No one can prove who wins ANY election in America. We. Do. Not. Know.

[riqster]

I have been reading a lot about the NH results, and it has become very clear to me that, like Americans in general, many DUers do not understand how elections operate in 21st century America. So here's a brief primer on the process:

{1} Jane Q Public registers to vote. It might be by mail, in person, at the BMV, etc. Her registration is taken by a government employee (at the Board of Elections) and typed into a computer. After this, her original registration card is kept in a file box for a certain amount of time, but usually isn't seen again until it is disposed of. That computer links to a database that is designed, installed, and maintained by a private company, almost all of which are owned by Dominionist Republicans.

{2}From this point forward, that private entity controls whether or not Jane is allowed to vote. It or another of its ilk also sets up the means by which she votes, counts her vote, all the while keeping the entire process a a secret. The government has exactly zero control of the electoral process: it has been privatized. (Note: there are a few exceptions, and it is interesting to note that results from these limited areas that hand-count ballots often do not match those of the rest of the nation, which operates as above.)

What this means is very simple:NO ELECTION (THAT USES A COMPUTER) HELD IN THIS NATION CAN BE VERIFIED TO EVEN A REASONABLE DEGREE OF CERTAINTY.

We are left to draw inferential conclusions, based on exit polls (also done by private firms, and 'adjusted' before release to the public), advance polling data (likewise), and historical data, none of which have any real truth value with respect to the specific contest.

When your candidate wins, it may or may not be true. When your candidate loses,it may or may not be true (unless,like me, you back Kucinich. :P ).

So when questions are raised, remember these basic facts, and be supportive of election reform efforts. It is NEVER a bad thing to know the truth about an election. Look at the current paradigm, built on opacity and falsehood, and prove me wrong.

(edited to fix smiley)

[cali]

1. I consider myself fortunaate to be

presented with a big old paper ballot and a pencil, enter the rickety cardboard booth in the elementary school gym and mark my X next to my candidate of choice. Wish everyone had the same opportunity.

[riqster]

2. Gawd, I'm jealous.

Ohioans must now, on request, be given a Scantron ballot to be counted by a tabulator: not as good as your situation, but at least we can have a voter-marked paper ballot.

[MaineDem]

3. Maine Law mandates paper ballots

I am very proud of our Legislators who passed that bill a few years ago.

Recountable and we indeed do recount them in more than just a few races.

[riqster]

5. That's a huge factor

...in many states (like New Mexico), it is well-nigh impossible to get a recount: one wonders why they bother having paper ballots at all.

Good for Maine! The best chowder and good election law, maybe I'll move there.

[demnan]

4. K&R

Thanks for this! It's too late to lobby and get it now for 2008, but we should be lobbying for election reform in this country.

[riqster]

6. If we make enough noise, and it is visible, that is a big help

...we saw this in 2006: lots of visibility and lots of field observers, good organization: all of these helped to minimize the ability of the Fraudistas. Yes, we do need to change the laws, but I'll settle for public awareness for the nonce.

To quote that great philosoper AtLiberty: "Shine the light! Watch the cockroaches scatter!"

[AtLiberty]

7. K & R!!!!

Riqster, you're a boy genius!

[Ninga]

8. WE DO KNOW THAT "NICE" guys finish last. Just ask Kerry. He should have

won by enough votes to erase any doubts he was the winner...to over come any stealing....and he ran such a "nice" campaign that he left the door open for Ohio to be stolen.

ASK ANY AVERAGE MAN ON THE STREET AND THEY WILL TELL YOU THAT OVERWHELEMINGLY.....REPUBLICIANS FIGHT HARDER THAN DEMOCRATS.

[riqster]

9. True enough. I'll never forgive Kerry for that.

...but if we enact meaningful election reforms, that point will become moot.