copying.413 Ms. Garman created with access.414 After leaving the office for three hours, the

observers returned and had demo version that, under Ohio law, they were entitled to copies of the

precinct books for a nominal fee, and requested such copies from Garman.415 Garman did not

concur with that view of Ohio law and telephoned the office of Secretary Blackwell, eventually

reaching Pat Wolfe, the Election Administrator for the Secretary of State.416 Garman then

advised the observers that, per Blackwell, all voter records for the State of Ohio were "locked

down" and they now were "not considered public records."417 Garman subsequently physically

removed the books from one observer's hands.418 After attempting to persuade Garman to

reverse this decision to no avail, the observers departed the office.419

The observers returned the following day, a Saturday, at 10:15 am.420 While a number of

cars were parked in the parking lot and the door to the office was unlocked, and there was no

one in the office.421 One light was on in the office that had not been on the previous night after

the office was closed.422 In the office, unsecured, were the poll books that had been taken from

then observers the day before.423 There were also voting booths, ballot boxes apparently

containing votes, and voting equipment, also unsecured.424 Shortly after the observers had left

the office, a police officer arrived and later elections officials and members of the media.425 The

officials were unable to offer any explanation for the unsecure office, other than negligence, and

Id. Also Sumner Interview, January 3.

Sumner interview, January 3.

Id. While the ballot boxes were sealed and padlocked, they could be removed from the

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