Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Dilbert: Democrats screwed it up.

Secretary of State Catbert Hosemann issued the following press release:

Democratic Presidential Primary Ballot for the March 8, 2016 Primary

            On Thursday, February 25, 2016, the Mississippi Supreme Court ordered the Secretary of State’s Office and effectively every county in Mississippi to add Willie Wilson’s name to the Democratic Presidential Primary Ballot.  The Supreme Court found the Mississippi Democratic Party violated Mr. Wilson’s due process in not placing him on the ballot.  The Secretary of State’s Office appealed on Friday, February 26, 2016, specifically as it applied to restricting votes by military and overseas voters.  The Mississippi Supreme Court issued a revised decision on the same day.  By reason of this revised decision, Wilson’s name was required to be placed on the Democratic Primary Ballot for March 8th as a presidential candidate and Wilson’s name was not required to be added to any absentee ballots prepared or issued to voters.

This case is totally the result of a failure by the Mississippi Democratic Party.  Mississippi Circuit Clerks, Election Commissioners and the Secretary of State were not at fault in this matter.   Unfortunately, the Democratic Party’s mistake is estimated to cost Mississippians Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars.         

            After discussions with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Attorney General’s Office, the following determinations have been made:

1)      Uniformed and Overseas Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) Democratic voters have been sent a new ballot. In order to comply with UOCAVA, it was necessary for the Secretary of State to promulgate an administrative rule extending the deadline by which to receive UOCAVA absentee ballots for the March 8, 2016 Primary Election in all counties.  To comply with federal law, UOCAVA voters who request a Democratic Primary absentee ballot between today and Tuesday, March 8, will be provided the revised Democratic Primary absentee ballot.  If the UOCAVA voter chooses to cast the second ballot, the first absentee ballot will be replaced with the second absentee ballot, with only the second absentee ballot counted on Election night.  If the UOCAVA voter chooses not to cast the second ballot, the first cast absentee ballot will be counted on Election night.  The UOCAVA voter may return the cast absentee ballot by e-mail, fax or mail.  The ballot, if returned by e-mail or fax, must be received by the UOCAVA voter’s Circuit Clerk no later than 7:00 p.m. CST on Tuesday, March 8, 2016.  The ballot, if returned by mail, must be postmarked no later than Tuesday, March 8, 2016, and must be received by the UOCAVA voter’s Circuit Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. CST on Thursday, March 17, 2016
2)      All absentee ballots will continue to exclude Willie Wilson’s name.

3)      Willie Wilson’s name will appear on the Democratic Presidential Primary Ballot on Tuesday, March 8, 2016.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Isn't this a rerun?

Anonymous said...

Dilbert seems to be hanging his whole argument on the Uniformed Voters Act. Someone should ask him how many overseas votes have been requested or returned for this election cycle. Betcha it is measured in the low hundreds at best; maybe not even a hundred.

Lots of huffing and puffing by Gilbert over nothing. He could have achieved the same result last January without the million dollar cost to the counties.

He is correct - the beginning of this screwup was the first mistake, that being by the Democrat Party. They have the same thinking mentality of McDaniel/Tyner that deadlines spelled out in law don't apply to them. But once Ricky and his buddies fixed their mistake, our wonderful Secretary thought he would prove his moxie - and refuse to do anything about it. He successfully stretched the process out for over a month and after all the costs had been incurred.

Thank you Mr. Secretary, screwed up another one. Just like when you told McDaniel that there were no deadlines and the Court had to straighten you out then.

Anonymous said...

(1) The party absolutely screwed this up, but so did the SOS, as the Court held. Dogbert is assuming no one will read the Supreme Court's decision.

(2) It is false to say that the absentee ballots don't have Wilson's name on them. I voted absentee, and his name was on there.

Anonymous said...

Did I read that right? Willie Nelson? The redneck hippie? He'd sell pot to reduce the national debt!

OH wait--willie wilson. who the heck is that? does he drive a truck?

Anonymous said...

4:59 - you might have gotten an absentee with his name on it if you voted in the last few days. But if you voted more than a week ago, your ballot could not have had his name on it.

A few counties print their absentees 'on demand'. There, you could have had the opportunity.

But the more interesting question is - did you vote for Hillary, Bernie, or Willie.

Johnny Weir said...

Just watched the movie RECOUNT. A chronicle of the weeks after the 2000 U.S. presidential election (Bush/Gore) and the subsequent recounts in Florida. I suggest you check it out. This will get your juices up for the 2016 election. Let the good times roll!
During 2000 issues went all the way to the State Supreme Court than rolled over into the US Supreme Court.

I see some similarity with this issue. One is political parties love to use the court system to get their way.

Anonymous said...

Free Willie!!!!

Anonymous said...

If we got away from these ridiculous paper ballots that are later read by a machine, this change would cost $0.

Hosemann is a hack.

Pete Perry said...

8:33. sorry, but you are wrong. there would still be substantial cost. Those touchscreen voting devices require significant programing, and then L&A testing. All that had to be done again. And even with touchscreens, you must have paper ballots at each precinct (emergency, curbside, and affidavit ballots).

The 'ricidulous' paper ballots are actually an improvement to the touchscreen process. Counties all over the country that are having to replace their touchscreens (they have an average life of 10 years) are going heavily to the optical scan ballots - mainly due to the cost savings and simplicity of maintaining the machines.

Everyone can have their own opinion of scan ballots to touchscreens - but there is a major cost to redoing either.

John Pittman Hey said...

Pete Perry is correct on both counts.

The touch machines were a real mistake - optical scanning is the way to go. I'm glad that is the trend all across the country now.

And yes, the precincts will need a supply of paper ballots for those votes that cannot be cast on the touchscreen for various reasons.

Anonymous said...

I love the touch screens. I think the security is better for them too. I have seen how the process works and they are secure.

Pete Perry said...

The optical scan ballots are as secure, and arguably more secure than the touchscreens. I actually believe both are very secure - that is not the question. But the scan ballots do leave a much better paper trail for any questions that exist after the election - a true way to answer any questions that may be raised.

But the reason for changing is not so much security. It is overall cost. And the assurance to the voter that their vote is being counted as they intended.

Anonymous said...

Not sure why this site isn't running an open thread on the Billingsly/Michel race. If memory serves, last time this seat was open there were multiple threads running with candidate input and all sorts of jabs running amok. Other than paid advertisements, perhaps this contest is of relative non-value.



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.