« COLEMAN FOR U.S. SENATE PRESS RELEASE: “COLEMAN FOR SENATE STATEMENT ON FALSE FRANKEN CLAIMS REGARDING BELTRAMI COUNTY VOTER” | Home | MUST READ FROM THE BEMIDJI PIONEER: “COLEMAN CAMPAIGN SAYS FRANKEN ATTEMPT TO USE BELTRAMI VOTER DISAPPOINTING” »
COLEMAN FOR U.S. SENATE PRESS RELEASE: “COLEMAN CAMPAIGN VOICES CONCERNS OVER STATEMENTS BY CHIEF RECOUNT OFFICIAL”
By Michael B. Brodkorb | November 14, 2008
ST. PAUL – Coleman campaign officials today said statements by state elections director Gary Poser and Secretary of State Ritchie, and a dishonest press release issued by the Franken Campaign, have raised serious concerns in the final days leading up to an officially sanctioned state recount.
In response to questioning regarding the availability of absentee voters’ private information at a press conference today, Poser stated, “I just wanted to answer, I have gotten some emails from counties asking about if we thought that was public data and I did reply saying that I thought it was public data for the rejected absentee, just the list of the names.â€
Additionally, during the same press conference, the media stated that Ritchie’s position on how absentee ballot issues should be treated before the recounted have been an “evolutionâ€.
The Coleman campaign has responded with a letter to Secretary of State Mark Ritchie stating:
Based on the wording of the Franken press statement, coupled with what the media has stated is your “evolution†on the position of rejected absentee ballots and how they are treated prior to the recount, as well as Mr. Poser’s affirmative support for the Franken Campaign’s legal challenge to deprive Minnesotans of their right to privacy, we have serious concerns about the statements that have been issued from your office today.
A copy of the Coleman campaign’s letter is attached [click here].
Tags: Uncategorized
Topics: Uncategorized | 16 Comments »
16 Responses to “COLEMAN FOR U.S. SENATE PRESS RELEASE: “COLEMAN CAMPAIGN VOICES CONCERNS OVER STATEMENTS BY CHIEF RECOUNT OFFICIAL””
Comments
You must be logged in to post a comment.
November 14th, 2008 at 7:38 PM
Forget staff and lawyers, Norm is going to have to raise another $25 million just to pay for all the paper and toner he is blowing through putting out these hourly press releases.
November 14th, 2008 at 9:13 PM
why is Norm so affraid to have submitted ballots counted?
November 14th, 2008 at 10:13 PM
If Norm was so confident that he “won” how come he sent a “ballot guard” to Caledonia, the Houston County seat before midnight on the 4th?
Caledonia is located at least 3 hours to the southeast of the cities near the Iowa border. Norm’s “ballot guard” had the Houston County Sheriff call and wake up the auditor at 2:30am with his demand to see where the ballots were locked up at. He then said that he wanted to be locked in the room with the ballots, but had to settle for being a “hall monitor”
http://www.hometownargus.com/
Seems that Norm doesn’t have much trust in the Minnesotans he has battled to represent.
PS Norm won Houston County
November 14th, 2008 at 10:55 PM
Norm is just trying to keep the Franken win under 2000 votes. You can’t blame him… I mean, who would like getting crushed by Stewart Smally?
My prediction.. Al by 2.
You heard it here first.
November 15th, 2008 at 12:28 AM
why wouldnt Coleman want to secure all aballots, knowing there would be a recount?… it is reasonable, and good forethought. Thisway the ballots cannot be fucked with. he is issueing press releases so Minnesotans can be imformed of the attempted theft of the election. Welcome toe ht USSR of America. The first Thugocracy, where we our voteing habits are public knowledge Whether it be for POTUS, the Senate, or a local union election… if Smalley should win, it will be so tainted he will be a laughing stock
November 15th, 2008 at 3:12 AM
Here is a new one… how about ritchie and his flunky, gary poser, actually follow the law. The idea that somone has his or her name released whose absentee ballot could change the course of the election could lead to significant problems related to privacy and security for that person. Franken has already shown his willingness to USE people to make up his case In addition, even though Democrats don’t seem to care about private votes for their union members, the public should have the exectation of privacy when they cast their vote. The private vote is at risk with the continued push by al franken to expose the private votes of absentee voters. We should all be concerned.
