19,000 Fla Ballots Nullified.
November 8, 2000 7:56 PM   Subscribe

19,000 Fla Ballots Nullified....and allegedly Gore was only behind in the state by 1800. This is gonna get interesting.
posted by bkdelong (30 comments total)
 
Democrat Senator calls for new vote in Florida. It feels like we are in some sort of movie or anything.
posted by jay at 8:10 PM on November 8, 2000


What a mess......if they repeal this and those voters have to re vote, we might not see who won this damn election til next week.

From the article it sounded like Gore was second down on the ballot, and the second hole down did not correspond with Al Gore. If that's the case, and if stupid people overlooked the ballot and just hit the hole by his name, and if there's a re voting, Gore could easily still win FL.
posted by grank at 8:10 PM on November 8, 2000


Here's what the ballot looked like. Interesting to see if a re-vote gets called for poor usability!
posted by kaefer at 8:19 PM on November 8, 2000


repurposed content

Changing one's vote is not allowed.
Who could revote? Everyone in that county or just those who voted for Buchanan? Since it's a secret ballot then everyone in that county would be allowed to re-vote. If they get to change their vote then why can't the entire country?

It would no longer be a standard election but a run-off between Bush and Gore. All of the third party candidates would see there numbers decrease, that certainly would not be fair.

You have a small number of people who will obviously elect the next president. This makes an easy target for fraud.

Precedent must be taken into consideration. What if those that said they voted for Buchanan by accident are Gore supporters who did vote for Gore but believe that others may have made mistakes or will change their minds when they realize the magnitude of their one vote?

What is to stop people from crying foul after every election?

An accidental wrong was committed here, of that there is little doubt, but a purposeful wrong will not right it (I would be taking the exact same stand if it was Gore who was in the lead and it appeared Bush was possibly shorted votes).

People are stupid, people make mistakes. A dead man was elected governor of Missouri.


posted by Mick at 8:23 PM on November 8, 2000


I can't find a link on the 'Net to put here about it, but I just saw on television a brief reference to movie writer and director Rob ("Meathead") Reiner saying with a grin, "if this election were a movie script, no one would believe it. I'd be kicked out of the screenwriter's union." So yeah, it does feel like we're in some sort of movie. =)
posted by ZachsMind at 8:26 PM on November 8, 2000


You know, this makes Clinton's impeachment look like a walk in the park.

VIVA POLITICS!
posted by solistrato at 8:32 PM on November 8, 2000


Recount underway. Bush's majority down to 790 votes after 29 of 67 counties.
posted by jay at 8:54 PM on November 8, 2000


What is to stop people from crying foul after every election?

That's not quite the case, since the FL ballot was apparently not in accordance with the law that says how the dot much be to the right of the name.
posted by grank at 8:57 PM on November 8, 2000



Computer error cause votes to vanish in Volusia?
The plot thickens. Also gives you a reason why they shouldn't use computers to for voting. I wonder what kind of OS they were running.
posted by jay at 9:28 PM on November 8, 2000


Hoo boy, Chris. I was with ya right up until the remark "People are stupid, people make mistakes. A dead man was elected governor of Missouri."

Now, it may not have been your intention to belittle what happened in my state yesterday, but let me offer a perspective that suggests we folks here in the flyover were neither stupid nor mistaken when we continued to support Mel Carnahan for the senate.

After Gov. Carnahan was tragically killed in a plane crash, his supporters across Missouri continued to support the ideas and principles which were a part of his campaign platform and the hallmarks of his leadership throughout his career. We voted not for "a dead man" but for a living ideal, his commitment to personal liberty, quality education and economic equality. Knowing that, if he were elected, his wife and partner Jean Carnahan -- no slouch in political acumen and personal fortitude herself -- would serve in his place, we confidently cast our votes in his honor and memory.

Perhaps more importantly, though, and more instructive for future elections, the tragedy of Mel Carnahan's death necessarily changed the tone of the campaign. His opponent could no longer air ad hominem attacks on the man and certainly could not aggressively attack his widow. Ashcroft was forced instead to speak in detail about his own beliefs and positions. Absent the ability to "go negative," in the final weeks of the campaign the level of discourse became civil, reverent and at least somewhat intelligent. As it should have been all along and as, I hope at least, it may be in future election cycles.

