Reply #19: Tom, thank you. You solved a big problem for me this morning.

[Merlin]

Since last night I've been looking for a way to track down an apparent, severe, loophole I discovered inadvertenly yesterday in the new Ohio election law.

Through your post (I hadn't been aware of the conference before) I tracked down Bernie Ellis, and was able to get the material to him so he can pass it on to attendees from Ohio.

FWIW: It sure looks to me like this whole issue may be getting ready to blow up in the face of BushCo.

FYI:

Subject: VVPB Loophole in new Ohio law (HB 262)

Just stumbled upon this looking for info on OH polling places.

This apparently means the paper ballots can be destroyed at the end of voting day, and will not be available for random audits and recounts. Unbelievable!

(emphasis below is mine)

HB 262 -- FINAL VERSION AS SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 5/04

http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=125_HB_...

(125th General Assembly)
(Substitute House Bill Number 262)
-----------------------------------
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio:
SECTION 1. That sections... 3506.01, ... be amended... to read as follows:
Sec. 3506.01.
(H)..."The physical paper printout shall be securely retained at the polling place until the close of the polls on the day of the election..."
-----------------------------------

There's not a single word in it requiring printouts to be locked up, safeguarded, put in storage, made available for recounts, made available for audits, etc. Nothing.

Any thoughts on what we might do to validate this suspicion and take action if necessary?