Posted on 11/05/2002 10:19:09 AM PST by TheConservator
Systematic problem statewide in Georgia confirmed: When placing vote, and touching the screen for a Republican candidate, the box is incorrectly checked for the Democrat candidate. Another similar situation is occurring when the review screen comes up and previously marked Republican votes are showing as Democrat votes... is happening in lots of different races. Officials fixing problems as they arise when made aware of them... Developing...
... and if it shows you voted for the "wrong" person what do you do then? ... or does everyone have the new right to change their vote at any time ?
Sounds like they were playing their games early .. you should report it and yes EVERY vote counts
I heard Rush mention earlier that the Unions boys were actually going INTO the voting booth to "help" folks vote up in Mass.
There is an easy solution. When you have placed your vote electronicly, the machine should print a paper copy. The voter reviews the paper copy, then deposits it into a lock box. If there is a question about the vote, the state can then go back and count the paper ballots to verify the accuracy of the electronic ballots.
This (potential for fraud or error) really depends on the way the counting is managed at the polling station. I've worked elections here in Toronto in the past and the system used is so simple it's practically foolproof. Allow me to elaborate...
We use good old paper ballots with the candidates names in huge type and a big circle beside each one for an "X" or checkmark, either is allowed but the X is the preferred standard. The ballot is placed in the box under the observation of two election officials. In each polling station are representatives of each official political party, but their role is strictly to observe. They are not permitted to speak to voters in any way shape or form that might be construed as councilling their vote. Violation of this rule is grounds for immediate removal from the facility under orders of the Returning Officer who is selected and trained by Elections Canada, an arms length agency with representation from all parties. Police are available should a party worker ignore the directions of the Returning Officer.
When the polls close the ballot box is emptied in front of all people in the polling station; election workers and party observers. The ballots are unfolded by one worker who calls out the voter's selection and displays the ballot so it can be seen by all present. Another worker records the vote on a master sheet, again in the presence of all in attendance. The ballots are very tightly controlled and at all times visible during the count. Party workers stand in a position where they can see everything but not close enough to be able to touch or handle a ballot in any way. It is virtually impossible to screw around with this process. It may sound primitive but it works.
One difference in our election procedures that I've noticed from that of The U.S. is that your system seems to rely more heavily on actual participation of the parties in the whole affair, whether that be running the electoral commissions or actually registering voters. Again, we use Elections Canada for this (the process of enumeration) and keep the parties completely out of it. I recall during the Floriduh fiasco in 2000 watching the recount and being stunned that you actually allowed party workers to handle the ballots. Attempting to touch a ballot at a Canuck polling station would result in immediate expulsion from the building, by a police officer if necessary.
I realize that there are quite often many more ballot initatives and propositions voted on during an American election than is usual in Canada, and that has often been suggested to me as the reason for a greater reliance on electronic or mechanical voting machines down there. I grant that this fact could make the use of paper ballots somewhat more cumbersome, but the fact remains that machines can be tricked or outright fail. IMO, the process of an election is so critical to the health of a nation that the convenience of a voter or electoral worker should be secondary to the need for a reliable and fraud-proof process of voting and tabulation. Politicos just cannot be trusted to leave their bias at the door if they are working a poll. I've threatened a number of party workers from various parties with sanction at polls and always been backed up by those in charge.
Paper ballots and hand counting may seem old fashioned and time consuming, but when done right can go a long way towards cementing the legitimacy of a vote. I can't believe that Americans put up with some of the nonsense I've read about here on many occaisions.
Have a great election day and here's hoping for a GOP led House and Senate!
I have another approach. Trust but verify.
So I went back and revoted. I imagine, I hadn't placed my finger in the exact spot needed when I cast the vote originally.
With the review screens, I don't see how this can be a problem. If your review screen isn't right, don't submitt the vote.
If it ever gets to the point where I'm afraid to cast a ballot I fear I won't live long or they won't live long -- depending on how accurately I shoot.
Well it should be pretty simple and a good way to highlight fraud. If I had a paper receipt of who I voted for plus an encrypted signature then I can prove that my reciept is valid and that the DNC rigged the machine.
Umm -- had that been me I'd be sitting in jail now and that worker would be in an ambulance. Stealing someone's vote is a serious affront.
Actually, it's not a terrible idea if the paper ballot includes a unique identifier and a time stamp. But if the paper ballot doesn't match with what the voter wants, while he or she's still in the booth, it must be disposed of in some way by the voter.
Not to say it can't be resolved but all of these electoral "reforms" come from the Dem idea that voters are not responsible for their votes.
Of course, there will now be Democrat lawsuits. Which will cause people to lose faith in elections. Which will depress turnout. Which is good for Republicans. I think.
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