Colorado House Democrats Launch Effort to Undermine Election Integrity

[colomtn]

Hi Everyone,

I am a member of the local 912 group in Ft. Collins and I just received this information.

Well the dems are trying to hijack the November election. They are going to try to push through a bill that will allow (among other things) same day voter registration. I would appreciate it if you would pass this on to everyone you know in Colorado that you think might be interested in helping to stop this. Just so you know that this is not some internet urban legend here is a link to an article about the bill from the Denver Post.

http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2010/04/05/republicans-rage-over-voter-registration-proposal/

Thanks

Colomtn


Here are the gory details


Scott Gessler candidate for Secretary of State sends us this update on the Voter Modernization Bill. In 2002 Colorado overwhelmingly voted no on similar legislation... It's been revised and brought back

Colorado House Democrats Launch Effort to Undermine Election Integrity.
Election Fraud, Colorado Style


As of last week, Colorado faces the most serious threat to election integrity in years. And that's not an exaggeration.

Last week, Democrat Secretary of State Bernie Buescher unveiled a major rewrite of Colorado election laws. Soothingly called a "modernization" bill (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103273221781&s=11396&e=001IQtcP-myxEllfKOvFCiDs-es3vcCem7pZbk4Xtk6x32UNPcVop7p9u3BTQ5OtoNFU_QD0Lv6 mLVsDndE0YoB24KmL-pSs8NCBIY0ety4_1IYGUh4Ud-ABAmKzEv5hGV_78Q3kJz9AuXaPiG3sIaRAQ==), this horror-packed, 69 page document will open the door to vote fraud throughout our state. Here are a few "low-lights:"
Same-day voter registration. This allows busloads of election-day registrants - a process that opens the door to vote fraud, like in Milwaukee (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103273221781&s=11396&e=001IQtcP-myxEmiIb9eXBmCl6EFmIs6orzNdCWKAtZ1W3PZhmv6VDeYAauY qmwb4pwLjESQHpMLJojmQPkyOlX1Ob52kunAerr7Rmq6Vg86Bb _qlzJOpO2skbmRIkxhgfIGEaovv1NcRiJ5RmGJatgr9jcCerfm oLTDZGoOLxXhzbR8hAOI4GAtcgBr9_8HmhI0fV8RLjxC5yZgcc OoYcHo415mZ0ZVySBE6yNyRjW2ofY=). Even worse, Colorado has no photo identification protection, and Colorado voters overwhelmingly rejected this "modernization" several years ago.
Organizations can take mail ballots from voters, hold them for ten days, and then deliver them. This is a gift to ACORN and the unions, who can now take ballots from voters' homes and control them for ten days. Of course, organizations cannot "persuade" voters how to vote - but this bill conveniently leaves out any penalty for violations. And the fine for late -- or no -- delivery? A whopping $50 per day!
Voters can now vote twice - once by mail ballot, and once in person. Theoretically, election officials are supposed to cancel the mail ballot. But in practice, they begin counting mail ballots 15 days before the election. Election judges must allow the second vote, even if they know that the earlier mail ballot was already counted.
One partisan judge can approve signature verification on a ballot, even if the other judge disagrees -- and even if an automated signature verification machine can't verify the signature match.
All-mail ballot elections, unless citizens go through a difficult process to opt-out. Say good-bye to the option of voting at your precinct (or vote center) on election day.State Democrats deliberately timed this bill until a few weeks before the end of the legislative session, in order to limit debate and jam through hundreds of changes at the last minute. This is a Chicago-style political power play.

And our current Secretary of State is part of it. The bill was drafted in secrecy -- so much for transparency in elections! The Secretary of State unveiled these massive changes just a few days ago, launching the effort to allow voter fraud and manipulation.

