Kucinich Introduces HR 6200 - HAND counted, PAPER ballots - everywhere.

[autorank]

I'm at the We Count 2006 Conference in Cleveland. After a break for dinner, we resumed with an address by Dennis Kucinich, D, OH. He made the remarks below and then announced that he's introduced H.R. 6200, a bill to guarantee that the 2006 election will be conducted on "hand counted, paper ballots, counted and posted at the precinct level" with the process open to all to observe. This was a real stunner. There is some legislation out there on stop gap measures but this is the whole 9 yards, the ultimate in election integrity - Machines are Gone under this legislation...GONE.

Here's the DU Live Blog on DU of the "We Count" Conference, Cleveland OH:[/font>

ANNOUNCEMENT: "Introduced, 20 co-sponsors HR 6200 -paper ballots, hand counted, results posted at precinct. This bill came from this movement.

When asked why he was one of the few Democrats to take the elections issue seriously, Kucinich shot back "The exception to the rule proves there's a new rule" and got a huge round of applause.

"One of the most important meetings going on in this state maybe the country." Referring to "We Count 2006"

Two issues I hear about constantly:

- denial of access to health care 50 million Americans without health care...
Conyers-Kucinich Bill
- equal interest - "people are deeply concerned about the election process."

"You're holding the light of democracy for the whole country."

"our ability to have control over our institutions" is at risk when the procedures of elections are
controlled...

Referring to Ohio's disastrous 2004 election he said "We understand why there is such great concern"

Without free and fair elections, "everything is at risk...a cause that's so important, it's a measure of the courage of the people" who call attention to the problem.

"We have a mission to make sure that elections are on the level."

"There are lingering questions about the 2004 election and there ought to be."

"Even verified voter paper trails are not an adequate solution to safeguarding our elections."

"Distrust is a form of disenfranchisement....electoin integrity ... voters have a right to know that the vote cast of for the candidate that they selected.

ANNOUNCEMENT: "Introduced, 20 co-sponsors HR 6200 -paper ballots, hand counted, results posted at precinct. This bill came from this movement.

[blm]

1. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dennis, you are always a hero to me!!!!!!!!!!!

.

[liberaldemocrat7]

62. We need vote by mail with paper ballots counted by civil servants

We need to end the Republican ballot security enterprise.

We need to end hiding of voting machines and hiding of voting locations.

Let people send in their paper ballot by mail and have them counted by civil servants. if Republicans and democrats want to observe the counting then let that happen.

We need civil servants keeping track of voter registrations which will take private Republican connected companies out of the voter registration process.

[Wilms]

2. Two minutes and only 4 votes. C'mon folks!

;)

[EFerrari]

17. Hey - I had to watch the Giants lose!

:kick:

[Land Shark]

29. Here's the basic bill info and cosponsor list for H.R. 6200

Cong. Kucinich wows Cleveland We Count conference with fantastic speech, introduces bill for Hand counted paper ballots with precinct posted results in presidential race, H.R. 6200. (basic info below). From speech, text of bill sounds great. Text of bill not available for a day or two.

H.R. 6200

Title: To amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require States to conduct Presidential elections using paper ballots and to count those ballots by hand, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. (introduced 9/27/2006) Cosponsors (19)
Latest Major Action: 9/27/2006 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COSPONSORS(19), ALPHABETICAL : (Sort: by date)
Rep Brown, Corrine - 9/27/2006 Rep Clay, Wm. Lacy - 9/27/2006
Rep Conyers, John, Jr. - 9/27/2006 Rep Filner, Bob - 9/27/2006
Rep Grijalva, Raul M. - 9/27/2006 Rep Gutierrez, Luis V. - 9/27/2006
Rep Hastings, Alcee L. - 9/27/2006 Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. - 9/27/2006
Rep Jackson, Jesse L., Jr. - 9/27/2006 Rep Jackson-Lee, Sheila - 9/27/2006
Rep Johnson, Eddie Bernice - 9/27/2006 Rep Kaptur, Marcy - 9/27/2006
Rep Lee, Barbara - 9/27/2006 Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. - 9/27/2006
Rep McDermott, Jim - 9/27/2006 Rep McKinney, Cynthia A. - 9/27/2006
Rep Solis, Hilda L. - 9/27/2006 Rep Waters, Maxine - 9/27/2006
Rep Woolsey, Lynn C. - 9/27/2006

[EFerrari]

37. We've got to lobby Nancy Pelosi.

That's it.

