Witnessing the recount, testifying for the future
By Tim Kettler
Green Party of Ohio

Just as the outcome of the 2000 presidential election revolved around the results in Florida, the crucial outcome on and after election day 2004 revolved around Ohio. Wide disparities between the exit polls for Kerry and the reported results for Bush, along with thousands of reports of voter suppression and voting irregularities, led many in Ohio and across the nation to call for a full recount. The Green Party of Ohio (GPO) found itself right in the middle of those recount efforts.

Initially the GPO participated in rallies and protests to generate support, enlist volunteers and build momentum for the recount call. With the help of legal counsel from the National Voting Rights Institute, several Ohio Greens, in coalition with voting rights organizations and other concerned citizens, filed a lawsuit in federal court.

Once the actual recount began, Ohio Greens were active in the recount organization, acting as regional and county coordinators and recount witnesses. The Green Party communicated with the various election boards to discuss the results and findings.

Through letters, telephone conversations and personal meetings, Ohio Greens brought such issues to light as the need for nonpartisan election officials and inclusion of third and minor parties in the process.

These successful organizational efforts generated much welcome attention for the GPO and helped put a Green face on electoral reform in the state and across the nation.

Those on the ground witnessed the building of a broad coalition of volunteers under Green leadership, a thorough and critical examination of the election process, a wealth of information and a host of questions.

Perhaps the most pressing question is, "What next?" Most immediately comes litigation to assert the right to a full and fair recount, in contrast to the sham effort conducted by Ohio Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell. A decision on this legal challenge is pending in federal court in Ohio (see accompanying timeline).

Longer-term needs include reforms like voter-verifiable paper trails for electronic voting, public financing of elections, proportional representation and instant-runoff voting, and nonpartisan election officials.

The GPO recognizes the void created within the major parties by leadership beholden to the status quo of the system and its benefactors, and is moving forward to fill that void. Ohio Greens continue to challenge those in power with reasoned, well-articulated positions to build respect among both opponents and supporters.

The GPO leadership is organizing a series of statewide forums addressing democracy and electoral reform. The intent is to reconnect with recount volunteers and reform supporters and enlist their input to maintain the momentum the recount has built, form a consensus on needed reforms, and profile those Green Party candidates who will support and fight for the findings. Potentially, the resolution of litigation still pending in federal courts in Ohio could bring added benefit to these efforts.

Membership in the Green Party has grown since the recount efforts began, and support among progressives is encouraging. As the pot continues to boil, a massive mobilization will be needed to overcome opposition to reform. The Ohio recount has demonstrated that the will is there, if we provide the leadership. Onward!

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