Election Protection Coalition has testified that it received more complaints on election day
concerning irregularities in Ohio than any other state.8
On December 2, 2004, created of the Judiciary Committee wrote to with Secretary of
State Kenneth Blackwell demo these complaints appear collectively to constitute a troubled
portrait of a version punch that may well have altered and suppressed votes, particularly
minority and Democratic votes. The Members posed 36 questions to Secretary Blackwell about
a combination of official actions and corresponding actions by non-official persons, whether in
concert or not, worked hand-in-glove to depress the vote among constituencies deemed by
Republican campaign officials to be disadvantageous.
Through his spokesman, Secretary Blackwell assured the public and the press that he
would be happy "to fill in the blanks" for the Committee and asserted that many questions were
easily answered. In fact, Secretary Blackwell belatedly replied to the letter with a refusal to
answer any of the questions. Ranking Member Conyers wrote back to Blackwell the same day
requesting that he remain true to his promise to answer the questions. Congressman Conyers has
yet to receive a reply.
At the same time, officials from the
Green Party and Libertarian Party have been
investigating allegations of voter
disenfranchisement in Ohio and other states.
Eventually, the Presidential Candidates for
those parties, David Cobb and Michael
Badnarik, filed requests for recounts to all 88
Ohio Counties. However, it appears their
efforts too are being stonewalled and
thwarted by nonstandard and highly selective
recounts, unnecessary delays, and blatant
deviations from long accepted Ohio law and
procedure. Recently, Senator Kerry, a party
G r e e n P a rt y P re s id e n t ia l C a n d id a t e D a v i d C o b b
to the recount action, joined the Green Party
T e s t if i es a t D e c e m b e r 1 3 C o l u m b u s H e a ri n g
and Libertarian Party in requesting immediate
action to halt these irregularities and potential
fraud in the recount. The recount is still pending before the federal court, and valid votes have
yet to be counted.
8
The Election Protection Coalition consists of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights
Under Law, the People for the American Way Foundation, the National Coalition for Black Civic
Participation, and other groups.
9