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MARK RITCHIE AND ACCURACY
By Ryan Flynn | December 22, 2008
Secretary of State Mark Ritchie has been boasting for months about the accuracy of our elections and more importantly the accuracy of the U.S. Senate recount. He even ran on a platform in 2006 of reforming our supposed broken system where votes were suppressed.
For the better part of a month he ran around batting down calls for the recount to go quickly so Minnesotans could know who will be representing them in the U.S. Senate.
But now it seems Ritchie’s tune has changed and he would like to get this thing done quickly, even if it means that some votes are counted twice, specifically the “double votes†challenged by Coleman’s campaign.
I have compiled some research of Ritchie in his own words on accuracy of the recount:
“‘I won’t ask them to sign something until I know we are as accurate as we can be,’ Ritchie said, speaking of his fellow Canvassing Board members. ‘We will know a tremendous amount by Friday night.’”   Source: Associated Press, December 16, 2008
Richie: “It’s our job as office of secretary of state to make sure that the count is complete and accurate and everything is there included and we’ve set out a timeline of December 16 to start the canvassing part of this process, to leave the recount behind and to move onto the canvas part.”  Source: MPR, December 5, 2008
Ritchie: “Well, the canvassing board’s job is to make sure that at the end of the entire process we’ve absolutely accurately determined the voter intent of everyone who cast an eligible ballot in the whole system. And so we are subject to orders from judges and, you know, that will be an important part of the process. So we don’t really know yet.”  Source: MSNBC, November 19, 2008
“‘This recount process will demonstrate Minnesota’s strong tradition of free, fair and accurate elections. I am committed to the making sure this remains a transparent process and will make every effort to provide the public with information regarding the procedures for this recount,’ said Ritchie.”  Source: Minnesota Secretary of State News Release, November 14, 2008
“Ritchie: ‘The Coleman campaign and all campaigns enter this process at a very different place than I do And I’ve said many times that campaigns, all campaigns, are out to win, win, and win. That’s their goal. And win at any cost is how most campaigns operate. Our job as the Office of the Secretary of State is to determine on an accurate and transparent basis what the citizens wanted to do. I expect to be attacked by the campaigns, both of them.’”   Source:  The Hotline, November 13, 2008
“The recount of the closest U.S. Senate race in Minnesota history will be directed by a freshman elections chief — a liberal DFLer who won election two years ago after accusing his Republican predecessor of bringing partisan bias to her official duties. Secretary of State Mark Ritchie pledges to oversee a fair, accurate and open recount of the nearly 2.9 million ballots in the Senate race. ‘Minnesotans have an expectation of a nonpartisan election recount,’ Ritchie said late last week Source:  Star Tribune, November 10, 2008
Ritchie: “But I think the thing that we say to everybody is accuracy and transparency are our priorities, time and doing it quickly is not. And so if this takes longer, I’m guessing we wouldn’t work on Christmas, we will work through the holiday until it is done and do it in an accurate and transparent way, umm, and not hurry something that in anyway take away from accuracy or transparency Source: “The Scott Hennen Show,” AM 1100, November 10, 2008
Ritchie: “In this case we are following as closely as and as carefully as we can, putting the emphasis on accuracy and transparency-other people might want an emphasis on speed. Do this fast so we’ll have to see how this process sorts itself out over the next couple weeks.” Source: MPR, November 10, 2008
“Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, a Democrat, said a recount wouldn’t begin until mid-November at the earliest and would probably stretch into December. It would involve local election officials from around the state. ‘No matter how fast people would like it, the emphasis is on accuracy,’ Ritchie said.” Source: Associated Press, November 5, 2008
“The process of humans creating errors is the same wherever you are on the planet,” says Secretary Ritchie, noting that the state’s optical scan machines are highly accurate and make it easy to recount. “We’ve built a system that people trust, and that reputation includes being able to administer very large recounts very accurately, and put transparency and accuracy as a top priority in the system.” Source: Â Christian Science Monitor, November 10, 2008
“The official recount procedure begins after county canvassing boards certify the numbers and send them to the state canvassing board, which also must certify the results, according to Beth Fraser, director of governmental affairs for Secretary of State Mark Ritchie’s office. ‘It’s our goal to finish up within the month of December,’ Fraser said. ‘But our top priority is accuracy and transparency – making sure the votes are being counted accurately and everyone knows what’s going on. We want to have it done as quickly as we can, but speed is not the top priority.’” Source: The Legal Ledger, November 10, 2008
“MARK RITCHIE (D), MINNESOTA SECY OF STATE: ‘The campaigns have an interest as we do in accuracy and transparency, but the campaigns have a lot higher priority on doing this fast and we don’t have a priority on doing this fast.’” Source: Â Fox News Channel, November 12, 2008
Ritchie’s words speak for themselves but now why does he seem to want to rush through this thing. Some votes counting twice is certainly not a fair and accurate count, it goes against the mantra of one person, one vote, goes against what Ritchie had preached for so long and certainly goes against our democratic way.
Topics: Uncategorized | 14 Comments »
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:33 pm
“If it was me, I’d step aside.” Norm Coleman, November 2008.
