URGENT - Your Support Needed for Voting Rights in NJ!

Written by: Katherine Joyce on Nov 29, 2007 10:14 PM EST

Two bills will be presented to the NJ legislature on Monday, December
3 that are vitally important to preserving the legitimacy and
security of our vote.

The first -- S507 -- is sponsored by Nia Gill, and requires the
mandatory audit of election results in randomly selected election
districts. The "official" election bureaucracy in the state, under
Assistant Attorney General Donna Kelly in the Division of Elections,
is out to defeat this bill. We've all seen Kelly's handiwork before
-- she must be stopped!

Link to S507

http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2006/Bills/S1000/507_I1.HTM


***ACTION***
PLEASE call our legislators (starting with Codey - 973-731-6770; FAX
973-731-0647; SenCodey@njleg.org) to demand they support this bill AS IS.


The second bill -- S2949 -- described by the following message which
was sent to many activists yesterday -- would try to push through the
Senate Government committee a new waiver provision to the original
voter verified paper record bill that was enacted over two years ago
that, in effect, would not only extend the time for compliance from
this January to next June, but also would expand the language to give
the AG more leeway to DO NOTHING - that is, to never ensure that NJ
citizens have the opportunity to verify their vote on a paper record
that would be then be randomly audited (pursuant to S.507 that is
also up for a hearing and vote on Monday).

Link to S2949

http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2006/Bills/S3000/2949_I1.HTM


FROM YESTERDAY'S ALERT MESSAGE:
<
requirement from January 1, 2008 to June 3, 2008. At the time, if the
technology to produce a VVPR is not commercially available, the AG
will provide a waiver of the June deadline. "Not commercially
available" means not certified by NJ. So, basically, it is an
open-ended extension to Sequoia to continue to use its Advantage
machine through the November 08 presidential election.>>


***ACTION***
Accordingly, the senate sponsor of the original VVPR (and of the
proposed audit bill), Senator Nia Gill, could use the support of all
citizens who lobbied for the VVPR requirement to testify AGAINST an
expanded waiver bill and to advocate FOR her proposed audit bill.


Please come out on December 3, at 10:00 am to testify in support of
the audit bill, S.507, and against the expanded waiver set forth in
the S. 2949, attached hereto. If you cannot be there in person,
please act now to contact the legislators on the committee -

Weinberg (201-928-0100; Senweinberg@njleg.org)
Coniglio (201-576-9199; Senconiglio@njleg.org)
Scutari (908-587-0404; Senscutari@njleg.org)
Connors (Leonard) (609-693-6700; SenConnors@njleg.org), and
Asselta (856-691-3004; SenAsselta@njleg.org)

- and let them know what you think.

Thanks for all you do!

Free at last!

Written by: Katherine Joyce on Mar 21, 2007 10:46 PM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA New Jersey

NJ for Democracy's own Bob Flisser, free at last:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/21/nyregion/21mbrfs-protester.html?_r=1&oref=slogin 

Metro Briefing | New Jersey
Flemington: Charges Dismissed for War Protester
Charges were dismissed yesterday against a man arrested in Flemington in the summer of 2005 after the police said he organized an antiwar protest in the borough without receiving a permit. The man, Bob Flisser, was fined $100 after the police charged he organized a protest of 24 people in front of the courthouse in Flemington, said his lawyer, Fernando M. Pinguelo. The American Civil Liberties Union argued that the town’s ordinance was overly broad and helped Mr. Flisser appeal. Yesterday, Flemington officials asked a State Superior Court judge to dismiss the charges. The borough’s lawyer, Barry Goodman, said that borough officials did not want to spend the money to fight the appeal.

Happy Veteran's Day -- and an event

Written by: Katherine Joyce on Nov 11, 2006 4:10 PM EST

Linked to groups: Essex County, NJ, DFA

Today is Veteran's Day -- be sure to thank a veteran for his or her service to our country. 

IRAQ WAR VETERANS
Will Tell Their Experiences of War

When : Monday, November 13, 2006, 7:00-9:00 PM
Where: University Hall, Room 1070
Montclair State University.

