[richlevy]

I was going to follow up with how you were probably right pre-HAVA. Even though HAVA did not require electronic machines with no paper trail, that is what many counties ended up buying.

Remember, in 2002 the Republicans were in complete control except for overturning a filibuster. After the 2000 election, the electorate pretty much demanded reform, but the Republicans demanded a 'registration fraud' component. Hence the use of Social Security verification, which can be a problem. I still have a Social Security card that states that the number is only to be used for Social Security.

Each state still can pretty much go their own way in deciding how the popular vote affects its electoral college votes. Ex-felons in Florida must have their voting rights reinstated but not in other states. Some states force the elector to adhere to the popular vote and others allow them to switch. Most states are winner-take-all, but two are not. Here is a nice overview.

Remember that presidential candidates must also register individually in each state.

It does seem odd that there are 50 different rules for voting for the same national office, and that a person could be eligible in one state and not in another.

BTW, this would be fun

What happens if no presidential candidate gets 270 electoral votes? If no candidate receives a majority of electoral votes, the House of Representatives elects the President from the 3 Presidential candidates who received the most electoral votes. Each State delegation has one vote. The Senate would elect the Vice President from the 2 Vice Presidential candidates with the most electoral votes. Each Senator would cast one vote for Vice President. If the House of Representatives fails to elect a President by Inauguration Day, the Vice-President Elect serves as acting President until the deadlock is resolved in the House.

Imagine an Obama-Palin adminstration.