It’s interesting how a website that’s been calling on Franken to step aside and let the will of the people prevail suddenly wants to slow things down once Norm Coleman falls behind. Almost like you guys were operating on party, not principle.
December 22nd, 2008 at 5:12 pm
What a load of bunk. Looks like Team Coleman’s Embedded Blogger at Minnesota Democrats Exposed, Ryan Flynn, is just doing his part trying to confuse people and slow down the process as much as possible.
This “double ballot” garbage from Team Coleman is all but fabricated. Legal votes are counted twice about as often as votes are left uncounted. Everyone has been proud of this system except for Team Coleman.
You’re being disgraceful to the process unless you have a legitimate claim to bring to the table where voters are actually disenfranchised or if someone’s actually doing something illegal.
In the meantime, let the elections officials do their jobs so we can find out who legally and fairly won this election.
December 22nd, 2008 at 5:48 pm
These double votes are such a joke. If Team Coleman thinks that these alleged double votes are going to hurt them, then they don’t think that they are winning. its that simple.
I imagine that only votes for Franken were counted twice too right?
what a load a shit.
and Flynn, you blather way too much, at least MBB would try to keep his bullshit concise, you on the other hand just spout crap continuously. with no end in site.
December 22nd, 2008 at 6:51 pm
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December 22nd, 2008 at 11:24 pm
The “clean” Minnesota election process is a joke.
A number of conditions exist to cause chaos in the electoral process and should be addressed.
There are three reforms that need to take place to clean up Minnesota elections:
1. Tighten voter registration standards. Same day registration is unnecessary. Most responsible citizens realize an important election is approaching. They sholuld act responsibly and register so they are on the rolls election day. Others who haven’t paid attention up to the election date probably should stay home and watch the Simpsons.
The provision for a registered voter “vouching” for up to 15 individuals who do not have to identify themselves and prove they are elibible to vote is absurd. It begs the question of election fraud. I recognize there are the one-off new residents and those should be given a vote, but 15 at a time is a scam. Fix this.
2. Absentee voting is necessary, but it should be minimal and restricted to those who will be physically absent from their precinct or unable to vote on election day. All others should be eliminated. “Early voting” should be eliminated. We have an election day. Vote then. If lines are long or weather is bad…don’t vote. You decide.
You have that choice.
3. Eliminate the sham of divining voter intent. This is a total crock and begs for judicial review and decision…just what we don’t need or want. Voter intent should be decided by the vote counting machines…an objective method. Instead we have a legislative canard that looks at and tries to determine what a MORON WHO CANNOT FILL OUT A SIMPLE BALLOT REALLY MEANS. This is absurd. If the ballot is goofy, flush it.
December 23rd, 2008 at 12:44 am
Greg’s Solution:
1.) Only allow votes for Coleman.
2.) Throw out votes for Franken, the Dems are too stupid anyway.
3.) Disregard any vote made by a moron, according to Greg’s definition.
4.) Screw Democracy, it doesn’t always elect republicans.
5.) Make sure that only Republicans are printed on the ballot.
6.) Throw out any write-in or absentee ballots for the DFL.
7.) Run the Coleman votes thru a few hundres times each.
8.) Force Norm vote for himself so he gets at least one vote.
9.) Don’t ever question a machine, because they are always 100% accurate.
10.) Make sure new voters are kept far away from any polling station.
11.) Congratulate Stuart Smalley on his election as a United States Senator.
12.) Last step… try again in 2014!
December 23rd, 2008 at 8:05 am
I’m not surprised Franken is fighting tooth and nail. The TRO says 150 instances, not 150 ballots. Each instance is from 1 to 20+ ballots. Potentially 3000 plus ballots
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:01 am
“Everyone has been proud of this system except for Team Coleman.”
If by “everyone” you mean partisan Democrats. Mark Ritchie is a hack who wants Franken to win. This thing was stacked against Coleman from the beginning.
December 23rd, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Bo Darville..
“Everyone has been proud of this system except for Team Coleman.”
I think “everyone” is too strong, and I also suspect that most Minnesotans ARE proud of this system, regardless of who they support.
Your disrespect for the honorable job Mark Ritchie has done under difficult circumstances shows YOU are the partisan hack, not Ritchie.
I know it’s hard to think of Stuart Smalley as your United States Senator, but I suggest you at least prepare for the possibility.
This thing has been stacked against Senator Coleman ever since he signed on to be George W. Bush’s lapdog back in January 2001.
December 23rd, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Ritchie is a partisan hack. He has proven it time and time again. Just like danbrome.
The Democrats are doing what I expected all long – stealing the election. This is not only going to piss off Republicans but many Democrats who can not stand Franken will also be outraged.
People of your ilk are just evil danbrome.
December 23rd, 2008 at 3:40 pm
…many Democrats who can not stand Franken?
LOL!!!! Did Sean Hannity tell you that?
December 24th, 2008 at 1:57 am
Good job, Michael’s assistant!
December 27th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
danbrome, no, liberal democrats told me that. The 3 that sit next to me at work all voted for Barkley because they could not stand Franken.
Too bad fools like you can’t see thing for yourself. Stop reading the party talking points and start thinking for yourself danbrome.
July 26th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
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