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Hello Seth, NoFeds, Kite and PTBL!
Among the many, many questions I've not had answered by the SoS's office this year, there is one that should be a no-brainer.
(Legally) "What is a ballot?"
Well, last Thursday I went to the 52nd District Town hall meeting hosted by Asst. House Minority Leader Paul LeVota. 4th District Congressman Emanuel Cleaver was present. And, he spoke with audacious honesty to an appreciative and very supportive audience of about 50 people.
As the meeting wound down, Paul asked if anyone had any questions which he could answer or find out about for us when he returned to Jeff City.
Finally deciding, "What the Hell", I told Paul that I, and many others, had tried unsuccessfully to get SoS Carnahan to define legally, according to the RSMo., what a "ballot" was (I think the SoS still claims Missouri voters cast "ballots", doesn't she?). So, I asked Paul if he would help us find out and he promised he would.
I promptly recieved his email today! I copy it for y'all, below.
Phil,
Here is what our research has found on your questions concerning the definition of "ballot."
The definition of "ballot" from Chapter 115- Election Authorities and Conduct of Elections, Section 115.013 is:
(2) "Ballot", the ballot card, paper ballot or ballot designed for use with an electronic voting system on which each voter may cast all votes to which he or she is entitled at an election;
(3) "Ballot card", a ballot which is voted by making a punch or sensor mark which can be tabulated by automatic tabulating equipment;
(4) "Ballot label", the card, paper, booklet, page or other material containing the names of all offices and candidates and statements of all questions to be voted on;
Additionally, the defintion of "ballot" from Ballentine's law dictionary is "The implement of voting, whether a paper to be marked by an elector or the face of a voting machine prepared for an election."
Thanks, Paul LeVota Assistant Minority Leader Missouri State Representative - District 52 (573) 751-9759
Now this may answer another question we've been asking. How can a recount be done? Because, if I'm not mistaken, the Ballentine Law Dictionary might guide, but never determine, Missouri Law.
If so, answers # 2 through # 4 seem to plainly describe something tangible and made of matter, not energy. That should exclude electrical impulses from Diebold, or anyone else. Likewise, the number of votes, determined by "ballots", could not be some number of toted up electrical impulses.
Nor, as in Ballentine's definition, could "faces of voting machines" be recounted. At least, not while keeping a straight face themselves! So if you can't hold it and recount it by hand, it isn't a ballot. Right?
Well then, maybe they can't treat us all like Rubes when we ask for recounts.
Imagine them looking at some machine and saying, "Yup, 16,385 to 247 in favor of Blunt!".
"What? You want a recount?" "Well, alright then."
Then they look back at the machine, turn to you and say, "Recount's done! It still says 16,385 to 247 for Blunt. See there, these machines work jest fine!"
My next question to the recounter would then be, "Which direction to the Supreme Court?"
Show ME the Vote!!
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