RE: 46 DAYS TILL ELECTION DAY! - CAN WE PROTECT THE VOTE?

["Pete Klammer" <pklammer@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I didn't know we could inquire about our absentee ballots being counted; I
thought that was only provided for provisional ballots.

--
Pete Klammer, P.E. / ACM(1970), IEEE(SA,P1583), ICCP(CCP), NSPE(PE)
   3200 Routt Street / Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033-5452
 (303)233-9485 / Fax:(303)274-6182 / Mailto:PKlammer@xxxxxxx
   "Either Be Good, or Else Be Careful, but Do Have Fun! "
 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: alkolwicz [mailto:alkolwicz@xxxxxxxxx] 
> Sent: Sunday, September 19, 2004 3:52 PM
> To: pklammer@xxxxxxx; 'Robert Mcgrath'; 
> cvv-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; bob.mcgrath@xxxxxxxxxx; 
> cmehesy@xxxxxxxxxxx; donna@xxxxxxxxxxxx; mlambie@xxxxxxxxxxx; 
> peter.raich@xxxxxxxx; TresCeeA@xxxxxxx
> Subject: RE: 46 DAYS TILL ELECTION DAY! - CAN WE PROTECT THE VOTE?
> 
> Pete,
> 
> I think that the number of ways that a provisional ballot can be
> disqualified is greater than the number of ways that an 
> absentee ballot can
> be disqualified.
> 
> To vote by absentee:
> 
> 1.  I would include a brief note stating my objection to DREs 
> and having to
> resort to and absentee ballot.  
> 
> 2.  I would check every single detail of the ballot and the 
> return envelope.
> 
>  
> 3.  I would then grudgingly hand-carry my voted absentee ballot and
> personally deposit it in the absentee ballot container, 
> realizing that it
> might not be counted. 
> 
> 4.  Then I would start making calls to the clerk's office -- 
> two or three
> times per day -- asking was my absentee ballot qualified for 
> counting? 
>  
> 5.  After the election results are posted, I would once again 
> check with the
> clerk to see if my ballot was counted.  
> 
> 6.  Finally, I would also write a letter to the editor 
> criticizing the clerk
> and expressing my displeasure with DREs.
> 
> Pardon the quickly phrased language.
> 
> Al
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Pete Klammer [mailto:pklammer@xxxxxxxxxxx] 
> Sent: Sunday, September 19, 2004 2:37 PM
> To: AlKolwicz@xxxxxxxxx; 'Robert Mcgrath'; 
> cvv-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx;
> bob.mcgrath@xxxxxxxxxx; cmehesy@xxxxxxxxxxx; donna@xxxxxxxxxxxx;
> mlambie@xxxxxxxxxxx; PKlammer@xxxxxxx; peter.raich@xxxxxxxx;
> TresCeeA@xxxxxxx
> Subject: RE: 46 DAYS TILL ELECTION DAY! - CAN WE PROTECT THE VOTE?
> 
> By "vote in person on a paper ballot" are you still excluding 
> provisional
> ballot?
> 
> --
> Pete Klammer, P.E. / ACM(1970), IEEE(SA,P1583), ICCP(CCP), NSPE(PE)
>    3200 Routt Street / Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033-5452
>  (303)233-9485 / Fax:(303)274-6182 / Mailto:PKlammer@xxxxxxx
>    "Either Be Good, or Else Be Careful, but Do Have Fun! "
>  
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: alkolwicz [mailto:alkolwicz@xxxxxxxxx] 
> > Sent: Sunday, September 19, 2004 12:35 PM
> > To: 'Robert Mcgrath'; cvv-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; 
> > bob.mcgrath@xxxxxxxxxx; cmehesy@xxxxxxxxxxx; 
> > donna@xxxxxxxxxxxx; mlambie@xxxxxxxxxxx; PKlammer@xxxxxxx; 
> > peter.raich@xxxxxxxx; TresCeeA@xxxxxxx
> > Subject: RE: 46 DAYS TILL ELECTION DAY! - CAN WE PROTECT THE VOTE?
> > 
> > Bob,
> > 
> > I think that you understand that votes on absentee ballots 
> > are counted, in
> > those counties that use optical scan at all, using the optical scan
> > equipment.
> > 
> > I hope that you correct your promotional materials to remove 
> > the suggestion
> > that people who have a chance to vote in person on a paper 
> > ballot should
> > vote absentee.
> > 
> > People might be better off voting absentee than they are 
> > voting by DRE.  But
> > they are not better off voting absentee when they can vote 
> > early or in their
> > precinct using a true paper ballot.