What can you do? Call your Clerk and Recorder (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103273221781&s=11396&e=001IQtcP-myxEnkSNRZZI07sPJzhQwrTAZ4BGKDd8aXPW_RYrCd_0uJXkHf PEfLeEm6IQ4nYRyQYjY5C-ju9UTdMHG9ToyaKtiqm43Xw1UYw8Omz3KNxBUgmCg3Hu-C3O4LsfS_-7s9T0XKn9l2BTeP7qw_SjtZPwgL375qf6VDJJ8=). Call your State Legislator (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103273221781&s=11396&e=001IQtcP-myxEnCaWdYiBJWv4UPQe85oa3YO9lzqe7_a17DfHJf7VPrzG4O mc85BCIQoeQ2UmtAvTFTiCVDKwOPL7KKDAQoMrqE55UrbBuqwY 6b5504lxTXOA==). Call the Secretary of State's office (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103273221781&s=11396&e=001IQtcP-myxEm7XhpWT7uoiCPdws-GXGRbjIemT6MmLJlv5eE3jovQjcjLQ8ykWK59gXPXWGpE9-PjW9ebIFBnQgluff3y4c3ojb6ZGtHFvkd7PLufTR1TDQ==). Tell them to oppose this bill!
Speaker Terrance Carroll - 303-866-2346 - terrance.carroll.house@state.co.us
Rep. Nancy Todd, D-Aurora - 303-750-1976 - electnancy@yahoo.com
Rep. Jeanne Labuda, D-Denver - 303-914-9494 - replabuda@yahoo.com
Rep. Edward Casso, D-Thornton - 720-495-3861 - edward.casso.house@state.co.us
Rep. Lois Court, D-Denver - 303-355-3546 - loiscourt@msn.com
Rep. Dicky Lee Hullinghorst, D-Longmont - 303-530-0507 - dl.hullinghorst.house@state.co.us
Rep. Elizabeth McCann, D-Denver - 303-333-0233 - beth.mccann.house@state.co.us
Rep. Joe Miklosi, D-Denver - 720-628-8530 - joe@joemiklosi.com

[Irving]

Thank you for passing this on.

[DOC]

Tag

[funkfool]

On it... Thanks!

Oh... link to the gerenal assy. directory for those outside of Denver...
http://www.leg.state.co.us/Clics/CLICS2010A/csl.nsf/directory?openframeset

Quick email sample:
Sample letter:
Last week, Democrat Secretary of State Bernie Buescher unveiled a major rewrite of Colorado election laws.
I just wanted to inform you of my position that this would irreparably harm our states' election integrity.
I urge you to do what is within your power to help the constituents of Colorado defeat this proposed legislation that Coloradoans overwhelmingly opposed in 2002.
Thank you,

El Paso County Clerk: robertbalink@elpasoco.com (robertbalink@elpasoco.com)
El Paso County Elections: (719)575-VOTE (8683) lizolson@elpasoco.com (lizolson@elpasoco.com)

[sniper7]

thanks for the heads up. figures these fucking bastards would pull a stunt like this.

[DOC]

Can depend on ACORN for shit these days. I guess they need a back up too.

[funkfool]

Can depend on ACORN for shit these days. I guess they need a back up too.
[ROFL2][ROFL3]

[DOC]

Why can't I put punctuation in my scribblings?
You CAN'T depend on ACORN for shit.

[funkfool]

Why can't I put punctuation in my scribblings?
You CAN'T depend on ACORN for shit.
It's called "Punctuation Deficit Disorder"
Or PDD
[LOL]
As in
"Eye got mah darn PDD ahgoin ahgin and eye cant get noneothem thar scritches above mah letters and such."

[funkfool]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Rich Coolidge
April 6, 2010 (303) 860-6903
richard.coolidge@sos.state.co.us


Buescher unveils paperless voter registration option
Online form promotes, security, voter convenience and efficiencies for counties

Denver, Colorado – Juniors and seniors at Thomas Jefferson High School were among the first to register to vote using the state’s new online voter registration system. Secretary of State Bernie Buescher joined the students not only to unveil the new internet based registration system, but also to stress the importance of getting these students engaged civically.

“So much of what these young people do is now done safely and securely online,” Buescher said. “This is another tool in the toolbox to help these new voters register and keep their registration up to date and accurate. The convenience for all voters and the efficiencies generated for the county clerks really made this a no-brainer.”

Colorado is on the cutting edge of expanded registration options with only two other states currently empowering voters to register online, while leaving more traditional registration means intact.
Lead House sponsor Rep. Joe Miklosi of Denver said, “It’s so important to provide convenient ways for all Coloradans, especially youth, to participate in their democracy. Registering to vote at the state’s safe and secure web site is a vital way to accomplish that goal.”

Any Colorado resident with a Colorado driver’s license or state identification card can now register to vote through the Secretary of State’s web site GoVoteColorado.com. The online form will require the same information as the current registration form, which also remains available to Colorado citizens. Staff at the county clerk’s offices will have final approval of the online voter registration application, providing an additional layer of scrutiny.

