PA Sec of State: GOP is "undermining the very foundation of our democracy"

[garybeck]

Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Outraged at Partisan Lawsuit Attempting to Undermine Voter Confidence

Last update: 5:18 p.m. EDT Oct. 20, 2008

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct 20, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Expressing outrage, Secretary of the Commonwealth Pedro A. Cortes today called "completely unwarranted" the Oct. 17 complaint filed by the Republican Party of Pennsylvania and others against the Department of State regarding voter registration processes, and noted that Pennsylvania is ready to conduct a fair, accurate, accessible and secure election.

"The plaintiffs either do not know how voter registrations are processed or -- worse yet -- they know but are purposely trying to misinform voters," he said. "This complaint hides behind the guise of protecting the electoral process when, in fact, it undermines the very foundation of our democracy -- solely for political gain."

Cortes said the meritless suit seeks to have the Department of State implement voter registration and data verification processes that are already in place and have been used by the state and counties for several years. He also noted the lawsuit has the detrimental effect of diverting valuable human and financial resources that could be better used for election-related activities.

"These accusations against the Department of State and the counties are shameful and are an attack on our democracy. Making outright false accusations about the integrity of the electoral process is a very dangerous practice and has no value other than to instill fear. The charges are just another effort to suppress participation in the very foundation of American democracy -- the right to vote.

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/pennsylvania-secretary-commonwealth-outraged-partisan/story.aspx?guid={AA1B4F2A-3174-4C4D-996D-CB0C444E55F6}&dist=hppr

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Hasn't that been their goal since Nov 2000, if not even earlier?.

[garybeck]

2. ya, but to hear a Sec. of State say it

is kind of nice and validates it

[BrklynLiberal]

4. That is true...

[FVZA_Colonel]

3. Unlike 2000 and 2004, we seem to have people in positions of power (in OH and PA atleast)

that are willing to fight this.

[garybeck]

7. they are patriots

n/t

[Lerrad]

18. By the way the Ohio lawsuit was dropped yesterday. n/t

[kerry-is-my-prez]

5. It's about time some official stands up and says that - we need more of it...

n/t

[CreekDog]

6. This is a good statement

VOTE PEDRO.

[Waiting For Everyman]

10. Yes it is.

I hope it's picked up by other sources too.

[Sebastian Doyle]

8. Pedro, with all due respect.....

The Repukes are NOT your biggest problem. Their criminal voting machines ARE.

Unplug every last goddamn one of them, print up some paper ballots and count the VOTES.

If I have to fucking hitch hike to PA to help you count them, I'll do it.

[garybeck]

11. he did unplug some of them.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x509371

[Wilms]

20. He unplugged scanners. And the DREs are VVPAT-Less.

That's not a great situation.

Plus, the state's audit law ain't the worst in the world. So paper would go further there than, in say, FL where recounts consist largely of running the ballots through a machine all over again.

I appreciate Cortes' concerns given the first Hursti attack. But he seems to be ignoring the DRE attacks proven.

[garybeck]

21. you're absolutely right

sort of strange he banned the scanners and not the dres, but i just wanted to point out that he did something, while folks like our SoS in Vermont is still busy trying to sell Diebold to the towns who are still hand counting. she's literally a salesperson for diebold. disgusting. at least Cortes was willing to look at the hursti hack objectively and take some action.

[Median Democrat]

9. Delete

[No Elephants]

12. Good job, turning their own charges back on them. That's what they always do. Glad Dems are

catching on. Pennyslvania with all the historic stuff in Philly, Hershey and the Pennsylvania Dutch Country, with the Amish and the Mennonites, is really a great place to visit. Dems should go there with their tourist $$ and thank the citizens personally.

[wvbygod]

16. Do you know how the Amish and the Mennonites vote?

Are you aware of their majority party affiliation?

[Laelth]

13. "undermines the very foundation of our democracy -- solely for political gain"

Sounds like the Republic Party I know and love. :sarcasm:

Is anyone surprised? Really?

-Laelth

[meow2u3]

14. I told you DUers so!

:)

I told you the PA Secretary of State wouldn't take any shit from the rethugs.

I'd like to see the PA GOP leaders arrested for barratry, which is a crime in PA. Barratry is the practice of filing unjust lawsuits just to harass others. If found guilty, it's a 3rd degree misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of 1 year in jail.

5109. Barratry.
A person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree if he vexes others with unjust and vexatious suits.

http://members.aol.com/DKM1/18.Cp.51.html (scroll down)

[wvbygod]

17. Hell yes! Do you have the details of their barratry?

I'd love to see them convicted. What are the barratry charges pending?

[wvbygod]

15. What are the charges?

Does anyone know what is being challenged?

[Lerrad]

19. Looks to me like it is the same lawsuit that the GOP launched against Acorn. n/t