Last year, we covered some of the problems in the counting of military absentee ballots in Virginia, as did others. This problem has not gone away. It has just moved. The day before election day 2008, the McCain campaign filed a complaint in the Eastern District of Virginia to force Virginia to count military absentee ballots that came in after election day. McCain lost Virginia by more than enough votes, but the case went on with the Department of Justice replacing the McCain campaign.There were filings last month and will likely be a hearing this month. So what?
The Virginia State Board of Elections argued in their most recent filing that they have no legal obligation to send out military absentee ballots in a timely manner. Restated, the State of Virginia has argued in a federal court filing that they can legally send out absentee ballots to active duty soldiers the day before an election. Restated again, theDemocratic Chairwoman of the Virginia State Board of Election (appointed by the Democratic National Committee Chair Tim Kaine, in his capacity as Virginia Governor) Jean Cunningham just claimed a legal basis for massively raising the barrier to voting for soldiers at war.
Really. Read on for details.
The details of the legal proceedings are at the invaluable Election Law@Moritz. Let’s start with the most recent filing on behalf of the defendant
There is no federal statute that requires States to mail absentee ballots to UOCAVA voters a minimum number of days before an election. The Complaint in Intervention is based entirely on a “determination” by the Federal Voting Assistance Program of the Department of Defense that such ballots be mailed at least 30 days before an election, and a “recommendation” that States allow 45 days for round-trip mailing of absentee ballots.
This is remarkable, and the implications of this should be understood. First of all, some counties in both Virginia and New Jersey haven’t sent out absentee ballots yet in violation of their own laws. Whether due to maliciousness or simply being overburdened and understaffed is always up for debate. If Virginia prevails, there would be a legal argument for putting the ballots of active duty military at the back of the bus, as it were.
Second, this whole debate concerns only federal elections. States have to pass laws that allow for military voting in non-federal elections. I do not believe that either state has done that. Virginia’s filing notes that many of these questions are irrelevant in many ways because of the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot, but their flier on military voting notes “Virginia allows you use the FWAB as an absentee ballot for Federal Offices only”. In other words, not state and local elections. In fact, state laws have to do more to let active duty military vote in state elections.
Third, if ballots were even to be sent out in a reasonable time, a question is them getting back in time. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, Rep. Dan Boren, Sen. John Cornyn, and Sen. Mark Begich have a proposal to have DoD pay for ballots to be returned by express mail, but Steny Hoyer and Nancy Pelosi are blocking consideration in the House, even though it passed the Senate last year.
In discussing last year’s issues, Marc Ambinder noted, “Democrats insist they’re biased towards access… so will they try to intervene on behalf of these voters?”
Good question.
(cross-posted from The Next Right)
And you wonder why we don't trust
bobojake Saturday, October 3rd at 1:11PM EDT (link)POLICIANS??
???????
Maybe we need to go to the purple finger voting to stop this ACORN elcrapo.
Why is this not making it through the court system to the Supreme Court?
penguin2 Saturday, October 3rd at 1:24PM EDT (link)Whenever I hear one of these stories, I am sickened. for as long as this issue has been going on, why is not winding its way to the Supreme Court? Maybe one of the RS lawyers can weigh in on this.
Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God.
Benjamin Franklin
Penguin, as you know I'm no lawyer but
TNJim Saturday, October 3rd at 1:31PM EDT (link)I have a suggestion. Eric Holder? I don’t have evidence but in light of the Black Panther case…
Just sayin’…
“No. You can’t” -Moe Lane
Yes, you're right TNJim. The nuances of power in this country,
penguin2 Saturday, October 3rd at 1:59PM EDT (link)are eliminating what is right. I am just so frustrated to see justice pushed aside and no one stopping it. If we ever get out of this mess, I hope the laws will be fixed. Can all of the Democratic party be this corrupt? Am constantly reminded: elections have consequences, and,
John E. Acton’s: “Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely”
Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God.
Benjamin Franklin
Probably because there is a lot of lip service, but no champion.
ocleverone Sunday, October 4th at 1:13PM EDT (link)When I was fighting for the right to allow military spouses to register legally in the Commonwealth, we had a lot of politicians say “we’ll be watching this closely” yet only one stepped up to the plate to help, Delegate Mark Cole, VA-88.
