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State Databases Drop Thousands of Voters

Centralized registration information was intended to clear up discrepancies, but propagated them instead

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 18, 2008 3:13 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Thousands of Americans nationwide are facing reams of red tape after new state registration systems booted them from voter rolls, the Washington Post reports. Yesterday the Supreme Court rejected a challenge of 200,000 Ohio voters whose data conflicted with state records, but states such as Montana, Colorado, and Wisconsin also face conflicts. It's "this season's big issue," one analyst said.

She called it "a new trend, not in the majority of states but in the battleground states." Why the mix-ups? Wisconsin listed 95,000 voters as being 108 years old, after no date of birth could be found in their other records. In Montana, the GOP challenged almost 6,000 names over contradicting address listings. Other states are seeing partisan wrangles over the voting lists—and Ohio Republicans are looking to renew their battle in state court.

Volunteers process voter registrations at the board of elections in Raleigh, NC.
Volunteers process voter registrations at the board of elections in Raleigh, NC.   (AP Photo)
An investigator enters the ACORN office in Las Vegas.
An investigator enters the ACORN office in Las Vegas.   (AP Photo)
A new electronic voting machine is set up for handicapped voters during primary day voting in Ravena, NY.
A new electronic voting machine is set up for handicapped voters during primary day voting in Ravena, NY.   (AP Photo)
A new electronic voting machine.
A new electronic voting machine.   (AP Photo)
US Election Assistance Commission helps administer HAVA.
US Election Assistance Commission helps administer HAVA.   (AP Photo)
Shelter resident George Rhodes Jr. poses with a completed Massachusetts voter registration form.
Shelter resident George Rhodes Jr. poses with a completed Massachusetts voter registration form.   (AP Photo)
Volunteer Bryce Dunn processes voter registrations at the board of elections in Raleigh, NC.
Volunteer Bryce Dunn processes voter registrations at the board of elections in Raleigh, NC.   (AP Photo)
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Justice Department settles claims with Miss. county
Reuters

Some mix-ups not orchestrated by anyone, just dumb
New York Times

Take a look at the Help America Vote Act, or HAVA
Election Assistance Commission

 
Ohio • voting rights • database • records • US Supreme Court • Election 2008 • voter registration • Help America Vote Act • disqualification • centralization

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