"The voter ID bill now under consideration in the legislature is similar
to a bill struck down by a federal judge in Georgia and nearly identical to
legislation facing legal challenges in Indiana," said Chapin. "With everything
going on in this state, the analysts and activists who put heavy focus on Ohio
in 2004 will most likely continue this level of scrutiny in the foreseeable
future. Mellon Auditorium featuring the announcement of the winners
of THE WEEK's Second Annual Opinion Awards in four categories:
Columnist of the Year, Single Issue Advocate of the Year, Editorial
Cartoonist of the Year and Blogger of the Year.

-- Senator Chuck Hagel (R - Nebraska) will be give the awards'
dinner keynote address

Bill Falk, Editor-in-Chief of THE WEEK, said that he and his staff
had observed a distinct trend in opinion writing in recent years. Every week, THE WEEK's editors
scour hundreds of newspapers , magazines, and Web sites, seeking out
the most intriguing stories and the most thoughtful commentary - left,
right, and everything in between. Senator Barbara Boxer to Join
House Leaders in Challenging the 2004 Election Results

Support from Just One U.
Rep. S.
The speakers will address numerous charges of suppression, intimidation,
machine error and fraud in several key states. Rossi is now calling for a state-wide revote.

prodividing conservatism

The report, "What's Changed, What Hasn't and Why: Election Reform 2000-
2006," released today by electionline. Bob Taft (R) signed a Republican-backed voter ID measure
last week, making Ohio the 23rd state in the country to require every voter to
show verification before casting ballots."
The report offers a definitive, nonpartisan and non-advocacy account of
the state of the American electoral system a month after the deadline for
significant changes, including specific information on the Buckeye State and
where it stands in reforming elections relative to the rest of the country.org and in print version.talkingpointsmemo . Participants can get to Boxer's office
at 1700 Montgomery Avenue, San Francisco, by public transportation .

politinfo simplifies

Report Details Status of Election Reform Efforts Nationwide

WASHINGTON, A newly released report examining
election reforms around the country since November 2000 finds that Ohio 's
high-tech voting machines and a controversial new voter identification law
make the state one to watch in 2006. THE WEEK Opinion
Awards were launched in 2004 to recognize the nation's best opinion
writing.'"
Detailing evidence and testimonials of voter suppression and intimidation
at the press conference will be the following civic and political leaders:
DOLORES HUERTA, United Farm Workers co-founder and civil rights leader; WALTER
RILEY, labor/civil rights attorney, East Bay Votes; MARGOT SMITH, Gray
Panthers; MICHAEL EISENSCHER, U.

respectful petitiononline

In 2006, 25 states will either require the
use of paper audit trails with e-voting machines or require that a
ballot be cast only on paper.

While Congress appears to have little appetite for amending HAVA or
enacting new election administration-related legislation, activity in the
states continues, particularly on issues relating to early and absentee
voting, the restoration of rights for ex-felons who have completed their
sentences, and centralized voting stations versus neighborhood precincts. In New Mexico,
there is ample evidence that approximately 21,000 undervotes occurred in
heavily Democratic precincts on machines that are known to produce faulty
counts.

This category was created to provide the average citizen with resources which would allow them to more fully participate in the political process.

navigated manifestos

org .

* Spurred in part by HAVA, the number of states requiring all voters to
present identification before voting has doubled since 2000.

* While statewide voter registration databases have not been completed in
every state, the lists that have been built vary widely in function,
capability, and design.org is the nation's leading source for nonpartisan and non-
advocacy news and analysis of election reform issues. and international news, the best columns from here and abroad,
business, health, science, and technology, plus books, film, the arts,
consumer reviews, and leisure activities. Rev.

nonpartisan parliaments

Similar bills have faced lawsuits
in Indiana, Georgia and elsewhere.

THE WEEK Magazine to Host First Annual Opinion Forum in Association with The Aspen Institute

The panel discussions and confirmed panelists include:

"Opinion Journalists: Serving what Master?" Will explore the
evolution of "party line" opinion writing.

S. Jesse Jackson will also lead a rally that day to
challenge the vote in Columbus, Ohio.

partisian civics

Every Democrat in the state
legislature voted against the bill, some arguing it would make voting harder
for the poor, the elderly, and minorities.

theweekmagazine.
Sir Harold Evans, THE WEEK's Editor -at-Large, and Walter Isaacson,
CEO of the Aspen Institute, will lead the invitation-only event on
Tuesday, March 8, at The Meyer Auditorium in the Freer Gallery of Art
in Washington, D. Senator is a key step in the challenge process, which
requires participation from both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

partisian petitiononline

The Opinion Forum will consist of three panel discussions and a
keynote address followed by an awards reception and dinner at the
Andrew W. THE WEEK's focus is broad:
U.

