Ohio Provisional Ballot Ruling Reversed

AP via Yahoo ^ | October 23, 2004 | AP

[COEXERJ145]

CINCINNATI - A federal appeals court on Saturday reversed a lower court's ruling that Ohio voters could cast provisional ballots on Election Day anywhere in the county in which they are registered.

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a provisional ballot cast outside a voter's home precinct isn't valid, agreeing with Ohio Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell. Federal law allows people to get provisional ballots if they are in the right jurisdiction. Blackwell, a Republican, defines that as a precinct, while Democrats say it's the voter's county.

[Enterprise]

There is a compelling interest in this country that we have orderly elections, and this garbage about "provisional" ballots is disgusting, and can lead to chaotic elections. From my perspective, registering to vote, and then either obtaining an absentee ballot or voting at a precinct have been made as simple as humanly possible. The need for someone to obtain a provisional ballot should be minuscule at best, and the qualifications for such a ballot should be stringent. At some point, as others have pointed out, it should be the responsibility of the voters to know in which precinct they reside, and to take the appropriate steps to make sure they can vote in any given election. And with the Presidential elections being held only once every four years, it is outrageous that so many people should claim to need a "provisional" ballot. After all, they've had FOUR YEARS to get it right!

[discipler]

The question I have is what will they do now? They must have a plan B for cheating? Did you talk about that at the precinct meeting?

[rebel_yell2]

As predicted when the initial ruling came in. You simply can't grant rights to provisional voters that regular voters don't have. Violation of the equal protection clause.

[Txsleuth]

I heard some congressman on Fox News in one of those dem/rep debate interviews complaining about racial disenfranchisement. The main complaint he had was that black people were being told to vote on the wrong day!

[LostinMass04]

The Repubs had better continue to litigate this election. If not, Kerry's people will do it for us...we will lose. He who hesitates will be lost..Litigate to the end.

[TonyInOhio]

Thanks for the ping. This is excellent news! I had high hopes that the ruling would support Blackwell, but you never know with the courts.

I believe this Appeals Court also has jurisdiction over the Michigan case which was decided the same way at the lower court level; perhaps it will be overturned, as well.

The best news is that the President is returning to Lima next Wednesday, and I have tickets. :)

Tony

[Lunkhead_01]

These wacky judges who want to make rulings that legislate. The legislature in Ohio clearly specified that voters must vote in their precincts, not anywhere in the county. We shouldn't have to have an appeals court fixing this problem.

[Nascardude]

I wonder what our buddies at the DU have to say about this. They should be happy about it too. This means all these horrible Republicans can't cheat either. Somehow I doubt they share our joyous oppinion on this rulling. ;)

[MissouriConservative]

"In Missouri and Colorado, judges have ruled that votes in the wrong place don't have to be counted."

During poll watcher training we were told by the Republican lawyer that any provisional ballot that was cast due to either no ID or voting in the wrong precinct....would not be counted and would be set aside.....he called it a "feel good ballot."

[PureSolace]

The pic of the newspaper of Kerry meeting witht he Church of Satan guy is a hoax.... just trying to clear the air... last thing we need is people going overboard with this stuff. :) Peace

[Rome2000]

Posted on 10/23/2004 9:19:20 PM EDT by brian_wilson

The British Armed Forces has officially recognised its first registered Satanist, according to a newspaper report. Naval technician Chris Cranmer, 24, has been allowed to register by the captain of HMS Cumberland.

The move will mean that he will now be allowed to perform Satanic rituals on board the vessel.

According to the Sunday Telegraph, Mr Cranmer realised he was a Satanist nine years ago.

Religious values

At the time he stumbled across a copy of the Satanic Bible, written by Church of Satan founder Anton Szandor LaVey.

He said: "I then read more and more and came to realise I'd always been a Satanist, just simply never knew."

Mr Cranmer, who is from Edinburgh, is now lobbying the Ministry of Defence to make Satanism a registered religion in the armed forces.

A spokesman for the Royal Navy said: "We are an equal opportunities employer and we don't stop anybody from having their own religious values."

The Church of Satan was established in San Francisco in 1966.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...

[Enterprise]

I suppose it would be a blessing if Democrat voters of any given ethnic group are so stupid they can be told to vote on the wrong day, believe it, and then try to do it.

[combat_boots]

Praise the Lord for good legal decisions.

[Blogger]

Is that a real picture?

[Blogger]

'06 right? We get rid of Taft and BLACKWELL becomes the Gov. I love it!

By the way, what happened to Voinovich once he got to D.C.? I liked him as governor but he's been weak in D.C.

[Soul Seeker]

WooHoo!!!

Blackwell for Gov!!

This ruling came through just in time. Guess the Dems don't have all the courts cornered.

That helps ease the pressure in Ohio somewhat. Fraud is THE concern for that state. Dems have their heart set on it to the point they have jeopardized their "blue" states trying to grab it.

[Rome2000]

No, but we all know Kerry made a pact with the Devil long ago.

[Freepdonia]

did you hear about the KC guy arrested for voting both in KCK and KCMO? He felt ENTITLED to vote both places since he owns property in both.

Well, since he breathes the same air as I do, I'm entitled to call him a...okay, I'll just keep it to myself for now. :-)

[hoosierham]

Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!

Go Blackwell!

[Future Useless Eater]

>>I can't think of any constitutional argument why people couldn't vote for president is several states


Well I wouldn't be the LEAST surprised if those that collect
welfare in multiple states also voted in multiple states.

Thats a great reason to limit voting to just one day, not
this early voting crap.

Still, it wouldn't stop those who live near the border of two
states, like Philly PA, and Camden NJ