“Every election year, the county clerk and recorders expend significant time performing data entry, sometimes for multiple voter registrations for the same voters,” said Denver Clerk Stephanie O’Malley, who joined Buescher at the school. “Streamlining this process for my office and voters who choose to use this system will help save resources during busy election years.”

# # #


Richard Coolidge
Public Information Officer
Office of the Secretary of State
1700 Broadway, Ste 250
Denver, CO 80290
(303) 860-6903
Fax: (303) 869-4860

Is your voter record out of date? Verify your registration at GoVoteColorado.com.

[XJ]

Lemme guess, the "sameday" forms will be bilingual...

[Aloha_Shooter]

Lemme guess, the "sameday" forms will be bilingual...

I think they'll need Commie Chinese, Spanish and Ebonics to get their target demographics covered for this. Probably want a fourth language to cover all bases: Braindead Robot.

[funkfool]

Subject: RE: CLERK ALERT--Mail Ballot and Same Day Registration Draft Bill

Dear County Clerks,

First let me say a big “THANK YOU” to all who have weighed in on this late session, yet major, election reform bill. (pro or con it is our duty to become engaged for the citizen’s we represent).
This e-mail is sent in the spirit of cooperation and in the name of common sense.


As Stated several days ago (see below), it is very disappointing that CCCA agreed last Friday to conduct a poll regarding this late-session Election Reform bill and, thereafter, this was not done. Why would the Executive Board “pull” the survey when several dozen participants agreed on Friday that a survey would be taken? IS THERE ANY VALID REASON that this survey was not distributed, as promised?

While I was not a participant in last Friday’s meeting I was working diligently IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL via dozens of e-mail message and conferences calls with others.

Many of YOU have expressed your opposition to this legislation for many reasons, including these:

A. This bill has been DRAFTED with NO known support from our association (although perhaps some individual clerks have worked with the bill drafters privately---as is their right)
B. The importance of this legislation cannot be overstated---and due to the significant impact it will have in changing our elections as we know them?) it is ABSOLUTELY NOT NECESSARY for this bill to be rushed through in the waning days of the 2010 legislative session. In the fall of 2008 through the winter of 2009 the Election Reform Commission spent months discussing important election reform issues…and yet this proposed legislation is being rushed through in a matter of weeks (perhaps before they leave office?)
C. The “leadership” in Denver is adjusting the PROCESS of government to further their political agenda (does “fundamental change you can believe in” sound familiar?)--- following the lead of their “leadership” in Washington with a “we must do it now, there is no time to waste” mentality
D. Secretary of State Buescher established a “Best Election Practices” committee in April---and yet is pushing through a last minute bill to bring HUGE and unwanted changes to election law (perhaps before he leaves office?).
E. This 68-page LATE bill is nothing more than a desperate move by a party that will do whatever it can to stay in power---even to the point of tampering with our election system.
F. Making substantial changes to election law just six months before an election creates chaos in every county of the state, as well as at the Secretary of State’s office, where they will need to make huge process changes.

All these reasons being discussed by you over the past seven days are valid and of concern.

ANOTHER BIG CONCERN SHOULD BE THE COMBINING OF TWO VERY SEPARATE ELECTION ISSUES:
All Mail-In Ballot Elections AND “Same Day” Voter Registration. WHY?
Each should be submitted separately and let each stand on their own (pros and cons of each should be debated).

To be told by bill sponsors that “this is your last chance to get Mail-In Ballot Elections…if you don’t support this bill you will never get Mail-In ballot elections” is unfortunate and, of course, pure politics.


Here are a few questions we must ask and answer: (Please weigh in with your answers and distribute your responses “to all.” We need to have a vote on these critical issues)


1. DO YOU SUPPORT OR OPPOSE ELECTION-DAY LEGISLATION?
2. DO YOU SUPPORT OR OPPOSE REWRITING COLORADO’S ELECTION LAWS BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION?
3. DO YOU SUPPORT THIS BILL DISTRIBUTED TO US ON APRIL FOOL’S DAY (April 1 ,2010)

Also…ask yourself
· DO YOU WANT “ANY PERSON OR ORGANIZATION” TO COLLECT MAIL-IN BALLOTS FROM ELGIBILE VOTERS AND DELIVER THEM TO ELECTION OFFICIALS?
· DO YOU WANT A POLITICAL AGENDA TO FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE ELECTION LAW IN COLORADO VIA ILL-ADVISED, HURRIED, AND LAST-MINUTE LEGISLATION?
· Do you believe this bill could and probably will significantly increase the possibility of voter fraud?


