US unprepared to handle election fraud: Congress

[No2W2004]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1521&e=11&u=/afp/us_vote_politics_fraud

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US government is ill-prepared to address allegations of voting fraud should they arise during next month's presidential and legislative elections, a congressional report concluded

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) Congress's independent investigative arm, determined in a 106-page report that the US Justice Department (news - web sites) has not established procedures for documenting voting irregularities or voter intimidation, and has no clearcut policy for responding to such allegations.

Lawmakers who requested the report expressed outrage at the findings.
"It is inexcusable that the Justice Department is not fully prepared to protect the right of all Americans to vote," said Representative Henry Waxman, a Democrat from California. "The Justice Department does not have the systems in place that are necessary to respond to reports of voters being turned away from the polls on Election Day," he said.

[tuvor]

1. Well, if that ain't shitty timing.

Damn! It's not like the election just jumped up out of nowhere.

I have a hunch everyone will know about these problems in a couple of weeks.

[madrchsod]

2. the justice dept.????????

why the fuck would they do anything about voters rights?

[OneBlueSky]

3. I always thought GAO stood for General Accounting Office . . .

did they change it? . . .

[foo_bar]

5. Orwellian name change three months ago

Effective July 7, 2004, the GAO's legal name became the Government Accountability Office. The change, which better reflects the modern professional services organization GAO has become, is the most visible provision of the GAO Human Capital Reform Act of 2004, Pub. L. 108-271, 118 Stat. 811 (2004).

http://www.gao.gov/about/namechange.html

[Barney Rocks]

4. great knowing that

makes me feel better.

Eyeroll.

[SoCalDem]

6. Here's how you do it..

Every news broadcast and paper should be required to carry the following notice:

Did you register to vote since 2002? If so, please verify your registration BEFORE Nov2.

If you find that you are NOT registered, please take proof of citizenship , and picture ID to the registrar's office and pick up a new voter registration receipt, so that you may vote in the 2004 election..

Take that receipt WITH YOU when you vote on Nov 2..

That's the only fair way to do it..

People who "registered" before the deadline, and had their applications ripped up, should not be denied their vote...regardless of their party..

Most rightwingers are already registered anyway..

That would send a powerful message to the ones who like to cheat.. If MORE dems sign up than had their applications tossed...well so be it.. That would be a fitting "punishment" to the cheaters.