The VA constitution defined the requirements for registering to vote as being able to swear that you would live in VA for an unlimited amount of time. Military spouses couldn’t do that since we are moved continually.
One registrar was discouraging military spouses from registering to vote, using that antiquated clause.
We had Federal, State and everyone else saying “it’s a Federal issue, no it’s a state issue” and everything in between but NO ONE did anything - they were just waiting.
Mark introduced legislation to exempt military spouses and dependents from this archaic law. It passed with the only exceptions on the Senate side was Sen. Reynolds and tah-dah - Creigh Deeds.
My point of this rambling is that someone will have to champion this in the VA legislature to mandate a specific period of time. Until then, it was be the pointing finger and waiting for someone else game.
My suggestion is for every VA resident reading this to contact their representatives and DEMAND that legislation be passed for the sufficient amount of time to get those ballots to our military.
I already have emailed mine.
To me, “consensus” seems to be the process of abandoning all beliefs, principles, values and policies. So it is something in which no one believes and to which no one objects … There are still people in my party who believe in “consensus” politics. I regard them as Quislings, as traitors … I mean it. — Margaret Thatcher
How can we help move this along?
abbynormal Saturday, October 3rd at 1:33PM EDT (link)As a Navy Veteran, who never had an absentee ballot make it back in time to be counted, and as a citizen of Virginia, I’d gladly volunteer my time making sure the votes of our military members are counted.
“Therefore, we must control men in order to force them to be free.”
Professor Pritchett
Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged
Not a citizen of VA, but
Steph C Saturday, October 3rd at 1:51PM EDT (link)I well remember the days of requesting absentee ballots as a military wife. The great state of WV could send me notices for jury duty but they couldn’t muster up the competence to send me an absentee ballot.
It’s not just the soldiers but their spouses who are absentee with them that are getting shafted.
“[I]f the public are bound to yield obedience to laws to which they cannot give their approbation, they are slaves to those who make such laws and enforce them.” –Candidus in the Boston Gazette, 1772
Hillbilly Politics
This CTA turned contractor concurs
itsallverbatim Saturday, October 3rd at 2:24PM EDT (link)I would also gladly lend a hand to count ballots.
American citizen. Veteran with multiple tours in East Africa, the Caucus and Asia. Neoconservative Republican. BlackBerry affinicado. Milblogger: http://takenforaction.blogspot.com/
Way to shore up the military vote, Dems
E Pluribus Unum Saturday, October 3rd at 1:44PM EDT (link)Idiots. While a whole bunch of military residents of Virginia will be denied the right to vote (thus ostensibly helping Denocrats), the other 95% of the military residents of Virginia (and the hundreds of thousands in other states) are reminded very starkly that the Democrat Party is the enemy of the military.
Carthago delenda est
Just what I was thinking, EPU. When this was an
janis Saturday, October 3rd at 1:49PM EDT (link)issue back in 2004, I remember reading blog comments from military members whose families were outraged about this very subject and who vowed to never vote Dem again for anyone. Yet another demographic that Obama and Co. have managed to insult grievously.
McCain filed a lawsuit in VA in 2008
Scope Saturday, October 3rd at 8:38PM EDT (link)against the military ballot problem, but it never came up in court until way a long time after the elections. McCain had surely moved on, and, had no interest in what the late mailed ballots could portend. From what I understand. McCain had no argument in Obamas vote totals, and, he had no interest in following through with what was right, even though it affected other state races, even though the military gave him the votes he got in VA. He went back to his lofty perch, and never looked back. There were many other states that had major inconsistencies with voter fraud and etc. McCain let it all go. Hence ACORNS accention into power. McCain had no interest in fighting voter fraud than he had with fighting Obama on the real issues such as his ties to ACORN, Ayres, Wright, and so many others. He took it all off the table. Now, we find that all of those accusations are real, true and telling.
A quote from Steve Schmidt, McCains campaign head, from an article posted after the election, he had 2 regrets, one was that he advised the McCain campaign to go after Obama’s ties to Ayres- You’ll love the references to both Schmidt and Nicolle Wallace-
http://24ahead.com/mccain-campaign-not-palin-came-palling-around-schmidt-regret
Reading the above article, you will see just how controlled Palin was. I suspect we are going to see alot of just how incompetent these people were in the McCain/Palin campaign when the new Palin book comes out.