[helderheid]

68. is there any video of his speech?

[uppityperson]

3. k&r to keep up with the foley threads

[napi21]

4. That's GREAT, but too late for Nov 7th!

Remember, Congress is GONE until after the elections!!!!! DAMN IT!

[Subdivisions]

7. Can they ignore a call for emergency session?

[napi21]

11. I don't know for sure, but I DOUBT a minorityRep. can call an

emergency session and have enoughshow up to get a valid vote!

[buddhamama]

5. bless him.

one of a few who can still be counted on to do what is Right and best for the country.

[tblue]

10. Yep. He never disappoints, does he?

[buddhamama]

13. no, he doesn't.

i wish we had more like Dennis.

[Gregorian]

6. We love you Dennis!!

It feels like something good is happening. Wow. Pinch me.

[Benhurst]

8. Recommended #10

[mikelgb]

9. kick for kooch and democracy

[mom cat]

12. This is a great piece of legislation. Keep it kicked!

[Jim Sagle]

14. FNA & K & R.

[MoseyWalker]

15. why are the good guys ridiculed and sent to the corner

and the bad guys held up on pedestals with halos?

the answer tells you where we are and where we are headed.

[LWolf]

36. I think you've asked the question of the hour

for the future of the Democratic Party.

[madokie]

16. I wonder if Dennis was maybe the best of the bunch in '04

He does have a way of seeing things as we, average joes, see them.
I know he has gained my respect

[Greeby]

23. Oh, he's just that short little weird guy who doesn't have a girlfriend

:sarcasm:

As anyone who has seen and heard from Elizabeth would attest, whos laughing now ;)

[LWolf]

35. I don't wonder. I know.

I hope he gains the respect of the rest of the party, as well.

[NotGivingUp]

40. he got my vote in 04

[Lydia Leftcoast]

74. Yeah, the guy of whom countless people said to me, "I just love Dennis,

but he can't win."

If everyone who said that to every campaigner for DK across the country had just VOTED for Dennis, he would have won.

[scarletwoman]

18. But this won't be voted on in time for the 2006 election, will it?

Hasn't Congress now recessed until after the November election? Not saying it's not a wonderful bill -- it IS wonderful, and I LOVE Kucinich -- but I don't see how it can change anything about the 2006 election.

I'd be glad to see it in place for 2008 -- but if the Dems don't reach a majority in the House THIS time, what are the chances of it going anywhere?

sw

[midnight]

19. Every Dem. needs to stand behind HR 6200.........

Paper please...

[FogerRox]

20. WOOT WOOT WOOT for Dennis, and Autorank. ...Sup dude

DAymn, this is what you get with a DEM who has BALLS.

[annabanana]

21. Wow! Principles are just so

I love you Dennis!

[Land Shark]

22. Kucinich really wowed 'em today!! Incredible speech, incredible news....

copy of text of HR 6200 coming up, late tonight unless someone else has it..

[boolean]

24. Ironically, Kucinich is considered 'unelectable', even with paper ballots!

VOTE FOR THIS FUCKING MAN TO BE THE NEXT FUCKING PRESIDENT.

[LWolf]

34. I did last time, and I'll do it again.

If he's on my ballot, anytime, anywhere, he's got my vote.

[Kurovski]

25. Dennis is a damned hard worker.

And so's my autorank. K&R.

