Common Cause Blog :: Breaking News: GAO Will Investigate 2004 Elections

Breaking News: GAO Will Investigate 2004 Elections

By Murshed Zaheed
Posted on Tue Nov 23, 2004 at 01:55:30 PM EST

The Government Accoutability Office is going to investigate the voting irregularities of 2004 elections. Here is the press release we just received in our email minutes ago:

Government Accountability Office to Conduct Investigation of 2004 Election Irregularities

(Washington, DC) Reps. John Conyers, Jr., Jerrold Nadler, Robert Wexler, Robert Scott, and Rush Holt announced today that, in response to their November 5 and 8 letters to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the GAO has decided to move forward with an investigation of election irregularities in the 2004 election. The five Members issued the following statement:

"We are pleased that the GAO has reviewed the concerns expressed in our letters and has found them of sufficient merit to warrant further investigation. On its own authority, the GAO will examine the security and accuracy of voting technologies, distribution and allocation of voting machines, and counting of provisional ballots. We are hopeful that GAO's non-partisan and expert analysis will get to the bottom of the flaws uncovered in the 2004 election. As part of this inquiry, we will provide copies of specific incident reports received in our offices, including more than 57,000 such complaints provided to the House Judiciary Committee.

"The core principle of any democracy is the consent of the governed. All Americans, no matter how they voted, need to have confidence that when they cast their ballot, their voice is heard."

The Members listed above were joined in requesting the non-partisan GAO investigation by Reps. Melvin Watt, John Olver, Bob Filner, Gregory Meeks, Barbara Lee, Tammy Baldwin, Louise Slaughter and George Miller.

Tags: Action for Elections (all tags)

Breaking News: GAO Will Investigate 2004 Elections :: 12 Comments

Some good news!!

It's so positive to hear that that GAO is conducting this investigation. The entire voting process needs to be thoroughly examined as there were many voters kept from voting in this year's election and many absentee ballot as well as provisional ballots are still unaccounted for!! With 57,000 complaints provided to the House Judiciary Committee this issue could not be taken lightly. Yet, this is a victory, and we'll take it as that. Let's hope something positive comes of this investigation as many voters who voted through provisional ballots felts dishearten at doing so because they felt that their vote would not count.

by sonicspeed on Tue Nov 23, 2004 at 02:46:47 PM EST

This is also keep the issue of flaws in election

This also keep the flaws in election systems alive. At this time goal is lot bigger than just changing the results of the 2004 outcome. As cliche as it sounds it is all about the restoring integrity of our much cherished democracy.

by Anonymous Citizen on Tue Nov 23, 2004 at 02:52:59 PM EST

score one for Nonpartisanship!

I never thought in a million years they would do anything -- and of course a million years could elapse between announcing their intention of doing something and their actually doing anything.

Still, every day new studies, like this are coming out and raising questions that the mainstream media are trying harder and harder to ignore.

At least this story may give the commercial networks a chance to stick their heads in the door and smell the coffee.

**Joe** @ż@ [____] florindo

by november3rd on Tue Nov 23, 2004 at 04:11:06 PM EST

GAO announcement

Voters were systematically kept from voting by a dearth of poll machines in Ohio and Florida. This occurred only in minority districts or near colleges, where Kerry would have been expected to do well. In Republican districts there were plenty of machines, normal lines, and everyone voted. I saw this myself as a poll watcher in Florida, where only five machines were in use (in a largely African-American area) although ten had been used for a primary in September.

Republican partisans administer the voting process in both states. By allocating too few machines to Democratic precincts, they effectively disenfranchise potential Democratic voters. It's as simple as that. Now that the GAO is investigating, the truth will become known. If George W. Bush is still inaugurated, he won't be able to govern.

As he's fond of saying, God bless America!

by Anonymous Citizen on Tue Nov 23, 2004 at 07:20:43 PM EST

A Black Eye for Bush, Not Easily Whited Out

The very notion that GAO finds these elections peculiar enough, of "merit", to investigate, is a black eye for Bush's "mandate" (Or, maybe like Letterman said, he was speaking for McGreevey, and his "man date").

The Bush Crew, and "Roving Terrorists" (OBL popped up out of his Jack in the Box, didn't he? just in time for the "election")will be working furiously to derail this, denounce it, and deny it. Since: apparently no-one is really making allegations of Democratic Fraud. This time it seems that all results trumped exit polls, and all in Bush's favor.

