Eliminating Exit Polls ... a new strategy?

[sunnystarr]

I have this inner dread about the call to eliminate exit polls. Bush has personally stated this. Other Republicans and their pundits have stated it as well. I found it mentioned in one of HAVA hearings from 2001 as well: "Representative Ehlers said...we need to prohibit exit polling and revealing election results before the last vote is counted" http://www.nist.gov/hearings/2001/elecref2.htm

Since exit polls are used internationally to point to any suspicion of election fraud, why would anyone want to eliminate them in the U.S. unless they want to continue with election fraud undetected, without raising any flags?

Am I offbase on my fears? Is this an issue that we should fight to protect in our democracy (when we get it back)?

I'm just afraid that if we ignore it then the main election instrument that can used as a measurement of accuracy will be taken from us.