Even Steve Schmidt has shown up on the political scene lately, interesting as the McCain fools are coming out of the wood work at the same time. Schmidt, in his speech to the Log Cabin Republicans, the Republican Gay and Lesbian organization, said that the GOP will be destroyed by “religion.”
http://huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/17/steve-schmidt-mccain-camp-n-188354.html
Huffpo is a bad source, however, they have direct quotes from Schmidts speech. Guess who is now using Schmidt as an advisor- none other than Mark Kirk, who is one of McCain’s choices.
Palin's rep's are doing a good job of saying
Flagstaff Sunday, October 4th at 12:07AM EDT (link)“Wait for the book to come out. You can read all about it (no matter what ‘it’ is).”
No wonder it’s already #1.
Pluto, the Ninth Planet - Forever!
McDonnell and daughter (who is military) ought to make this HUGE....
JadedByPolitics Saturday, October 3rd at 1:56PM EDT (link)He ought to fight it in court on behalf of the military and he ought to take it to the AIRWAVES to make sure Virginians are VERY much aware of what is happening to those who FIGHT for their RIGHT to vote!
Whoever has his enemy at his mercy &
does not destroy him is his own enemy
Republicans are trying to reach out
Jason Kenney Saturday, October 3rd at 3:21PM EDT (link)Virginia Republicans have started campaigns to help protect the military vote:
“Please join our Facebook cause to support our efforts to protect the military vote this November. http://bit.ly/GLvXB
Virginia House Speaker Bill Howell has a web application at his PAC’s website to help people send Absentee Ballot applications to Virginians in the military and their spouses. http://bit.ly/141LNU
Please join the cause and use the application to get AB applications to any Virginian you know in the military. There’s also information about how to get the ballot more quickly to help ensure it’s counted.”
Virginia Republicans??
martellus Saturday, October 3rd at 4:17PM EDT (link)In this part of the State the democrats have enlisted armies of “canvassers” and “poll watchers”. They have already declared that they will win at all costs.
As one said even if they break the law so what? No votes get thrown away. Everything is ex post facto they won’t even have to hire lawyers.
If anyone believes that Virginia will fall to the Republicans be braced for a sad reality. The demcrats will fight. They seem to understand much better then the Republicans what is at stake.
They know that Eric Holder will never do anything and if they get their guy into the Governor’s office neither will the State. So cheat, steal, lie at will they won’t be punished.
The Hammer
You are dreaming martellus there isn't enough DEAD people in VA....
JadedByPolitics Saturday, October 3rd at 4:22PM EDT (link)to get Deed’s elected and I don’t care how many boots on the ground the D’s have the DISGUST with the left in this state is palpable. There will be a Republican Governor in November…but you keep wistful and YOU brace for the SAD reality!
Whoever has his enemy at his mercy &
does not destroy him is his own enemy
Humm reading skills...
martellus Saturday, October 3rd at 4:42PM EDT (link)As a poll watcher in Virginia and a registered Republican I am a bit baffled by your letter and its tone to me. Is this what it is about shooting the messengers?
I have been supporting and contributing to Republicans in this States since the days fo Don Obenshain. If you know anything at all about Virginia politics you should know that it took the Republicans 50 years to clean up Southwestern Virginia and its corruption on election day. Thanks to Mark Warner and Tim Kaine as well as the Unions it is back in force.
Buchannon County has voted Republican for President ever since 1964 yet for some odd reason all democrats win there. That is but one of the 27 counties down here that Republicans desperately need to take to help offset Alexandria, Arlington and the Tidewater area.
The Hammer
NOOOO I have fine reading skills....
JadedByPolitics Saturday, October 3rd at 4:56PM EDT (link)I don’t give a flying (well you know) what your PRIOR skills or job was I am telling you that from Virginia Beach to Northern, VA including Loudoun and Prince William that Deed’s name is DIRT. There are NOT enough shenanigans that the D’s can pull off to turn the tide in VA to be elected and I don’t care how many illegal stunts they pull the Republican will WIN and WIN by 10 or better percentage points. Northern VA has NO Deed’s signs and the cars have had NO Deed’s stickers. I drive from Centreville to Great Falls on multiple different roads every day and I go to Falls Church every weekend and there are NO let me repeat NO Deed’s campaign stickers or signs in any of those regions. That is how BAD he is thought of in this area.
