What, No Paper Trail Until 2012???

Looks like we have some calls to make!


"Democrats in Congress who are trying to redesign the nation’s voting system generally share the same goals: an affordable, easy-to-use system with durable paper ballots that can be used by the disabled without help from poll workers.

But yesterday, as House leaders failed for a second day to reach agreement on the outlines of a new system, the tension reflected in those competing needs was clear. The desire to make every voting machine accountable is running head-on into other needs, from the desires of the disabled to the budgets of states and localities.

Given the tensions, voting analysts say, the decision disclosed Thursday by Democratic leaders to put off the most sweeping changes until 2012 — four years later than planned — was easy. Congressional leaders are reluctant to tell states to junk hundreds of millions of dollars of relatively new voting equipment until it is clear when better technology will emerge."


<http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/21/washington/21vote.html?_r=1&oref=slogin>



"Overhauling voting systems before next year’s presidential election had once been a top Democratic priority, primarily to allow greater accountability and be certain that all votes registered on computerized touch-screen systems were counted. But state and local elections officials told Congress they could not make the changes in time for the balloting in November 2008, particularly in light of the extra workload involved in preparing for next year’s much-earlier presidential primary season."


<http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/20/washington/20vote.html?_r=1&oref=slogin>

...if our votes don't count. This is one place we really need to put time and energy ~ it's what we can do NOW, rather than just argue about whether Hillary or Obama is the chosen one.

Just called my Congressman's office for an update ~ they'll call me back (fortunately they actually do that in his office.)

Seriously, what assurances do we have that the primaries will be clean? The Rethugs may try to throw it to the least electable candidate or to the most corporate-friendly candidate.

Hmmm...lucky we don't have anyone who's both corporate-friendly and unelectable. :sarcasm:

It is time to place some sort of control on the process. If nothing else, sufficient deterrence must be in place!!

...was winning the exit polls in Ohio. It seems many machines will still be easily tampered with unless the people convince their members of Congress that they must act quickly, no matter the cost.

Just wait. Someone will do a hack and a cartoon character will win a primary.

If you had to select a cartoon character that a hacker would have win the Rep. or Dem. primaries, who would you choose?

I have to go with Wiley E. Coyote, of course, for the Dem., and Goofy for the Rep.

Until we get rid of the electronic machines we have no vote. In Ohio we have a paper trail and the fraudulent recount preselected the precincts to be counted. OK... great..see... the counts match perfectly. It's pencil and paper for me! Peace, Kim

Remember Cruella Katherine de Ville??

<>

Hava compliant, inexpensive, paper trail included. Any question? Hand recount the paper ballots. This is so freaking corrupt and stupid. They are using the excuse of "used by the disabled without help from poll workers" to corruptly force black box electronic systems on us.

...if they don't care about ensuring that our votes count? What a joke it is for America to preach about Democracy to the rest of the world!

Why don't more people care that, after the fiascos of 2000 and 2004, Congress can't manage to ensure our votes in 2008??

Congress won't cut the funding for the war, refuses to impeach ~ and now they're crapping out on making sure that our votes count in 2008!

at least not a recognizeable one.

TC

I don't know why we should bother working to get Dems elected when those currently in Congress aren't willing to push to get this done for the American people. Where's Clinton? Obama? Biden? Dodd? Kucinich?

I hate to tell the dems, but if they do not get on this, there may not be a 2012 election. Even if there is the dems will probably be out of power and have no means to change the voting. I will call again. Please join me and tell all your friends to do the same.

If the Dems mess this one up, I'm done with the party. There is no Democracy without it.

Here. Have a look. (Thanks to DU's Livvy, and the Election Reform Forum's Daily News Thread)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=203&topic_id=478384&mesg_id=478399

...but when is the vote??

But I think we should all keep calling our reps to make sure they don't run out the clock on this one.

Congressional leaders are reluctant to tell states to junk hundreds of millions of dollars of relatively new voting equipment until it is clear when better technology will emerge."

We already have all the "tecchnology" we need. Paper ballots. Cheap, easy, and easily checked.

...and every voter should be able to take a copy of their vote home.

I've been so upset about this thing that my mother (also an active grassroots Dem who's feeling fed up) sent me these words of wisdom:



Handle every situation like a dog.

If you can't eat it or screw it,

Piss on it and walk away.



(I'm not there yet, but some days I'm pretty close...)