Re
By Andrew J. Humm
Published January 30th 2001 in New York Times
The electronic voting devices being proposed by self-interested
computer companies are subject to large-scale tampering. We need a
simple, standardized, low-tech system like marking an "X" on an easily
readable piece of paper.
Canada votes that way and counts its ballots within a couple of hours. There is no advantage to knowing the result the instant the polls close, but an imperative that a verifiable paper trail for a vote be established. Machine voting does not produce a more accurate tally.
Since about half of eligible voters do not go to the polls, we also have to look at why our democracy is so anemic. Procedures like instant runoff voting and proportional representation would give many more Americans reason to participate.
Canada votes that way and counts its ballots within a couple of hours. There is no advantage to knowing the result the instant the polls close, but an imperative that a verifiable paper trail for a vote be established. Machine voting does not produce a more accurate tally.
Since about half of eligible voters do not go to the polls, we also have to look at why our democracy is so anemic. Procedures like instant runoff voting and proportional representation would give many more Americans reason to participate.