[Berry Cool]

26. I remember Dennis all too well to like him, myself

but this is one great thing he is doing. Good for him.

[mod mom]

27. That's what I'm talking about! Go Dennis!

[Peace Patriot]

28. Backup plan: BUST THE MACHINES--VOTE BY ABSENTEE BALLOT!

If enough people do it--if everyone who despises the Bush Junta--60% to 70% of the American people--votes by Absentee Ballot this fall, the reign of these diabolical machines is OVER!

I don't know why anybody expected the Diebold Congress to rescue us from Diebold. I applaud any such efforts, but I'm dismayed at how late they came, and at the lack of a backup plan. Monitoring the elections? Yeah, we did that in 2004. It started this great movement, and is great for the long term educational struggle, but I don't think we have a lot of time left in this democracy. We need to do something NOW!

And a massive Absentee Ballot PROTEST is the only plan I know of for ACTION NOW. If it's big enough, it will jumpstart reform, by pressuring the officials in local/state jurisdictions, where ordinary people still have some influence. FLOOD them with MOUNTAINS of Absentee Ballots, and they will be FORCED to reform, or be ousted from office.

The governor of Maryland (a Repub) is recommending it. So is the Colorado Democratic Party. AB voting is on the increase everywhere (it's up to 50% in Los Angeles) because people DON'T TRUST THESE MACHINES! Let's DO it! Let's make it an overwhelming citizen "vote of no confidence" in Bushite corporate controlled SECRET vote tabulation!

Please see my recent posts on the Absentee Ballot protest:
(What do you expect from the Diebold Congress?--includes advice on making your AB vote more secure; hand-deliver it!)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2851762
(Diebold is WHY Congress is so bad)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2854648
(Diebold 'smoking gun' in GA! Vote Absentee this fall!)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2855386

THROW DIEBOLD, ES&S AND ALL ELECTION THEFT MACHINES INTO 'BOSTON HARBOR' NOW!

BOYCOTT THE MACHINES--VOTE BY ABSENTEE BALLOT THIS NOVEMBER!

:patriot: :think: :woohoo: :think: :patriot:

[Breeze54]

38. Let America Vote Act: Emergency Paper Ballot Mandate of 2006 - SIGN!

Let America Vote Act: Emergency Paper Ballot Mandate of 2006.

In primaries in Ohio, Maryland, California and numerous states across this nation,
Electronic Voting Machines have caused serious problems at the polls, resulting in
long lines, voters turned way from their polling places, and uncounted or miscounted votes.

We must act now to ensure that every eligible voter can cast a ballot that counts on November 7.

http://www.democrats.com/peoplesemailnetwork/86

Because our representatives in Washington are not addressing this threat to our democracy,

:bluebox: netroots activists have drafted the....

Let America Vote Act: Emergency Paper Ballot Mandate of 2006.

:thumbsup: This simple piece of proposed legislation mandates every voting jursidiction

make available emergency paper ballots for the November 7, 2006 general election.:thumbsup:

:bluebox: These paper ballots will not be provisional ballots but regular ballots.

They can be used by any voter who requests one -
and will be used by every voter in the event of voting machine failure.

:bluebox: These emergency paper ballot votes must be counted immediately upon the close of polls.

Congress will finish all pre-election work on Friday.

Write your Representatives today!

:bluebox: Tell Congress to Pass the Emergency Paper Ballot Mandate of 2006

http://www.democrats.com/peoplesemailnetwork/86

Bob Fertik

:dem: Let's take back out country! :patriot: Sign now!! ;)

[Clarkie1]

30. Let fellow Dems know you want this on the calendar in late January 07'. nt

[spanone]

31. Thank you Mr. Kucinich

[kpete]

32. Kucinich

is an American Hero

This is great news - coming at at time when we need it more than ever...

[FogerRox]

33. Already rec'ed, well how about another KICK , Nice takin off from work

Auto, and to get this scoop, no pun intended, MAaaaaaaajor story dude, & YOU got it.

