Stories by Steven Rosenfeld

Steven Rosenfeld covers democracy issues for AlterNet and is the author of "Count My Vote: A Citizen's Guide to Voting" (AlterNet Books, 2008). subscribe to Steven Rosenfeld's feed

International Observers Give 2008 Election a Passing Grade

Posted on: Nov 8, 2008, Source: AlterNet

A report by the international election observers finds well-known problems, but approves of Tuesday's vote.

Turnout High, but Some Polling Place Issues in Philadelphia

Posted on: Nov 4, 2008, Source: AlterNet

Some voters were not on precinct lists and got provisional ballots, which could cut into Obama's totals tonight.

If You're in a Swing State, Don't Just Vote -- Verify

Posted on: Nov 3, 2008, Source: AlterNet

As the 2008 election comes to close, swing states may find voting is needlessly complex -- and that is before any ballots are counted.

Virginia: Monday Court Action Could Benefit GOP

Posted on: Nov 3, 2008, Source: AlterNet

Late-breaking legal action on Monday could benefit John McCain if that state's vote is close.

Unfinished Business: Did the GOP hack the 2004 Ohio Vote?

Posted on: Nov 2, 2008, Source: AlterNet

A top GOP consultant will be deposed Monday about the capacities of Ohio Republicans to intercept and alter the 2004 vote count that re-elected Bush.

GOP's 2008 Legal Strategy: Target Every Battleground State

Posted on: Nov 1, 2008, Source: AlterNet

So much for McCain's claim that "the fabric of democracy" is being torn. It's only being ruffled by Republicans in battleground states.

How to Make Your Vote as Easy as Possible: An Online Guide

Posted on: Oct 30, 2008, Source: AlterNet

How to vote early, find your polling place, check your registration, know what ID to bring and more. <i>With new updated info.</i>

Advocates Warn 31 States They Could Lose Votes

Posted on: Oct 30, 2008, Source: AlterNet

Voting rights groups warn an e-voting machine used in 31 states could lose votes unless officials verify the count.

More Pro-Voter Legal Decisions in Swing States

Posted on: Oct 29, 2008, Source: AlterNet

Pennsylvania ordered to provide emergency paper ballots while the Justice Department backs away from White House request to push for Ohio voter files.

Legal Fights, Policy Debates Deepen Over Voting Problems and Solutions

Posted on: Oct 28, 2008, Source: AlterNet

The divisions over what's wrong in America's elections are deepening on the eve of what may be the biggest turnout in decades.

Senator Palin? No, Not Her. The Dude!

Posted on: Oct 28, 2008, Source: AlterNet

There's lots of speculation on the law blogs about Sarah Palin's future.

Online Tool to Document Voting Issues

Posted on: Oct 28, 2008, Source: AlterNet

Attention web-based election protection volunteers: here's a cool new tool to report voting problems to lawyers.

Democrats Describe Efforts to Limit Voting Machines Problems

Posted on: Oct 25, 2008, Source: AlterNet

As activists worry about paperless voting machines, a top DNC lawyer describes the party's election protection efforts for voting machines.

Bush Asks AG to Enter Ohio Voting Fray

Posted on: Oct 25, 2008, Source: AlterNet

The White House has forwarded a letter from congressional Republicans asking the Attorney General to intervene in the Ohio voter registration fight.

A Pro-Voter Legal Opinion in Florida?

Posted on: Oct 25, 2008, Source: AlterNet

County officials are told to ignore the GOP Secretary of State and let people with registration discrepancies fix their information and then vote.

Lake County Indiana's Early Voting Upheld

Posted on: Oct 24, 2008, Source: AlterNet

The Indiana Supreme Court rejected an appeal to close early voting centers in a populous northern county.

Big Setbacks for GOP Voter Suppression Efforts in Swing States

Posted on: Oct 23, 2008, Source: AlterNet

Court ruling, decisions by secretaries of state in Wisconsin, Ohio and Nevada blunt GOP's anti-voter agenda.

Ohio SOS Draws Line on GOP Polling Place Challenges

Posted on: Oct 23, 2008, Source: AlterNet

Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, a Democrat, just issued a rule banning the GOP's main strategy for suppressing votes.

Justice Department Targets ACORN But Ignores GOP Voter Suppression

Posted on: Oct 22, 2008, Source: AlterNet

On the eve of the 2008 election, the Department leaks a FBI probe of ACORN but remains silent on widespread voter intimidation tactics.

You Can't be President: The Outrageous Barriers to Democracy in America

Posted on: Oct 21, 2008, Source: AlterNet

Author John R. MacArthur's new book ponders the enduring problems in American democracy.

