Election Observers - Not a Bad Idea

by: Alegre

Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 23:38:18 PM EDT

No need to attribute this to me but here are my concrete suggestions (action items) regarding the Convention and the floor vote:

1. Focus must be on ensuring the nuts and bolts of the floor vote are credible and legitimate.

2. So, what is the mechanism, precisely, that is being used to collect and count the votes during the roll call?

3. Insist upon the appointment of election observers, as other voting bodies that have suffered blows to their credibility, have used - and such observers cannot be anybody who has already endorsed Barack Obama or who would in any way be perceived as anything other than wholly impartial. Ideally, since no one person is ever perceived as such, there would be a panel of observers (3 to 5 leaders, maybe with deputies).

According to the DNC in Washington and the DNCC website the point person for this is, Phil McNamara, Director of Party Affairs and Delegate Selection.  Phone number for his office is 202-863-8638. People can learn more about him on the DNCC (Democratic National Convention Committee) website - now remember the source, but this is the official organization running the convention although McNamara is a DNC (Democratic National Committee) official. Here are some specific URLs:

http://www.demconwatchblog.com...
http://www.demconvention.com/a...

Finally, here is the vague language on the DNCC website directed at informing delegates about how a roll call vote will be taken:
http://www.demconvention.com/h...

Make the jump for more...

Here's what the guidlines say about how our delegates will be voting...

Voting occurs at the Convention in a number of different ways. The Convention Chair may call for a simple voice vote: "All in favor say 'Aye.' All opposed say 'No.'" Votes may also be conducted by a roll call vote of the states, either by telephone or other electronic means. After each official roll call vote, each delegate's vote is recorded on tally sheets that are then submitted by each state delegation to the Convention Secretary. No secret ballots are permitted at any stage of the Convention's proceedings. No vote may be cast by proxy. An alternate may only replace and cast a vote on behalf of a pledged delegate.

Yeah, the more I think of it the more I'm convinced that we need election observers in Denver.

Add Phil to your list of calls folks.  Here's his contact info again...

Phil McNamara, Director of Party Affairs and Delegate Selection.  Phone number for his office is 202-863-8638.