South Dakota voter fraud -- looking for suggestions

[UPIDC]

Hi, this is Dan Olmsted, Washington Bureau Chief of United Press International. We're still looking at the Thune-Johnson race, and would appreciate any suggestions for how to nail down any possible fraud in the race.

[EternalVigilance]

This is from National Review Online - November 7th

http://www.nationalreview.com/york/york110702.asp

Today a team of Republican election experts is in South Dakota, looking into the circumstances of Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson's extraordinarily narrow, last-minute victory over Republican candidate John Thune.

While it is certainly possible that there were no significant irregularities involved in the voting, some Republicans are puzzled by the way the vote-counting unfolded. Early Wednesday morning, with 99.65 percent of South Dakota's precincts reporting, Thune held a narrow lead over Johnson. It was only when the last three precincts (out of a total of 844) were counted that Johnson finally edged ahead. What has made some Republicans suspicious is that those final precincts were located in a southwestern county that was in the news for allegations of voting fraud in the weeks leading up to the election.

MINUTE BY MINUTE
For most of Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, the election returns looked promising for Thune. At 1:32 A.M. EST on Wednesday, an Associated Press report showed Thune had 134,904 votes to Johnson's 132,648 with 648, or 77 percent, of the state's precincts reporting.
At 2.47 A.M., the AP issued another report, this one showing Thune with 153,952 votes to Johnson's 149,789, with 736, or 87 percent, of precincts reporting — a lead of more than 4,000 votes.

At 3:41 A.M., Thune was up 158,331 to 154,602, with 776, or 92 percent, of precincts reporting.

At some point after that, Thune's lead began to shrink. By 6:38 A.M., with 838, or 99.3 percent, of the state's 844 precincts reporting, Thune led Johnson by 166,588 to 165,639 votes. It was close, but Thune was still in the lead by nearly 1,000 votes with just six precincts left to count.

Then the lead narrowed dramatically. By 8:28 A.M., Thune had 166,747 votes to Johnson's 166,559, with 841, or 99.65 percent, of the 844 precincts reporting. Thune was up by just 188 votes with three precincts left to count.

Those last precincts killed Thune's chances to win. At 9:21 A.M., with 843 of 844 precincts reporting, Thune trailed Johnson, 166,707 to 167,252.

Finally, at 10:22 A.M., the last precinct was counted and reported. Thune trailed Johnson 166,954 to 167,481 — a margin of 527 votes. Johnson claimed victory.

It was a stunning finish to a race that was clearly tight but appeared for much of the night to be in Thune's hands. Somewhere in the last five precincts, Thune's Senate hopes disappeared.

QUESTIONABLE PRACTICES
The vote counting has attracted the attention of Republicans because the precincts that defeated Thune — the ones that were counted last — were in Shannon County, on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The county has been the target of intensive get-out-the-vote efforts by Democrats and has reported the largest gain in registrations, 17 percent, of any county in the state. In recent weeks, federal and local authorities have been investigating allegations of fraudulent voting practices related to some of those new voters (along with some in other counties around the state).

In mid-October, the Shannon County auditor said one in ten of the county's new registrations was under investigation for possible irregularities. On October 20, the Sioux Falls Argus Leader reported that, "Auditors in 10 counties, all but one adjoining a reservation, have forwarded questionable registration forms or absentee ballot requests to the sheriff or state's attorney for investigation. Of the nearly 400 questionable documents discovered by the auditors, 338 came from Shannon and Pennington counties, where the two investigations into possible voter fraud are under way."

Shannon County went heavily for Johnson — out of 3,118 votes cast, 2,856, or about 92 percent, went to Johnson, while 248 went to Thune (a third-party candidate received 14 votes). That percentage, in itself, might not be particularly unusual; Native Americans in South Dakota vote heavily Democratic, and Johnson is popular with Native Americans. But one thing that has aroused Republican curiosity is the significant increase in the number of votes cast in Shannon County since the last mid-term election, in 1998, in which Sen. Tom Daschle won reelection.

