On "Returning to Paper Ballots".

[Wilms]

A lot of the "local paper" articles posted on the Daily Thread, and on the John Gideon/bradblog Daily Voting News, chronicling the unfolding "Train Wreck", often mention the "return to paper ballots" when reporting counties that won't be able to use the DREaded DRE, as had been planned.

And I feel GREAT! Down With Diebold! Down With ES&S! Down With Sequoia! (And don't forget Danaher, Hart/Intercivic, Liberty Election Systems, and Unisyn Voting Solutions, among others.)

My mind wanders down one of Norman Rockwell's streets on a cool moon-lit evening. There's a polling place there. And there's a flag pole from which the Stars and Stripes had waved before being lowered at sunset by the local Girl Scout Troop. Now, tethered to the pole, a dog (ok, my dog) is waiting patiently, yet excitedly, for his buddy. Inside, party officials stare over the shoulder's of poll workers, who, like Santa and good craftsmen, are checking twice. Excited onlookers clutch themselves and one another, daring only hushed exclamations. Except for the reporter. He has the same expression on his face as the party officials...

BUT WAIT! Oh NO!

("Poof" sound effect as thought bubble dissipates, and Drum and Bugle Corp music fades...abruptly.)

There's no Hand Counting being done! It's Optical Scan!

And THERE IS NO AUDITING!!!

An OpScan election without rigorous auditing ain't worth the paper the ballot was printed on.