This community event is free and open to ALL.

Following their presentations, the veterans welcome questions from students and the public.

Montclair State University is located in Upper Montclair, NJ.  For directions, see www.montclair.edu or call 973-655-4000.

Parking is available, and the venue is handicap accessible.

For more information contact: joseph_attamante@att.net or paravatim1@mail.montclair.edu

Vote by paper ballot in this election

Written by: Katherine Joyce on Oct 27, 2006 9:26 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Essex County, NJ, DFA

Did you know that anybody can vote in person, on paper, in this election? This is a fairly convenient way to be sure your vote is cast as you intended it, and reaches the office responsible for counting it. If you want to avoid questionable voting machines, or the chance of lost mail, consider voting "absentee in person."

As of this year, any voter in New Jersey can vote by absentee ballot in any election -- you no longer need to supply a reason. By voting absentee in person, you can see your vote is cast as you intended and that it reaches the Board of Elections.

If you have already obtained your absentee ballot, you may deliver it in person to your County Board of Elections up until the close of voting on election day.

Voting absentee in person is easy:
1. apply for and receive your absentee ballot from the County Clerk
2. fill it out and deliver it to the Board of Elections.
You can do this by mail, or in person. In many counties, you can vote absentee in person with just one visit to a county building.

If you have not requested an absentee ballot by mail (the deadline to mail your application is 7 days prior to election day -- October 31, this year), you may go in person to the County Clerk's office in your county, complete your application in person and obtain your absentee ballot on the spot.

To get information, instructions, and a downloadable copy of the absentee ballot application, visit the State Division of Elections website: www.nj.gov/oag/elections/absente...

To vote absentee in person in Essex County, apply and receive your ballot from the Essex County Clerk, then deliver your completed ballot to the Board of Elections. These offices are in the same building (on different floors) at the Hall of Records, 465 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., in Newark. The Clerk's Office is in Room 247; phone (973) 621-4921; the Board of Elections is in Room 411; phone (973) 621-5070.

Information for all New Jersey counties is available here: www.state.nj.us/oag/elections/lo...

Who did YOU link to?

Written by: Katherine Joyce on Oct 19, 2006 1:41 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Essex County, NJ, DFA

Hazle linked to Lauren P. in Cherry Hill; I linked to Jon J. in Washington, D.C., and Tom M. from Washington Township linked to me.

We're all part of Gov. Dean's 50-state strategy, and if you have been planning to give to the DNC this fall, but haven't done so yet -- or are ready to give more -- linking to another donor and matching his or her gift -- or getting yours matched, is, in Hazle's words, "great fun!"

We probably all got the message from Gov Dean yesterday, asking us to have our contributions to the DNC matched by another donor. I like those kinds of opportunities to make my contribution work a little harder, so I clicked on and made my gift and it was matched by Jon J.

The DNC site provides a chance to thank the person we link to, and to say something about what motivated this donation. I told Jon how Gov. Dean's 50-state strategy had inspired me.

After I made my gift, I was offered the chance to match another donor's gift, and because I liked linking my gift to Jon's so much, I decided to go ahead and give even more. A few hours later, I heard from Tom M., who was matched by me.

Join Hazle, and Jon, and Tom and me -- it's great to feel part of a network of donors.

If you are interested in matching another donor's gift, or finding someone who will match yours, all you have to do is log on to the DNC site at www.democrats.org/match Thanks, and have fun!

Sign up now - phone bank for Linda Stender - every Tues/Thur until election day

Written by: Katherine Joyce on Oct 14, 2006 5:20 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Essex County, NJ, DFA

Dear Member,

Please sign up now to phone bank for Linda Stender -- help out with whatever time you have: take a shift or two, or come every night. The phone bank is open every Tuesday and Thursday night until election day.

Your time now can help Linda win on Nov. 7!

Please RSVP at: www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=146...

