CD Point People

Find yours here.

Podcasts & Videos

Hear PDA podcasts.

PDA 2006 Election Video
» 56K modem   » broadband

Stop Funding War Video
» All formats

Action Alerts

Take action now!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, December 8, 2004

Progressive Democrats of America's Response to Congressional Hearings on Ohio Voting Irregularities

Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) extends a heartfelt thank you to Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) and the other progressive Democrats who are working hard to ensure every American’s vote is counted. An ad-hoc hearing is being held today because he is courageous and intuitive enough to listen to Americans at the grassroots level and respond to their need for answers on this issue. We are pleased that he is taking on this challenge and we pledge to support his efforts.

Our grassroots members and our allies are expressing a great deal of interest in and outrage about voting suppression and potential fraud in Ohio.

Whatever the specific outcome of today’s hearing and other investigations into the irregularities, we know major election reform is absolutely necessary to restore democracy to America.

Specifically, PDA calls for the following:

• A Constitutional amendment confirming the right to vote, as advocated by Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL)
• Required paper reports for all electronic and electronically tabulated voting systems.
• Same-day registration for all Americans.
• The creation of unified federal standards for national elections.
• Meaningful equal protection of voting rights by such means as equal voting systems, equal numbers of machines, and equal time to vote.
• An end to partisan oversight of the electoral process.
• Extended voting periods to allow all voters a meaningful opportunity to vote.
• Instant Run-off Voting, Proportional Representation, and Fusion.
• Publicly financed elections for federal offices.

The Progressive Democrats of America are prepared to rise to this occasion in support of Rep. Conyers and other Progressive members of Congress, who we urge to offer legislation to codify these reforms. Such legislative leadership would challenge other Democrats and Republicans to state, on the record, if they are for or against Americans' right to vote.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Tim Carpenter
(877) 368-9221