Zeev's Turnips Talk Politics (ZTTP)

[thepennyking]

Wexler Files Federal Lawsuit Over Ballot Printers

Press Conference to be Held Monday

(Washington, DC) - Congressman Robert Wexler will hold a press conference this Monday, March 8, 2004 in front of the United States District Courthouse in West Palm Beach to announce the filing of his federal lawsuit over ballot printers. Wexler will be joined in his suit by Palm Beach County Commissioners Burt Aaronson and Addie Greene. The suit is being filed citing the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution and the precedent set by Bush v. Gore in the 2000 presidential election. Wexler claims that it is unconstitutional for 52 counties in Florida to have a means to conduct a recount, while 15 other Florida counties with touch-screen voting machines have a paperless system not allowing for one.

Florida law unequivocally requires a manual recount in a close election. Despite the clear requirements of Florida law, the Department of State recently issued a proposed rule stating, "when a manual recount is ordered and touchscreen ballots are used no manual recount of undervotes and overvotes cast on a touchscreen system shall be conducted since these machines do not allow a voter to cast an overvote and since a review of undervotes cannot result in a determination of voter intent."

"Essentially, what the Secretary of State is saying is that touch-screen voting machines are infallible -- which would make them the first machines devised by mankind in the history of the world that will never make a mistake. That is a lot of trust to place in these machines, when it comes at the price of our fundamental right to vote. I hope that by filing this federal lawsuit, Florida will adopt the most secure and fair voting procedures possible, so that a means for a recount is available and that every voter will know that their vote is being accurately counted on election day," Wexler said.

What: Wexler Press Conference on Federal Lawsuit Over Ballot Printers
When: Monday, March 8, 2004 at 3:15 pm
Where: United States District Courthouse - West Palm Beach; 701 Clematis Street; West Palm Beach, FL

Congressman Wexler is a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee and also a member of the House International Relations Committee.

http://www.house.gov/wexler/press_releases/Mar_07_04.htm