Thousands of voters dumped off California’s voting rolls
I just learned of an alarming development in our fight for fair and transparent elections: The current Secretary of State, Bruce McPherson, launched a statewide voter registration database system last year that will disenfranchise tens of thousands of voters in California.
More than 14,000 new voter registration and re-registration applications just from Los Angeles County were recently invalidated under this new stringent set of regulations — and other counties are seeing similar results.
This is a 43% rejection rate! In fact, virtually all of these applications would have been accepted before Secretary McPherson rolled out his new statewide voter registration database. Typically rejection rates are 1-2%. This is outrageous.
And these applications were rejected for trivial matters — a name or driver’s license number not perfectly matching what was on file in the statewide database, for example. Or even technical system errors that prevented valid applications from being accepted.
We’re talking about thousands of eligible voters, many of whom have been registered for years, being thrown off the voter rolls. Unless they correct these trivial errors with their local registrar, these fellow citizens won’t receive sample ballots in the mail, notifying them of their polling place. They won’t receive absentee ballots. In other words, it will be much more difficult for them to get their legitimate vote counted.
If eligible voters are prevented from registering to vote, I view that as a huge problem for our democracy — I’m sorry Secretary McPherson doesn’t see it that way. We are aggressively looking into this serious issue — and we’ll keep you posted on what we find.
– Debra
UPDATE: Here’s an article from today’s Los Angeles Times covering this story.
March 29th, 2006 at 1:51 pm
Thank you for keeping us apprised of this Senator Bowen- I first learned of you through the great Wes Clark community at http://www.securingamerica.com
We are all watching California with ever greater alarm & concern.
“Outrageous” doesn’t even seem to approach what this is though- felonious might be more like it.
Don’t these people take an oath of office to something a bit more important than the almighty buck???!!!
March 29th, 2006 at 2:14 pm
McPherson clearly has an agenda. Unfortunately for Republicans, more votes tend to go to Democrats when there is a large turnout in elections. But the job of the SOS is not to make sure his or her party wins, but rather to ensure that all eligible voters who want to vote can actually cast a ballot AND have it counted. But it looks like McPherson wants to not only disenfranchise eligible voters by throwing out their registration for trivial reasons, he also wants to certify machines that may not even accurately count votes that are cast.
This man has got to go!
March 29th, 2006 at 2:24 pm
Debra:
Thanks for the heads-up on the voter database. Why does this remind me of alleged voter database manipulation in Florida? It honestly sounds like a similar game plan is being implemented here.
How would I be able to find out if my absentee ballot request was accepted or rejected? I have filed for an absentee ballot to avoid using Diebold equipment.
Thanks in advance.
March 29th, 2006 at 2:43 pm
In 2003 I switched my voter registration from Republican to Democrat. I did this by mailing a voter registration form to the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters. I received notice that my Democratic registration had occurred. So far, so good. But I continued to receive Republican mail, which made me suspicious, and before the next election, I received both Republican and Democrat sample ballots. When I went to vote, the person at the polls checked, and, sure enough, I was now registered twice. I informed her that this was an error and I used the Democrat ballot to vote. I also phoned the office of the registrar of voters to inform them of the error.
In 2004, I worked at the polls, where I saw that I was still registered twice. I also saw that one of my neighbors was registered twice and that another neighbor, a recent college graduate who had moved out-of-state was still registered, even though her mother (still my neighbor) said she had re-registered elsewhere.
What is being done to correct these errors? Shouldn’t there be some sort of audit of the voter registration data base so that it accurately reflects the legitimately registered voter population?
March 29th, 2006 at 2:46 pm
Please do keep us informed, both here and in your periodic e-letters. Can’t seem to find the hearing transcripts, or witness list/testimony online for the hearing you held today.
March 29th, 2006 at 3:05 pm
Thank you, Senator Bowen, for your focus on this very serious issue. I am alarmed but not surprised that the current SOS has certified the faulty evoting systems, and is now following up with a massive effort to disenfranchise voters. Yes, it is outrageous — totally, completely, jaw-droppingly outrageous. I wager there will be more to follow, both in front of and behind the camera. I hope you can help put the brakes on before it is too late for California.
