"'First in the Nation' New Hampshire, Worst in the Nation Chain of Custody..."

[kster]

The Granite State's Post-Primary Comedy of Errors Continues...

New Hampshire reportedly reaps $3 billion from its "first in the nation" Primary Election privilege. In the bargain, they have demonstrated to the rest of the nation how not to hold an election.

More embarrassing video tape, taken during the shameful NH Election Contest hand counts, as shot and posted by BlackBoxVoting.org...


http://www.bradblog.com/?p=5619

[zanne]

1. I think that video is a little paranoid.

I don't see anything wrong, as far as the video is concerned. However,if another state would like to be first in the nation, it's fine with me. Then THEY can do all the work and their people can get 50 phone calls every day. I wouldn't mind taking a vacation from all that. (In other words, be careful what you wish for.)

[sarge43]

2. I'll second that

I too could use a break from the junk mail, the robo-calls and the unsubstantiated accusations of election corruption. So, which one of the other 49 can stone guarantee a squeaky clean election?



Anyone?


Yup. That's what I thought.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

3. there were real problems and New Hampshire should go last

The legitimate problems, already noted at Brad Blog were:

1. Letter from Dennis Kucinich complaining that his recount team was not given
access to the poll books. Poll books are part of the accounting process to make
sure ballot boxes weren't stuffed.

2. New Hampshire SOS interrupted the recount over the week-end. This makes it hard to
ensure a solid chain of custody of the ballots.

3. New Hampshire officials do not retain the memory cards to the voting machines but give them
back to LHS/Premiere/aka Diebold.

4. There seems to be a lack of chain of custody for election materials in New Hampshire, but it may be that each jurisdiction is allowed to do whatever it wants, i.e not clear what state law requires.

But the video from Bev Harris - the problem is that many of us have been down this road before.

Could we have more information about the statement that New Hampshire gains $3 billion in revenue due to the primaries? (Mostly because they are first, no doubt).

Can we do anything about New Hampshire always going first in the primary?
Since their state law requires them to always go first, what can be done?

This state should not be allowed to be in the primary or else should not go first.
Let a state that has a demographics more typical of the US and that has better election transparency go first.

[zanne]

4. "demographics more typical"?

And what state would that be? What is considered "normal" for a state in this country as far as demographics goes. Some states have a large minority population. That's not the "average" U.S. state. Some states have practically no minorities. That's not average either. Where is the average state that represents demographically "normal" America?

[troubleinwinter]

6. The comment did not state "normal" or "average"

It said "more typical".

New Hampshire is 95.8% white, 1.1% black.
Nationaly, 69.1% white, 12% black.

One might think that a "more typical" state could be found than 41st in population (beating out Alaska, Hawaii, North Dakota and North Dakota).

New Hampshire is about 1/10 the population of a single county in California.

“About one in three U.S. residents is a minority,” said Census Bureau Director Louis Kincannon.

I think we might be able to find a state that approaches being "more typical" in representing our 1/3 monority population than a state with just over 4%.

[zanne]

7. Unless your statistics are from 2007, they're wrong.

Okay. Name the most "representative" state. It sure as hell isn't Florida.

[troubleinwinter]

9. New Hampshire suddenly attained 1/3 minority population in the first 29 days of January, 2008?

I have to admit that I don't have population figures for 2008.

No one said "the most "representative"". The comment was "more typical".

In a country with 1/3 minority population, a state with higher than 4% minority would better represent the people of our nation.

No one mentioned Florida.

Don't worry, I get it. You're in New Hampshire and you want to keep it as it is.

[troubleinwinter]

5. Let a state "that has better election transparency go first."

There's a cool idea. Entice states to implement the best, most verifiable and transparent election system in order to compete for the early slots, rather than by default tradition.

[zanne]

8. And what state is that? nt

[troubleinwinter]

10. It's a little bit of a joke. A bit of a fantasy.

Imagine a world where states compete with one another to have the cleanest, most verifiable, transparent elections!

[zanne]

11. Well that would be refreshing! nt