Absentee ballots fail to arrive; back-up alternative offered

[TomClash]

Absentee ballots fail to arrive; back-up alternative offered

By Daphna Berman



With just under three weeks to go before the American election, local political activists are scrambling to find alternatives for a significant number of Americans who are still waiting for their absentee ballots. Polls in many states show the margin between the two candidates to be razor-thin, and representatives from both parties are working overtime to make sure that voters here take full advantage of a federal write-in absentee ballot, or "back up" ballot - the only recourse for many voters who want to make sure that their voices are heard come November 2.

"We're recommending that people take the matter into their own hands and get a write-in because they may never receive the regular forms," Kory Bardash, chair of Republicans Abroad in Israel said. "We hear from various offices to sit tight, but with that said, we're literally three weeks before the election and ballots need to get there by election day or the day before."

The federal write-in absentee ballot (FWAB), which was first used in 1988, allows potential voters to literally write their choice of candidate on a blank line. Voters can designate candidates for the Senate and Congress as well, but unlike the state absentee ballots many sent away for, voters do not usually select candidates for local positions such as mayor or city commissioner. The FWAB was designed as an alternative for overseas voters who were faced with unpredictable mail service and unnavigable bureaucracy. It hasn't been used en masse in recent presidential elections, but some activists here predict that up to one third of Americans living in Israel will be forced to use their write-in ballots this year.

"The local boards are overwhelmed and a good many people overseas, not just in Israel, won't get their ballots in time," predicted David Froehlich, overseas voting coordinator in Israel and honorary chair of the local Democrats Abroad chapter. "What I hear from Washington is that nationwide, everyone is swamped and local boards are working day and night to get the paperwork done in time. I've never seen anything like it."

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/489020.html

[cornermouse]

1. Will they still be counted if we have round of court

fights/decisions?

[TomClash]

2. They should be counted no matter what.

But, honestly, who knows?

[cornermouse]

3. Yeah. They should.

But at this point...I just don't know.

[Karenina]

4. They won't be.

They're using the apps to establish a database and a friend already comfirmed that when he called his home state to follow-up, he was NOT registered.

[The Zanti Regent]

5. We know how the WHORE COURT will rule

5 to 4 for Bushit.

No matter what...

[Roy]

10. Hmmm... I don't know......

Sandra Day may have had a change of heart about this Bush guy, otherwise wouldn't she have retired as she hinted at doing?

[ConcernedNonpartisan]

6. Voter Registration Fraud

This isn't exactly on the subject, however, in the past few days it has been discovered that a company formed by and paid for by the RNC has been running (in Nevada and Oregon, perhaps others) a voter registration drive. Taking registrations at malls, stores, etc. When they take the forms back to the office to process, the voter registration forms that are Democrat are torn up and only the Republican forms are processed.
This leaves the Democratic voters thinking that their form has been submitted, so they won't take any further action until voting day. When they will be turned away at the polls. It has been uncovered in Nevada. It was taken to court and an extension of voter registration was denied.
Between the "theft" of votes, registration fraud and politically motivated court decisions, I am beginning to feel that we may need an international organization to oversee our elections the same way as they have overseen elections in 3rd world countries in order to get an honest election. Sad, but this is where the Republicans have lead us. Put us into a position where we need to have our elections "observed" so the "dictator" can't cheat.

[loudsue]

7. Hi, ConcernedNonpartisan! Welcome to DU! This has been a topic

on DU since the news first broke. And you're right: there are a whole lot of people (Democrats) who are going to THINK they are registered when they show up at the polls on election day, and they'll find out nobody's ever heard of them.

Why???

Because some republican operatives have been going around the country, setting up tables in front of Wal-Marts and other places, registering people, but ripping up the forms where people registered as Democrats.

Our Democracy, our freedom, has never been in such peril. The new voting machines that have been sold to many States and counties have programming that the voting machine companies won't let any outside person review, and some right wing judge ruled this software "proprietary business" secrets, and therefore SUPPORTED the funky programming that has been proven to be operating in these machines.

Please go read the web site www.blackboxvoting.org and get involved!

:hi: Again....welcome to DU!!! :hi:

:kick::kick::kick:

[ConcernedNonpartisan]

8. Voter Registration Fraud

Thanks for the welcome, loudsue.
In the past (for most but not all elections) I have remained fairly docile, listening and reading to determine my vote. There was always enough truth available to make a reasonable decision. This year is very different. Kerry has been tied up trying to respond to lies and deceptions, many "news" organizations are "rubber stamping" the lies without any concern for the truth this leaves very little for an uncommitted voter to evaluate. Reminiscent of the Viet Nam era.

The selection of the president is a life or death decision for many of our citizens and that of others.

Having served in Viet Nam and surrounding countries, I fully appreciate the untenable situation that our Armed Forces face. A faceless enemy, poor support (although it was much better in Nam), politicians making politically motivated military decisions and a seemingly determined effort to "protect" American business interests in the country.

I could go on for hours, rant and rave as much as anyone but, at this point, my only concern is to remove the Republican Party from as many elected positions as possible. Starting at the top!

Once again, thanks for the welcome.

[newyawker99]

11. Hi ConcernedNonpartisan!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[ConcernedNonpartisan]

14. Thanks for the welcome.

I wasn't sure just what I would find here when I ran across the site. I almost walked on by. Glad that I didn't.

I did my part yesterday. Voted early. And for the first time in my life, I voted a straight ticket. All Democrat.

More later.

Thanks again.

[Piperay]

9. Here in CA my father

is getting very anxious waiting for his absentee ballot which he sent for a couple of weeks ago. My father is registered repug (only to get their crap) he ALWAYS votes Democratic. I wouldn't think the repugs would hold back on sending one of 'their own' a ballot but who knows. :shrug:

[VegasWolf]

12. Diebold generously offers solution to ballot problem!!

"A hierarchal society is based upon ignorance and poverty," George Orwell.

New Information Shows Bush Indecisive, Paranoid, Delusional

[Supersedeas]

13. local boards are overwhelmed? a legitimate excuse? Nov election for how

long now?

[Polemonium]

15. spread the news to overseas Americans

The FWAB is the only way many of us will be voting.

[ConcernedNonpartisan]

16. If George W. were a night watchman

he would have been fired on Sep. 12th.

I don't understand why he hasn't been called to task for his neglect of American security and how anyone could believe that he is the best we have to look out for our security. 9/11 HAPPENED ON HIS WATCH!

Now he has us embroiled in a war that didn't need to be fought. The reason we are in that war? I believe (very strongly) it is because Saddam had the audacity to attempt to assassinate his daddy.

Hey, the last time I posted I said "more later". I'm a man of my word, unlike the Commander in Chief.

[Polemonium]

17. Spread the word

We've been giving out alot of FWAB's here but I'm sure we're not reaching everyone who has yet to get a ballot.