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Cobb Blasts New Mexico Supreme Court Recount Decision
Columbus, OH — Green Party presidential candidate David Cobb said that yesterday's decision by the New Mexico Supreme Court, denying Cobb's request to immediately start a recount of the presidential vote, was an insult to the democratic process and the citizens of New Mexico.
"The New Mexico Supreme Court has apparently decided it is more interested in protecting the rights of corporations who make electronic voting machines than the rights of citizens to ensure that their votes are counted accurately."
— Rick Lass Green N.M. Recount |
"We are seeking a recount in New Mexico to protect the right to vote and ensure that all votes are counted. We came here expecting cooperation, or at least compliance with the law, from New Mexico's Governor and Secretary of State. However, despite broad support across the political spectrum for an honest audit of New Mexico's voting system, we have been stonewalled and obstructed at every step by the Democratic Party leadership of this state," said Cobb.
"Hundreds of rank and file Democrats, along with Greens, Libertarians, and others, signed up as observers of the recount. Governor Richardson's actions, and the Supreme Court's tacit approval of them, are an insult to the democratic process and the citizens of New Mexico," added Cobb.
The Supreme Court's action on Wednesday, declining to hear Cobb's petition for a writ of mandamus, upheld a State Canvassing Board decision that Cobb and Libertarian Michael Badnarik pay the full cost of the recount in advance; with the Board estimating that cost at $1.4 million. That decision was contrary to New Mexico law; there is no legal requirement that campaigns pay the full cost in advance, nor any way to accurately estimate the cost of the recount before it is completed.
"The New Mexico Supreme Court has apparently decided it is more interested in protecting the rights of corporations who make electronic voting machines than the rights of citizens to ensure that their votes are counted accurately. To call this a travesty of justice is understating the nature of the outcome," said Rick Lass, New Mexico coordinator for the recount effort.
"Unfortunately, this is not the first time the Supreme Court has supported Secretary of State Vigil-Giron's blatant disregard for New Mexico state law," said Lass, referring to a 2001 decision to redefine eligibility for major party status which affected the Greens and other small parties in the state.
Cobb-LaMarche Media Director Blair Bobier said that the campaign is still "exploring all available options" on how to proceed in New Mexico in light of the Supreme Court ruling.
For more information about the Cobb-LaMarche campaign and its recount efforts in Ohio and New Mexico, see http://www.votecobb.org.