I know Jean Carnahan will serve Missouri with poise, dignity and considerable skill. I hope she finds the strength to seek re-election after her two-year term expires, and that her considerable grace will set the tone for a more intelligent and civil campaign. If that appreciation of what's happened this year and that hope for the future is stupid, then color me a proud doofus from the Show-Me State.
posted by bradlands at 9:48 PM on November 8, 2000


Wow! Now I wish I coulda voted for her. ..uh, I mean him. ..?
posted by ZachsMind at 12:52 AM on November 9, 2000


It's time to send in the UN election observers.
posted by holgate at 1:13 AM on November 9, 2000


Time for the world’s attention to turn to good design.
posted by capt.crackpipe at 1:52 AM on November 9, 2000


I don't know if I speak for the rest of the world's view over this, but here in our office in Britain we have started to laugh out loud at some of the news stories coming in.

The feeling of excitement changed it to incredulity and then amusement. The most powerful nation on earth is becoming a bit of a laughing stock really.

Great entertainment though.
posted by fullerine at 2:32 AM on November 9, 2000


What? Wait. Becoming? We gave the world Jerry Lewis. I thought the world made fun of us for a long damn time.

And at least I drink cold beer damint!
posted by capt.crackpipe at 3:18 AM on November 9, 2000


Sorry Brad, I certainetly ment no disrespect to Missouri, the Deceased, or his widow.

I was trying to point out that since the election of a person no longer able to hold office is not a reason for a revote then a ballot design approved by the Democrates (as stated on nightline last night) is not either.
posted by Mick at 5:35 AM on November 9, 2000


...I was gonna make a joke about how *I* am the one responsible for this mess, but then I remembered that the FEC is probably pretty touchy right about now...
posted by aramaic at 6:06 AM on November 9, 2000


This says something about the importance of user interface. Design IS important! And don't let the electorate forget it!!
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 6:08 AM on November 9, 2000


An accidental wrong was committed here, of that there is litle doubt, but a purposeful wrong will not right it...

Mick, I wouldn't be so sure that the design of this ballot was an accidental wrong. You've got a ballot that, by its very design, favors the repulican candidate. It's almost as if that ballot were specifically intended to misdirect voters from Gore. And all this takes place in a Republican state where the favored candidate's brother is in charge...

Well, forgive me if I sound like a conspiracy theorist, but something here stinks.

Accidental error? Sorry, I don't buy it.
posted by ratbastard at 6:16 AM on November 9, 2000


ummm... it was designed by a Democratic election official...
posted by gyc at 6:26 AM on November 9, 2000


...and approved by the local chairperson of the Democratic party.
posted by Mick at 6:38 AM on November 9, 2000


...but not approved by me, darn it!
posted by aramaic at 6:40 AM on November 9, 2000


The designer was, if I understand correctly, Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Theresa LePore. The office is non-partisan. Naturally, the ballot design was submitted to all listed parties which is where the "approved" part comes in.
posted by dhartung at 7:59 AM on November 9, 2000


There will be no revote. My words, my opinion.
posted by jamescblack at 8:06 AM on November 9, 2000


UN observers!?!? That'l be the day. You trying to give me a heart attack Holgate?
posted by thirteen at 8:11 AM on November 9, 2000


I think that UN observers would be OK, but *only* if they agree to arrive in black helicopters.
posted by eckeric at 9:04 AM on November 9, 2000


Funny how this election might have more fraud than the recent Yugoslavian election... Certainly I doubt vote fraud was one sided, and they proably cancelled each other out (besides the disputed Palm Beach county).
posted by gyc at 9:20 AM on November 9, 2000


The UN coming in would be awesome :)

To bad it won't happen, since we are on the Security Council :(
posted by Ptrin at 12:47 PM on November 9, 2000


I'm beginning to believe that the definition of a "rogue state" is any country that behaves towards other like the U.S. but doesn't have a permanent seat on the Security Council.
posted by harmful at 1:20 PM on November 9, 2000


Just beginning to?
posted by daveadams at 1:23 PM on November 9, 2000


« Older   |   My vote doesn't count. Newer »


This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments