Until those in the majority are willing to acknowledge the system's fault, we will be unable to begin the hard work of trying to fix the problems. Did these problems deny Democrats a fair election and perhaps a victory? Perhaps, but I'll leave that intellects more nimble than my own.

If we are to prove ourselves worthy of our position as the world's foremost democracy, we MUST ensure that EVERY vote is counted, regardless of party affiliation. This is not a Democratic or Repbublican issue, it is an AMERICAN issue.

John Kerry is right, as was Al Gore. Of course, it would appear that most Republicans would rather ignore the problems, since they seem to have jiggered the system to their advantage.

Jack,

Nobody has jiggered anything. In 2000, Floridians were too stupid to figure out the ballot. I cannot help it if the majority of them were Democrats. It should also be noted that the butterfly ballot was designed by a democrat, so I don't know exactly where your complaint is.

As for this election, nobody was disenfranchised. People that are too lazy to vote or too stupid to figure out the ballot probably shouldn't be voting any way. Regardless of which it was, nobody denied them their right to vote.

If you want to look at who IS being disenfranchised, look to Washington State, who sent out their absentee ballots to soldiers overseas so late that they missed the vote altogether. Even those that got their paperwork in early had their ballots held to the last minute before being sent out to them.

I'll extend the olive branch on this issue. We need to have better election rules and regulations in place in most states. Voter registration needs to be more exacting. Absentee balloting needs to be better controlled. I'll give ground on the "election month" concept vs. "election day"; with an honest system it really doesn't matter as long as the ballots are not counted until the end. But we need standardized, low cost voting machines that are reliable, cheat proof, and publicly tested that people have faith in.
We also need those in government to set clear and simple rules for the whole process from beginning to end, and then stick to them - without exception! - each and every election. If the citizens do not have nearly universal faith in the process then the whole thing falls apart. There should be no irregularities ever. People who cheat should face severe penalties, whether they are candidates, party apparachnicks, voters or poll workers.

Drew,

Those are lofty goals, but I take issue with two things. First of all a "voting month" would bring new meaning to the term "vote early, vote often".

Second, election laws are set by the state. The Constitution merely says that the electors must meet and vote for President and Vice President. It doesn't say how electors are chosen or even if they need be voted upon. The state legislature could (if they wanted) not hold a general election at all.

The voting month I was talking about was my take on the extended "absentee" balloting we saw this time around. As long as its properly controlled I have no problem with it. It makes things easier. But control is the point; the balloting must be secure. The registration process needs vast improvement in many states too. So does the process where the poll workers turn over the ballots. The whole thing, from registration to building hack-proof voting machines is really not that hard. Setting up fair and stringent election laws won't be as easy, but making them and then adhering to them all the time will go a long long way to put confidence back into the system.

-Jack

we MUST ensure that EVERY vote is counted, regardless of party affiliation.

No, "We MUST ensure that EVERY LIGITIMATE vote is counted, reguardless of party affiliation.
____________

-Ravenwood

If you want to look at who IS being disenfranchised, look to Washington State.

Washington has paled in contrast to what has been breaking in Milwaukee and Racine Wisconsin the last few days.

I have several posts on it, Captain's Quarters has several and a bunch at Dirty Harry's. Too many to link to all, but look you'll get an idea.

I won't hold my breath waiting for Boxer and Kerry to jump into this one. The fact that it doesn't change the outcome is not the point.

Wisconsin with it's no ID needed to walk in and vote with any activist to vouch that you are a resident is ruining our decocratic process. We have been winning in spite of the fraud, but for how long? What is happening to our system is a jaw dropping travasty.

Oh and BTW, the homeless can vote in WI:

If you are a homeless person you may designate a fixed location, such as a shelter or even a park bench, as your residence for voting purposes. To do so, as identification you will need a letter from a shelter or social service organization describing your claimed residence. You may also show up at the polling place with a witness who is a qualified voter in the community to vouch for you.

WTF How easy is that to cheat?

Or how about New Hampshire, where you can register to vote on election day. At the time I voted, there was a long line of people registering to vote, many of them students who probably don't even really live in this state and are no doubt registered in their home state as well. In a state with a relatively low population, this was probably more than enough to swing the election. If there was any fraud in the last election, it was mostly from the Democrat side.

Makes me wonder if Kerry will next claim to be the real inventor of the Internet, grow a beard and get all "Gore" on us.