In 1998, there were just 1,559 votes cast in Shannon (that is precisely half the votes cast this year — a statistical nicety that might signify nothing, but might still catch Republican eyes). Of the 1998 total, 1,228 went to Daschle and 239 went to Republican Ron Schmidt (a third-party candidate won 92 votes).

What some Republicans find interesting about the numbers is that the popular Daschle, who won in a landslide statewide, won just 79 percent of the votes in Shannon County — significantly less than Johnson won this year — while Schmidt, who lost by a huge margin in 1998, received about the same number of votes that the well-known Thune received this year. Even though the total number of voters in Shannon County has gone up dramatically, it appears that virtually none of them chose Thune.

The situation might be completely attributable to get-out-the-vote efforts; 17,000 new voters were signed up statewide in recent months, and Democrats were particularly aggressive in Shannon County and on the state's other Indian reservations. But Republicans signed up new voters, too, and now they want to have a look at the county's voting patterns.

Finally, the GOP wants to know more about the timing of the Shannon County returns. Although nothing is set in stone, some observers say it is not usually the pattern in statewide elections for Shannon County returns to be the last counted. Given the fact that the county provided Johnson's winning margin, and given the earlier allegations of corruption, Republicans want to know why Shannon was so late this time.

WHAT TO DO?
At this moment, the South Dakota secretary of state's office is finishing its official canvass of the election. That process in effect rechecks everyone's math and comes up with a final vote total for all the races. It is not designed to uncover voter irregularities.

According to state law, Thune is entitled to ask for a recount. On Wednesday, he released a carefully worded statement that suggested he might choose to do so. "If there is a change in the numbers or evidence of irregularities after the official election canvass, I will look at pursuing the next step in the process, which is a formal recount," Thune said:

However, I do not wish to put the people of South Dakota through this process unless it is absolutely necessary. Therefore, if there is no change in the vote totals or any irregularities after the official canvass, we will pursue no further action and the results will stand...No one would be happier than I to see those numbers change as the process continues. However, if the numbers stand, I am prepared to accept the outcome and know that my supporters and all those who have stood with me during this process will accept the outcome as well.

Speaking publicly later on Wednesday, Thune seemed inclined to let the matter drop after the canvass. At this point, it is simply not clear whether he will ask for a recount or take any other action.

Republicans want to be careful in the course they choose. They have already won the Senate, and they do not want to embroil the party in a long, acrimonious fight over a contest that will not affect the balance of power in Washington. In addition, they do not want to embark on a Democratic-style legal battle if there is no solid evidence of fraud. But at this point, they want to know what happened. The circumstances of Johnson's last-minute comeback look a little odd, and Republicans want to learn the story behind the numbers.

[ken5050]

I'll take that bet...it's a "deep cover" disruptor.......for one thing..the guy can't write.....any newspaperman would have written a few cogent patragraphs...

[El Gato]

communal

BTW, I have no problem with folks choosing to live a communal lifestyle. As long as they don't expect me to participate or pay for it. Voluntary communism can work on a small scale, at least well enough to keep itself going.

[EternalVigilance]

Somewhere in the last five precincts, Thune's Senate hopes disappeared.

Interesting...very interesting.

[eureka!]

"I don't think I've ever heard of the print media doing an investigative piece on vote fraud. They were hot-to-trot to uncover the "real" winner in FL but ignored any suggestion of vote fraud. Anybody know of any links to such articles?"

Hit my link at Reply No. 5 and scroll down the thread. There has been a little bit written...

[EternalVigilance]

I would be very interested to hear what your family friend has to say about all of this.

[Southack]

The most common method of committing vote fraud is for corrupt insiders to vote for someone else.

This is accomplished right at closing time for the polls, when the poll lists show who hasn't yet voted.

The corrupt insiders then "vote" as many times as there are registered voters on the poll lists (who haven't showed up to vote).

Since the odds-on bet is that the biggest area of vote fraud was on the Indian Reservation in South Dakota, all that you have to do is obtain the poll list for that precinct.

With the poll list in hand, you can interview the actual voters. Simply ask them if they voted. If there was vote fraud, you'll see large numbers of them adamantly tell you that they didn't vote, were out of town, sick, etc. Someone simply stole their vote by voting "for" them.