Ohio Supreme Court Dismisses GOP's Voter Registration Challenge

Posted on: Oct 21, 2008, Source: AlterNet

A GOP effort to force local Ohio election officials to set aside 1000s of ballots has been rejected by the state's high court.

Attention Voters: Here's What You Have to Do to Make Sure You Get to Vote

Posted on: Oct 20, 2008, Source: AlterNet

Voters should verify their voter registrations are current and then vote early to avoid Election Day delays at polling places.

Will Republicans Use Contested Voter Registration Lists to Scare New Voters?

Posted on: Oct 18, 2008, Source: AlterNet

The GOP push for lists of voters whose registrations don't match state and federal databases may be prelude to a big intimidation campaign.

New Jersey Report: Sequoia Voting Machine Vulnerable

Posted on: Oct 17, 2008, Source: AlterNet

A court (finally) releases a report on Sequoia voting machines used in New Jersey and five other states detailing security flaws.

ACORN Office Vandalized After McCain Comment

Posted on: Oct 17, 2008, Source: AlterNet

McClatchy Newspapers is reporting that ACORN offices have been vandalized and workers threatened after McCain attacking the group in the last debate.

Supreme Court Says No To Ohio GOP

Posted on: Oct 17, 2008, Source: AlterNet

The US Supreme Court has sided with the Ohio Secretary of State in a dispute affecting 200,000-plus voter registrations

Chaos Campaign: Will Ohio GOP Block Voters at Polls in 2008?

Posted on: Oct 15, 2008, Source: AlterNet

Ohio's GOP says there will be no challenges of voters this year. But Democrats point to actions suggesting otherwise.

Ohio Right Wingers Resurrect Failed 2004 RICO Suit Against ACORN

Posted on: Oct 14, 2008, Source: AlterNet

In 2004, right wingers in Ohio sued ACORN under racketeering laws and were forced to withdraw their suit. On Wednesday, history repeated itself.

California GOP had Same Voter Registration Problems as ACORN in 2006

Posted on: Oct 14, 2008, Source: AlterNet

Mistakes in big voter registration drives are inevitable, even in Republican campaigns.

7-11 Store Poll Shows Big Obama Lead

Posted on: Oct 13, 2008, Source: AlterNet

A poll at 7-11 convenience stores shows Obama at 59.68 percent and McCain at 40.32 percent.

UPDATED: GOP Sheriff in SW Ohio Shadows New Voters

Posted on: Oct 10, 2008, Source: AlterNet

Gene Fischer, a Republican Sheriff in Greene County, Ohio, is demanding new voters produce ID outside of the voting process.

Voter Purges Could Cause Florida-like Presidential Recounts

Posted on: Oct 9, 2008, Source: AlterNet

If the November vote is close, key swing states that have been illegally rejecting voters could become recount battlegrounds like Florida.

GOP Backs Off Montana Voter Challenges

Posted on: Oct 8, 2008, Source: AlterNet

Republicans in Montana say they will not challenge 6,000 likely Democratic voters' right to vote.

Democratic Election Protection Strategy's Missing Link: Electronic Vote Counts

Posted on: Oct 6, 2008, Source: AlterNet

As Democrats sense victory in November, they are betting a record turnout will overcome partisan interference with the vote count.

Big Presidential Vote Count Error Found and Fixed in New Mexico

Posted on: Oct 3, 2008, Source: AlterNet

A test in Santa Fe County finds and fixes an error that could have cost Democrats thousands of votes.

Republicans Challenge 6,000 Voter Registrations in Montana

Posted on: Oct 2, 2008, Source: AlterNet

Montana GOP targets likely Democratic voters in university towns and on Native American reservations.

Early Voting in Ohio Begins

Posted on: Sep 30, 2008, Source: AlterNet

In Columbus, organizers ferry likely Democratic voters to the polls while no comparable GOP effort is seen.

Obama Backs a Bailout, But Calls for More FDIC Insurance

Posted on: Sep 30, 2008, Source: AlterNet

Obama says why a Wall Street bailout is necessary, but calls for raising the FDIC insurance to $250,000 per account.

'If You Can Run the PTA, You Can Run the Country' -- Republicans Explain Their Support for Palin

Posted on: Sep 29, 2008, Source: AlterNet

Interviews with supporters at a McCain-Palin presidential rally in Ohio share their heartfelt reasons for embracing the vice presidential candidate.

Ohio Supreme Courts Rejects GOP Early Voting Challenge

Posted on: Sep 29, 2008, Source: AlterNet

The Ohio Supreme Court rejected the Ohio GOP's effort to slow Obama's early voting drive.

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