Ohio Recount is over and gues what, Bush still wins by over 118,000 votes!!

[J. J.]

Okay, before we condem the Democrats to an even lower circle of Hell, what are they recounting?  Is there a question in a close local race?  Are they looking at possible machine error in a few voting districts?

[J. J.]

JJ,

First, there have historically been a few shenanigans by Republicans in the vote counting process in the past (Pennsylvania and Eastern Tennessee were hotbeds of this a couple of generations ago).

Second, while it is true the vote shennanigans over recent years have primarily been by some Democrats, those persons are an exception, and are roundly condemned by responsible Democrats.

Third, I really don't know if there is a sufficently low level of hell for people like Dean Logan.

Fourth, I have seen nothing over the past few weeks about a recount of statewide magnitude in Alabama.  The vote on the proposition was recounted a few weeks ago.

Carl,

All interesting points, but not an answer to my question. 

Do they want to recount every vote in the state?  What races?  Do they want to recount selected precincts to determine if the machines were working?  Are they recounting a selected district?

I saw a situation where an incumbent State Rep, winning 3 to 1 accross his district, lost one  precinct by 98 to 3.  He, using the appropriate recount procedure, ask for a recount there.  It was found that a dial on the machine was stuck and he had 103 votes.

Now, if he only had 3 votes in that town, he'd have to campaign much more heavily there in the next election.  That would justify the recount, IMO.  As it turned out, there was a clear error.

[J. J.]

There are a number of established means of looking at returns to see if there is reasonable grounds for a recount.

First, to answer your rephrased question, I don't know who "they" are, so I am unable to answer that specific question.  However, most states have in their statute governing the election process when a recount may and when it should be held.  Moreover, it is quite rare for a recount to change the results in an elections, so it is rarely requested.

Second, there are several statistical methodologies which would indicate something which appears incongrous (such as the example you cite).

Interestingly, if you check the internet you will see that before the general election, Dean Logan was on record as stating that machine recounts were more accurate than hand counts.

Mr. Logan is not an official of the state of Alabama, so his comments are not relevent.

Neither of us know the "why" of the recount nor what is being reconted.

The "statistical method" in indicative of where there could be a problem, but the only to determine if there is a problem is to have a recount.

[J. J.]

Two responses:

1.  Ohio was targeted because of the many reports of irregularities there.

2.  Ohio was not singled out.  Efforts have been made in New Mexico, Nevada, New Hampshire, Georgia, Florida, and elsewhere.  They are still in court in New Mexico, trying to get the recount underway.

What about the tire slashing in Wisconsin. How do we know 10,000 voters wouldn't have been contacted. That is the FIRST example of voter suppresion I've seen this election.

That ok.  The lunatics on the left encourage that so they will never question it.

Perhaps we should start agatating about voter supression and Bush really won WI and doesn't need OH.  :-)

[J. J.]

Perhaps we should start agatating about voter supression and Bush really won WI and doesn't need OH.  :-)

If you really believe that there was voter suppression and/or election fraud in Wisconsin, then you should.

I don't think you get it:  fair elections/voting rights/election fraud is not a partisan issue.

Unfortunately, it seems that most Democrats and virtually all Republicans don't care about it.

No, but I am making fun of those claims from the Democrats like opebigot.  He posted a few months ago about "cars with magnetic signs on the door"  in Philadelphia that were used to "intimidate" votes.  Problem is, I live in Phila, in one of the neighborhoods where it was suppose to happen, and in didn't happen.

[J. J.]

Here is an interesting article on the problems with the exit polls:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6840933/