GOP demands new election as disputed votes emerge

Washington Times ^ | 1/08/05 | Valerie Richardson

[kattracks]

Washington state Republicans yesterday filed a lawsuit calling for a revote in the tight 2004 gubernatorial contest that saw Democrat Christine Gregoire top Republican Dino Rossi after two recounts by 129 votes.
    "Most Washingtonians don't believe this has been a valid election," said Mr. Rossi, who filed the Election Contest Petition along with the state Republican Party in Chelan County Superior Court.

[snip]

Republicans pointed to what they described as widespread voting irregularities in King County, a Democratic stronghold, that included votes cast by dead people and convicted felons, illegal provisional ballots, and thousands more votes than registered voters.
    "We've seen debilitating, fatal mistakes, and we believe that a judge needs to set the results aside and order a new election," state Republican party chairman Chris Vance said.

    But Mrs. Gregoire yesterday again rejected Republican calls for a new election, insisting that any discrepancies could be attributed to normal human error and, what's more, wouldn't change the final election result.

[snip]

Republicans are pursuing a report yesterday in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer that at least eight persons who died months before the Nov. 2 election cast ballots in King County. Among those was a 51-year-old Seattle woman, Mary Coffey, who died two weeks before absentee ballots were mailed.

[nopardons]

bttt

[Bonaparte]

It is great news. But the bar is set significantly higher for a recall in Washington.

[international american]

Thanks for the post.

[Seaplaner]

Great news....the California Recall has emboldened other states...

Sir, you make a brilliant point! Brilliant.

[Political Junkie Too]

I don't understand how a state that could toss out a sitting Speaker Of The House like Tom Foley, could just sit back and let this theft happen in plain sight.

-PJ

[Bonaparte]

"I think there will be a revote."

I'd love to be wrong on this, ctd. And best of luck to you on that recusal effort! The democrats have definitely thrown down the gauntlet in that state. Unless the GOP is willing to slug it out with them, the dems will keep their lock on a corrupt electoral process and all elected positions of power.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

My understanding is that by Washington state law, a recall would require some sort of malfeasance on GreGORE's part after she takes office.

I'm still hoping for a fresh election, personally. There is some public pressure happening, and the list of abnormalities is getting harder and harder to dismiss.

[connectthedots]

Rossi ran on a platform to rid the state of corruption, so I am sure none of what the Democrats are doing comes as a surprise. The fact that McKenna was also running on an anti-corruption platform is even more powerful.

If McKenna is willing to do his job, Gregoire won't be the Governor for very long anyway.

[Terpfen]

"He admitted to my face in his chambers on 8/12/02 that I was entitled to a $1.2 million judgment against Clark county and said he wouldn't do anything about it."

Say what?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

My understanding is that by Washington state law, a recall would require some sort of malfeasance on GreGORE's part after she takes office.

Well...guess I really like the genius of the California Recall laws then...

[Political Junkie Too]

I think that was the recall provision in Washington State's constitution. There is always time for a new precedent. If this was an unprecedented event in the state's history, then unprecedented remedies are warranted.

-PJ

[llevrok]

Among those was a 51-year-old Seattle woman, Mary Coffey, who died two weeks before absentee ballots were mailed.

Mary Coffey was a dyed in the wool Pubbie too (red meat, scotch, cigs...). You know - a real person.

[llevrok]

No ballots to "punch" in heaven. Only 72 virgins.

[Lancey Howard]

Har! A "good-government state like Washington."
LMAO!!! The place is corrupt to the bone. Totally Californicated.

[BJungNan]

Bump!

[Lancey Howard]

Is McKenna a Democrat? If so, expect nothing.
By the way, I enjoyed reading your FR profile page. Very impressive. Good luck.

[llevrok]

Per Slade Gorton (former US Senator and former Wa. State AG) - one only need to show that either incompetence or mischief involved enough votes to swing the elctection the other way. Fraud does not have to be proved. Rossi's folks have a few thousand questionable ballots and are behind by 129.

The $1.98 question is - if the courts find for Rossi as they should, will they order a re-vote or just say "do better next time"? I'm betting on the latter.

[Political Junkie Too]

The $1.98 question is - if the courts find for Rossi as they should, will they order a re-vote or just say "do better next time"? I'm betting on the latter.

I don't know how they could find for Rossi and just say "do better next time." If they agree that Rossi was damaged, they have to offer a remedy. On the other hand, the finding wouldn't be a finding FOR Rossi, it would be a finding that the election was so tainted that nobody can be sure of the winner. It would then be irresponsible of the courts to award the Governorship to the last person standing. If they find that the election was invalid, they have to call for a new one.

-PJ

[connectthedots]

I didn't stutter. That is exactly what he said.

[connectthedots]

McKenna is a Republican who ran on an anti-corruption platform.