http://bernie.house.gov/documents/releases...50105171330.asp
For Immediate Release, 1/5/2005
Sanders to Contest Ohio Electors to Promote Fair Elections-Vt. Ind. Seeks to Reform Election Process, Not Overturn Bush Election
WASHINGTON – Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) joined in support of a Congressional effort -- that includes the top ranking House Judiciary Democrat Rep. John Conyers – in questioning the Ohio electoral votes. House Judiciary staffers have compiled a lengthy report detailing many of the irregularities that took place during November voting in Ohio. Sanders does not believe that Kerry won Ohio or that Bush’s Ohio electors should be rejected. He does believe, however, that the counting of the electoral votes on Thursday presents an opportunity for Congress to address the serious flaws in the electoral process that occurred in recent years in Ohio, Florida and other states. Sanders will continue the fight for major electoral reform to ensure that American elections are conducted fairly and efficiently.
Sanders said, “The electoral process is the most important element of our democratic society and every American must be absolutely confident that the vote he/she casts is accurately counted. It is unacceptable in our modern democracy that people have to wait for hours before they can vote, that new voting machines leave no paper trail so that it is impossible to conduct a hand recount, and that most states lack a system of same-day voter registration. In addition, we need to review whether it’s time to take the control of elections out of the hands of partisan political figures and establish non-partisan election boards. That’s why I’m supporting the establishment of a joint Congressional committee to examine these and other issues.”
The U.S House and Senate will count the electoral votes submitted by the various states tomorrow, January 6th. In order for the Congress to debate the validity of the Ohio electoral votes, a U.S. Senator would have to join in the objection expected to be submitted by House members. At this time, no Senator has publicly announced that he or she will do so.
If a Senator does join in objecting, both the U.S. House and Senate would conduct a separate two hour debate on the validity of the Ohio electors. Following the debate, both houses would vote on the issue if the objection were not withdrawn. It is during this debate that Sanders and other election reformers hope to raise the need for critical electoral reforms.
Sanders concluded, “While there appear to have been significant voting problems in Ohio, the issue here is not whether the election is going to be overturned. The President’s margin is just too large for that to happen. But it is imperative that we fix our electoral system so that every American can vote, that every American knows his or her vote will be counted, and all of us have confidence in the outcome. That’s what we’re trying to achieve – free and fair elections for all Americans.”
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