Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion

As I posted yesterday, the city of Brookfield recount is complete and there was almost no change in the vote count from the canvass and as reported by Brookfield on election night.  That all three vote counts match almost precisely puts to bed, in the minds of rational people, the suggestions by the Kloppenburg campaign that there was ballot stuffing based upon some bags having gaps or openings in them.

Nonetheless, the "ballot security" theory lives on in the minds of the Kloppenburg campaign, which is raising money for further recount fights.  Here is a letter (via Democratic Underground h/t reader Lenny):

Dear Friends,

As of the end of the day tomorrow [Monday, May 9], Waukesha County is expected to be the only County that has not completed the recount.

The recount has uncovered significant issues in ballot security, especially in Waukesha but elsewhere as well: bags of ballots unsealed, a pile of ballots in a clerk's office, ballot bag seal numbers that do not match the inspectors' logs.

David Prosser's campaign has called these kinds of anomalies "small errors."

They aren't small errors. As a volunteer in Waukesha put it, the integrity of the ballot count is only as good as the integrity of the condition of the bags. As more anomalies are discovered, the importance of this recount becomes even clearer. Here is a telling incident as reported by WisPolitics:

"A Prosser observer echoed the hope that the recount would reveal best practices from some communities that could be standardized, and said she is now inspired to become a poll worker. But a Prosser leader scolded her for talking to the media and she asked that her name not be used."

In her announcement requesting the recount, JoAnne noted that Wisconsin residents need to have confidence that elections are fair, that every vote counts and is counted accurately.

We need your help to make sure the Kloppenburg campaign continues to have the person-power and financial resources to participate vigorously in this recount.

To volunteer as an observer in Waukesha (Monday and ongoing) sign up at www.kloppenburgforjustice.com .

This recount is not free. We have significant costs including attorneys, staff, office space and supplies. To donate, visit www.kloppenburgforjustice.com or mail a check to Kloppenburg for Justice, P.O. Box 5464, Madison, WI 53705. Your contribution of $100, $50, $25 or whatever you can afford will help. There is no limit on contributions for the recount. Corporate contributions are prohibited.

Thanks for all you are doing.

Melissa Mulliken
Campaign Manager
The Kloppenburg for Justice Committee

There are a couple of ways to read this.  The most obvious is that Kloppenburg intends to keep fighting regardless of the absurdity of the ballot security issue in light of the matching vote counts.

Less obvious is that this fundraising pitch may reflect that the money which once flowed so freely to Kloppenburg is not there anymore.

After the recount, unless there are verifiable problems which would change the outcome short of disenfranchising an entire city, further fights likely would hurt Democrats.
 
I still find it hard to believe Kloppenburg will take this to court based on the ballot security issue.  But then again, Wisconsin has held some surprises this year.

Update:  In case you were worried about Dane County, don't.  The Dane recount is complete, and Prosser picked up 19 votes and Kloppenburg 93, for a net Kloppenburg gain of 74 votes.  I'm not postiive, but I think this is Kloppenburg's biggest gain yet in any single county.

--------------------------------------------
Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube
Visit the Legal Insurrection Shop on CafePress!