There is an agenda to liberalize election processes across the country. These people do not want “proof of citizenship” when people register to vote. These people do not want to require government-issued photo IDs when people vote. These people recently implemented online voter registration, further distancing people from the election office. And now they want same day voter registration, they want any organization to be authorized to pick up your ballots and (hopefully) deliver them to the election office. And they want more. I believe the liberalization of the election processes must stop!


THE BILL SPONSOR FOR THIS BILL IS: Terrance.carroll.house@state.co.us
Feel free to write him and your elected leaders in Denver (and copy everyone else on your input)

If you want my view on this legislation, please feel free to call me.


Best regards as I continue fighting to preserve honestly, integrity and accuracy in elections and the election process,


Bob

Robert C. Balink
El Paso County Clerk & Recorder
719-520-6222 office
719-439-0120 cell

[funkfool]

Clerks, good morning-
During the Friday, April 2nd Clerk's meeting/conversation (in Adams County
and available also by phone) regarding the Mail Ballot and Same Day
Registration draft bill, we weighed numerous options as to our CCCA position
on the draft bill and how to proceed. Approximately 24 Clerks out of 64
participated in person or by phone. Thanks to each of you.
Thanks to Teak and her staff (particularly Pat) and Russ for compiling the
comments and getting out to each of us.
We had very productive conversation and exchange of ideas during the Friday
meeting.
You should know that CCCA representation has not been at the drafting table
on this bill. We saw the first draft on Wednesday and received a revised
version on Thursday, both of which were shared with each of you for review.
This DOES NOT make it a "Clerk's bill".
After all of our discussion on Friday and new developments over the weekend
and Monday, I am writing to let you know we will not be sending a survey, as
discussed during the meeting on Friday.
Rather, we (Scott and I) met with our Legislative Co-Chairs, Hillary & Jack,
spent a good portion of time Monday attending other meetings, and held a
CCCA Executive Board meeting to discuss our several options on the draft
legislation.
Primarily, we have been told for at least a couple of months that majority
and minority leadership support was in place for this draft bill. Trusting
that, we were quite surprised to learn late Friday, as noted by Jack
Arrowsmith in his email, that bi-partisan (minority) support was never
acquired. At best, it is disturbing to determine we were mislead on this
account. That is one reason to regroup.
Colorado Municipal League (our City Clerk partners) was never included in
drafting of or discussions on this bill and are not supportive of it in its
current form. Another reason to regroup.
CCI (Colo Counties) is anxious to work with us on a bill for mail ballots,
but are not supportive of something that is risky, at best. Another reason
to regroup.
Same Day Registration and Mail Ballot election legislation of this
magnitude, this late, with the potential to be a disaster in our laps in
2010 General election is another reason to regroup. Too much, too late, too
important to rush through in a few weeks.
Either of these major processes will be a huge change to our Colorado
elections. All the more reason we must be prepared to "get it right".
***Your CCCA Executive Board and Regional Representatives participated in a
conference call discussion on Monday. Subsequently, a vote was taken and it
was unanimous (8 members participating) that we pull our support of the
draft bill for this legislative session.
Therefore, the CCCA Executive Board voted to oppose this draft bill and we
will do so with vigor, if introduced.
We have some options to discuss at meetings on Tuesday and will keep you
advised as to the future of mail ballot and same day registration
legislation.
Certainly CCCA will work over the interim, between legislative sessions, to
seek bi-partisan legislative support, including our willingness to work with
Colo Muni League and CCI and others to garner support in our future
endeavors.
Thanks for reading the draft bill and submitting your comments. Please
don't think it was for naught.
We have a strong baseline established, to build upon, thanks to all of you.
We have great resources who are eager to work with us to keep moving the
concept forward and improving elections in Colorado for the voters and for
Clerks.
And, we will also keep working to determine where we are headed with voting
systems in Colorado. Gosh, we started with that in January 2010.
Please don't hesitate to send me any other comments or questions.
Yours in partnership and the strongest teamwork around!
Karen
Karen Long
Adams County Clerk & Recorder
Adams County, Colorado
450 S. 4th Ave.
Brighton, CO 80601
Direct Line : 303.654.6015
Cell: 303.903.4269
Brighton Fax Line: 303.654.6009
Email: klong@co.adams.co.us<mailto:klong@co.adams.co.us>
Elections Office Phone: 303.920.7850