Congress Certifies Bush Win as Democrats Force Ohio Debate

Congress moved Thursday to formally certify George W. Bush's presidential victory, even as a small group of Democratic lawmakers attempted to draw attention to voting irregularities in Ohio.

Senator Barbara Boxer of California joined roughly 20 House Democrats in filing a formal objection to Ohio's electoral votes, which recorded a Bush margin of 118,457 over Democratic nominee John Kerry. The objection triggered a mandatory two-hour debate in both chambers.

Democrats cited long lines at polling stations, an undersupply of voting machines in heavily Democratic precincts, and computer malfunctions as evidence of systemic failures. Republicans controlled both the Senate and the House, making Bush's certification virtually certain.

Kerry declined to join the protest, writing that his legal teams had found "no evidence that would change the outcome." Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe urged the party to focus on strengthening electoral procedures ahead of the 2008 cycle.

Protesters, including former Green Party candidate David Cobb, planned to gather near the Capitol at midday.

Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this AFP wire report, first published in January 2005, in its own words.