The coalition is confronting many of the same problems that plagued the 2000 election -- which threaten the legitimacy of this years vote. Efforts are now underway to challenge systemic voter suppression and intimidation aimed at people of color and correct flawed voting machinery, badly designed ballots and suspect methods of collecting absentee ballots. The infamous list of convicted felons used in Florida to improperly disenfranchise tens of thousands of voters during the 2000 election was resurrected again this year by officials in Gov. Jeb Bush's administration, but later scrapped after court challenges.

Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Sharon Lettman, deputy field director with People for the American Way, based in Tallahassee, Fla., who discusses the defects remaining to be overcome in Florida and the preparations being made across the nation to ensure that every vote is counted in November's election.

To get more information, or to report election irregularities, call 1-866-OUR-VOTE toll free or visit the coalition's web site at www.electionprotection2004.com

Related links:

• "The Ballots of 1 Million African-American and Latino Voters Likely to be "Lost" in 2004 Presidential Election," Interview with Greg Palast, conducted by Scott Harris, Between The Lines, Week Ending 6/11/04
• "California Panel: Don't Use Diebold Touch-Screen Voting Machines," Associated Press, Apr. 22, 2004
• "Electronic Voting's Vulnerability to Tampering Could Undermine Public Confidence in Machinery of Democracy," Interview with Bev Harris conducted by Scott Harris, Between The Lines, Week Ending 10/17/03
• "Human Rights Attorney Assesses Lasting Impact of'Stolen Election,'" Interview with Michael Ratner, conducted by Scott Harris, Between The Lines, Week Ending Dec. 29, 2000.
• "Civil Rights Groups Continue to Investigate Racial Voter Intimidation in Florida Election," Interview with Judith Browne conducted by Scott Harris, Between The Lines, Week Ending Dec. 3, 2000.

This week's summary
of under-reported news

Compiled by Bob Nixon

• In aftermath of the Chechen separatist siege and massacre at a Beslan, Russia school, some Arab leaders now criticize radical clerics and their endorsement of terrorist acts and violence against civilians. ("Rare Muslim debate over terrorist acts," Christian Science Monitor, Sept. 10, 2004)
• The Bush administration, which set aside $24 billion to rebuild Iraq's sewage treatment plants, electric grid, and plants to purify drinking water, had spent only $5 billion by last June -- repairing very little of the nation's damaged infrastructure. ("Fables of the Reconstruction," The Nation, Aug. 30/Sept. 6, 2004)
• Anti-environmental"wise use" groups of the 1980s -- which waned after the convictions of Oklahoma City federal building bombers Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols -- are now flexing their muscle against the U.S. Navy-endorsed international "Law of the Seas" treaty. ("'Wise Use' in the White House," Sierra, September/October 2004)
  

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Credits:
Senior news editor: Bob Nixon
Program narration: Denise Manzari
News reader: Elaine Osowski
Segment producer: Melinda Tuhus
Distribution: Anna Manzo, Harry Minot, Jeff Yates
Senior Web editor/producer: Anna Manzo
Web producer: Jeff Yates
Newswire editor: Hank Hoffman
Executive producer: Scott Harris
Theme music: Mikata