Here's the press release:
Report: Ohio Voters Plagued by Systemic Problems on Election Day 2004
DNC to Review Proposed Election Administration Reforms
An exhaustive five-month investigative study of the troubled presidential election of 2004 in Ohio has concluded that the state's voters encountered widespread system failure, with more than a quarter of voters - and 52% of African Americans - reporting significant problems at the polls.
According to the report, which was presented to DNC Chairman Howard Dean at a news conference today, the systemic problems plaguing Ohio's voting process included: significant evidence of voter suppression, negligent and poorly trained election officials, long lines, problems with registration status, polling locations, absentee ballots and provisional ballots and unlawful identification requirements at the polls.
Rather than challenge or question the results of the election, the report establishes a factual basis for developing a comprehensive agenda of reforms needed to ensure that every eligible voter has the opportunity to vote and to have that vote counted.
And here's the
204 page report in .pdf form (which I have not come close to finishing yet).
This is a serious attempt to look at the problems in Ohio, and a welcome change from exit poll debates, which IMHO have run their course. It's partisan (I can live with that if I have to), but it seems to focus on the issues that need focusing on.
Food for thought for those serious about real election reform.
More from the press release:
The team, which included leading election experts, voting technology specialists and public opinion researchers, that authored the report focused on the legitimate questions and concerns raised about the conduct of the election and presented to DNC Chairman Howard Dean a set of 23 recommendations for improving election administration across the nation.
The proposed election reforms include: state codification of practices to ensure nondiscriminatory access to enough voting machines, adoption of legislation to establish clear and uniform standards for voter registration, the creation and implementation of statewide voter lists, and making voter suppression a criminal offense in all 50 states. The report also recommends that "touch screen" voting machines not be used, instead advocating use of precinct-tabulated optically scanned paper ballots that give each voter a chance to correct errors on the ballot.
"Our democracy depends on voters having confidence that their voice is heard when they cast their ballot," said DNC Chairman Howard Dean. "The professional and thorough work of our team indicates that voters' confidence in the system is declining - and for good reason. I look forward to reviewing the proposed reforms and working with federal, state and local lawmakers across America to implement these improvements and restore voter confidence in the electoral process and our democracy."
According to the report, problems plaguing the Ohio election administration process in 2004 included:
- More than one in four Ohio voters reported problems with voting, including ballot issues, and/or intimidation at the polling place.
- Nearly a quarter of Ohio voters report that their experience in 2004 has made them less confident about the reliability of elections in Ohio.
- Identification requirements were improperly administered across Ohio, but young and African American voters were disproportionately affected. Under Ohio law, only newly registered voters who did not provide identification when registering, should have been asked for their ID at the polls. But on Election Day, while only 7 percent of voters were newly registered, 37% of voters said they were asked to present identification.
- African American voters reported waiting an average of 52 minutes before voting, while voters overall reported waiting only 18 minutes.
"While this report focuses on the experience of Ohio voters, there's ample evidence that many voters across the country encountered similar systemic problems when they attempted to exercise their constitutionally protected right to vote. The Democratic Party remains committed to protecting the voting rights of every single voter in every single community in America," said Dean.
This is from the executive summary:
Our review demonstrates that numerous irregularities characterized the Ohio election: we find evidence of voter confusion, voter suppression, and negligence and incompetence of election officials. The evidence we highlight in our review leads us to harbor deep concerns about the administration of elections in Ohio and the need for improved training of election officials and poll workers.
However you feel about the issue of Ohio and election irregularities (I see they adopted my favorite term for it), this promises to take the issue to the next level in terms of having official backing from Dr. Dean and the DNC.
Election reform is something we can all agree on the need for. This is one way to see our elected officials renew their commitment to get it done.