Proud of you pal, good on ya.

Jack this Thread up, vote it up.

[NotGivingUp]

39. Dennis always stands for the right thing.

[Vidar]

41. Applauding Kucinich.

[Lena inRI]

42. Way to go, Dennis. . .

I've been saying this since 2000. . .but nobody really took me seriously since they underestimated the depth and breadth of the Republican corruption and/or they buy so much into the techie solutions for our day and age.

But YOU really heard people like me, Dennis, and that's what makes you a fantastic leader. . .always for what works and not for fame or fortune. . . it was being single for so long that made you the individualist that you continue to be.

Love ya lots. . .
:loveya: :loveya: :hug: :hug:

[Pushed To The Left]

43. Kucinich is the man!

He's one of Congress's true progressives!

[marions ghost]

44. Out of Ohio....

:kick: :kick: :kick:

[Imagevision]

45. Dennis Kucinich you should be the next president!

[autorank]

46. Damn, these Buckeyes are serious about voting rights.

The evening session of the conference started out with Kucinich blowing peoples minds and it ended with three amazing presentations by Paul Lehto (Land Shark), Bob Koehler, Chicago Tribune media syndicated columnist, and Mark Crispin Miller, author of "Fooled Again" and "The Bush Dyslexicon."

It ended just 15-20 minutes ago at 11:30.

More on the Kucinich bill as it rolls out. It's not published on the internet but Land Shark provided the sponsor list upthread.

This is a great night for people serious about reform. Paper ballots mean nothing unless there is a viable system of reform that people can use to vote with those ballots.

Thank you Dennis Kkucinich for being such a great DEMOCRAT and a stand up guy in tough times.

[burythehatchet]

47. Anyone know if DLC would support this?

:shrug:

[nofurylike]

48. wow. wow. thank you, autorank, and all! eom

[Land Shark]

49. List of cosponsors and bill info repeated here again

Cong. Kucinich wows Cleveland We Count conference with fantastic speech, introduces bill for Hand counted paper ballots with precinct posted results in presidential race, H.R. 6200. (basic info below). From speech, text of bill sounds great. Text of bill not available for a day or two.

H.R. 6200

Title: To amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require States to conduct Presidential elections using paper ballots and to count those ballots by hand, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. (introduced 9/27/2006) Cosponsors (19)
Latest Major Action: 9/27/2006 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COSPONSORS(19), ALPHABETICAL : (Sort: by date)
Rep Brown, Corrine - 9/27/2006 Rep Clay, Wm. Lacy - 9/27/2006
Rep Conyers, John, Jr. - 9/27/2006 Rep Filner, Bob - 9/27/2006
Rep Grijalva, Raul M. - 9/27/2006 Rep Gutierrez, Luis V. - 9/27/2006
Rep Hastings, Alcee L. - 9/27/2006 Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. - 9/27/2006
Rep Jackson, Jesse L., Jr. - 9/27/2006 Rep Jackson-Lee, Sheila - 9/27/2006
Rep Johnson, Eddie Bernice - 9/27/2006 Rep Kaptur, Marcy - 9/27/2006
Rep Lee, Barbara - 9/27/2006 Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. - 9/27/2006
Rep McDermott, Jim - 9/27/2006 Rep McKinney, Cynthia A. - 9/27/2006
Rep Solis, Hilda L. - 9/27/2006 Rep Waters, Maxine - 9/27/2006
Rep Woolsey, Lynn C. - 9/27/2006

[Booster]

50. The most important issue of our time. K&R.

[emmadoggy]

51. This is FANTASTIC!

Thank you, Mr. Kucinich.

