Ohio Recount Must Start Before Ceritification Deadline
Sunday, November 21, 2004 at 03:56AM
TheSpook
Attorneys for Green Party presidential candidate David Cobb and
Libertarian Michael Badnarik have sent letters to each Ohio county
election director asking them to begin preparations immediately for the
recount of the presidential vote. Although a demand for a recount is
usually not made until after the vote has been certified, there are
concerns that waiting that long would not allow enough time for the
recount to be completed before the Ohio presidential electors meet on
December 13 in Columbus. The Ohio Secretary of State's office has told
the press that certification of the vote would occur around December 6,
allowing only a handful of days for a full recount prior to the
December 13 meeting. In letters dated November 17 and sent by overnight
delivery, Cobb and Badnarik's attorneys say that "{s}uch a timeframe
will not allow for a meaningful recount and will undermine our clients'
rights under applicable law, including Ohio recount law." Cobb and
Badnarik will file the recount demand jointly. The letters go on to say
that "the lack of a meaningful recount will also violate the rights
under federal and state constitutional and statutory law of all Ohio
citizens who cast a ballot for President on Election Day. Immediate
action is necessary so that the recount procedures may begin as soon as
possible." "This is consistent with our standing up for the right to
vote and for each vote to be counted. What's the point of having a
recount if it won't be completed in time? Everyone knows what happened
in Florida in 2000 and no one wants to see that happen again," said
Blair Bobier, Media Director for the Cobb-LaMarche campaign. [more]
Some to challenge election results from Ohio [more]
"There was a lot of intimidation and terror," he said. "They talk about
how they are the best defense against terrorists but in many places
they were the terrorist. It was remarkable to see that in a democracy."
[more]
Article originally appeared on (http://brownwatch.com/).
See website for complete article licensing information.