2004 Ballot Recount: Observer Report
- December 15, 2004:
Report by Green Party Observer - December 14, 2004:
Report by Green Party Observer
December 15, 2004:
Report by Green Party Observer
Total scanning — informed that could not see all the overvotes during scanning. Observer C. attempted to look at some and was denied. It lasted until 3:00pm. 21 precincts off by 1, 2 or up to 6. Trying to reconcile by hand-counting.
In trying to get Observer T. in as a witness, I got thrown out. Requested to come back Thursday and was denied.
Here is a plan for Dec. 16, 2004
- Finish reconciling 21 precincts that need to be reconciled
- Final test on test data
- Review, count signatures - Polling books
- Review Provisional disqualified
- Review Absentee disqualified
- Chance to review challenges with BoE
- BoE meeting 2:00pm
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"Random" sample selection — not random... Staff admitted that small precincts were chosen because fewer problems would be encountered in smaller precincts" "Should use random number generator or pick from 191 precincts in a hat. A Green witness challenged to allow the addition/substitution of more populous precincts — he was asked to write his request (Miami CXYZ) and then it was later denied by the Democratic Chairman, Pricilla O'Donnell" "On some ballots, there was a sticker on the ballot, the Kerry vote was covered with a sticker — no one could explain these stickers. Board of Elections — no one would 2nd the motion to bring this to a vote. Later other witnesses noticed stickers on other ballots. May have to invoke tampering, defiling statutes." — Green Party Observer |
December 14, 2004:
Report by Green Party Observer
The "random" sample selection is not random. Three percent is taken from 13 precincts with lowest number of voters, plus next number of precincts to achieve three percent. This eliminates larger more diversified precincts. Staff admitted that small precincts were chosen because fewer problems would be encountered in smaller precincts.
Should use random number generator or pick from 191 precincts in a hat. A Green witness challenged to allow the addition/substitution of more populous precincts — he was asked to write his request (Miami CXYZ) and then it was later denied by the Democratic Chairman, Pricilla O'Donnell.
Hand count of 3%: Overvote challenges — sticker placed over Kerry vote, while Bush vote left for scanning.
Convening of BoE to review challenged ballots: Regarding overvote decisions for Kerry and Kerry & Edwards (write-in), voter intent is very clear and should not be ignored, but BoE voted to maintain a rigid interpretation and ignore voter intent.
Other overvotes were inconsistently handled. On some ballots, there was a sticker on the ballot, the Kerry vote was covered with a sticker — no one could explain these stickers. Board of Elections — no one would 2nd the motion to bring this to a vote. Later other witnesses noticed stickers on other ballots. May have to invoke tampering, defiling statutes.
Number of BoE members needed to make decisions — 3 of 4?