V.O.T.E.R. To Work For Honest Elections

I support the work of Rogers Park's new V.O.T.E.R. organization which today released a Message to 49th Ward Voters and Our Community.

Working For Honest Elections

Voters Organized For Truthful Election Results (V.O.T.E.R.), a Rogers Park-based organization, announced today that its mission will be to support government accountability and work for honest elections.

V.O.T.E.R. was launched by a group of 49th Ward residents in April 2007 to raise funds for a court challenge to the 49th Ward aldermanic election. The lawsuit focused on polling places and Election Day results. Our court-approved investigation into vote fraud included many residents who volunteered hundreds of hours in examining election records, poll watcher reports, photographic evidence of election irregularities, and other information.

We made progress and were prepared to submit our evidence to Cook County Circuit Court Judge Marsha Hayes. However, on July 20^th the judge suddenly reversed her June 22^nd decision to allow the case to proceed. This reversal effectively stopped the investigation and ended the election challenge because the cost of appealing the ruling would be too prohibitive.

Although we are disappointed by the ruling, V.O.T.E.R. will now work to foster an environment that results in the fair and honest election of public officials who need to be accountable to their constituents. Our goals, in tandem with these officials, include transparent and open government practices and honest elections.

During the course of the lawsuit, we also gained valuable insight into the significance of what happens before a single ballot is cast in any election. Therefore, the V.O.T.E.R. organization will focus attention on both government and campaign accountability, including fair voter registration and education, unbiased selection and training of election judges, electioneering conduct and tactics, and voting equipment used.

We sincerely thank and appreciate all who supported us in pursuing government accountability and a fair election. We have an important civic mission before us and invite your participation.

If you would like more information about V.O.T.E.R., visit our website at www.voter49.org or write to us at V.O.T.E.R., P.O. Box 269148, Chicago, IL 60626.

Yours truly, Don Gordon, Eileen Foxman, Eva McCann, Blane Roberts