The Aspen Institute is an international non-profit organization
founded in 1950."

civics orgs

Some
states require those casting provisional ballots to be in the correct
precinct to have their eligibility determined.' In this respect, the
American press is becoming more like the European press--with each
newspaper, magazines, and TV network identified in the public mind
with a particular worldview. "This is the scenario we faced after the last election -- memorialized
so well in "Fahrenheit 9/11" -- when no U. A recount would certainly have overturned the election outcome.
Citizens are encouraged to attend, wave signs and show their support for
the presidential election challenge.

nonpartisan partisian

"

Electionline. Last year's winners were Thomas Friedman and Paul Krugman of
The New York Times, Joshua Micah Marshall of www. "Many
columnists have given up any pretense of independence; they write for
'us,'' in consistent condemnation of 'them. John Conyers, ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee,
recently announced that on January 6, he and several other members of the
House will object to the counting of the Ohio Electors. We
urge all political parties to advocate the same principles of fairness to all
elections.

respectful speakout

The panel: Peter
Beinart of the New Republic, David Brooks of The New York
Times, Ana Marie Cox of Wonkette . "As
the country has become increasingly polarized, a significant number of
opinion writers have , in effect, chosen sides, and aligned themselves
with specific political parties and philosophies ,'' Falk said. They will urge Boxer to
challenge the results of the 2004 presidential election at a joint session on
January 6, 2005, when Congress meets to ratify the vote.
If at least one member of each house makes a written challenge when the
Congress meets in joint session on January 6, 2005 , Congress members will
return to their respective chambers and conduct a time-limited debate going on
the election results.

simplifies yearbook

"Election Reform 2000-2006" offers a detailed look at what has happened in
each state over the past five years. Senator
Barbara Boxer (D-Calif) at her San Francisco office during a public press
conference and rally on Monday, January 3, 12 noon. Many are
planning to walk to Boxer's office starting at 11am from the Embarcadero BART
station.' Those are
the same concerns that voters have about the 2004 presidential election.

prodividing uploading

* Provisional ballots - - which allow voters who believe they are
registered but are not on registration rolls to cast ballots and have
their eligibility determined after they leave the polls -- are now in
place nationwide, but counting rules differ from state to state. Senator is Required to Sustain Congressional
Challenge

SAN FRANCISCO, Concerned citizens and civic
organizations will present thousands of voter petitions to U.

uploading congressmen

"
In addition, Gov .com, and Arianna Huffington. The panel: Tina Brown, Andrew
Kohut of the Pew Research Foundation, Dr. Through seminars, policy programs, conferences
and leadership development initiatives, the Institute and its
international partners seek to promote the pursuit of common ground
and deeper understanding in a nonpartisan and non-ideological setting. Key organization
leaders will personally present the petitions to Boxer's deputy at a meeting
inside her office.S.

soling orgs

Legislation is pending in states that
currently have no paper-trail requirements. "The changes that have occurred in the states --
and those that have not -- could have a profound influence on the 2006
election and beyond .
To request a copy, e-mail: media@electionline. Moderated by Sir
Harold Evans. Conyers is expected
to seek additional support from the following Senators: Joseph Biden (DE),
Jeff Bingaman (NM ), Barbarba Boxer (CA), Robert Byrd (WV), Hillary Clinton
(NY), Kent Conrad (ND), Jon Corzine (NJ ), Christopher Dodd (CT), Byron Dorgan
(ND), Richard Durbin (IL), Russell Feingold (WI), Tom Harkin (IA), Daniel
Inyoue (HI), James Jeffords (VT), Edward Kennedy (MA), John Kerry (MA), Frank
Lautenberg (NJ), Patrick Leahy (VT), Carl Levin (MI), Joseph Lieberman (CT),
Barbara Mikulski (MD), Bill Nelson (FL), Jack Reed (RI), Harry Reid (NV), Jay
Rockefeller (WV), Paul Sarbanes (MD), Debbie Stabenow (MI), Ron Wyden (OR),
and the newly elected Barack Obama (IL). In
Florida, questions persist regarding fraud as well as irregularities in
counties that relied on paperless electronic voting machines.
"It's interesting that Republicans are willing to look at e-voting
problems when the results go against them," said Goldmacher.

manifestos pollite

Citizens Stage 'Boxer Rebellion' in San Francisco

At January 3 Rally, Civic Groups Will Urge U.

