Reply #1: "result of new state registration systems that are incorrectly rejecting them"

[mod mom]

DOESNT STOP THE GOP, CHECK THIS NEW SUIT OUT:

GOP filed suit in Ohio SC yesterday seeking no opening of absentee enclosing envelopes until those from voters who registered since 1/01/08 are verified. http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/10/17/brunner_scotus.html?adsec=politics&sid=101

Specifically, the lawsuit asks the Ohio Supreme Court to require Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner to order county elections boards not to count any absentee ballot from voters registered after Jan. 1 without first checking the statewide voter registration database to ensure there is no mismatch. (Dispatch, 10/17/08)

Note that’s only voters who have registered since 1/01 AND requested absentee.

SC Docket

http://www.sconet.state.oh.us/clerk%5Fof%5Fcourt/ecms/resultsbycasenumber.asp?type=3&year=2008&number=2027&myPage=searchbypartyname.asp

I’m not sure what is actually going on with the state database. It’s manual indicates that notices of mismatch are sent to local BOEs (quoted in the 6th Circuit’s 3-judge panel decision, around 10/10). That would appear to jive with HAVA and Ohio law. BUT in Brunner’s memorandum in support of stay filed earlier with district court (ORP v. Brunner) she states:

that the previous Secretary of State, in June of 2006, decided to reprogram the Statewide Voter
Registration Database so that various error notifications from BMV's non-matches or
mismatches were not automatically sent to the boards of elections. Worley Affidavit.

Notification turned off by Blackwell prior to his run for Governor?

Brunner had asked for evidentiary hearing in District; denied.