Of course, you might also find that numerous people who "voted" (per your poll list) don't even exist, don't have valid addresses, or are in jail or buried underground.

But you'll have to get your hands on the actual (or a copy of the) poll list of those who are marked as having "voted".

[EternalVigilance]

This is the AP story from November 6th. I think it is interesting that Johnson is already on Wednesday claiming unequivically that every vote was voted correctly. Like how in the heck would he know?

http://www.aberdeennews.com/mld/aberdeennews/4458099.htm

Posted on Wed, Nov. 06, 2002

Johnson wins South Dakota squeaker
CHET BROKAW
Associated Press Writer


Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson won re-election over Republican Rep. John Thune by a tiny margin in the unofficial tally Wednesday, and a recount was expected.

With all 844 precincts reporting, Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson had 167,481 votes, or 50 percent, to Republican Rep. John Thune's 166,954 votes, or 49 percent. Libertarian candidate Kurt Evans, who pulled out of the race nearly three weeks ago, had 3,071 votes, or 1 percent.

The race, considered a surrogate battle between President Bush and Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle, remained too close to call until after 9 a.m. Wednesday.

The final margin was within the limit of 0.25 percent that gives the loser the right to a recount.

Thune campaign officials said Wednesday morning they were discussing a recount. Thune was not immediately available for comment.

"Every vote was counted, every vote was counted correctly," Johnson told supporters at a rally late Wednesday morning.

The final vote tally brings an end to "a long, tumultuous political campaign," Johnson said.

"The system works, and I think we can be proud of that."

As for a recount, "We'll deal with those issues when they come," Johnson said.

Secretary of State Joyce Hazeltine and Attorney General Mark Barnett did a good job overseeing the election, the senator said. "Everything that was done was in compliance with what the attorney general was telling us to do."

The election marked the end of a yearlong battle that started when the president recruited Thune, a three-term House member, to challenge Johnson, a first-term senator. Thune had been set to run for governor.

Bush visited South Dakota four times this year, twice in the campaign's last week, to boost Thune's chances. Negative television ads started more than a year before Election Day and flooded the airwaves for most of the campaign.

The race remained close throughout the unofficial vote count Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning. Neither candidate addressed his party's election night rally because the contest was too close to call.

Before Thune went home for a few hours sleep Wednesday morning, he said he expected his lead to hold up as the remaining precincts were tallied. "I guess we all knew it was going to be close."

Johnson, 55, was elected to the U.S. House in 1986 and served five terms. He took on incumbent Republican Larry Pressler in the 1996 U.S. Senate race and won.

He also has experience as a county prosecutor. In 1978, when he was 31, Johnson was elected to the first of two terms in the South Dakota House. Later, he was elected to two consecutive terms in the state Senate.

He and his wife, Barbara, keep a home in Vermillion. They have three children.

Thune, 41, grew up Murdo. He also lived in Pierre and moved his family to Sioux Falls after his election to the House in 1996.

Thune worked as an aide to Republican U.S. Sen. Jim Abdnor in the Senate and when Abdnor headed the U.S. Small Business Administration.

He returned to South Dakota in 1989 and worked as executive director of the state Republican Party, director of the state Railroad Division and executive director of the South Dakota Municipal League.

Thune was re-elected to the House in 1998 and 2000. He and his wife, Kimberley, have two children.

[eureka!]

Johnson knew. I was sickened that the GOP and Thune let it go. OTOH, the FBI is not done and we may be in for a surprise yet. Thanks for all you efforts...

[tamikamaria]

I think it was Hamlin County. (Sorry if someone answered already, I haven't read all the way down.)

[EternalVigilance]

OTOH, the FBI is not done and we may be in for a surprise yet.

We can hope. I remember at one point hearing that they had 30 agents out here investigating, but I have never seen that confirmed.

[eureka!]

I saw that too. My dream: Prior to January, mass indictments alleging thousands of Rat votes fraudulent and Senate gets a backbone and refuses to seat Johnson. Not. Going to go buy a lottery ticket--better chances. ;^)

Gotta run, see you around....

