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More Voting Problems Reported

By TChris, Section Elections 2006
Posted on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 11:21:15 AM EST
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Here's an update on today's election problems, as reported in the NY Times:

In Cleveland, voters rolled their eyes as election workers fumbled with new touchscreen machines that they couldn't get to start properly until about 10 minutes after polls opened. ...

In Indiana's Marion County, about 175 of 914 precincts turned to paper because poll workers didn't know how to run the machines, said Marion County Clerk Doris Ann Sadler. She said it could take most of the day to fix all of the machine-related issues.

Election officials in Delaware County, Ind., planned to seek a court order to extend voting after an apparent computer error prevented voters from casting ballots in 75 precincts there. County Clerk Karen Wenger said the cards that activate the machines were programmed incorrectly.

And in Florida, where voters will have the pleasure of voting against Katherine Harris if they're able to cast their ballots:

A precinct in Orange Park, Fla., turned to paper ballots because of machine problems. Voting was delayed for 30 minutes or more at some Broward County precincts, where electronic ballots were mixed up and, in one case, a poll worker unintentionally wiped the electronic ballot activators.
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    More Voting Problems Reported | 7 comments (7 topical)

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    Why why WHY.... (none / 0) (#1)
    by TomStewart on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 11:33:10 AM EST
    ..are we using machines when paper ballots are easier, cheaper, and harder to screw up?

    Madness.

    Note to Country (none / 0) (#2)
    by kdog on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 11:36:34 AM EST
    The mechanical machines used here in NY, and that have been in use since before I started voting, work like a charm.  No software, no programming, no memory cards, no shenanigans, no secret counting system.

    And from my experience in the building industry...mechanical valves are always more dependable than electronic valves...fwiw.

    If it ain't broke don't fix it...go back to mechanical.

    Unless (none / 0) (#3)
    by kdog on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 11:37:56 AM EST
    its the proverbial "fix" they are after...yep, thats the ticket.  The only reason not to use a mechanical machine is to put in the "fix", as far as I can tell.

    Parent
    Yep. (none / 0) (#7)
    by TomStewart on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 02:53:03 PM EST
    The mechanical voting was used when I was a kid  (way back in my home town of Pasco WA), and still used just until about ten years ago. But that's not the new thing is it? If it's old, there must be a better way to do it.

    Hey, let's use those new 'computer' things. They never make mistakes...

    Parent

    Diebold on my block (none / 0) (#4)
    by Dadler on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 12:03:32 PM EST
    Was surprised to find Diebold machines at my voting precinct for the first time.  After groaning and commiserating with the people in front of me in line (I must say turnout seemed much more robust), I promptly requested a paper ballot, as did the younger of my fellow waiting voters.  Confusion and a lack of confidence seemed to be the order of the day with the machines.  Elderly voters were confused and frustrated, and everyone seemed wary, but as if they didn't want to speak about it.  Or couldn't.    

    The sad part is, even if the Dems sweep this thing, there is no way for any of us to be certain that the vote was credible and secure.  That is maddening and shameful.  This should be a national holiday and every citizen should be involved in not merely voting but also counting.  Every street should be responsible for their votes, working together as neighborhoods and communities.  

    That said, good luck to all of us.

    Peace, my fellow free Americans.

    HAVA (none / 0) (#5)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 12:18:16 PM EST

    In the hysteria following Florida 2000 Congress passed the law that mandated and funded this circus.

    Ita really too bad that the elected Democrat election officials in Broward County in Florida were so intent on disenfranchising with a butterfly ballot all those Democrat voters.  Thats what started it all.

    Not to Worry (none / 0) (#6)
    by David at Kmareka on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 12:47:05 PM EST
    Bush has a plan to deal with any irregularity:

    http://kmareka.com/index.php/?p=634

    More Voting Problems Reported | 7 comments (7 topical)

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