objective is to get to the truth," said Cliff Arnebeck, a lawyer who said he'll represent voters who cast ballots Nov. 2. Arnebeck said the effort is bipartisan.
"What's critically important, whether it's President Bush or Sen. Kerry, whoever's been actually elected, is to know you won by an honest election," he said. "So it's in the interest of both sides as American citizens to know the truth and to have this answered."
Ohio Republican Party chairman Bob Bennett said it was a joke that the effort was being billed as bipartisan.
"This is nothing but an absurd attempt by a handful of radical front groups to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the Bush presidency. The election is over, the Democrats have conceded and the outcome will not change," Bennett said in a statement.
"This is an egregious waste of time and taxpayer money. It's time to move on."
More than 200 people in Columbus voiced their complaints Nov. 13 about voting problems on Election Day, some accusing the state of voter suppression. Many were Kerry supporters.
A similar hearing was scheduled Friday in Cleveland.
The Columbus hearing was organized by Robert Fitrakis, a lawyer and political science professor at Columbus State Community College, who is also involved in filing the challenge.
"The sworn statements that we've received should give everyone cause to go forward in terms of this inquiry," Fitrakis said.
Ohio Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell will certify the election results by Dec. 6, spokesman Carlo LoParo said Friday.
A ruling in favor of the challenge could lead to a recount or even having the results set aside, although Arnebeck hinted that such an event was unlikely.
A statewide recount of the presidential vote is already inevitable because a pair of third-party candidates said they have collected enough money to pay for it.
Libertarian Michael Badnarik and the Green Party's David Cobb said Monday they raised more than $150,000 in four days, mostly in small contributions. Ohio law requires payment of $10 per precinct for a recount, or $113,600 statewide.
Bring it on idiots!
Just for the record. One of the last of the Faubus Dixiecrats in Arkansas state politics titled his autobio: "How to Steal an Election". I was a GOP poll worker in the county. It's hard to hide a M1A under a sport coat!
So, as you can see, Dr. Fitrakis is just a concerned citizen and has no agenda.
BTW, he is also the founder of the "Columbus League of Pissed Off Voters", along with harvey Wasserman and MOVE ON PAC
Oops!sorry here is the link http://www.doublestandards.org/fitrakis1.html
Robert Fitrakis is more renowned locally as a wingnut columnist in an underground newspaper. He left to the point of nearly being an anarchist.</p>
The LP has proved to be about as reliable an ally as PB. Both joining with friggin' commies to defeat GW.
I am glad that JR has banned them from this forum.
(For the hard of hearing, let me reiterate that I am talking about the Libertarian Party, not libertarian-minded Republicans who support common-sense and the President, because I am one of those myself.)
It's my understanding the OH legislature is Republican, and even looking past that I think the House in Washington can simply choose to disqualify Ohio's Electors, and Bush would win in either case. That would be very ugly way to do it though.
Anyone who voted has no case, and anyone who didn't vote has no case...
When they cry about "long lines" I'm ceratin they're not talking about the White people we saw on TV who waited until, what was it ? 4 in the morning to vote!
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