Staton Aide Warns of Election Night "Security Issues"

I don't know whether it's the comparison to Jack Ellis, the idea that an aide (or at least someone with a cecilstaton.com email account) thinks they need to come down from on high to advise local law enforcement regarding possible security risks on election day (implying that local law enforcement is incompetent, living under a rock or both), or the fact that an increased police presence could intimidate some voters- see Florida 2000- but something about this email is just plain wrong. Of course the fact that it comes from the office of Mr. Voter ID himself, Cecil Staton, is enough to make me suspect of the purpose:


From: Zach Johnson [mailto:zach@cecilstaton.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2008 1:26 PM

To: rick.hutto@macon.ga.us; james.timley@macon.ga.us; larry.schlesinger@macon.ga.us; miriam.paris@macon.ga.us; lauren.benedict@macon.ga.us; lonnie.miley@macon.ga.us; mike.cranford@macon.ga.us; alveno.ross@macon.ga.us; charles.jones@macon.ga.us; nancy.white@macon.ga.us; elaine.lucas@macon.ga.us; ed.defore@macon.ga.us; virgil.watkins@macon.ga.us; tom.ellington@macon.ga.us; erick.erickson@macon.ga.us; keith.moffett@macon.ga.us; sam.henderson@macon.ga.us; andrew.blascovich@macon.ga.us

Subject: Election night issues

Good afternoon,

As a strict precautionary measure I want to bring the possibility of election night issues to your attention. With this being one of the most heavily followed elections in history, I strongly feel that which ever way the election goes the city of Macon could be faced with potential security issues on election night. If you remember, following the election of Mayor Jack Ellis downtown Macon faced substantial celebratory damage and it is my fear that if Obama/McCain wins or loses we could face even greater issues this election. With the City’s recent crime issues, I strongly feel that you all need to huddle with the Mayor, The Chief of Police and well as the Sheriff to put together a contingency plan for potential election night issues. Thank you for your leadership!

Best regards,
Zach Johnson

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Voter Suppression

PAY ATTENTION. The election could turn on this single issue.

Just call this WWKHD? (What Would Katherine Harris Do?) installment #gadzillion. Karen Handel is at it again. If you read ONE article this political season, read this piece in today's AJC by Aaron Gould Sheinin. More than two million Georgia voters were referred to the Social Security Administration to check identity. That compares to three such referrals from Colorado and is about a million more voters than have registered in the state since 2004, and 25% of the national total for such requests. Turns out, in September, Karen Handel-who has been asked by feds to investigate-sent a letter to all local boards of election directing them to submit all new registrations to Social Security for verification. Ahem. Isn't that like asking a suspect to investigate a crime? Next thing you know, there will be threats of citizenship checks at polling places.

You will probably not be shocked to learn that the other states on the list of frequent fliers include Ohio, North Carolina, Indiana and Nevada-all swing states in this election.

This much is clear: Karen Handel will shamelessly continue use the Secretary of State's office like a campaign headquarters for Republicans and will work to suppress the votes of likely Democrats (though they're getting tougher to identify by the minute). We are going to have to fight for ballot access for our candidates and our voters.

And, in 2010, there is no more important office for Georgia Democrats to take back than hers. We must replace her with someone who is willing to serve the public and the law before serving her party.

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