> > 
> > Cheers,
> > 
> > Al
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Robert Mcgrath [mailto:mcgrath_mcnally@xxxxxxx] 
> > Sent: Sunday, September 19, 2004 8:35 AM
> > To: AlKolwicz@xxxxxxxxx; cvv-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx;
> > bob.mcgrath@xxxxxxxxxx; cmehesy@xxxxxxxxxxx; donna@xxxxxxxxxxxx;
> > mlambie@xxxxxxxxxxx; PKlammer@xxxxxxx; peter.raich@xxxxxxxx;
> > TresCeeA@xxxxxxx
> > Subject: RE: 46 DAYS TILL ELECTION DAY! - CAN WE PROTECT THE VOTE?
> > 
> > Al,
> > 
> > We have been unable to figure out how to get the county 
> > election officials 
> > to offer paper ballots in precincts where DRE's are used.  We 
> > have heard 
> > stories of how central tabulators in precincts using optical 
> > scanners can 
> > just as easily be corrupt.  I am willing to let voters who 
> > vote on paper and
> > 
> > have that optically scanned continue to do so, but it 
> > continues to be a risk
> > 
> > relative to whether there is any chance for audits of those 
> > optical scans.  
> > 50 pre-selected ballots compared against optical scanners 
> is hardly a 
> > significant comparison, but that is what they've reduced us to.
> > >
> > >Bob,
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >You are making a big mistake encouraging voters, who have 
> > the option to 
> > >vote
> > >on a paper ballot in their precinct, to vote by absentee 
> > instead.  Many of
> > >them will lose their vote altogether.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >For voters who have the choice of voting using a paper 
> > ballot in their
> > >precinct or in an early voting location - they should do so.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >Al
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >Al Kolwicz
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >CAMBER
> > >
> > >Citizens for Accurate Mail Ballot Election Results
> > >
> > >2867 Tincup Circle
> > >
> > >Boulder, CO 80305
> > >
> > >303-494-1540
> > >
> > >AlKolwicz@xxxxxxxxx
> > >
> > >www.users.qwest.net/~alkolwicz
> > >
> > >http://coloradovoter.blogspot.com
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >   _____
> > >
> > >From: Mcgrath, Bob___PAIC_Mkt [mailto:bob.mcgrath@xxxxxxxxxx]
> > >Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2004 4:37 PM
> > >To: Mcgrath, Bob___PAIC_Mkt
> > >Subject: 46 DAYS TILL ELECTION DAY! - CAN WE PROTECT THE VOTE?
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >Weekly Newsbrief
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >Two events You Can Support:
> > >
> > >Sunday, Sept. 26 - "Just Desserts" Forum features Films & Desserts
> > >
> > >Arvada United Methodist Church, 68th & Carr St., 
> > 303-421-5135, 7:00 - 9:00
> > >p.m.
> > >
> > >"Trouble in Paradise" & "Invisible Ballots" Movies & Q&A on 
> > Protect Your
> > >Vote
> > >
> > >Come see Trouble in Paradise, a movie detailing the problems 
> > continuing in
> > >Florida in the 2002 elections, showing why fair elections in 
> > 2004 may not 
> > >be
> > >possible.  This will be followed by clips from Invisible 
> > Ballots, a film
> > >produced by True Vote Maryland, a citizens activist group 
> similar to
> > >Coloradoans for Voting Integrity, detailing the problems 
> > with electronic
> > >voting machines.  Desserts and coffees, teas and other 
> > refreshments will be
> > >provided with time to meet and discuss the films.  We will 
> > be asking people
> > >to support the Sept. 29th rally.
> > >
> > >Wednesday, Sept. 29 - "Don't Let the Computer Eat Your Vote" Rally
> > >
> > >West Steps, State Capitol, downtown Denver, 12 noon - 1:00 p.m.
> > >
> > >Come join with other citizens to express your desire for 
> trustworthy
> > >elections in November.  We will be asking for voter 
> verifiable paper 
> > >ballots
> > >with 1% automatic manual audits of all machine-counted 
> > ballots, to ensure
> > >there are no opportunities for malfunctions or malfeasance 
> > in this year's
> > >critically important elections.  Come hear various political 
> > candidates 
> > >from
> > >major parties discuss their support of verifiable voting and 
> > sign a pledge
> > >for trustworthy elections.  Co-sponsored by the Coloradoans 
> > for Voting
> > >Integrity and the Rocky Mt. Peace & Justice Center of Boulder.
