Machine Problems Frustrate Early Voters [touchscreens switching McCain votes to Obama]

Decatur County Online ^ | 10/22/08 | Jennifer Clendenion

[OldGuard1]

Several Decatur County voters are concerned about problems with the voting machines at the Election Commission Office. Voters claim they tried to vote for McCain for President but the machine checked Obama instead.

At least three voters encountered the problem when casting their early ballot on Saturday morning. Franklin Boroughs says he intended to vote for Republican but rather the computer had checked the Democratic candidate instead.

Wanda and Barney Blasingim similarly said they tried to vote for McCain but the machine switched the vote.

"I noticed the problem immediately," Wanda said Monday. She says she touched the "button" for McCain a second time and the problem was corrected. Her husband said he asked for assistance from election workers and was told the error sometimes occurs when a person's finger touches close to the line of the box the candidate's name is in.

[gop4lyf]

The school that I teach in is a polling station. State law says that you cannot wear political articles of clothing or buttons or do any electioneering of any kind within several hundred feet of the door. I guess I will be wearing red that day too to try to send my own subliminal messages. Not that it matters, McCain wins Texas easily!

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

>I’m just not getting all this “early voting.”

It’s to foil poll watchers.

[pctech]

In Indiana they still have the old machines where you have to go in and pull an actual lever. What’s wrong with that?

[Russ]

You are witnessing America descending into a third world country right before our eyes. It is a product of thiry years of inferior public education, mindless sit-coms and reality TV, and a party-controlled news media. After Tuesday nothing will stop the slide.

[Queen of Excelsior]

I am 100% in favor of purple finger voting!!!

[reasonisfaith]

I’m with you.

[torqemada]

I believe there has been a judicial ruling that this “electioneering” thing only applies to individuals working the polls and not the voter. Voters (supposedly) are not to be barred from voting because they are wearing a campaign button, t-shirt, hat, etc. (as they have in the past). One can only presume that this does not allow individuals to just hang about the polling places with placards and campaign signs, however.

[PhiKapMom]

In Oklahoma no electioneering material inside the 300 foot limit. Wearing a shirt for a candidate has to be turned inside out.

Thought it was federal law the way it came out to us.

[w1andsodidwe]

It's real simple. Computers are the way to go, but get rid of touch screen and use a mouse or something.

This sounds to me like a lot people who can't touch the right spot.

[E=MC2]

In Indiana they still have the old machines where you have to go in and pull an actual lever. What’s wrong with that?

They can be 'pre-loaded' or modified with a file to give the advantage to a desired person.

[JohnBovenmyer]

For purple fingers to work we have to get rid of early voting and make the bar to absentee voting much higher. Otherwise Rats will just revote somewhere as fast as the purple wears off.

[omega4179]

Touchscreens do this all the time on ATM Machines and other applications. They are completely unnacceptable for voting.

[E=MC2]

If the Obama team wins this thing, what is to ensure that in four year time there will be another national election?

I think we will have elections. After all, Carter certified Hugo's election ...

[truthkeeper]

I'm just not getting all this "early voting." I thought election day was Nov 4? I understand the need for absentee balloting for those who are serving our armed forces overseas or otherwise away from their home on election day but that used to be done by mail and was the exception to the rule. Everybody else had to drag their butts to the polling places on the actual Election Day.
Early voting seems to me to set up a perfect opportunity for vote tampering. What happens to the ballots cast during the 7-10 days leading up to Election Day? How can we be sure they are not being tampered with?

I agree with every word of your post. This early voting is for the birds, it only gives an opportunity for mischief. If you can't make it to the polls on election day, vote absentee. PERIOD.

[JavaJumpy]

WHAT?

[jz638]

Wasn’t this idea floated on the simpsons halloween special? (With the opposite result of course)

http://mediamonarchy.blogspot.com/2008/10/homer-simpsons-vs-electronic-vote-fraud.html

[escapefromboston]

How hard would it be to just have paper ballots?

[huldah1776]

Strange, read on DU how they said votes for obamination were going to be switched to McCain and to watch out for it. Interesting. Last year I got to punch chads.

[tx_eggman]

I double checked my selections before hitting the send button.

There you go ... you just have to be smarter than what you're working with.

I'm thinking that if the machines cause any confusion it will be to the detriment of Lbama's® voters, not people with actual working brains.

[SunkenCiv]

Watch The Real Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson At Texas A&M Speak Instead of Obama......
BOND Action, Inc | 10/29/08 | abigail2
Posted on 10/29/2008 5:46:54 PM PDT by abigail2
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2119154/posts

JACK WELCH, FORMER CEO GE SAYS ‘NO’ TO OBAMA
CNBC Kudlow & Cramer Show | 10/29/08 | Kackikat
Posted on 10/29/2008 5:02:08 PM PDT by Kackikat
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2119118/posts