But will it go anywhere?? :shrug:

[BradBlog]

52. CLARIFY WHAT APPEARS TO BE TYPO PLEASE...

Thanks for the news Rank...But a question. You said (my emphasis here):

He made the remarks below and then announced that he's introduced H.R. 6200, a bill to guarantee that the 2006 election will be conducted on "hand counted, paper ballots, counted and posted at the precinct level" with the process open to all to observe. This was a real stunner. There is some legislation out there on stop gap measures but this is the whole 9 yards, the ultimate in election integrity - Machines are Gone under this legislation...GONE.

My understanding is that the bill refers to PRESIDENTIAL Elections only. So, no matter what is done here before the Nov. 7, 2006 election (and I believe Congress has already recessed for the election), this legislation would apply to 2008 -- NOT 2006, as you suggested above.

Correct?

I presume it was either a typo, or a misunderstanding on your part, but happy for any clarification you may have.

Gracias! And give my best to all the folks in the Buckeye! Sorry I wasn't able to make it out there!

[kath]

54. Yes, only PRESIDENTIAL election - what about House, Senate, gubernatorial

races, etc????

[bleever]

56. I like this message.

Any citizen should be able to see for her/himself how each precinct came out.

Precinct level data will not compromise the "secret ballot", unless mishandled.

KR.

[SammyWinstonJack]

53. K & R!

[lovuian]

55. I love this man

but dang it he has a woman already :)

[mhatrw]

57. Thanks, Dennis!

It's great that at least one person in our Congress is making sense on this most critical issue.

[The Sushi Bandit]

58. Dennis is my man!!!!

Dennis and I at a fund raiser in Santa Ana 2004

[JackRiddler]

59. k!!!

[magellan]

60. Yes!!

Kucinich is da man!!

:applause:

[ISUGRADIA]

61. Congress has went home for 2006

No session until 2007

[zeemike]

63. Dennis Kucinich Rocks!!!! n/t

[NotGivingUp]

64. He's the only one telling it like it is. Just having a paper trail with

Diebold machines will do nothing. It must be paper ballots, hand counted.

[FogerRox]

65. kickin for WE the Pepole.

[helderheid]

66. oh HELL YEA!!! GO KOOCH GO!

[treestar]

67. Yay Dennis!

Just watch the repukes and Diebold trying to oppose this!

:rotfl:

[In Truth We Trust]

69. Hell Yeah! Go DennisHand Counted Paper Ballots NOW! ...or Fascism Forever.

[freedomfries]

70. Kudos to Dennis!

It's happening! Thanks for posting auto!

[Rosemary2205]

71. k&r

[lonestarnot]

72. They need to be gone! Now let's get it passed!

[glitch]

73. K & R and I dedicate this line to TruthIsAll:

Without free and fair elections, "everything is at risk...a cause that's so important, it's a measure of the courage of the people" who call attention to the problem.

[jen4clark]

75. Let's all write

letters to our Reps asking them to support this bill!!

http://www.congress.org

Bless Rep. Kucinich. I'm so happy he's found love, with an amazing woman!! He so deserves it!

[loyalsister]

76. Now we just have to do away with fire,

water, paper shredders......
A lot more legislation is needed to secure elections.
Sorry, but this process does not get the job done no matter how badly people want to believe it.
The thing that makes people uncomfortable is that there is a MOE in elections and some ballots don't get counted. If you are trying to count massive numbers in the most efficient way possible, it is an inevitability. It is a cop out to assume elections are stolen and manipulated when our party doesn't win.
We should address voting problems where the real issues are- intimidation, and making sure that we demand the competition in the technology so that it improves consistently to provide us with a the highers level of security and accuracy.
Laying down and saying but they own the machines it's all over no more free elections doesn't cut it if you have not run for county clerk, or at least applied for a job in that office.

[Zorra]

77. DK is the best. I've had this signature line for years:

[nolabels]

79. And isn't a funny thing that politicians have become more and more.....

brazen about ignoring what the public thinks after the machines came in existence?

[DemReadingDU]

78. kick for morning

[organik]

80. Leave it to a vegan to do the right thing. DK is a true American hero.N/T