This whole voting thing is "bass-ackwards"

[SoCalDem]

WE vote in secret (which actually makes our votes easier to manipulate)...

Our elected officials must vote in PUBLIC, where their votes are "used against" them in partisan squabbles..


I have a sneaky suspiscion that if they were allowed to vote in secret, a lot of the nonsense bills would NEVER pass..

I have no qualms about telling people for whom I vote..If you have a Kerry bumpersticker and sign, is your vote really "secret" anyway??

[mstrsplinter326]

1. The secret voting idea protects from bullying

I understand the idea and the sentiment, but I also enjoy my right to privacy (what's left of it anyway).

[Canuckistanian]

2. Years ago, things were different

During public elections (in the early 19th century), you had to stand up before all the candidates and the public and announce in a loud voice who you wished to vote for.

This sometimes led to verbal arguments and and sometimes fisticuffs and threats of reprisals.

The secret ballot model was introduced to end these intimidations and to make a more civilised election.

Many city councils are using computerized voting and finding the process much more quiet and efficient.

[Dookus]

3. not only bullying

but it prevents bribery. If I can't prove who I voted for, I can't get paid for doing so.

[ex_jew]

4. Actually people buy votes just the same as before -

they just have to trust the voter they're dealing with. It's such a vanishingly small factor in the cleanliness of elections that I personally am ALL in favor of ending the anonymous ballot.

One alternative would be to issue each voter a carbon-paper ballot with his name printed on it. He fills it out, then turns in one copy. Then, at any later time, he can compare his ballot with the one on file. He's only allowed to see the ballot cast in his name, so there's no way for a third party to get a look at it (except in case of an irregularity). Authorized officials can then audit a percentage of ballots by contacting the voters and confirming that their ballot was accurately recorded.