Senator Jim Webb Announces Victory

Thanks to each and every one of you for all the hard work you have put in over the past months to bring this day to fruition: I couldn't be prouder than to be part of such an energetic and committed effort to bring about positive change for our nation and for the world.

Created by tseaver. Last modified 2006-11-08 22:36:55.

I am gratified that the city precincts turned out for Jim Webb and against the first ballot amendment, in nearly identical numbers. We were able to get out a near-parity of votes for Shawn O'Donnell in the city, as well. Overall, the turnout was higher than for any non-presidential election ever! All of these results are evidence of the labor you have put into this campaign.

However, we aren't quite done. Here is where we are in the process:

• The election officials compiled the preliminary count for each precinct after the polls close. Those number are the ones we were watching on the TV Tuesday evening.
• Today, the electoral boards in each city and county met to perform two tasks: first, they reviewed each provisional ballot from the precincts, and ruled whether the voter was properly registered and qualified. Voters were entitled to present evidence to support their claim, and to ask for an extension of time. In Fredericksburg, we had a number of provisional votes which needed more time to research (e.g., with the DMV) than we had available, and so the board deferred final decision and count of the PVs until tomorrow.
• The electoral boards also "canvassed" the returns: basically, they performed detailed audits of the poll books, the accumulator tapes, and the statements of results from the precincts. In some cases, the boards may need to open ballot boxes to complete the canvass. Opening a box requires both permission from the state electoral board and notice to all candidates appearing on the ballot in that precinct.

  Fredericksburg's board has notified all parties that it will be opening several boxes tomorrow.

• Once the canvass is complete, and the qualified PVs have been cast and counted, the electoral board submits the certified results for the locality to the state electoral board. Those results are due by Monday afternoon.
• The state board will then issue certified results for the state.

As I write, the Webb campaign has already announced victory, with a margin of 7000+ votes: that number has remeained steady throughout today's statewide canvass, even in the face of the widely-reported Allen pickup due to a tabulation error in one of Stafford county's precincts. With the Webb campaign and the state party, I would like to offer the following observations / talking points; please pass them on to your friends, neighbors, and co-workers:

• The votes have been counted. Jim Webb has won.
• We have every confidence in the state's process of counting votes. Virginia has a history of handling close elections with efficiency and accuracy. George Allen should not throw that process into chaos.
• Jim Webb is up by over 7,000 votes. George Allen needs to understand that the votes just aren't there for him.
• George Allen and his team know this. They also know that they only prayer they have is to throw this process into chaos, and to try to manipulate votes after the fact.
• Allen has a long history of service to the Commonwealth: he should not jeopardize either his legacy or his future.
• If Allen wants any sort of political future, he should not drag the state into a costly legal battle. He should not jeopardize any goodwill he has left with Virginia voters.
• John Thune and John Ensign, for example, both lost Senate races but came back to win.
• John Ashcroft, Jim Sasser both lost Senates but ended up being appointed to Administration positions, because they left office with dignity.
• Virginians have spoken. It's time for George Allen to step aside and honor their wishes.

In the event that the certified totals entitle Senator Allen to request a recount (margin < 1% to request, < 0.5% to have the state pay for it), and that he so chooses, I will be asking for volunteers to help observe the recount. I won't know more about the date, duration, or number of volunteers needed before the middle of next week at the earliest.

Again, please accept my heartfelt thanks for a job well done!