So lets negate what you think you know against what the undercurrent in the electorate is and this election will see a Republican in office in November.
There will not be an offset from this region this is McDonnell’s area! One thing Northern VA’s do not want is raised taxes and Deed’s has said he will raise them, he was done the moment he said it in the debate. The Rasmussen poll was not a misnomer it was real and the Washington Post went too early on their help for the Deed’s campaign not negating the fact also that people in Northern VA realized what the Post was doing.
Whoever has his enemy at his mercy &
does not destroy him is his own enemy
He's right about one thing, jaded;
Achance Saturday, October 3rd at 5:05PM EDT (link)The Ds have a free hand to lie, cheat, and steal to get elected. The Fed will do NOTHING. If they win, a D governor will do nothing. If the R wins, they can be pretty sure he’ll do NOTHING. So why not lie, cheat, and steal?
In Vino Veritas
To win, you must first *believe* you can.
Aaron Gardner Saturday, October 3rd at 5:03PM EDT (link)Defeatists, such as yourself, are a hindrance to all who work diligently for victory.
Keeping on believing you will lose and guess what…you will.
It’s called a self fulfilling prophecy, and it is a pervasive and nasty virus. Please don’t spread it here.
Aaron’s Archive
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
5 Mr. Gardner...I really despise a defeatist attitude...
JadedByPolitics Saturday, October 3rd at 5:22PM EDT (link)in so called Republicans! I know what I hear and see and I know what the politics are on the ground here in VA. I know that the 4 members of my family are working hard for McDonnell and I also know that that VICTORY is at hand!
Whoever has his enemy at his mercy &
does not destroy him is his own enemy
Marcellus, you're kidding right?
penguin2 Saturday, October 3rd at 5:35PM EDT (link)Why would you say:
“If anyone believes that Virginia will fall to the Republicans be braced for a sad reality.”
My first question: are you rooting for the Democrats to win? I mean that is exactly what both of your posts seem to indicate. You despise the Republicans that much? With so-called members of the Party like you, what good will you accomplish.
BTW, I live in the Tidewater area, and I spent this past Thursday helping at a McDonnell event. I had the opportunity to work with a number of college aged young people. Among that group were several African-American young women who identified themselves as Independents who had voted for Obama. They do not care for Deeds at all, and were very well-informed about why they are supporting the Republican ticket in Virginia. I suspect that there are a significant number of Independents who are not happy with the current administration; the national one or our state one. I believe they will be looking to vote Republican.
The thoughts you have expressed come across as hoping and being glad of any possibility for our defeat in this state. What would drive that in you, if you are on the up and up? I mean, we are not talking about states in the Northeast.
Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God.
Benjamin Franklin
If he/she had said...
Erick Brockway Saturday, October 3rd at 8:54PM EDT (link)“If anyone believes that Virginia will
fall to the[be a cakewalk for the] Republicans be braced for a sad reality.”And THEN could’ve said;
“It’ll take working harder than the Democrats to overcome what is to come via all their efforts legal and illegal, boots on the ground, precinct captains statewide…” etc.
Defeatist or Moby?
:/
Note to lefties;
“Don’t be afraid to see what you see.”
Ronald Reagan
Join the RedState Strike Force
Chip in to get rid of “Babs” (Yes ma’am) Boxer.
Martellus not macellus...
martellus Saturday, October 3rd at 11:19PM EDT (link)It is not a character in a Ridley Scott film it is for Charles Martel “the hammer”. Second have you checked the demographics of Virginia? You might wish to someday how they have changed since 1998. It might be re freshening. Also if you knew the history of the Republican party in Virginia you would have understood the reference to Don Obenshain.
The Hammer
You keep replying to people from VA giving you on the ground accounts, yet you dismiss them...
Aaron Gardner Saturday, October 3rd at 11:31PM EDT (link)..heck you don’t even show the common courtesy of addressing the valid points that they bring up.
You should start addressing the substance of these posts rather than relying on the same argument over and over.
Seriously.
Aaron’s Archive
conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
Well Marty, big whoop, Kate's a friend of mine
ocleverone Sunday, October 4th at 9:25PM EDT (link)but that doesn’t make me any more savvy about VA politics.