March 29th, 2006 at 3:25 pm
Here’s a link to all of the hearings of Senator Bowen’s Elections committee:
http://www.senate.ca.gov/ftp/SEN/COMMITTEE/STANDING/EL/_home/HEARINGS.HTP
And here’s a link to today’s agenda:
http://www.senate.ca.gov/ftp/SEN/COMMITTEE/STANDING/EL/_home/HearingAgendas/Agenda3-29-06.htm
– Brent
March 29th, 2006 at 3:30 pm
Thank you for writing on this subject. I will make the prediction that the voter purge that occurred in Florida in 2000 will be a gnat compared to an Eagle when it comes to the implementation of the new HAVA requirement for centralized databases throughout the country. There are already similar reports coming out of other states of large voter purges, most currently caused by incompetence either in design or implementation. Worse, any centralized voter database is even more susceptible to hacking, fraud, manipulation, or even selective purges.
What is also very disturbing here in California is Secretary McPherson using the services of Paul Craft in the Elections Division. This is the same Paul Craft who was involved in the voter purge in Florida in 2000, and subsequent troubling Florida Election Division actions until he suddenly resigned last November.
With a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management I wonder just what are his qualifications to be involved in sensitive actions involving the California Elections Division. We do not want the Floridazation of California. I am afraid that is where Secretary McPherson is trying to lead us.
March 29th, 2006 at 3:49 pm
since this is happening state by state maybe the FBI should be called in.
March 29th, 2006 at 4:06 pm
I was the team leader of a voter registration group that registered 10,000 people to vote in 2004. The form is so poorly designed that I would estimate that 80% of the people would not have filled it out properly without help. These applications go into a pending file potentially resulting in a disenfrachised voter. There are some items, such as place of birth that are not necessary information but still may result in a disenfranchised voter. The poor design is another method to disenfranchise voters. Look at the national form and virtually every other state and you will find simple forms that would make it easy to register. Our forms are a confusing puzzel of boxes, lines, bubbles and colors. It is so daunting that many potential registrants simply walk away. This is especially true for new citizens and people whose primary language is not English and it is therefore discriminatory. I spoke to the SD Board of Supervisors who referred me to our registrar of voters who told me there’s nothing wrong. There’s something very wrong and all the evidence points to intentional voter disenfranchisment utilizing numerous methods. Pray for Debra’s election!
March 29th, 2006 at 4:29 pm
Firstly to BILL of the absentee ballot above^– absentees in Diebold counties are COUNTED by Diebold tabulation systems– GEMS tabulators, some of the least secure systems available and designed and programmed by Jeff Dean, a 23 count felon…after he got out of prison. Your absentee security blanket is a myth I’m afraid, so just know that. You can read more about it at BlackBox Voting but here is a snip from a DKos post by Bev Harris on the subject of absentees:
“Absentee is especially dangerous…Diebold stripped out the key protection that would detect GEMS tampering. Your 12 year old sister can own the absentee votes without leaving a trace, short of counting the absentee ballots.
When a candidate in Marin County noticed that he won on polling place votes but lost hugely on absentees, he asked to do a recount. They told him it would be $13,000 just to sort the [absentee] ballots, which they had jumbled together.
You vote absentee, anyone with access to the central tabulator for 60 seconds, even years before the election, can own your vote.”
And secondly, like others, I too think the database scam is just a backup plan to get around it if he should be somehow forced to decertify Diebold (again). It’s a Floridian work-around system.
Thank you Senator Bowen from all of us Californians and not, you are a true public servant and we really appreciate all the hard work you put into this on our behalf.
I will see you at the candidate panel and meet & greet on April 22nd in Culver City!
March 29th, 2006 at 4:33 pm
Debra,
California voters owe you a debt of gratitude for staying on top of this issue. Between Diebold being imposed on us and now this statewide database, we’re beginning to look a lot like FL.
I’d really like to keeping voting in CA with confidence that my vote will be counted. And it’s been obvious since Kevin Shelley was smeared out of office for decertifying Diebold that the CA electorate is under attack.
Voter verified paper ballots are less expensive and more reliable than these hackable machines. There is no benefit to disabled voters if all they get is the appearance of better access. We have to watch what they do with this database — with thousands of disenfranchised Floridians in mind. Yes, it can happen here.
