Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz to guest post (and answer questions) tomorrow

Open Debates (0.00 / 0)

Since it is unlikely I will be able to post during those hours because of prior commitments, I would respectfully request if the Secretary of the State would discuss her feelings towards open debates with all candidates for statewide office in 2008 and 2010 and beyond, and what she plans to do to insure candidates' rights and fair and free elections.

Also, if she wouldn't mind explaining why she failed to support open debates in the 2006 election cycle for statewide constitutional officers, I would be thrilled.

Thanks, and I look forward to seeing some answers.

Peace,
Ken Krayeske

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by: ken_krayeske @ Tue May 29, 2007 at 20:48:52 PM CDT

Ken (0.00 / 0)

I'll try and be there and will make sure to pose your question if it isn't posed.

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by: ATalbot @ Tue May 29, 2007 at 21:02:48 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Does the SotS have any jurisdiction over debates or campaigns? (0.00 / 0)

This state has the two-party system more concretely hardwired into the government than any other that I've seen: many towns with guaranteed minimum representation on boards for Ds and Rs, Dem and GOP registrars, etc. Is your question about shifting to a multiparty system in a more broad-based way (in which case, it's a question of thresholds -- at what level of support do you get a paid registrar in town, participation in debates, etc) or just about the behaviours of major-party candidates towards minor parties?

Working Families seems to have found a way to adapt to the system as it exists here: somehow I can't imagine the CT Greens doing many / any cross endorsements.

–7.25 / –7.28

http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/tw...

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by: mattw @ Tue May 29, 2007 at 22:15:36 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

open debates (0.00 / 0)

Ken, I supported open debates and forums for all candidates on the ballot in the 2006 election cycle.  In fact, I participated in several forums in Griswold and in Manchester with Green Party candidates.  It was unfortunate that media outlets in CT did not hold formal debates on the four statewide Constitutional office races other than Governor.  Hopefully, in 2010, they will.

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by: Susan Bysiewicz @ Wed May 30, 2007 at 16:11:54 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Susan will be in Norwalk next week for DFA event (0.00 / 0)

Susan Bysiewicz, Connecticut Secretary of State, will discuss voting machine selection, and Caleb Kleppner, Green Party, will discuss Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) on Wed., June 6, 7 PM at the Silver Star Diner in Norwalk, CT.

http://blogforameric...

Connecticut Bob

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by: Bob Adams @ Tue May 29, 2007 at 22:03:37 PM CDT

voting in 2008 (0.00 / 0)

I was wondering how the Secretary plans to set up audits for the elections 2008 in case of a recount.Who will perform the audit and what will be the % of votes counted/audited be?
Flo Woodiel

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by: fwoodiel @ Wed May 30, 2007 at 10:34:12 AM CDT

voting in 2008 (0.00 / 0)

Hello everyone.  I'm looking forward to this blogging session.  I wanted to answer Flo Woodiel from West Hartford.  This past November, our office conducted a voluntary audit of 20% of the precincts using the optical scan voting machines.  Registrars in the randomly selected precincts conducted a hand count of all offices on the ballot in those precincts.  The University of Connecticut assisted us with this audit and determined that the results were extremely accurate and that the machines proved to be very secure.  This session we hope that our audit legislation will be enacted.  I originally requested an audit of 20% of all precincts however the current legislation being considered would require 10% of all precincts would be randomly selected.  Under the legislation, local registrars would conduct the audits in public within 2 weeks after the election.

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by: Susan Bysiewicz @ Wed May 30, 2007 at 16:02:31 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Question (0.00 / 0)

What are the advantages of moving the presidential primary up to Feb 5th?
Do you see need for reform in the nominating process?

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by: ANOBSupporter @ Wed May 30, 2007 at 13:25:32 PM CDT

presidential primary changes (0.00 / 0)

There are important advantages to moving the Pres. Primary in our state from march to February 5th.  Over half of the states have now moved their primaries to February 5th and its important for CT voters to be part of this national primary day.  If we kept the current calendar as is, CT voters would be disenfranchised.  I do support reforming our nominating process because our Presidential primaries have become too front-loaded.  Candidates who are lesser known and lesser funded are at a disadvantage compared to the celebrity candidates.  I believe that grassroots organizing and campaigning should play a bigger role in our Presidential primary system.  And therefore, I support the creation of a national primary day in June or July.  I also have called on Congress and the national parties to reform our nominating process.  I also support proposals to enact a rotating regional primary.

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by: Susan Bysiewicz @ Wed May 30, 2007 at 16:08:54 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Fidelco (0.00 / 0)

I saw you on channel 3 with the Fidelco dog. How long have you been training them?

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by: dasani @ Wed May 30, 2007 at 13:30:35 PM CDT