We hope all Americans who actually believe in democracy, will shine a Light on this, until it becomes the Broad Daylight this farce deserves as its scrutiny and context.

Peace at 'ya: John Ervin

by muservin on Tue Nov 23, 2004 at 07:52:23 PM EST

Question

It seems like good news, but can it change anything?

by Anonymous Citizen on Tue Nov 23, 2004 at 08:25:06 PM EST

But what is the time table?

Does anyone know how soon the GAO investigation will occur and if it could affect the current results? Or, is this not going to come to light until several months after King Bush is sitting on his throne? We need it NOW.

by Anonymous Citizen on Tue Nov 23, 2004 at 10:25:15 PM EST

does timetable matter?

I'm not sure that a time table matters -- for if fraud is found, would not the election be in question -- could they inaguarate then? (anybody know?) Of course, the republicans will do everything in their power to stop such an investigation (as the white house tried to stop the 911 investigation....) -- but since the GAO is Non-Partisan, we have a better chance of at least getting a fair look at the weird things that went on.

I think we could learn a thing or two from some other recent elections that seem to be tainted. If 200,000 in the ukrane can get together in protest, I don't see why people couldn't get together -- in a peaceful protest....first in their own states on "certification" day (Ohio hasn't certified its votes yet, though I do know some already have.) -- and maybe on a fixed day in December -- as well as Inaguaration day.... The electoral votes are not opened until that day, by the way.

"The important thing is to never stop questioning." --Einstein

by Kali on Wed Nov 24, 2004 at 12:26:59 AM EST

pull the threads, unravel the fabric

My fondest hope is that the GAO will follow the threads back to their source at the top of the Republican party. Maybe Richard Clarke will still get his wish, which we all share, to see Karl Rove frog-marched out of the White House.

The Watergate investigation, as we fogies recall, began quietly and slowly shortly after Nixon's re-coronation in early 73. By 74 it was a firestorm that consumed his Presidency.

Let's all hope.

by Anonymous Citizen on Wed Nov 24, 2004 at 02:37:54 AM EST

Hooray

I love these Congressman. They still have the passion of their convictions and always step up to the plate. Godspeed!!

by Anonymous Citizen on Wed Nov 24, 2004 at 03:49:16 AM EST

Just Count the Votes

It's defeatist to say "we don't intend to overturn any results of Nov. 2." Why not? Republicans would never say that. In the interests of all Republicans, Democrats, and all affiliated voters, we all want all votes counted. Period. No matter what the consequences be. Our Democracy depends on safe, sound elections.

Just say, Count the Votes.

Howard Dean for DNC Chair

by johnkennedyfan on Wed Nov 24, 2004 at 03:53:48 AM EST

ironic isn't it

The US is insisting that the Ukrainiane Government pay attention to the allegations of voter fraud:

"Powell, by contrast, challenged Ukrainian leaders "to decide whether they are on the side of democracy or not."

"If the Ukrainian government does not act immediately and responsibly, there will be consequences for our relationship, for Ukraine's hopes for a Euro-Atlantic integration and for individuals responsible for perpetrating fraud," Powell said.

He was not explicit. However, the United States often revokes the U.S. visas of officials involved in perpetrating fraudulent elections in foreign countries. Another option would be to refuse Ukrainian entry into Euro-Atlantic organizations such as NATO."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20041125/ap_on_re_eu/ukraine_elections

....there were wittnesses to the incidents that happened there.... unlike here, which people denounce the allegations as Myth and Sour Grapes... already the GOP in our own Proud and Democratic US of A is denouncing attempts at recounting certain areas where irregular voting occured (what are they really afraid of if it is just splitting hairs?)... A judge ruled that the independents in Ohio can't have their recount, because there is no chance that they would win.... Florida is in a big muck of mess in Volusia -- and they have a HISTORY of problems. A lawsuit has just been filed. (see allegations on this page: http://blackboxvoting.org/ ) Think Mainstream Media will pick this up??

"The important thing is to never stop questioning." --Einstein

by Kali on Wed Nov 24, 2004 at 11:12:41 PM EST

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Breaking News: GAO Will Investigate 2004 Elections

By Murshed ZaheedPosted on Tue Nov 23, 2004 at 01:55:30 PM EST

By Murshed Zaheed
Posted on Tue Nov 23, 2004 at 01:55:30 PM EST