Millions Turn Out for Referendum to End or Defend Chavez and His 'revoluti

[mom cat]

Millions Turn Out for Referendum to End or Defend Chavez and His 'revolution for the Poor'

By Christopher Toothaker Associated Press Writer
Published: Aug 15, 2004






CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Summoned by bugle calls and the detonations of huge firecrackers, Venezuelans turned out in unprecedented numbers Sunday to vote on whether to force leftist President Hugo Chavez from office.
The first recall vote for a president in Venezuela's history is aimed at putting a lid on years of often violent political unrest and came after a lengthy and complicated process of mass signings of petitions.

Some lines at polling places extended for 1.25 miles, stunning even veteran election monitors. Election officials decided to keep polls open four hours longer than scheduled, to 8 p.m., but also assured voters that polls would not close until everyone in line cast their ballots.

That would likely extend the voting period into Monday. Opposition leaders appealed to Venezuelans to bring food and water to those still waiting.

"This is the largest turnout I have ever seen," exclaimed former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who monitored the vote. "There are thousands of people in line, waiting patiently and without any disturbance."

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBOXWCVXXD.html

[Cha]

1. Groovey! And I hope this is what it is like

for us in November!

Thanks to all the US politicians who wrote an encouraging letter to Chavez.

[Webster Green]

2. I'm watching the news and haven't seen shit about the election...

Its all about the little scumbag's photo-op in Florida.

[Cha]

3. Of course it is!

That's why we are mass mail blitzing cnn tomorrow-Monday.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=2209865

[Webster Green]

4. Great!

Count me in!

[Fed Up]

5. please explain something

I've read that all it takes for Chavez to lose is for more than 3.76 million to vote against him.

If so, what does it matter how many come out for him? If Chavez has 3.8 million voting against him, but 4 million vote for him, does he still lose because more than 3.76 million came out against him? I don't get this system.

[King of New Orleans]

6. If Chavez gets more votes

It doesn't matter how many votes the opposition gets. If the opposition gets more votes then they need at least 3.78 million (what Chavez got in the last election) for the recall to be accepted.

[Darranar]

7. 3.78 million majority, or 3.78 million altogether? n/t

[AP]

9. They need to win & they need to win with at least 3.78 mil votes for the

recall.

[Darranar]

10. Okay, thanks. n/t

[scarletwoman]

8. My understanding is that it has to be a majority, AND it has to be

more than the number of votes that originally elected him to this term.

Therefore, a majority voting for the recall that is less than 3.76 will not be enough to unseat Chavez, and a majority voting AGAINST the recall will prevail even if the opposition gets 3.76 million votes as long as the pro-Chavez voters outnumber them.

sw

[Fed Up]

11. ok i get it now, thanks

Chavez's opponents need a majority in all cases, and need more than 3.76 million in all cases.

so even if 4 million try to vote out Chavez, but 5 million vote to keep him, he wins. cool. i was afraid that the magic number was 3.76 million to vote against him, and he loses no matter what if that happens.

thanks!

[Fed Up]

12. ok i get it now, thanks

Chavez's opponents need a majority in all cases, and need more than 3.76 million in all cases.

so even if 4 million try to vote out Chavez, but 5 million vote to keep him, he wins. cool. i was afraid that the magic number was 3.76 million to vote against him, and he loses no matter what if that happens.

thanks!