Electronic Voting

[DanaC]

I hate the idea of e-voting. I like going to the ballot box and placing my cross on the paper. I think it gives it more of a sense of occassion. I really hate the way the 'theatre' of elections has been watered down. I don't mean the lying (sorry acting) of politicians...that's alive and well:P But the whole business of balloons and badges and people with loudspeakers driving round towns playing music and generating excitement. We're in danger of over sanitizing elections in my country, I think. There's room for excitment and tradition.

[TheMercenary]

We have had E-voting in Georgia for a number of elections now. There were few problems. It seemed to work. I think they are going to begin to mandate a paper back up now but I can't remember if it passed or not.

All this conspiracy bull shit about purposefully fixed voting machines in the US I believe is crap. Errors? sure, quite possible. Some kind of grand conspiracy to defraud the US public, unlikely.

[Flint]

Sure, nothing like that has ever happened before.

[TheMercenary]

I am just looking for someone to present concrete evidence of some grand conspiracy. So far no one has been able to do so.

[Flint]

Wouldn't it just be business as usual; but with newer, better tools?

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by Flint

Wouldn't it just be business as usual; but with newer, better tools?

That would be true if you bought the fact that there was widespread fraud in any history of recent elections. I do not.

[Happy Monkey]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

I am just looking for someone to present concrete evidence of some grand conspiracy. So far no one has been able to do so.

Why do you need concrete evidence that it has happened? Isn't it enough that there is concrete evidence that it is insanely easy to do and therefore, if it hasn't happened already, it eventually will?

[piercehawkeye45]

I have no idea if this answers your specific question Merc because I haven't read it but this may help you.

Fixing Elections: The Failure of America's Winner Take All Politics - Steven Hill

http://www.amazon.com/Fixing-Electio.../dp/0415931940

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45

I have no idea if this answers your specific question Merc because I haven't read it but this may help you.

Fixing Elections: The Failure of America's Winner Take All Politics - Steven Hill

http://www.amazon.com/Fixing-Electio.../dp/0415931940

No, that is about the electoral vote process and how he thinks the system is broken. As soon as we go to a general vote rural states will lose a voice.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by Happy Monkey

Why do you need concrete evidence that it has happened? Isn't it enough that there is concrete evidence that it is insanely easy to do and therefore, if it hasn't happened already, it eventually will?

You have to be kidding right? You think just because something can happen it will. We could have a nuclear war but we haven't. Yea, I want concrete proof of widespread voter fraud in US elections. Got any?

[tw]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

That would be true if you bought the fact that there was widespread fraud in any history of recent elections. I do not.

It's called a graveyard mentality. The obvious problem does not exist until hundreds die. TheMercenary is simply using the same logic to prove no voting problems will even exist until fraud elects a president. Graveyard mentality.

[bluecuracao]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

You have to be kidding right? You think just because something can happen it will. We could have a nuclear war but we haven't. Yea, I want concrete proof of widespread voter fraud in US elections. Got any?

Oh, it happens.

Flyers have been sent out to misdirect voters on dates and polling places. Official-looking people have been stationed at polling places to intimidiate voters with demands. In Philadelphia, it's been taken a step further with physical violence.

[Griff]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

You have to be kidding right? You think just because something can happen it will. We could have a nuclear war but we haven't. Yea, I want concrete proof of widespread voter fraud in US elections. Got any?

We have to remember who is running the elections, partisans of the two major parties. They both try to game the system with varying success. Both groups of partisans are true believers so even cheating is righteous. There is cheating in every election from Lincoln marching Republican boys to the polls to Democratic caskets voting in Philadelphia.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by bluecuracao

Oh, it happens.

Flyers have been sent out to misdirect voters on dates and polling places. Official-looking people have been stationed at polling places to intimidiate voters with demands. In Philadelphia, it's been taken a step further with physical violence.

Note key word "widespread". None of that has proven to made a difference in the eventual outcome.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by Griff

We have to remember who is running the elections, partisans of the two major parties. They both try to game the system with varying success. Both groups of partisans are true believers so even cheating is righteous. There is cheating in every election from Lincoln marching Republican boys to the polls to Democratic caskets voting in Philadelphia.

But the bottom line is that it has made little difference in the eventual outcome.