On election eve I feel great uneasiness with, at the same time, exitablity. a historic election is upon us. but this ap story caught my eye and is highly alarming. election machine recording cards have gone missing in a critical county Ford needs. And guess who is investigating the matter in this county-why Corker campaign co-chairs. I think the Justice Dept. needs to get down there immediately-and harold ford is asking so. this is outrageous. When will this country every get around to mandating a verifiable ballot? six years after bush v. gore and it seems things are just as bad. we all work so hard in these elections for change-it is a shame we have to lose votes to unsecure machines, new unmeetable voter i.d. laws in 12 states etc.. yes mr. ford, get the Justice Dept to Tenn. asap. soemthing is foul here...
Friday, 11/03/06
GOP says Memphis election cards missing
Official downplays fraud danger
The Associated Press
MEMPHIS -- Tennessee's Republican Party chairman complained to Shelby County election officials that electronic voting machine cards were missing in Memphis, the hometown of Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Harold Ford Jr.
"It has come to our attention that several smart cards used in early voting are missing from at least one early voting site in Memphis, Tenn.," Bob Davis said in a later dated Thursday. "The lack of oversight and control over these smartcards has created a situation which could allow for voter fraud."
The letter called on the commission to "locate these missing smart cards as soon as possible."
Tennessee Election Coordinator Brook Thompson said Friday that even if the cards aren't recovered by officials there is no danger of fraud because they can't be used again.
"The cards are programmed such that once you use them, they cannot be reused until they are reactivated by the Election Commission," Thompson said.
...........
Ford, a five-term congressman who is matched against Republican Bob Corker of Chattanooga in the Tuesday election, said he would ask the Shelby County district attorney and sheriff to step aside from the investigation because they are co-chairing Corker's campaign.
"They are good people, both, but they should recuse themselves," Ford said. "If we have to ask the Justice Department to come in and oversee this, we may have to. It's unfortunate that these things happen, but we have authorities -- and hopefully independent authorities -- that will come in and correct the record."
A spokeswoman for District Attorney Bill Gibbons said his office had not been contacted about the matter. Federal prosecutors didn't immediately return calls seeking comment.
............
Shelby County had 19 locations for early voting that began last month and ended Thursday.
Heightened scrutiny of Memphis-area voting has been expected after three poll workers were indicted on charges of casting false ballots during last year's disputed 13-vote victory of Ophelia Ford in a state Senate special election. The Senate voided her election but she is on the ballot again this month.
**SEE LINK FOR MORE:http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061103/NEWS0206/61103032