GAO on Past Voting Irregularities

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Meeks, Brock (MSNBCi)" <Brock.Meeks () MSNBC COM>
Date: October 15, 2004 6:50:15 PM GMT+01:00
To: dave () farber net
Subject: GAO on Past Voting Irregularities

Out today from the GAO:

1. Department of Justice's Activities to Address Past Election-Related 
Voting Irregularities. GAO-04-1041R, September 14.

http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-04-1041R

An excerpt from the above report:

In conclusion, lack of specifics about allegations and actions limits 
DOJ's ability to
have accurate and clear information to share with the public or 
Congress about the
types of allegations received and actions taken. Predictions of another 
close
presidential election in November 2004 combined with possible voter 
confusion over
new requirements in the Help America Vote Act-such as the 
implementation of
provisional voting in states that had not previously used provisional 
voting-and
possible questions regarding voting equipment could result in the 
Voting Section
again receiving a very large number of telephone calls. This could 
result in the need
to use contractors to record voter allegations because much of the 
Voting Section
staff will be monitoring election sites on election day. It is 
important that the information collected be as complete, accurate, and 
specific as possible regarding

specific allegations. If the Voting Section collects more precise 
information about
voter allegations, it is in a better position to assure the public that 
it has addressed
allegations of voting irregularities. Moreover, if it documents actions 
taken more
precisely, it is better able to reassure the public and Congress of its 
commitment to
enforce federal voting rights statutes.

The Voting Section emphasized the importance of its monitoring of 
election-day
activities, but the monitoring program has not been routinely tracked 
in the Voting
Section's ICM system. We believe the significance of this program 
warrants a more
formal tracking of monitoring efforts and resources dedicated to the 
program to
allow for reliable, relevant, and timely information for management 
decision making
and for external reporting purposes.

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