Separately, Democratic officials and hundreds of voters complained about the way ballots in Palm Beach County were arranged. Voters punched holes in the middle of the ballot, while candidates were alternately listed to the left and then the right.

"It was virtually impossible to know who you voted for,'' said Mark Hirsch, a 30-year-old business executive who voted for Green Party candidate Ralph Nader.

Some Gore supporters said they feared they mistakenly voted for Reform Party candidate Pat Buchanan. Gore carried the county by more than 110,000 votes, but the 3,407 votes for Buchanan were by far the most of any Florida county, and almost 20 percent of his total vote in the state.

Republicans said the ballot was approved by Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Theresa LePore, a Democrat.

Democrats Slit Own Throat

-- Ain't Gonna Happen (Not Here Not@ever.com), November 08, 2000

off

-- Ain't Gonna Happen (Not Here Not@ever.com), November 08, 2000.

According to Theresa LePore, she had designed the ballot with larger letters to answer complaints from Senior Citizens that they couldn't read the print on the ballot last year.

A copy of the ballot was sent out to every home in the county two weeks prior to election day.

Unfortunately, you'll never be able to prove the votes weren't intended...and you can't "revote" the district. I don't see how it's going to be resolved legally...there is no way to undo it.

-- kritter (kritter@adelphia.net), November 08, 2000.

PALM BEACH VOTERS TO FILE SUIT OVER "CONFUSING" BALLOT

-- So it will happen (wonker@is.you), November 08, 2000.

The good people of Palm Beach love me.

-- (PatBuchanon@nowhere.ville), November 08, 2000.

***A copy of the ballot was sent out to every home in the county two weeks prior to election day.***

Thanks Kritt. That pretty much settles it for me. Done deal. NEXT! =)

-- cin (cin@cin.cin), November 08, 2000.

I just saw a report that Buchanan got 0.79% there, about the same percentage as the rest of Florida, and the the number of Buchanan voters was perfectly resonalble. I saw the ballot, it didn't confuse me, their are arrows to the proper hole, and there would be OTHER votes on the ballot that would be shifted. I don't think this ones gonna fly. I do anticipate that Florida might be challenged though, based on the reports I have seen on TV, but I'll just wait and see.

-- David (David@bzn.com), November 08, 2000.

It's obvious the Gore team intends to challenge the vote in Florida. But since there's no precedent in the state for a re-vote in matter like the Butterfly Ballot incident of Palm Beach, it's unclear just what the verdict might be.

Nonetheless, this is Gore's call. Some may act on their on, some already have, but it's up to Gore whether to call off the dogs or let them run.

Regardless of justification, if Gore lets this go to court, it will end badly for whichever candidate ultimately triumphs, for they will be tainted by nearly half the country being in total opposition to them being in office. This is the reality of Gore's call.

In terms of the Electoral College, it's an intructive reminder than should have Gore won the overall national vote by as little as a 1,600 vote margin, yet claimed the Electoral College by more than 300 votes, Gore supporters would clearly be calling it a mandate. So the college has its duel edges.

-- Buster Collins (Hiway441@aol.com), November 08, 2000.

I'm tired of hearing the whining, sniveling, seniors and Jesse Jackson saying they were denied voting privileges! Voter fraud? I wonder how those homeless people who were given cigarettes by Gore backers voted? They're just pissed that their welfare checks are about to be cut off!

-- booowhowhooooo (boohoooowho@booowhoowhoo.com), November 08, 2000.

OT:

I miss Helen. Where she be?

-- Bingo1 (howe9@shentel.net), November 09, 2000.