FW: Bipartisan Lawsuit Filed Against Boulder Ballots

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2004

*****MEDIA ADVISORY*****

BIPARTISAN GROUP OF BOULDER CITIZENS FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST SERIAL NUMBERS AND BAR CODES ON BALLOTS

BOULDER, CO—Today, a bipartisan group of Boulder County voters filed a lawsuit against the Boulder County Clerk and Colorado Secretary of State challenging serial numbers and bar codes on ballots for the November 2004 general election. The voters allege that the serial numbers violate the law prohibiting identifying marks on ballots.

Lead plaintiff Dean Schooler, said “I do not want my children growing up where the Constitution guarantees us confidentiality in voting, but our government officials do not respect this confidentiality.”

The voters’ attorney, Robert J. Corry, Jr., said “Ballot secrecy is a basic cornerstone of American government. Boulder’s system creates fear that will drive down voter turnout, and could expose voters to threats, intimidation, and vote buying, especially vulnerable populations like the elderly, less-educated, and linguistic minorities.”

Corry also pointed out that Boulder is the only county in Colorado (out of 64 counties) that uses the new Hart-InterCivic system of serially numbered ballots. “Boulder is the outlier here, and should join the rest of the state in protecting voter confidentiality.”

The Honorable Morris W. Sandstead Jr. has set the matter for an emergency hearing on Monday, October 21, 2004 at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom K. The plaintiffs are a diverse group of three Republicans, two Democrats, and one Libertarian.

WHAT: A bipartisan group of six citizens filed a lawsuit today in Boulder District Court challenging serially numbered and bar coded ballots.

WHEN: Lawsuit filed Thursday, October 21, 2004; Emergency hearing to be held Monday, October 25, 2004 at 1:30 pm.

WHERE: Boulder District Court, 1777 6^th Street, Boulder, Colorado 80302.

CONTACT: Robert Corry, Jr., Corry & Fellows, LLP at 303-634-2244 (office) 720-364-9269 (cell) or Robert@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Legal papers are available upon request.

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Robert J. Corry, Jr.
Law Offices of Corry & Fellows, LLP
600 17th Street, Suite 2800 South Tower
Denver, Colorado 80202
303-634-2244
Robert@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx