(no subject)

[rm]

Massive number of links on my friends list this morning on voter fraud, and the fact that pretty much 3% of votes in every presidential election are uncountable for any given reason.

This is bad. Really really bad. And if the story gains momentum and makes it to the mainstream press, I can't even imagine.... I mean this shell shocked misery is one thing, but what if the exit polls weren't wrong?

You know, if our national ATM network works, why the hell can't we figure out how to have every vote counted, accurately and fairly?

I'll put the list of links together tonight, but here's this for now: http://www.livejournal.com/users/womzilla/102943.html?#cutid1

Comments

[ali-highland.livejournal.com]

There is one precinct in Ohio where the states own reports lists 638 votes cast, 260 for Kerry and 4,200 for Bush, the totals for congressional candidates in that precinct match the 638 total or thereabouts.

It is either a typo or very very scary.

I am very mistrustful of the electronic voting machines, the company is not very good at security and the fact that discrepancies have been found in a lot of less important elections using them is starting to bother me. In other countries that use the same machines from the same suppliers they also print off a paper confirmation ballot that is then put in the ballot box, the electronic count is used but if there are questions the paper ballots are recounted.

This is what was advised in Fla and Ohio but was not done. Don't know why not. As it is blackboxvoting.org are requesting copies of all system, voting and audit logs from the machines under the freedom of information act. But this could take us to christmas to figure out.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Also, it is my suspicion that we're so "for the good of the country" and not wanting to upset people in all this, that no matter what recounts show and by whom, nothing will change.

[delchi.livejournal.com]

There has been some debate in my circles about the legality of the concession. Some say that it's not legally binding, others say it is. I can't find proof either way.

If some kind of error ( either tampering, fraud, human error , or otherwise ) is discovered and the actual results differ from what we have been told, it will be interesting to see who goes along with it and who plays the ' for the better of the country ' card.

IMHO, if the results favor Kerry, but it's all brushed over ' for the good of the country ' , I think we will see something that will make the ' Florida fiasco ' look like a 8th grade dodgeball contest on a Saturday night.

[rm.livejournal.com]

You know some stupid people. Technically, the election hasn't even been decided yet. Hello, Electoral College?

[delchi.livejournal.com]

I don't think there is any question in your mind or mine that I definately know some stupid people. Given that, I will say that some people think that the concession means that the EC doesn't matter since the opposing party gave up. ( Yes, I know this sounds dumb - but there you go ). My question is, is the concession legally binding at all? Does it really matter?


As far as the EC goes, Do you think we will see some no faith[1] votes or will they all vote in line with the popular ?


[1] I think that's what it's called, when the EC represenatitive votes against the popular vote.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Concession is a political concept, not a legal one.

[delchi.livejournal.com]

That's what I thought, I was looking for some proof to back it up.
Tnx.

[holdmycoat.livejournal.com]

Gore conceded the election in 2000 then recanted. In fact Kerry said that was one of Gores biggest mistakes since alot of people think that the concession is the end of an election.

[ali-highland.livejournal.com]

Florida is my greatest suspicion, everyone just assumes that it is all above board and legit, when 4 years ago it came down to 500 votes how is it suddenly closer to 500,000 now?

No paper trail, no audits, a huge difference from the exit polling and the incumbants Brother in charge.

Not good

[schmidtybooger.livejournal.com]

Holy crap.

Now that you mention it ...

[delchi.livejournal.com]

You know, if our national ATM network works, why the hell can't we figure out how to have every vote counted, accurately and fairly?


From a geek point of view, that would be an interesting network to use to pass electronic vote information. Not the 1st tier though - as most ATMs now report in via phone lines, but between the central reporting areas and the banks. Hmm... That could be interesting.

[sethg]

I believe that the Republicans would have won even if they hadn't tried to cheat--they were even better at turning out their base than we were at turnout out ours--but the breadth and intensity of Republican dirty tricks really needs to be publicized, and I have zero confidence in the mainstream press doing so. More thoughts here.

[random-goblin.livejournal.com]

You know, if our national ATM network works, why the hell can't we figure out how to have every vote counted, accurately and fairly?

sadly almost anyone with a good understanding of the problems involved in electronic voting has said.. don't do it, use paper and pencil instead it's more accountable.

a typical informed review of diebold's stuff here (http://avirubin.com/vote/response.html), the main media of course gloss over these things as too tricky for people to understand (quite possibly including the journalists) and so it has all become a case of "pay no attention to the man behind the curtain".

at best the e-voting is just poorly implemented, at worst... well bush always said it would be easier being a dictator.

[lllvis.livejournal.com]

"You know, if our national ATM network works, why the hell can't we figure out how to have every vote counted, accurately and fairly?"


A-MEN. We have Coke machines that are smarter and easier to figure out that our ballot process. But then I've also seen a few people who couldn't figure out a Coke machine, too...but I doubt it would hit the 3% mark!

[heron61.livejournal.com]

Also, most of Ohio uses the same ballots that were used in Florida in 2000, punch card ballots with the infamous hanging chad problem. I'm growing increasingly certain that this election was a lie.