Dems in Maryland lose big round on early voting
Still running through the court systems, but faiing on multiple fronts
from 
JoeUser Forums
JoeUser Forums
Democrats and supporters of early voting in Maryland have suffered a big set back with (an apparently intelligent) Arundel County Circuit Court Judge Ronald A. Silkworth ruling that state legislators exceeded their constitutional authority in passing a law permitting early voting in the state.
Worse for the Democrats, which had overridden a veto by Republican Governor Robert Ehrlich, the Judge also faulted the law because it allowed voters to cast ballots outside their home election district.
Democrats in Maryland have been known for using a large array of tricks to win elections in the recent pass (though in the last gubernatorial election they weren't as successful) -- google a bit on Ellen Sauerbrey for more information there (you should probably add in a few more keywords like election fraud and dead voters, but you get the idea).
In anycase, while I may have enjoyed the opportunity to vote earlier, I'd still much prefer that the sanctity of the voting process be preserved so that the system works as it was originally designed: ONE MAN (or woman), ONE VOTE. I don't at all like the idea that people would have potentially been able to vote in multiple locations where identification is never checked. I'm always happy when people want to participate in the voting process, but their right to vote must be kept to one vote, not multiple votes in a system where everyone else's vote is watered down to worthlessness.
Judge nixes early voting
By S.A. Miller
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
August 12, 2006
An Anne Arundel County Circuit Court judge yesterday overturned the General Assembly's recently enacted early-voting law, saying the state constitution allows only one day of voting.
"This court finds that the General Assembly exceeded its constitutional authority in enacting the early voting statutes," Judge Ronald A. Silkworth said in the ruling.
The finding resulted in flurry of responses yesterday.
The Maryland Attorney General's Office immediately appealed the ruling in the Court of Appeals, the state's highest court.
Judge Silkworth had ordered a stop to preparations for early voting in elections this fall, but stayed the order pending the appeals court's decision.
Linda H. Lamone, administrator of the State Board of Elections, said she will prepare for early voting in anticipation of a successful appeal. "If the Court of Appeals agrees with the circuit court judge, we will simply not implement it," she said.
The law, which the Democratic-controlled General Assembly passed this year over the veto of Gov. Robert L. Erhlich Jr., would allow in-person balloting at specific polling places during the week before the Sept. 12 primary and Nov. 7 general election.
The law also was illegal because it allowed voters to cast ballots outside their home election district, Judge Silkworth ruled.
"The court finds that the constitution entitles qualified voters to cast their votes only in the 'ward or election district in which he resides,'" he said. "This language is not permissive, but mandatory."
The ruling was viewed as a victory by Mr. Ehrlich, a Republican seeking re-election. He said the measure would have increased opportunity for voter fraud.
... more at linked article
Worse for the Democrats, which had overridden a veto by Republican Governor Robert Ehrlich, the Judge also faulted the law because it allowed voters to cast ballots outside their home election district.
Democrats in Maryland have been known for using a large array of tricks to win elections in the recent pass (though in the last gubernatorial election they weren't as successful) -- google a bit on Ellen Sauerbrey for more information there (you should probably add in a few more keywords like election fraud and dead voters, but you get the idea).
In anycase, while I may have enjoyed the opportunity to vote earlier, I'd still much prefer that the sanctity of the voting process be preserved so that the system works as it was originally designed: ONE MAN (or woman), ONE VOTE. I don't at all like the idea that people would have potentially been able to vote in multiple locations where identification is never checked. I'm always happy when people want to participate in the voting process, but their right to vote must be kept to one vote, not multiple votes in a system where everyone else's vote is watered down to worthlessness.
Judge nixes early voting
By S.A. Miller
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
August 12, 2006
An Anne Arundel County Circuit Court judge yesterday overturned the General Assembly's recently enacted early-voting law, saying the state constitution allows only one day of voting.
"This court finds that the General Assembly exceeded its constitutional authority in enacting the early voting statutes," Judge Ronald A. Silkworth said in the ruling.
The finding resulted in flurry of responses yesterday.
The Maryland Attorney General's Office immediately appealed the ruling in the Court of Appeals, the state's highest court.
Judge Silkworth had ordered a stop to preparations for early voting in elections this fall, but stayed the order pending the appeals court's decision.
Linda H. Lamone, administrator of the State Board of Elections, said she will prepare for early voting in anticipation of a successful appeal. "If the Court of Appeals agrees with the circuit court judge, we will simply not implement it," she said.
The law, which the Democratic-controlled General Assembly passed this year over the veto of Gov. Robert L. Erhlich Jr., would allow in-person balloting at specific polling places during the week before the Sept. 12 primary and Nov. 7 general election.
The law also was illegal because it allowed voters to cast ballots outside their home election district, Judge Silkworth ruled.
"The court finds that the constitution entitles qualified voters to cast their votes only in the 'ward or election district in which he resides,'" he said. "This language is not permissive, but mandatory."
The ruling was viewed as a victory by Mr. Ehrlich, a Republican seeking re-election. He said the measure would have increased opportunity for voter fraud.
... more at linked article