Thank you so much for your work. How do I get campaign lit and a sign to put up?
EF
March 29th, 2006 at 5:29 pm
Hi,
I got an interesting peak into what it’s like to vote in an all black community in 2004. I just happen to be in the minority here (as a white guy), but I can tell you one thing:
When you hop down to the local community center to vote, and your name is not on the list despite the fact that you got your handbook in the mail with your polling place marked and your name and details set up, you figure it’s going to work out.
Well it didn’t. I, like many of the people there evidently had to vote provisionally. My vote probably wasn’t counted. I just assume; despite what they told me was suppose to happen.
But what really got me was this:
What kind of voting system do we have when the volunteers say: “Yeah, sorry your name wasn’t on the list, they’re probably screwing with our lists again because of what kind of neighborhood this is.”
Yeah, that sort of thing sure makes us all feel confident in our voting system!
Not.
March 29th, 2006 at 5:36 pm
This is an issue that worries me perhaps more deeply than any of the many (!) issues facing our democracy during the past 5 years. We know for sure that Al Gore won more votes in FL (as well as in the general population); yet he lost. We can be pretty sure from all the best evidence that John Kerry won more votes in Ohio and eleven other states in which the exit polls got flip-flopped in a way that beggars belief in the dark hours while we slept after election day.
Diebold is not to be trusted, that is sure. Neither, it seems, can McPherson be trusted.
Thanks so much, Senator Bowen, for taking on this challenge. You definitely have my vote, and I shall be informing all the thinking people I know.
Sincerely,
Bob Locke
Sacramento CA
March 29th, 2006 at 6:33 pm
This happened to me. I’ve become disenfranchised.
I moved last October and requested the DMV to change my voter registration when I updated my new DMV address on-line. I never received my absentee ballot and ended up having to vote a provisional ballot in the special election.
A few weeks ago I was told by the chair of the Alameda Dem Party that I was not registered to vote in the county any longer.
What’s up with that? I’m heading into the registrar of voters tomorrow to find out why I’ve been disenfranchised.
This isn’t the only time I’ve had trouble. When I first reregistered using the Secretary of State on-line system, after having moved to Alameda County about two years ago now, I never received my voter registration form in the mail.
It wasn’t until I complained to the secretary of state that it was sent to me. By that time I had reregistered through the DMV AND through a paper voter reg form to make sure I was on the list for 2004.
March 29th, 2006 at 7:02 pm
Debra,
I think we need to not only denounce this illegal action, but we must also bring a restraining order to stop this now. Can the Democratic party go on the offensive on this by declaring that CA will not become another Florida? Will you talk about this on Friday on Air America?
Best,
Don
March 29th, 2006 at 7:11 pm
Don brings up a good point Senator Bowen. Al Franken is a bit of an agnostic regarding election fraud, it would be wonderful if you could show him the light — his voice is heard everywhere.
Good luck and we’ll be listening on Friday morning.
Anyone interested in exploring the background of the vendors and the current technology, I have a website called “Who’s Counting” that is 16 Chapters of election information created after one year of research and writing. Feel free to click on any chapter of interest in the left column (Technology and The Companies recommended)
http://www.whoscounting.net
March 29th, 2006 at 7:38 pm
Bill–
Please check with your local voter registrar about your absentee ballot request.
Also, anyone who has registered or re-registered to vote since Jan 1, 2006 should check with their local registrar as well to make sure that they’re on the voter roll.
– Brent
March 29th, 2006 at 8:10 pm
http://www.sbindymedia.org/feature/display/2343/index.php
I worked for the election of Andy Stephenson.
Due to an untimely demise, Andy is with God now, but
we can keep fighting the good fight…
http://www.sbindymedia.org/feature/display/2343/index.php
BTW I reposted Debra’s letter on the site … http://sbindymedia.org
March 29th, 2006 at 10:51 pm
Add it up folks. Add Florida 2000 and 2004 plus Ohio.
Multiply Diebold in Ohio equals, California. Frightening.
We are loosing free unalterable elections. We must stop
it. Now.
