Jerry Nadler: “the right to vote has been stolen from qualified voters. Stolen through corruption, through political cynicism, through…”

“the right to vote has been stolen from qualified voters. Stolen through corruption, through political cynicism, through incompetence, through technical malfunction. Despite the fact that the widespread and documented irregularities in the Ohio election have not been proved to change the outcome of the presidential election, the loss of the right to vote by so many is unacceptable. Elections must not only be fair and honest, they must be seen to be fair and honest in order to maintain the legitimacy of our democratic institutions. This year we have dodged a bullet. If the apparent margin of victory in Ohio were closer, the Florida 2000 fiasco would look like a picnic. Mr. Speaker, normally the process of counting electoral votes is a purely ceremonial event. Normally it is a celebration of our democratic institutions. Normally it is a celebration of the rule of law and equal protection of all Americans under the law. But we do not live in normal times. the right to vote has been stolen from qualified voters--stolen through corruption, through political cynicism, and through incompetence, through technical malfunction. Regardless of the reason, the denial of the fundamental right to vote is a crime against our democracy, against our way of life, and against the most fundamental rights of every American.”