> > >
> > >This critical election, 1/3 of Colorado voters will use 
> > insecure electronic
> > >machines with no possibility of recount. Many others will 
> > have their votes
> > >counted by optical scan machines, which are subject to the 
> > same problems of
> > >error and fraud as electronic voting machines.  The 
> > Secretary of State has
> > >ignored the petitions of 14,000 Coloradoans for 
> voter-verified paper 
> > >ballots
> > >in all elections. We demand paper ballots, hand counted. 
> > Please come out 
> > >and
> > >help protect our elections. Carpool from Boulder at Table 
> > Mesa Park and 
> > >Ride
> > >at 11 a.m.(Table Mesa Road I-36). For more information, call 
> > >303-444-6981x5.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >For more info on this issue, go to
> > >http://www.verifiedvoting.org/resources/hr2239_volunteers/Int
> > roduction-5-pa
> > g
> > >es.pdf or to www.cfvi.org
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >Other Actions:
> > >
> > >CFVI has explored legal action but has been unable to pursue 
> > a lawsuit due
> > >to unavailability of Colorado-based facts with which to 
> bring such a
> > >preliminary injunctions.  Our actions will instead now 
> focus upon our
> > >HOTLINE, collecting HAVA COMPLAINTS, ruthlessly pursuing MEDIA AND
> > >ADVERTISING, and building COALITION WITH OTHER GROUPS.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >We are now in need of funds to execute an ad campaign about 
> > our hotline and
> > >to educate the public about verifiable voting in Colorado.  
> > We have tried
> > >approaching the media and they have turned a deaf ear or 
> > have mocked our
> > >efforts as that of "whiners, critics, liberals and 
> > progressives who don't
> > >understand the security measures already in place by our 
> > great leaders."
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >We have been meeting weekly for the past month, developing outreach
> > >campaigns to county election officials, to political candidates in 
> > >Colorado,
> > >and pursuing our U.S. Congressional representatives.  We can 
> > still use your
> > >help in telephone or personal follow-up to the information 
> > packets that 
> > >have
> > >already been sent to over 350 individuals who can make a 
> > difference by
> > >speaking out or by opting to offer voters a choice of paper 
> > ballots in the
> > >polling place.  If you can help make phone calls or talk to 
> > any of these
> > >candidates or county election officials, we NEED YOU!
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >Our Current Advice:
> > >
> > >Due to our inability to halt the use of un-auditable 
> > electronic voting
> > >machines, and due to our inability to call for a 
> > statistically significant
> > >manual audit of all optical scanners, we are calling on 
> all Colorado
> > >citizens to do the following:
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >1. Vote absentee.  Order your absentee ballot by October 3rd.
> > >
> > >2. Cast your absentee ballot IN PERSON, AND AS LATE AS 
> > POSSIBLE (THE DAY
> > >BEFORE OR THE DAY OF THE ELECTION).
> > >
> > >3. Encourage everyone you know to NOT vote early or vote 
> in precinct 
> > >voting.
> > >If someone misses the absentee deadline, have them vote 
> provisional.
> > >
> > >4. Those voters voting provisional should go to the precinct 
> > location and
> > >submit themselves WITHOUT ID so they will be given a 
> > provisional paper
> > >ballot.  Those people will be given a phone number to call 
> > to see if their
> > >ballot was counted within 12 days after the election.  Due 
> > to the extremely
> > >tight races in this year's elections, it is likely that 
> > there will be court
> > >challenges over provisional ballots, but at least they will 
> > be on paper.
> > >
> > >5. If you must vote on a machine, or if you are given a 
> > paper ballot to be
> > >optically scanned, again, try to vote provisional.  Optical scanner
> > >tabulation software can just as easily be hacked into or 
> > compromised as the
> > >electronic voting machines.
> > >
> > >6. If you experience or know of anyone who experiences any 
> > problems in
> > >voting on election day, we will be providing a voter hotline 
> > to call with
> > >such reports.  There is also a Protect the Vote Hotline 
> > operated by People
> > >for the American Way.  Both hotlines will be advertised and 
> > promoted via 
> > >the
> > >media before and during election day.
> > >
> > >7. We will be facilitating election complaints using the 
> > Help America Vote
> > >Act provisions.  Stay tuned for details on this.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >This is the election of our lifetime.  Please vote as if 
> > your life, and the
> > >life of our democracy, depends upon it.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >Bob McGrath, Director
> > >Coloradoans for Voting Integrity
> > >355 Teller Ste 200
> > >Lakewood, CO 80226
> > >Tel. 303.231.1031
> > >  <http://www.cfvi.org> http://www.cfvi.org
> > >
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> 
> 
> 
>