In an obvious effort to distract from the main issue of ELECTION INTEGRITY, bloggers elsewhere have started bashing Jim Brannon for his legal challenge of the local election. They are attacking Jim on a personal level rather than discussing the rights of the electorate to have confidence in the honesty and efficiency of the system.
Idaho election laws have some serious problems! This is the first time a local election in CdA has been this close. After the results showed only a FIVE VOTE difference, Jim looked into the idea of a recount. But the law says that recounts can only be the same ballots counted by the same people in the exact same manner as they were the first time. No examination of the ballots, no hand recount allowed. The only difference would be that more officials would be watching.
No one really questions the accuracy of the new, big computers that count the ballots. No one questions the honesty of the long-time staff in the Elections Dept. And no one expects that a recount would end up with a different number. That was never the issue.
When the poll books, tallies and totals were reviewed, THAT’s when the problems became obvious. I got a chance to look at some of the poll books and was surprised and shaken by the many irregularities. The process is not consistent. The rules seem to vary from one precinct to another. And there are all kinds of instances that cause a “you’ve got to be kidding me” reaction. (One person helping with the poll book review said he thought his head was going to explode with frustration at the haphazard way some of the votes were recorded.)
The process of this election challenge will shine a big spotlight on the laws, methods and flaws of our current election system. THANK YOU, Jim, for having the courage to stand up and speak out for yourself and the voters. We deserve an election system we can trust!
I have a question if anyone can answer it. Was there a bond posted and how much was it?
Comment by Stebbijo — December 1, 2009 @ 11:37 am
Mary,
Of course the bashers conveniently overlook one truth: Idaho’s legislature envisioned there would be contested elections, so it wisely provided the authority and procedures for election contests. The bashers are in a snit because Jim decided to ignore the dictum from City Hall that said, “Roll over and play dead.”
Comment by Bill — December 1, 2009 @ 11:44 am
Nevermind, I found it in lines 26 and 27.
Funny thing over at the Bully Basher Blog, they have the lawsuit posted upside down – kinda like the way most of them think.
Comment by Stebbijo — December 1, 2009 @ 11:55 am
Good for you Jim, I’m proud of you. I sure would have liked to be near kennedy when he learned about your suit, I’ll bet that twisted his panties in a knot. Need a body guard for church this Sunday?
Comment by Will Penny — December 2, 2009 @ 12:51 am
Does anyone here think that the election laws should be tightened? What do you think about requiring people to show ID before they vote?
Comment by mary — December 2, 2009 @ 10:15 am
If you’re interested in this issue, send Jim some money(I did). The bond won’t be free and what this fine man has gone thru (like others posting here) is way beyond what someone who is simply trying to help his community should have to endure.
Mike The K’s contributors sure won’t be happy digging deep again because he ran an ugly Chicago style campaign.
And now Sandi and Mike K have announced AFTER the election all their swell fees and taxes, which will make it harder for Mikey.
Comment by Zapatista — December 2, 2009 @ 5:56 pm
Mary,
Yes I believe election laws should be tightened with proof of residency and identification. We have to show our ID in the State and Federal elections but it is not required for local city elections. I find this odd.
The following is from the Kootenai Co. Election web site: (5) If a qualified elector moves to another state, or to any of the other territories, with the intention of making it his permanent home, he shall be considered to have lost his residence in this state.
I can’t even imagine why a person living in Canada for 10 years can legally vote locally according to the above county rule.
I also find it hard to believe that a former Post Falls resident is allowed to vote in our city election. I am wondering if the same person also votes in Post Falls. It would be interesting to check election records in the City of Post Falls.
Comment by LTR — December 2, 2009 @ 6:23 pm
Mary;
YOU BET we should show ID in order to cast a ballot. We are told what a sacred thing it is to be able to vote, yet for years the system has been corrupted by outfits like acorn and politicians think the way they vote in Chicago is progressive!
Comment by Will Penny — December 2, 2009 @ 11:42 pm
Welcome, Zapatista! I’m sending Jim Brannon money too.
Anyone can donate by going to jimbrannon.com, where they can use the donate button to send money through the secure PayPal system.
Or you can mail a check to Jim’s campaign Treasurer, Randy Bates at 1119 Ironwood Pky, #301, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814.
Comment by mary — December 3, 2009 @ 11:42 am