Naked vote counting fraud in Virginia & why downballot races matter

The race to decide Virginia’s next attorney general is still undecided. 3,000 Democratic absentee ballots that were “lost” have been found and now it is down to counting up the provisional ballots. Just in time to preserve Republican Mark Obenshain’s razor thin 100 vote lead, a new wrinkle to provisional ballot counting rules threatens to disenfranchise more Democratic voters.

Already shaping up to be one of the closest races in state history, a last-minute rule change is stirring up the recount to decide who will become Virginia’s next attorney general.

The Daily Press of Newport News, Va. reported Friday that Republican candidate Mark Obenshain had an unofficial lead of just under 1,300 votes over Democratic challenger Mark Herring. That tally did not include full provisional ballot totals, and as of Saturday, a fresh rule change was complicating matters.

According to a report by WTOP radio, the Virginia State Board Of Elections decided Friday to change rules relevant to Fairfax County, banning legal representatives from helping count votes, unless the associated voter was actually present. The board changing the rules is dominated by Republicans.

And who created this new rule? Outgoing Virginia attorney general, and failed candidate for Governor, Ken Cunnicelli. Unable to win elections on their merits, Republicans are resorting to this kind of naked fraud across the country. The Virginia race is a stark reminder that modern Republicans elected at any level of government must be avoided at all costs.

The rank disregard for our democratic traditions, and the smooth transition of power have the potential to unravel the work of the founding fathers in our lifetime. Until the Republican Party regains some sanity, they must be stopped at every school board, every councilman, and every dog catcher election.