March 29th, 2006 at 11:17 pm
Link to find contact information for your local registrar:
http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/elections_d.htm
– Brent
March 29th, 2006 at 11:45 pm
What do I tell people who want to verify their registration?
March 30th, 2006 at 12:45 am
Way to go, Debra! This year we finally have a champion. And please explain reality to Mr. Franken, one of the few progressives who, last I heard, still thinks Bush won 2004 legitimately. Mr. Franken and the rest of America needs to wake the hell up.
One other champion: everyone should head on over to www.clintcurtis.com. Curtis is running for congress in Florida against the monumentally corrupt Tom Feeney. If Curtis’ name sounds familiar, it’s because Feeney hired Curtis to rig the vote in Florida! Curtis became a whistleblower and has been a tireless fighter for fair elections. Curtis needs to raise $5K in the next 2 weeks to get on the ballot. So anything any of you can do to help — even if it’s donate $5 — please do it!
With Ms. Bowen and Clint Curtis speaking truth about the nations stolen election machine, the neocon power source will eventually collapse, and freeedom will once again reign.
Clint Curtis For Congress
March 30th, 2006 at 3:13 pm
I talked to Leo Cher Project manager for statewide data base project about new voter registrations being rejected. He told me the following.
75% of new registrations send to statewide data base are accepted. 60% of those rejected are for clerical errors that are easily corrected. The secretary of state returns a report to the County registrar which identifies the cause of the rejection. The registrar then mails out a card informing the voter that their registration was rejected. The voter then can contact the registrar and make the correction. In Leo’s opinion the number registrations that are finally rejected for reasons that cannot be corrected such as the person is dead is going to be much less than 1%. He also reports that some counties are taking steps to automate sending out cards notifying the voter that there is a problem with their registration.
You can contact Leo at the California Secretary of States office
Leo Cher (916) 653 7735
Douglas P Dye
(951) 698 4199
March 30th, 2006 at 8:28 pm
This is an egregious example of mismanagement. When the politicians come into power in the realm of disenfranchising voters, something is terribly wrong. This is an abuse of power, but aren’t we getting used to it yet?
March 31st, 2006 at 8:56 am
I was told this by the Secrtary of States office. If you provide a drivers license number only your last name is checked. Thus for most people the claim that your application will be rejected for a trivial miscompare on 1st name is bogus. With this new system if you have a drivers license and do not provide you will also be rejected. Thus the message is very simple if you register , re regregister or do voter registration work make sure you put your drivers license number on the application. If you do not have a drivers license make sure the name you provide is the same as it appears on your Social Security Card. The full name check on Social Security Number is a federal requirement the Secretary of State has nothing to do with it.
Having a state wide state wide data base is a good Idea and it is required by law as of Jan 1,2006. Every Secretary of State in the country is going through the same problem of putting a state wide registration data base online. I would be more impressed by Debra if she had mention this problem before the L.A times article. I suspect if Debra was the current Secretary of State we would probably be having the same problem.
March 31st, 2006 at 11:20 am
As I stated in another thread I really wish someone could charge McPherson and all other SOS’s who certify Diebold and other “hackable” voter machines under federal voter fraud laws, they are knowingly certifying error prone and hacker prone machines - that seems like it should be against the law
April 1st, 2006 at 8:10 am
In reply to impeach2
I do not believe federal law requires that voting machines not have secrurity risks. The law requires that voting machines be tested to show they count votes correclty. How ever their is not a federal law stating how accurate a voting machine must count. Thier are voluntary standards. In general errors in counting have been shown to be less that 1%.
April 21st, 2006 at 10:42 pm
I have worked with databases of several kinds, even including some of the ones referenced in the current CA voter registration rejection flaw. I am glad Sen. Bowen is helping guide the process to a more reasonable design.
For visitors here who would like a transcript of one fine presentation at the April 5, 2006 CA Senate hearing, an official from the NYU Brennan Center, I include two links:
http://www.votetrustusa.org/pdfs/Testimony%20of%20Wendy%20Weiser%20before%20the%20California%20State%20Senate%20Committee%20on%20Elections.pdf
Also available in html format at: http://www.votetrustusa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1217&Itemid=26
The Brennan Center has more at http://www.brennancenter.org/presscenter/releases_2006/pressrelease_2006_0324.html
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