OK, we need a paper trail for verified voting...What else?

[fujiyama]

OK, whenever someone brings up electoral politics and any race, someone chimes in with a snarky "well it means nothing...it's all rigged".

Frankly it's a cop out and it's getting old.

It may have some truth to it. Unverified voting is a problem. I'm suspicious of it myself. I definetely favor a paper trail.

But that doesn't mean we should focus on nothing else. It IS important to see how we can do better. It isn't a mistake to look at strategies in which we appeal to different groups in more effective ways. And it isn't a mistake to stop thinking of '06 just because the exit polls were suspicious.

For example, one post claimed that the governor's race in MS was rigged. Why? Because he has a poor approval rating now.

Guess what MS is a VERY conservative state. It should come as no surprise that he won or that his constituents aren't happy. It's just that they would still rather have him because he exploits race and cultural issues better.

I agree we have to first convince Dem politicians to be more assertive and aggressive on this matter, because their own seats could be at stake. That's the only way the politicians will act - if it affects them personally.

But we need to focus on this issue smartly...and very precisely. Blanket judgements of every election we have isn't healthy at all. A healthy skepticism (and even some cyncism) can obviously never hurt, but once you simply give up, it's all meaningless.

[OneBlueSky]

1. what else do we need? . . . how about . . .

some Democratic representatives and senators who don't spend all their time enabling BushCo? . . . you know, an OPPOSITION party! . . .

[Paul Dlugokencky]

2. We've finally got that at last

with Harry Reid, Barbara Boxer, Ted Kennedy...



http://www.cafepress.com/kickindemocrats

[OneBlueSky]

11. yeah, that's why the Real ID Act passed unanimously . . . n/t

.

[RC]

3. It is not a paper trail we need, it is human readable paper ballots.

With the proper safe guards, machine readable, fine. But if there is any question, the ballots themselves can be looked at and counted directly.

Most "paper trail" schemes involving machines are wide open to vote rigging. We need to pay special attention to the wording involved, because if we don't they most certainly will. Loopholes anyone?

[In Truth We Trust]

4. We need Paper ballots NOW!!! Hand counts NOW!!!

This is the best possible solution. It is by far the safest method of voting and surely would insure against widespread fraWd.

[tjwmason]

5. Proper voter I.D. as well

Britain has hand-counted paper ballots (thank goodness), but due to the lack of I.D. (especially in the case of postal votes) our system is very very far from secure.

[harpo]

6. Instant Runoff Voting!!!

http://kucinich.us/issues/campaignreform-irv.php

[marions ghost]

7. Paper "trails" mean nothing

It's paper ballots that we need.

Check out the Elections forum.

[liberaltexas]

8. You couldn't be more right!!! Paper ballots, not punch cards or otherwise

THERE is NO NEED for automated voting machines. Counts can be done by hand, it's not impossible, it doesnt' take too long. Screw the media who needs to know in a few hours after the election. We need REAL paper ballots. Not punch cards and not audit trails.

[msongs]

9. we need elected democrats who are NOT total toadies and cowards to the

republicans and traitors to democratic party voters.

where is the total and unyielding opposition to republican hate policies, with all the dems voting in unison to be the OPPOSITION party?

where is the demand for fair, clean, open, honest, and VERIFIABLE ELECTIONS? (psssst, there is practically none)

Msongs
www.msongs.com/liberaltshirts.htm

[Hubert Flottz]

10. RE: "we need a paper trail for verified voting"

That's the main thing we need! We just had two winners in the last two elections, but the votes didn't get counted!

MORALITY is counting EVERY VOTE!