Reply #6: I got it back to 4 Recs as soon as I read the part in the OP that said "Shit no!"

[Bill Bored]

As to why someone would un-rec, there are a lot of folks who still think scanners aren't computers and are lots better than DREs and that when the public counter on the scanner increments, it means the votes will be counted as cast like on a lever machine (no vote switching possible on lever machines!). And they think that because scanners are a step in the right direction for some DRE states, they shouldn't be trashed in public, but more like in private, or among election lawyers who stand to make fortunes representing candidates who want to get recounts, etc.

In other words, there are some vested interests out there who want the scanners.

So maybe your candidates should lawyer up and get those hand recounts -- at least the apparent loser should. The apparent winner should get his lawyer to fight AGAINST the recount, just like Bush v. Gore. The courts and these lawyers will end up deciding the outcome of the election. The voters just show up and vote.

What do you think will happen next? Are Vermonters so damn polite that they won't go to court to find out who really won an election?

(Of course, it may be too late to find out for sure, since the paper ballots are no long in public view.)