OneWorld.net (U.S.)

OneWorld.net's take: All week, live, online town hall events (below) give you the chance to talk to experts about what's happening to suppress -- and protect -- Americans' right to vote this election season.

• The live broadcast will be carried at noon ET each day on this page (below) and on OneWorld.net's "Campaign '08" edition of Perspectives Magazine. Participate in the discussion all week long by posting your comments at GRITtv.org, or calling in at 866-466-2961.

• Live From Main Street is a production of The Media Consortium, a network of leading progressive independent journalism organizations that includes the Public News Service and OneWorld.net as well as nearly 50 other U.S. media outlets.

Virtual Town Hall Targets "Golden Week" in Battleground Ohio

From: Public News Service - OH

September 29, 2008

Columbus, OH – Ohioans eager to vote this election season may want to take note that the next seven days are known as Golden Week. This is a once-a-year opportunity to both register and vote on the same day. The television show, "Live From Main Street Columbus," will host a first-ever virtual town hall meeting, broadcasting from Columbus this week to investigate the event.

Show producer Tracey Fleischman says vote verification is an important issue, since voting troubles plagued Ohio during the last two presidential election cycles.

"There were so many problems with not having enough voting booths for people and polls closing and people not being on the rolls. This is really a chance for people to make sure their vote will be counted by casting it early."

The town hall will feature panel discussions, short investigative documentaries, and a statewide conference call with local leaders, according to Fleischman.

"We are broadcasting Ohio-based news on election protection and voting rights, and then we are also hooking up with national media and getting national leaders' input."

The town hall will investigate reports of voter suppression tactics, feature voter protection organizing and connect citizens with voting experts. New content will be distributed online daily at livefrommainstreet.org and www.grittv.org. Golden Week runs from Sept. 29 through Oct. 6.

Click here for an audio report and more on this and related issues from the Public News Service.

The Lineup

Monday September 29th:
As Goes Ohio
As the 2008 election looms, all eyes are turning to Ohio--a swing state that has been riddled with accusations of voter fraud. Join Bob Fitrakis and Donita Judge as we discuss voter suppression and protection in Ohio and other battleground states.

Part I


Part II


Tuesday, September 30th:
The Battle for the Vote
Our panel of guests (Wendy Wesier, Docia Buffington, Frances Fox Piven and Dr. Divine Pryor) will analyze the fight to register voters in battleground states and also examine the history of the voting rights crisis.

Part I


Part II


Part III


Wednesday October 1st:
High Tech Voting
Bo Lipari and Deanna Zandt will discuss the uses of technology in keeping the vote clean and how you can be prepared on election day.

Thursday October 2nd:
We've Got the Power
Find out the latest efforts to combat voter disenfranchisement, voting machine fraud, and how not to get turned away at the polls. This segment will also feature a discussion with Steven Rosenfeld and on-the-ground updates from Ohio's "Golden Week."

Part I


Part II