Good News: All Los Angeles “Double Bubble†Votes from Independents in Democratic Presidential Primary to be Counted
By Frank D. Russo – California Progress Report
This story has a happy ending for all of us who believe that each and every vote should be counted on lawful ballots where the voter’s intent can be determined.
The Los Angeles County Acting Registrar-Recorder, Dean Logan, has sent a letter to California Secretary of State Debra Bowen indicating that after having sought legal counsel on the issue and reviewed the facts, that he can count the votes for President of those independents who filled in a bubble next to the name of a Democratic presidential candidate, notwithstanding the fact that they did not fill in the bubble at the top of the ballot indicating they were voting in the Democratic primary.
The letter also indicates that there will be a review of procedures and of the controversial ballot design, which some have likened to Florida’s confusing “butterfly†ballot in the 2000 Presidential Election. Logan also thanks California Secretary of State Debra Bowen for her recommendations, guidance, and assistance.
This may affect 50,000 or so ballots from voters in Los Angeles County cast by “Decline to State†voters who are allowed to vote in the Democratic primary for President.
You can read Logan’s letter on the Courage Campaign site.
The Courage Campaign, led by Rick Jacobs of Los Angeles County, had threatened legal action to force a counting of these ballots and had promoted greater awareness for those registered to vote but not with a political party so that there would not be confusion about their ability to vote in the California Democratic Presidential Primary. This whole issue is the subject of legislation that has been introduced in the state legislature. With current votes being countedâ€â€and a requirement that all counties turn in their results to the Secretary of State for certification by next Tuesday, March 4â€â€and the next California Presidential Primary 4 years off into the future, this is an area that should have traps removed for unwary voters so they can vote their will. There are concerns that there not be any problems with the upcoming June, 2008 state and local primary election in Los Angeles County.
Jacobs, who had just finished testifying on this issue to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, was ecstatic, and said: “The Courage Campaign applauds Acting Registrar Dean Logan’s solution to the ‘double bubble’ issue in Los Angeles County.†Read the rest of this story at The California Progress Report.
Chris–This was good news indeed. Props to you for your efforts in helping to count the 50,000 or so Decline to State voters in Los Angeles..
I just hope that each and every vote of the 1.6million Florida Democrats who voted will also get counted.