Slow-Rolling Democracy in Ohio

George W. Bush's political allies appear to be slow-rolling a requested recount in Ohio, leaving so little time that even if widespread voting fraud is discovered, the finding will come too late to derail Bush's second term. Though balloting occurred on Nov. 2, more than a month ago, Ohio's Republican Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell still hasn't certified an official vote, a move now expected on Monday, Dec. 6. Since Blackwell also has battled requests from third-party candidates for an expedited recount, a review of Ohio's vote now won't begin until Dec. 13, at the earliest, according to Blackwell's office. [See Boston Globe, Dec. 1, 2004] But the Dec. 13 date is the same day the electors of the Electoral College meet to formally select the President of the United States. So even if the recount uncovers enough fraud to reveal John Kerry as the rightful winner in Ohio, it would be too late to change that outcome. Meanwhile, as Ohio's official foot-dragging has gone on, Bush's election-night lead has continued to shrink with the counting of overseas and provisional ballots. The Associated Press reported on Dec. 3 that its vote tally of Ohio's 88 counties showed Kerry narrowing Bush's lead to 119,000 votes from about 136,000 votes, leaving Bush with a 2 percent lead. [more]

• Way to Go, Ohio [more]