posted on November 22, 2000 07:19:57 AM
"Republicans have accused Florida Democrats of disenfranchising military personnel by invalidating absentee ballots from overseas that lacked postmarks.
But a review of the state's presidential ballots from overseas suggests that the vast majority were thrown out for other reasons. Of 3,733 overseas ballots received in Florida since Election Day, 1,527 were rejected, according to a count by the Associated Press. USA TODAY canvassed election officials in 14 Florida counties accounting for three-fifths of the rejected ballots. Only about 11% percent were rejected for not having a postmark, the analysis showed. By contrast, 24% were disqualified for being postmarked after Election Day, 11% for improper registration, 5% for invalid signatures and 49% for other violations that ranged from improper witnesses to failure to request a ballot within the required 30 days." --USA, 11/22/00
posted on November 22, 2000 09:44:39 AM
krs...so what if a serviceperson sends their ballot through the military mail system prior to November 7th, but it does not get postmarked until it reaches a U.S. point (for example, Queens, NY) for mail distribution? It could take several days and that would effect the dating.
There has to be a consistent way of making sure the servicepeople overseas are not disenfranchised because of the military mail system. This may be a good argument for internet voting. There is at least one computer at every base and on every ship. The only problem would be in times of war.
edited for spellink.
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That's Flunky Gerbiltush to you!
[ edited by njrazd on Nov 22, 2000 11:11 AM ]
posted on November 22, 2000 10:09:28 AM
The problem is NOT with the fact that over 1500 overseas ballots were thrown out...
The problem stems from the FACT that the Democrats distributed the MEMO to all it's operatives in Florida on "How to get an absentee ballot rejected"...!!!
THATS THE PROBLEM..!!
..Life is like email, sometimes 'some people' just don't get it...
posted on November 22, 2000 12:09:47 PM
Thats the response I expected...
Exactly what every Democrat does, ignore the truth..!!!
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Perspective...
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posted on November 22, 2000 12:14:31 PM
In an article in the Stars&Stripes newspaper, attorneys who represent hundreds of active duty military who unsuccessfully tried to vote plan to file a suit with the US Supreme Court, requesting late voting privileges for the troops or exemption from federal income taxes for the next 4 years. Defense Sec'ty Cohen and the USPS will be among the primary defendants in the suit.
If voting privileges are denied, the suit will seek damages based on the amount of income tax a typical taxpayer would owe the IRS during the next presidential term. The idea is to give punitive damages to troops "who have been taxed without representation", attorney Philip Jones said.
These AD military members aren't exclusively from FL.
This is a synopsis of the article, not a direct copy and paste.
posted on November 22, 2000 04:40:17 PM
Shadowcat...YES! Now THIS is exciting..the military isn't gonna take it anymore...and neither are the REPUBLICANS!
I think we've caught the dirty dems off guard don't you?
posted on November 22, 2000 05:01:50 PM
Nothing was mentioned about party affilition of those filing the suit.
I think this is less about the candidates and more about how frustrated some military members are in regards to how our votes are considered by those back in the US.
For example, in Texas a few years back, several counties went to court to have absentee ballots voided completely. Their reasoning? The people-mostly military-didn't live there so they had no vested interest in the local races or the local propositions that were up for vote. Fortunately, the courts didn't buy the reasoning.
I also think those members are saying either our votes count or they don't, make up your minds.