E-Voting Problems Hurt Republicans and Democrats Alike
Speakers will address other recent instances of irregularities in the
electronic voting system, including the Washington State gubernatorial race
where the results recently shifted in favor of Christine Gregoire, the
Democratic challenger, after voting officials discovered that electronic
voting machines incorrectly tallied 500 votes for Dino Rossi, the Republican
in the race.

yearbook uploading

org . Moderated by George Stephanopolous. At our forum, we'll explore this
phenomenon and where it may lead.S. As
Jesse Jackson has said, 'we are not whining for a lost election, but crying
out for a fair one.

simplifies partisian

"The center of gravity for reform has shifted from Capitol Hill to outside
the Beltway," Chapin said. Labor Against the War; MAX ANDERSON,
Berkeley City Council, 1st Municipal Voting Rights Resolution; TIM PAULSON,
Executive Director, San Francisco Labor Council, AFL-CIO; and MICHAEL
GOLDSTEIN, Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club.

orgs soling

"States around the country will be watching the performance of Ohio's
paper trail-equipped machines in the upcoming primary and mid -term elections,"
said Doug Chapin, director of electionline. A national survey
revealed provisional ballots cast in wrong precincts were the second-
most common reason for ballots to be rejected in the 2004 presidential
election. It is funded by The Pew
Charitable Trusts through a grant administered by the University of Richmond.
The report is available at http: //electionline.
Moderated by Walter Isaacson." Will explore coverage of the war in Iraq,
through the lens of how events were covered by the press and
the ultimate effect on shaping public opinion around the world
- John Burns of The New York Times, Simon Jenkins from The
Times of London, Hafez Mirazi of Al Jazeera, Salameh Nermatt
of Al Hayat, Geraldo Rivera, and James Rubin.

-- "Is the Media Elite Out of Touch with America?" In the
aftermath of the 2004 election, many analysts said that the
coverage and the results proved that the elite media is out of
touch with red-state America.''
Attendees of THE WEEK Opinion Summit will include more than 200
national opinion-makers: columnists, political figures, intellectuals,
and business executives . "Rossi recently
told voters that the 'uncertainty surrounding this election process isn't just
bad for you and me -- it is bad for the entire state,' and that 'people need
to know for sure that the next governor actually won the election.

This category should not be considered a clearinghouse for individual or group political philosophies or manifestos.

soling uploading

"The Diebold TSx machines in
use in much of the state were decertified in California and how they fare in
Ohio may help states decide what voting system to buy.

Among the report's findings:
* Concerns about electronic voting machines have been steadily growing
since the passage of HAVA. Its mission is to foster enlightened leadership, the
appreciation of timeless ideas and values, and open-minded dialogue on
contemporary issues.
"We expect several members of the House to call for a challenge, but
without a single supporter from the Senate, Congress cannot act," said Don
Goldmacher, Chair of Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club's Voting Rights Task
Force.

parliaments pollite

org, found that Ohio was among the first
states to employ voter-verified paper audit trails with electronic voting
machines, with the system used widely by counties in the 2005 statewide
elections.

Publishing Writers/Business Editors

NEW YORK----

March 8 Event in Washington DC to Feature Panel Discussions and
2nd Annual THE WEEK Opinion Awards

THE WEEK, America's fastest growing news and opinion magazine and
a division of Dennis Publishing (www.C.

congressmen canonical

Frank Newport of The
Gallup Poll , The Week Editor-at-Large Margaret Carlson and Pat
Robertson.

congressmen simplifies

After Controversial 2004 Vote Ohio Elections Still Worth Watching

com
and Tommy Tomlinson of the Charlotte Observer.

THE WEEK , a division of Dennis Publishing, is the fastest growing
news and opinion magazine in America.S.

Senator stood up to support
members of the Congressional Black Caucus. We can't let that happen again.

canonical nonpartisan

com), will team
with the Aspen Institute to host the first annual Opinion Forum,
focusing on the issues concerning columnists and opinion writing in
America.

"The War in Iraq: Patriotism , Propaganda, and the Making of
Public Opinion. The best of what they find gets
reported - concise, intelligent, crisp.S.

refined nonpartisan

S.

Challenge Requires Senatorial Support
Support from a U. Problems encountered in Ohio
include waits as long as eleven hours at polling places; shortages of poll
workers and voting machines; electronic voting machines that malfunctioned;
election-counting discrepancies; voters being directed to the wrong polling
place, and uneven policies governing the use of provisional ballots.