What: Phone Bank for Linda Stender
When: every Tuesday and Thursday until election day, 7:00 PM
Where: TBD
Will vary
Maplewood & environs NJ 07040

Last weekend for voter registration

Written by: Katherine Joyce on Oct 13, 2006 9:32 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Essex County, NJ, DFA

It's all about turnout! Election day is November 7 and with a strong turnout, New Jersey will stay blue and bring many more wonderful new candidates into office on the tide of America dissatisfaction with our country's direction, and their enthusiasm for some of the great people who want to put their vision to work for us Washington and right here at home.

Join a voter registration activity in your town this weekend -- or organize one yourself. It's easy -- all you need is a clipboard, a pen, and these forms: www.state.nj.us/oag/elections/vo...

Visit a farmer's market, supermarket, post office or other busy spot and offer passers-by the chance to participate in Democracy by registering to vote. (Read the instructions first, so you can help them complete a qualified application!)

Download a copy, print out a dozen, and carry them with you where ever you go between now and Tuesday night, October 17, the deadline for registering to vote in November. You can also tell applicants to contact their county's Commissioner of Registration to find out about evening registration hours on Tuesday at dozens of municipal and county offices around the state (info here: www.nj.gov/oag/elections/2006-nj...)

This is a crucial deadline -- the last weekend to get prospective voters engaged and able to participate. Do your part by helping at least one voter to register. Name and address changes also can stop a qualified voter - so take this form around the corner and finally meet that new neighbor, and help him or her get this important paperwork in order.

Be Cool at Cryan's -- Join our August meetup Wednesday night!

Written by: Katherine Joyce on Aug 1, 2006 11:25 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Essex County, NJ, DFA

Dear Member,

Please join us for the August Meetup of Essex County DFA on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 at 7:00 PM. What better place on a hot night than with your cool friends?

You can RSVP at: www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=109...

What: August Meetup
When: Wednesday, August 2, 2006, 7:00 PM
Where: Cryan's
24 First Street
South Orange NJ 07079

A Call for Honest Elections

Written by: Katherine Joyce on Jul 2, 2006 9:40 PM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA Election Rescue Strategy Team

Mark Crispin Miller will present "A Call for Honest Elections: How Computerized Voting Threatens Democracy and What We Can Do About It," this Thursday, July 6, at 7:30 pm at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ.

Also featured will be a report by the Essex County (NJ) Task Force on Voting Rights, a citizen group.

Best-selling author Miller argues that the outcome of the 2004 election, in many states including Ohio, was manipulated to favor George W. Bush and the Republican Party. And, that the impetus and opportunity is there to do it again.

Citizen groups in many parts of the country, as well as some Congressional members, are actively seeking to ensure safe, transparent elections. Several court cases and voting machine failures in NJ and other states will be cited.

Music by Sharleen Leahey. Audience discussion encouraged. Mr. Miller will sign copies of his books following the program. $10 suggested donation ($5 for students and reduced income).

Free refreshments & materials. For information, call (973) 838-8576.

DATE: July 6, 2006
TIME: 7:30 pm
LOCATION: Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, Normandy Heights Rd, Morristown

A Call for Honest Elections

Written by: Katherine Joyce on Jul 2, 2006 9:38 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Essex County, NJ, DFA

Mark Crispin Miller will present "A Call for Honest Elections: How Computerized Voting Threatens Democracy and What We Can Do About It," this Thursday, July 6, at 7:30 pm at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown.

Also featured will be a report by the Essex County (NJ) Task Force on Voting Rights, a citizen group.

Best-selling author Miller argues that the outcome of the 2004 election, in many states including Ohio, was manipulated to favor George W. Bush and the Republican Party. And, that the impetus and opportunity is there to do it again.

Citizen groups in many parts of the country, as well as some Congressional members, are actively seeking to ensure safe, transparent elections. Several court cases and voting machine failures in NJ and other states will be cited.

Music by Sharleen Leahey. Audience discussion encouraged. Mr. Miller will sign copies of his books following the program. $10 suggested donation ($5 for students and reduced income).

Free refreshments & materials. For information, call (973) 838-8576.

DATE: July 6, 2006
TIME: 7:30 pm
LOCATION: Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