Posted on 12/06/2001 5:49:10 AM PST by Lance Romance
McKinney, dad cited for conduct at polls
By DUANE D. STANFORD
Atlanta Journal-Constitution Staff Writer
The state Elections Board has cited U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney and her outspoken father for their behavior during an Election Day fracas last year at a DeKalb County polling place.
In a unanimous decision Wednesday, the state board found evidence to send several allegations against the congresswoman and Billy McKinney, a state representative, to a hearing before an administrative law judge.
The McKinneys are accused of illegally campaigning at a precinct at Stoneview Elementary School on Nov. 7, 2000, the day of the presidential election. The polling place was plagued by long lines and accusations of irregularities that evening. Exchanges between the McKinneys and poll officials prompted DeKalb Republicans to file civil charges with the state.
Witnesses told election board members Wednesday that Cynthia McKinney, a Democrat who represents the 4th District, used a bullhorn to solicit votes and that her father, an Atlanta Democrat, joined in next to her. Georgia law prohibits campaigning at or within 150 feet of a polling precinct.
The board found enough evidence also to accuse Billy McKinney of interfering with official state election duties. Witnesses said they saw the legislator grab the lapel of a Republican member of the DeKalb Board of Elections during the dispute at Stoneview.
The woman Billy McKinney allegedly grabbed also filed criminal charges, but the DeKalb district attorney's office decided not to prosecute the case.
After the incident at the polling place, Cynthia McKinney wrote a letter to President Bill Clinton demanding an investigation into alleged violations of the Voting Rights Act. The congresswoman said some voters were turned away because of long lines and a shortage of punch-card voting booths.
Neither of the McKinneys attended Wednesday's hearing in Atlanta, nor did they return phone messages seeking comment.
It's not unusual for the Board of Elections to forward a case to a law judge, but board spokesman Chris Riggall said he can't recall an elections case involving a member of Congress in at least five years.
"The vast majority of our cases more typically involve local officials," he said.
The next step is for an administrative law judge to hear evidence in the case, probably next year. The judge's findings would then go back to the Board of Elections, where any fines would be imposed. The maximum fine per proven allegation is $5,000.
The present board of elections is made up of one Republican and four Democrats. One of the Democrats was not at Wednesday's hearing.
Cynthia and Billy McKinney are no strangers to controversy. Recently, she took heat for writing a letter to a Saudi prince that criticized New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani for turning down a $10 million donation from the prince for terrorist victims. Giuliani had taken exception to comments the prince had made about U.S. relations with the Middle East.
In 1991, Cynthia McKinney, then a state legislator, prompted a walkout by Georgia House members when she questioned the U.S. attack on Iraq. And in 1996, the congresswoman was criticized for not rebuking her father after he called her Republican election opponent, John Mitnick, a "racist Jew."
Must have missed Dan Rather's report on this one. She is a disgrace to Georgia and Congress.
This ranks up there with all the other punishments for illegal campaign/election acts. What's $5K to a sitting member of Congress? Why not tamper? The DNC broke every rule in the book in '96. Anyone ever get punished? I remember the FEC saying they had a "backlog" and would resolve the complaints in a matter of a few years. The the cheaters go the spoils, I guess.
She read a long list of statistics on how black children are more likely to drop out of school, black chidren are more likely to be "impoverished," etc., etc.
She then said black people had had their votes "stolen" in Florida.
She then accused President Bush of "stealing" black peoples' votes.
She then said Bush was not legitimately elected and that his policies such as providing for military tribunals for terrorists were therefore illegitmate.
She then compared the U.S. to brutal countries such as Indonesia and Peru.
She then said "Remember Lori Berenson."
All of this was said in one interminable run-on sentence.
Any Republican who votes in DemocRAT infested territory should take a video camera along with them to record any irregularities like this.
Law? McKinneys don't need no steenkin' laws!
That is so sad. She really sounds like she has a mental problem. What a corrupt and sick individual. Somehow, I think that certain other members of congress (not to mention citizens of Georgia) would be shaking their heads and ashamed of this woman.
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