So the Alexandria City Council seats taken by Republican and Republican endorsed candidates means nothing?
PS - Don’t dismiss it - The Dems already tried that.
To me, “consensus” seems to be the process of abandoning all beliefs, principles, values and policies. So it is something in which no one believes and to which no one objects … There are still people in my party who believe in “consensus” politics. I regard them as Quislings, as traitors … I mean it. — Margaret Thatcher
First of all, martellus
Jack_Savage Sunday, October 4th at 9:43PM EDT (link)…it is “Buchanan” County.
I would say that the reason Democrats win there is the same reason Democrats win in nearly every county close to Appalachian - strong union members in coal mining country. They go Republican for national office, and Democrat locally. They are socially conservative.
The Tidewater area is solid military, and will go for McDonnell. I am sure you know he is also a native son of the Tidewater area. The NOVA counties are simply suburbs of DC and have been blue for a while. SW VA is pretty solid red, even with Va Tech in Blacksburg.
If you know Dick Obenshain I am sure you are familiar with Vance Wilkins and Dick Cranwell, and perhaps even Lacey Putney. I have a little history in VA as well.
Virginia will go McDonnell. Count on it.
Thanks Jack_Savage, glad you could enlighten Martellus.
penguin2 Sunday, October 4th at 10:04PM EDT (link)while I don’t know the names he or you for that matter are bringing up, I live in the Tidewater area, and as you said this is solid military. One thing that martellus is forgetting, is the Obama coattails are not going to be present this November. I believe that will affect turn out for the Dems, as in being lower and turnout for the Republicans as in being higher. The dissatisfaction with the Socialist/Obama administration is going to weigh in on these races in Virginia.
And Jack, if you don’t mind I would like to point out to martellus that I spelled his name the same as the great military general and Roman consul from ancient times, his name was Marcellus (not macellus).
Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God.
Benjamin Franklin
Not a bad spelling of his name, in my view
Jack_Savage Sunday, October 4th at 10:15PM EDT (link)However, one thing that he said downthread is correct, and it is very, very frustrating. Virginia has indeed become a retirement destination for Yankees. They bring their putrid political views and their snobbish, asinine attitudes to pollute the Commonwealth, and there is little to hope for except that Obamacare will shorten their lives.
The Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill area of NC is exactly the same, and this shift is trending both states blue. Add to that the fact that good GOP candidates are pretty successful without government help, and have no desire to put their family through the thug wringer in order to run for office, and you have a pretty bad combination for the GOP in these two states. The substantial black population and its monolithic voting tendencies also are hard to overcome, although you are exactly correct in that they are far less likely to vote in the 2009 election in VA.
Good call on SW VA, Jack
TNJim Sunday, October 4th at 10:19PM EDT (link)I only live about 10 miles from the state line so the local paper has about as many VA stories as they do TN stories. And you’re right about how they vote, too, sending Boucher to Congress over and over again. It’s the UMW. But from what I’ve read, they’re kind of meh on Deeds. His support of Obama isn’t helping.
“No. You can’t” -Moe Lane
Everyone just remember this.
jeffreywturner Saturday, October 3rd at 4:29PM EDT (link)If there was one particular group of people who deserve to have their right to vote fought for, would it not be the ones who risk their lives to protect our right to vote (or even to exist for that matter)?
The next time you hear some Democrat (or Democrat front group like the NAACP) objecting to photo ID requirements in order to vote because they are so concerned about “disenfranchising” people or “counting every vote”, just remember this situation and call them out, because they don’t want to count EVERY vote, they only want count the votes of people they expect to vote for them (or their side).
These liberals are so concerned about registering bums, hobos & other leeches on society to vote, but they throw military members (who protect those same bums & hobos) under the bus at the first opportunity they get, just because they think it will help their electoral chances. Scum of scum.
“Life is too short, can’t we all just eat pork and kill some terrorists?”
Ballots, We don't need No stinking Ballots
JLenardDetroit Saturday, October 3rd at 9:56PM EDT (link)Yes, bad joke… Yes, not really the place for a bad pun…. This is, of course, PATHETIC, but let them keep these things up because while they may think it can steal them (with bringing in ACORN (recos/fruad) on top of this and other antics) it provides another step toward Recovery (SDAA) in those only Temporarily gone Politically Brain-dead (Temporary Insanity, we hope). These Democrats can only kick at Americans in their sleep for so long - many are bound to awaken!
