Text 13708, 63 rader
Skriven 2006-11-04 06:05:46 av /m (1:379/45)
Ärende: GOP says Memphis election cards missing
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From: /m <mike@barkto.com>


http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061103/NEWS0206/61103032

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MEMPHIS -- Tennessee's Republican Party chairman complained to Shelby County
election officials that electronic voting machine cards were missing in
Memphis, the hometown of Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Harold Ford Jr.

"It has come to our attention that several smart cards used in early voting are
missing from at least one early voting site in Memphis, Tenn.," Bob Davis said
in a later dated Thursday. "The lack of oversight and control over these
smartcards has created a situation which could allow for voter fraud."

The letter called on the commission to "locate these missing smart cards as
soon as possible."

Tennessee Election Coordinator Brook Thompson said Friday that even if the
cards aren't recovered by officials there is no danger of fraud because they
can't be used again.

"The cards are programmed such that once you use them, they cannot be reused
until they are reactivated by the Election Commission," Thompson said.

Shelby County Elections Administrator James Johnson didn't immediately return
calls seeking comment and wasn't in the office when a reporter stopped by to
ask him about the complaint.

Davis did not immediately return a telephone message seeking comment about how
the situation came to his attention or what voting site was involved.

Ford, a five-term congressman who is matched against Republican Bob Corker of
Chattanooga in the Tuesday election, said he would ask the Shelby County
district attorney and sheriff to step aside from the investigation because they
are co-chairing Corker's campaign.

"They are good people, both, but they should recuse themselves," Ford said. "If
we have to ask the Justice Department to come in and oversee this, we may have
to. It's unfortunate that these things happen, but we have authorities — and
hopefully independent authorities — that will come in and correct the record."

A spokeswoman for District Attorney Bill Gibbons said his office had not been
contacted about the matter. Federal prosecutors didn't immediately return calls
seeking comment.

Davis sent his letter one day after Gibbons said he asked the Tennessee Bureau
of Investigation to look into allegations two people each cast two ballots
during early voting in Shelby County.

Shelby County had 19 locations for early voting that began last month and ended
Thursday.

Heightened scrutiny of Memphis-area voting has been expected after three poll
workers were indicted on charges of casting false ballots during last year's
disputed 13-vote victory of Ophelia Ford in a state Senate special election.
The Senate voided her election but she is on the ballot again this month.
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  /m

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