[sweetliberty]

Got it, and thanks for the ping. Dan, check out this thread. I added you to the voter fraud ping list so you will get notified of signigicant articles or developments. And please, contribute your findings as well.

FReepers against voter fraud

[EternalVigilance]

Trying to look at the Hamlin County results...and compare them to historical results...but I'm having some computer difficulties.

[prognostigaator]

bttt

[dano1]

There was a story in the news (see below)reporting that just before the election Senator Johnson's wife was instrumental in bringing gifts supposedly worth $250,000 to the reservation. It might be interesting to know more about how this material was distributed. I was wondering if receiving the gifts might have in some way become tied to voting. Here is part of the original story from the Aberdeen newspaper. It was posted on FreeRepublic, but I couldn't find the link.

Sat, Oct. 19, 2002 Senator's wife in Aberdeen to help youths on reservations By Christian Richardson American News Writer Children to receive coats, supplies Some South Dakota children who need a pair of gloves or a new coat to protect them from the winter cold or even a new toy may easily turn to their parents. (snip) But if it's up to Barbara Johnson, the wife of U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., life for these youths will change. She came to the Aberdeen Area Tribal Chairman's Health Board, 220 S. Main St., Friday bearing good news for children on South Dakota's Indian reservations. "Today's a day. . . when a dream comes true," Barbara Johnson said. She officially announced the beginning of the distribution of $250,000 in supplies for children on reservations across the state donated with the help of Kids In Distressed Situations Inc. The list of goods includes blankets, gloves, coats, hats and toys. (snip) Cedar Face said the idea first began when Indian officials were searching on the Internet for assistance and found the KIDS organization. Then, he said, they contacted KIDS and Barbara Johnson. Many speakers in Aberdeen on Friday attributed the success of bringing the program to South Dakota to both Tim and Barbara Johnson. Cedar Face was enthusiastic about bringing the coats and toys to the children on the reservations. Before the much needed supplies could come to Aberdeen, which will act as the state's supply headquarters for the donations, $25,000 was needed to cover the shipping expense. Barbara Johnson said she got on the phone and contacted several organizations and companies, such as Wells Fargo Bank, seeking donations. "Essentially, every person I called came forward and said, 'I want to be part of this program,'" she said. Gelber said the easy part of the project was sending the supplies. "Then, the really fun job of getting the products to the kids takes place," he said. "The fact that we actually pulled this off and had the coats here today is a total miracle," Barbara Johnson said.

[DakotaGator]

Do you remember what county it was that came in extremely late reportedly due to a power outage?

I believe you're thinking about Davison County whose county seat is Mitchell. They had an equipment breakdown (computer) & couriered in the repair parts (I think it was an EPROM).

If my memory isn't betraying me, this was initially reported as a power failure.

Now for the good part. Final voting tally for Davison shows an almost equal split between Thune & Johnson. This surprised me as I thought Davison was solidly Republican.

BTW, I don't have to see a skunk to know it's there. But I do need to see it to kill it!

[EternalVigilance]

I don't have to see a skunk to know it's there. But I do need to see it to kill it!

Yep---the nose knows!! ;-)

[WarrenC]

My suggestion is: Next time run a candidate smart enough to be on the right side of the social-security-personal-accounts issue. I've read that, unlike successful candidates Dole and Sununu, Thune campaigned against personal accounts. If he had shown the basic smarts to support a reform enjoying broad support among Americans, enough of the 20,000 Republicans who voted for Johnson would have stayed with him to make stealing the election impossible. I don't have much sympathy for any Republican who makes himself vulnerable to defeat by taking foolish positions. What I don't understand is why the Bush operatives who recruited Thune to run didn't set him straight on this issue.

[EternalVigilance]

I agree. When Republicans try and out-Democrat the Democrats, they generally lose.

It's going to take an unashamed/unabashed/unapologetic conservative warrior to defeat Daschle here in 2004.

No reason one can't win either...Republicans hold an overwhelming registration edge.