November 15th, 2008 at 9:01 AM
At what point is Al trying to expose a private vote?
He is attempting to get all legally cast ballots counted. At no point has he asked to open the absentee ballot envelope, see what it says, and then determine if he wants the vote to count.
You republicans sure like to trump up controversy where none exists, don’t you?
November 15th, 2008 at 9:50 AM
Ok, I need enlightenment. These rejected absentee ballot envelopes are opened and it is determined they will now be counted, which I assume they will go for Franken. Of all the previously accepted absentee ballots that were all ready accepted and counted, will we be able to see which ones of those were fraudulent because the were not who they say they were, not citizens of Minnesota, etc. Will their illegal votes be able to be taken back or will it be too late, so sad, too bad. Franken wins with illegal votes.
November 15th, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Mark-
You have any evidence to back up the claim of voter fraud, or is this just a way to continue the republican mantra of questioning the fairness of the process?
I would love it if one of you could come up with an actual EXAMPLE of how the system is being used unfairly to hurt your candidate. It is easy to sit back and assume that a democratic SOS is going to screw you over. It is a lot harder to actually provide evidence that any such thing is happening.
November 15th, 2008 at 11:09 AM
No, they are included in the cast ballots and there is no way to tell the in person ballots from the absentee ballots.
Only the absentee ballots that were rejected are placed in a separate box unopened.
I know of a first time voter who placed their voter registration card in their ballot envelope. The election judge rejected the ballot, because the voter was not registired. It remains unopened and uncounted.
Should this ballot be opened and counted?
PS this county went strongly for Norm
November 15th, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Franken wants names and adresses of absentee voters…. presumably to find out their intent…that is wrong on so many levels… but typical for the fraudulent marxists
November 15th, 2008 at 11:19 AM
BTW in a test recount of 20 heavily DFLiar precints Frankenshit gained a net 1 vote…all of this may very well be moot
November 15th, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Every one of the ballots that was cast should be scrutinized and counted to the best of the abilities of the election staff and the volunteers assisting in the effort.
This recount is not a product of the Franken campaign, but rather required by the state given that this election is so close. It is classic to play political strategy here; either side would do it. However, I find it ironic that some of the people who post here are trying to make it seem as though Al Franken and his team are the ones who are running scared and demanding the recount. It is fairly obvious to the general observer that Coleman’s campaign is the one who is scared. They should be.
If it were the case that the Coleman camp thought they would have no problem winning, why wouldn’t they be pushing the idea of a fair and just recount? Why wouldn’t they want the voices of the voters of our state to be heard? Why wouldn’t they want to prove beyond the shadow of any doubt that they had this election won fair and square?
This will be an interesting process. The outcome must be, and I have faith that it will be clear, and acceptable to the voters of Minnesota.
As a final and unrelated note, what is it with some of the people who post here using the vulgar language of children to prove a point? Can’t we all, as adults, have a reasonable discussion without resorting to these tactics? For all of the talk on this blog about negative campaigns this cycle, some of the posts here are even more negative than this race for senate has been. It must be embarrassing for those on one side or the other to see their collogues using such a poor choice of words. Let’s try to be a little more sensible. Points can be proven with a careful choice of words and a solid argument. There is no need for the filth that I see on here on a daily basis.
November 15th, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Maxus,
The voter whose ballots was rejected was never asked who they voted for, just if they knew their ballot was rejected.
I guess that test recount also shows how much respect and honesty the election judges in those areas have for the process.
The error rate for the opti scanners is about 2 votes for every 7000 votes counted, this hand recount counted 1 vote for Al and subtracted 1 vote from Norm. At this rate the final margin could have Al up by 215 votes.
November 15th, 2008 at 1:32 PM
the strib said the at that rate it would put norm up by 175….. it is telling this is in 2 heavy franken counties st louis and ramsey
November 15th, 2008 at 1:36 PM
The Coleman camp is only trying to ensure that only legitimate votes get counted. why woud frankenshit put out lies about little old ladies if he knew he was a lock???/