Dear Editor,
Exchange the word Democrat with Republican in the story “Big Trouble in Little Minnesota” and it sounds a lot like the problems with vote counting in Florida during the 2000 presidential election. The difference is that the partisan and corrupt Florida Secretary of State in 2000 unfairly influenced the presidential election while this time it is for a senate seat.
What goes around comes around.
David Lichtenstein
News Director
KMKK 102.3 FM
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Dear David,
It’s funny you should mention Florida. The parallels are stunning, they are instructive, and they are certainly cause for question and concern. Then as now, “missing” ballots were found after the end of the election. Then as now, the outcome could determine what decisions the government makes over the next few years. Then as now, the lead once held by a Republican narrows dramatically. But, this is hardly a partisan issue.
It is in part reminiscent of the story of Debbie Allen, who it was thought in Florida, 2000 had stolen a bag of ballots. It turned out that the bag of ballots had been left in the backseat of Gene Tracy’s car. He was a precinct worker in Volusia County.
Back then it appeared to be an honest mistake. When the votes were recounted, even with the missing bag, the vote totals did not budge.
Now in Minnesota is another crop of missing votes in a car. 32 absentees. In the case of missing ballots in Minnesota, all are disproportionately favoring the Democratic candidate for Senate, Al Franken. 18 went to Mr. Franken, and only 7 for his opponent, Senator Norm Coleman.
A small sample, but still it was cause for concern. They were challenged by Mr. Coleman, who has every right to question their authenticity.
Overall, the “corrections” now occurring are breaking heavily for Mr. Franken. It does appear statistically improbable, and with outliers like that, it looks fraudulent. These raise questions.
And there was no question back then that the appearance of new ballots after the election was fishy and cause for concern. It was certainly controversial. Fortunately, it was an honest mistake back then. Let us hope that is the case now.
That is not to say that the recounts did not favor Al Gore. After the recounts in Florida, then Governor Bush’s lead shrank from 1,784 to 388. After the automatic recount, Secretary of State Katherine Harris certified Mr. Bush the winner. That eventually held.
A good question for comparative purposes may be why in both cases, new votes favor the Democratic candidate. Is it because of fraud? Vote suppression? Coincidence? Let’s find out.
Another good question, since you brought it up: Will, after the mandatory, administrative recount is complete, Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie—like then Secretary of State Katherine Harris—certify the winner if it’s Norm Coleman?
We shall soon know the answers to those questions.
This is an issue of democracy and its integrity. Then as now, the election was close enough to warrant an automatic, mandatory recount of ballots. Then as now, it appears all but certain that that result will be challenged in court. Then as now, the election may ultimately be determined by a court decision upholding what the ballots counted said.
We believe that the “missing” votes that have disproportionately favored Mr. Franken should be investigated thoroughly. The phenomenon should frankly cause him concern that folks may be trying to steal the election on his behalf. All parties involved should be advocating for a fair count of the votes as they were actually cast.
It really is critical that the legitimacy of the Minnesota Senate election be upheld, whatever the outcome. It may ultimately determine whether one party controls all houses of government with a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.
Our government’s legitimacy is derived from the consent of the governed, and without that, it lacks legitimacy. Our own role in preserving a healthy democracy is to raise legitimate questions, not to play partisan politics. There does appear to be a danger of election manipulation in the Senate race of Minnesota. Mr. Ritchie’s previous ties to ACORN, a group known for voter registration fraud, certainly raise red flags. We will not shy away from informing our readers of those ties.
I hope you enjoy our publication and continue reading. We also hope you like the Wanted poster our in-staff graphic designer, William Warren, produced.
Sincerely,
Robert Romano
Editor of ALG News Bureau
Note: Edited for grammar.