The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has delayed the California recall election to March 2004. The basis of this ruling stems from the antiquated punch card ballots that raised much ire during the Florida election fiasco. Since the error rate is higher than that of optical scan or electronic balloting, punch card ballots were deemed obsolete and were to be replaced by next March. This finding of obsolescence by the Secretary of State was based on the fact that there were to be no more statewide elections until then. However, with the recall in October, 6 counties including Los Angeles, San Diego, and Santa Clara, could not get their new systems up and running by then, meaning they had to go back to the punch cards. This, proponents argue, would violate the Voting Rights Act in which every person has the right to have their vote correctly counted. Thus, the 9th Circuit, known far and wide as the most left-leaning appeals court in the country whose decisions have been overturned by the Supreme Court more times than any other court, agreed with the argument and delayed the election. Opponents argue punch card ballots in California have not had as big of a problem as Florida has had and in most times, run smoothly. If the process can be used to elect the governor, why can't it be used to recall him?

What does this mean for the poor voter? Interested parties have a week to appeal. The election for now is going on as planned. But if the decision holds, we may have to go through this recall stuff for four more months, by which time we'll be out of our minds while Davis most likely would stay in office since the Democratic Presidential Primary would be occurring the same day, sending out Democratic voters in droves while Republicans not interested in the recall would have even less incentive to vote since President Bush is running opposed for the party ticket.

Two unrelated side notes: Did anyone see the statue of Mark Twain/Samuel Clemens in Doe? It looks freaky, just staring at the wall like that. It should be in a more high profile spot. And another cuz of mine has a birthday today, this time it's Christy who turns 20.