RepConNom/VA
ContractFROMamerica
(RS:Help) (JLD) (Hollyweird) (Brain-deads) (SPIN-cycle) (Obamaocare) (Party of kNOw) (Conservatism) (TEApeats) (respectful) (Reco) (Quotes) (removeRINOs.com) (RSmas)
+ 0bama Lies & your Bank acct will Die! (4/15 Truthers)
+ Heil “O” Hell No Obamao is NOT MY PRESIDENT! “No U won’t”
+ I want “O” to FAIL (here, here, & whole Diary (Ofail) here, is why)
“The first Liberal was Satan” - a Rush caller (other Quotes)
Federal Overgrowth Swung Virginia Blue
revivefederalism Saturday, October 3rd at 10:24PM EDT (link)Republicans threw their principles out the window and grew the federal government. This brought in lots of unionized government employees to the NOVA area. Obama’s Porkulus package will add many more. I really hope that voters are so disgusted by the leftist amateur hour on display in DC that they evict these red diaper doper babies in 2010 and 2012, but with every young Obama sycophant moving to the DC area to become a carbon inspector, VA Republicans have quite a task on their hands.
Well Put...
martellus Saturday, October 3rd at 11:31PM EDT (link)Two more points to make in regards to demographics:
Virginia and South Carolina are now the two prime States where white, liberal, Northerners now retire. In 8 years I went from my neighbors being form Virginia to I am the only one that was born and raised here. Smith Mountain Lake, Roanoke Valley and many other areas are now large retirement areas.
My two immediate neighbors are from New York. They are retired union people who campaign very loudly for Democrats. Democrats now outnumber Republicans down here. Bob Goodlatte is hanging on by a thread. Virgil Goode was tossed out of office by a New Yorker Tom Perriellop who came here for the select purpose to be elected to the Congress.
Periello and the unions, the DCCC, the Democrat part have been running commercials here since Obama was sworn into office. Not one thing from the Republicans. Not one commercial they have won their races are solidifying their hold on the State.
Money, we need millions and millions of dollars to offset them. If we don’t start now get used to Virginia to being a blue state.
The Hammer
You are correct in this
Jack_Savage Sunday, October 4th at 10:02PM EDT (link)The VA GOP needs to get itself together in a big hurry. They have ceded the field to Dems for too long, and it is showing.
Democrats fear military voters and for good reason
WarEagle01 Sunday, October 4th at 9:18AM EDT (link)The last poll I saw in the Air Force Times shows military voters going about 70% for Republicans.
http://militarytimes.com/static/projects/pages/081003_ep_2pp.pdf
“A wise, doughy leg with rich tingly experiences will always reach better conclusions than will a more tanned, muscular leg that hasn’t felt those thrills.” –Chris Matthews’ Leg
Duplicitous Democrats
pmiller683 Monday, October 5th at 11:05AM EDT (link)They claim to be the party of the little guy and scream about the disenfranchised voter. There definition of a disenfranchised voter – “anyone who is not a Republican”.
The tide is turning. I lived in VA Beach for 10 years (moved 1 year ago). All my family and friends back in the Old Dominion are ticked! The Dems have truly overstepped. Their 2008 election has gone to their heads and their stupidity, hypocrisy and duplicity will be their doom! They have no idea what is about to hit them.
Alaska rules make it easy...
horsesense Monday, October 5th at 8:13PM EDT (link)to vote absentee. When I was active duty living in Germany I could register by mail, vote by mail as early as 30 days ahead, download the ballot, vote, and fax it in. This is also true for family members including students over 18 still living with his or her family overseas or anywhere out of the state. You can learn everything you need for absentee filing and voting on the Alaska.gov website. It would be a good model for Virginia to consider after it loses the court cases.
Alaska is very "military friendly" for voting,
Achance Monday, October 5th at 8:27PM EDT (link)though some of that friendliness makes the State susceptible to fraud both in voting and especially in acquiring Permanent Fund Dividends; we’re subsidizing a lot of people who’ll never set foot in Alaska again and even quite a few who’ve never set foot here.
We’ve had voter fraud problems of the “count them til you get them right” sort, but not so much from absentee ballots - yet.
In Vino Veritas