Kerry asks FEC for recount advice

[Cocoa]

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/special_packages/election2004/9661766.htm

WASHINGTON - Election Day is several weeks away, but Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry's campaign is already considering its fund-raising options should Kerry or President Bush pursue a recount like the famous Florida ballot dispute in 2000.

The Kerry-Edwards campaign is asking the Federal Election Commission for guidance on how it could raise money to cover any recount costs, including whether it could use a legal compliance fund it is tapping to pay campaign lawyers and finance other legal and accounting costs. The FEC is expected to rule by the end of the month.

In 2000, Bush and Democratic rival Al Gore could raise unlimited donations from individuals to cover their recount expenses. However, corporate and union contributions to their recount funds were banned.

Bush voluntarily limited his recount donations to $5,000 each and raised nearly $14 million. Gore took unlimited donations and spent about $3.2 million on the recount.

more...

[DoYouEverWonder]

1. Unfortunately, this is what Kerry has to do

We need to accept the fact now, that Bu$hCo will do everything they can, to throw the election to the courts again.

I'm glad Kerry is trying to get out a little be ahead of them. I seriously doubt, that Kerry has any plans to let Bu$hCo get away with stealing another election, like Al Gore did.

[judy]

2. Recounts? But what about the touchscreens?

I thought that recounts were impossible with touch-screen voting machines that don't have a paper trail...

Shouldn't eliminating the no-paper trail voting machines the first order of business?

[Cocoa]

3. this is about the financing

for the legal costs.

[VoteJohn04_com]

5. As far as the legal costs go...

Sad that Kerry even has to ask, but it is important.

Why wouldn't the financing be able to come from their
Legal expense funding etc?

Isn't that exactly what I recount would consist of,
legal action?

Honestly, I'm wondering why the FEC needs to think about
it at all and decide later this month. Seems like they
should have already set out rules for it from 2000.

[IndianaGreen]

11. The FEC is a complete joke!

Don't take my word for it, but that's what John McCain is saying about the FEC.

[VoteJohn04_com]

4. Touchscreens = Bush Win

I'm willing to bet money that ANYWHERE, whether it's
expected to go democratic or not, that uses touchscreen
voting with no paper trails will GO TO BUSH!

I think that we may see a few democratic wins in places
where it doesn't matter...maybe a Senate seat here or there
or even give the precinct to Kerry if it means the Republicans
can pick up a seat in the Senate. Just enough democratic
wins in the places it doesn't matter to claim that they were
accurate representations of the vote etc

Touchscreen voting (with no paper trail) is the devil!

The exception to touchscreen voting...
TruVote by Athan Gibbs.

The TruVote System was "one of the most promising technologies
in the world for fixing democracies".

The voter uses the touchscreen to vote for their candidates, then
when done, their votes print out under a plexiglass window for their
review, once confirmed and approved the print out drops into a lock
box and the voter is printed a receipt. Using this receipt the voter
can log online and VERIFY that THEIR vote has been recorded!

So, why haven't you heard about the TruVote system?

"Athan Gibbs devoted his life 'to making sure voters in future
elections would know their votes mattered'. He died in a mysterious
car crash on Interstate Highway 65 in Tennessee in March"

Source: Global Outlook Issue #8 - Summer Issue
http://www.globalresearch.ca/globaloutlook/GOISSUE8.html

[Cocoa]

6. Chavez's victory in Venezuela was a major defeat to Bush

and it was done on touchscreen machines.

And the opposition challenged Chavez's victory based on unfounded accusations of electronic fraud.

I guarantee you, if Kerry wins a close election, the right-wing will use BBV. In my opinion, some of the BBV frenzy is intended to set up just such a case.

[VoteJohn04_com]

7. Hadn't thought about that...

Good point. I could definately see them using it to
their advantage in either case.

Makes things all the more complicated

[DoYouEverWonder]

8. Yes, I agree

Just wait until an election goes to a Dem and there is any question about the validity of the count. The Repugs are going to run to the courts crying and screaming. I can't wait.

[dweller]

9. didn't Venezuela have paper trails? n/t

dp

[Melodybe]

10. yes, their touch screens had a paper trail

[Boredtodeath]

13. Touchscreens WITH paper ballots

A situation not even close to what is happening in the US.

[napi21]

12. There should have been another question along with this one.

Guidelines on how to raise money, AND HOW THE HELL ARE THEY GOING TO DO A RECOUNT?????

I realize there can not be any recounts on the touch screens, but they found a BIG error in FLORIDA when recounting absentee ballots in their recent primary vote.

[Boredtodeath]

14. Recounts are governed by state law, not FEC

FEC can't help them with your questions.