NOW Members Urge U.N. Oversight of 2004 Presidential Election

By Rachel Weisshaar, NOW Communications Intern

Calling attention to escalating concerns about the fairness of election practices in the United States, delegates in Las Vegas at the annual National NOW Conference last week passed a resolution urging United Nations oversight of the November elections.

The resolution, which passed unanimously on July 18, supports the members of Congress who sent a letter to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan on July 1 asking for U.N. oversight of the presidential elections. It cites a number of troubling reports relating to the 2000 presidential election, including one by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR), a bipartisan federal agency that investigated widespread allegations of voter disenfranchisement and questionable practices in Florida relating to the purging of names from voter registration lists, methods of balloting, and the independence of counting and certification procedures.

NOW members vividly recall Dec. 2000, when the Supreme Court issued a decision in Bush v. Gore—one of the most controversial pieces of jurisprudence in history—preventing a complete re-counting of the votes in disputed Florida precincts and counties. Our fears were confirmed in June 2001, when the USCCR found that the electoral process in Florida resulted in the denial of the right to vote for countless persons and further that the "disenfranchisement of Florida's voters fell most harshly on the shoulders of black voters" and in poor counties.

Despite promises and federal funds to improve voting accuracy and honesty, the USCCR in April 2004 reported that voting equipment, voter list maintenance and procedures for poll worker training, election certification and reinstatement of ex-felon voting rights have not been adequately reformed, as promised, and that the potential is "real and present for significant problems on voting day that once again will compromise the right to vote."

Another potential threat is the newer touch-screen machines that use a proprietary source code and lack a paper trail, meaning that voters and voting officials have no way to verify that the votes were counted. While NOW applauds this new technology for easing the voting process for many disabled citizens, NOW is also concerned about reports from computer security experts who say these machines are vulnerable to hacking and may create more opportunities for election tampering.

Following the National NOW Conference's overwhelming support for unbiased election monitors, women's rights leaders said they continue to be troubled by statements by key Bush administration officials suggesting that the November election could be postponed in the event of perceived terrorist threats.

"I find it very disturbing—and highly suspect—that higher-ups in the Bush administration are reportedly talking about formulating plans for postponing the November presidential election on the basis of a self-generated warning of a terrorist attack," said NOW Action Vice President Olga Vives. "Quite frankly, I am worried that some politicians have the power to manipulate the fairness of our elections—and are willing to use it."

Given these concerns, NOW members resolved that "the engagement of international election monitors has the potential to expedite the necessary reform as well as reduce the likelihood of questionable practices and voter disenfranchisement on Election Day" and further resolved to support the efforts of the members of Congress who requested U.N. oversight of the November presidential election.

In passing the resolution, NOW activists also committed to encouraging their members of Congress to join the effort to guarantee that justice and equality are upheld for all in the upcoming elections.

"The presence of U.N. elections monitors would serve as a recognition of the serious flaws that exist in our voting system," said NOW President Kim Gandy. "Activists have fought long and hard to extend the right to vote—the foundation of democracy—and it is vital to preserve those gains. We know that every vote counts, and we must ensure that every vote is counted."

For additional information about the appeal to the U.N. and to join 20,000 other progressives who have signed a petition demanding that President Bush approve election monitors, contact Democrats.com.