Don't worry about Ohio folks. We have everything under control!

[Imperialism Inc.]

Fearless Predictions and Advice for the 2012 Election
Here is a little song I wrote

You might want to sing it note for note

Don’t worry be happy

In every life we have some trouble

When you worry you make it double

Don’t worry, be happy……



Bobby McFerrin


PlunderBund (http://s.tt/1rW8i)

Our Secretary of State in Ohio, Jon Husted, is a real ass to be sure, but there is nothing to worry about. He has tried plenty to screw with our vote and sow confusion but the Obama team, our local Dem party, and the Ohio voters have kept him in check!

They tried to pass a voter ID law but we stopped them! Being so soon after the petitions against their union busting law we got a repeal on the ballot in record time. When we did that they repealed the law!

Husted tried to create unequal voting hours but the outcry was so loud he was forced to standardize them.

He was successful in shortening the total number of early voting hours, eliminating all the weekends. But, when he tried to give voting veterans the final weekend all to themselves, the Obama team took him to court and forced him to give that one weekend to us all. The only downside being the elimination of one hour from each day.

The only real concern is his last minute directive that provisional voters have to fill out the forms themselves. This could lead to more ballots being thrown out but we've used these forms before so I wouldn't expect it to be too bad. It is somewhat compounded by the fact that some people didn't receive their absentee ballots so there will potentially be more provisional ballots cast but I still think the proper attitude here is cautious optimism.

On the Tea Party side of things, there is good news! The voter intimidation group True the Vote has been denied observer status!

True The Vote Forged Signatures To Get Observers At Ohio Polls
All but one of the six candidates whose names appeared on the original form had withdrawn permission to use their signatures prior to the submission of today’s forms. During the BOE meeting Candidate Terri Jamison spoke up to say her name was “forged” on the latest round of forms.

The form for appointing observers reads ‘election falsification is a 5th degree felony’. Election officials have confirmed that there will be a post-election investigation of True the Vote.

The forms have been rejected unanimously by all members (Rs and Ds) on the board. True the Vote observers will not be allowed in Franklin County polling locations tomorrow. Poll monitoring organizations expect they may still be stationed outside of polling locations.

PlunderBund (http://s.tt/1sbFB)

As far as Tagg Romney owning voting machine companies that just isn't true. Hart makes the voting machines for two counties. An investment firm, HIG, has an investment fund that is invested in Hart. However, Tagg is not invested in that fund. He does have money in another HIG investment but it is not mingled with the Hart investment in any way, and he certainly doesn't have any ownership of Hart. See here: http://www.snopes.com/politics/romney/votingmachines.asp

Last but not least is the lawsuit being filed by Bob Fitrakis of the Free Press. This is way overblown in my opinion. http://www.freepress.org/departments/display/15/2012/4783

First a little about Ohio voting. We are allowed to request paper ballots. Also, the voting machines have receipts. The way they work is that there is a clear plastic window on the machine. As you make a selection you can see it being printed on the paper. It records each selection you make and if you make a change you can see that too. It is like an audit trail. When you press vote it records the final votes, encoded as a sort of QR code type of thing. Then it deposits the paper in the machine.

So what did Husted do with the software updates? Well he installed some software without it being certified by the state board. This is potentially against the law but he argues that since it isn't on the voting machines themselves and isn't an upgrade to the tabulator that it doesn't need to be. The software is from ES&S and is not something they coded up specifically for Ohio or anything. The details aren't exactly clear but it appears to be something to allow quicker transfer of completed tabulations to the central reporting software. The voting machines themselves are in no way involved. I could have this next part wrong, because, again, there aren't a lot of details, but it appears that votes are taken from the machines to a tabulator PC at the polling location. Then this new software somehow facilitates a transfer to the central reporting software.

It is fine to be upset and a little suspicious about adding uncertified software at the last minute. I certainly am. But I think there isn't really much chance something devious is going on. Besides, we have audit trail receipts and the totals at the precinct PCs to fall back on!

If you found this useful, or reassuring, please give it a kick so your fellow DUers can not worry, and be happy about the Obama win Ohio is going to deliver

[Mike Nelson]

1. I hope everone who wants to is able to vote...

... not sure all Kerry voters made it to the end.

[LisaL]

3. Large number of people already voted.

More polling places will be open. I don't envision why people won't be able to vote.

[Mike Nelson]

4. :)

thank you!

[Nine]

17. because it's happened before

previous elections people in line to vote by the deadline were denied the right to cast a ballot

[renate]

2. GREAT news about True the Vote... I mean, about Stupid that Sounds

I hope you're right about the voting machines because in an honest and fair election, there would be no worries at this point.

Thank you for taking the time to write this all out in so much detail! It really is reassuring.

[Imperialism Inc.]

5. And if you are IN Ohio don't forget to vote yes on Issue 2

to take redistricting out of the hands of the legislature.

[Cha]

6. Thank you for writing this up, Imperialism Inc..

Can't wait to thank everyone involved when this is OVER!

[Hissyspit]

7. No, this is not particularly reassuring:

"So what did Husted do with the software updates? Well he installed some software without it being certified by the state board. This is potentially against the law but he argues that since it isn't on the voting machines themselves and isn't an upgrade to the tabulator that it doesn't need to be. The software is from ES&S and is not something they coded up specifically for Ohio or anything. The details aren't exactly clear but it appears to be something to allow quicker transfer of completed tabulations to the central reporting software. The voting machines themselves are in no way involved. I could have this next part wrong, because, again, there aren't a lot of details, but it appears that votes are taken from the machines to a tabulator PC at the polling location. Then this new software somehow facilitates a transfer to the central reporting software. "

[WinkyDink]

11. Yes, exactly. "Then this new software somehow......" Suuuuure. ALL Husted wants is SWIFTNESS.

[Imperialism Inc.]

13. Again, guys, this is not something Husted coded up in his basement.

It is a piece of software that ES&S will probably be including in its package in the future.

[Chemisse]

8. Does the polling site have to save the audit receipts in case of a recount?

Or is it just something the voters take home with them (crinkle up and throw in the trash)?

[Imperialism Inc.]

12. The voter can't touch the receipt.

It stays behind the window and is put in the machine at the end.

[Chemisse]

15. So it is possible to recount the votes if the outcome doesn't seem right?

That is very reassuring. Thanks.

[louis c]

9. Yes, useful. K&R

[spicegal]

10. Go Ohio. We're really counting on you!!! I'm in VA and we're still a toss up.

It's hard to push back against so much misinformation.

[Imperialism Inc.]

14. It probably won't surprise anyone to learn that

if True the Vote had been able to "observe", 20 of the 28 precincts they would be observing had a over 50% African American population.

[mzmolly]

16. Thanks for the comprehensive post.

[ArnoldLayne]

18. West Virginia has the same thing with the clear plastic window. You can see how you voted which is

printed on a strip of paper or ticket. I should know I have OCD I checked 10 or 11 times at least to make sure it said Obama/Biden it did..I think..lol.