Analysts cite provisional voting flaws

[Terri]

Analysts cite provisional voting flaws

By Anne Gearan, Associated Press
Boston.com

WASHINGTON -- Provisional ballots, created to solve some of the problems from the 2000 presidential election, did not work as intended and might be more trouble than they are worth, election law specialists said yesterday.

Provisional ballots are a backup voting system required nationally for the first time this year.

They are cast by voters whose names are not on the rolls for some reason or whose eligibility is otherwise in doubt and are counted after the election if they are deemed valid.

More (http://www.boston.com/news/politics/president/articles/2004/11/16/analysts_cite_provis ional_voting_flaws/)

[Evelyn Levine]

We tried to tell the RNC they wouldn't work. But when you want to sign up a voter and he/she doesn't have proof of citizenship nor age, you gotta know there will be trouble.
Evelyn Levine http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/flag19.gif

[SkipK0911]

http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/star2.gif
The state of Georgia has once again proven itself a leader. I've listened to many folks complain, and for good reason, about our totally archaic, inadequate and prone to faults system of electing our representation in government: Look to the leader, Georgia, for the right way to conduct an election!

A short story of a close friend voting for the first time ever in Georgia. About six weeks prior to 02NOV2004, he started the registration process on his home computer. It took but a few minutes to fill out the on-line form. Several weeks later, he checked in on-line, and found that he had been placed on the roles. Two weeks before the election, he received his Voter Registration Card by mail, confirming what he already knew.

Since the Registration Card, contained his voting place information and further instructions -- "You must bring a recent photo I.D. in order to vote." -- he was all prepared to do his duty as an American citizen.

Came 02NOV2004, he appeared at the polling place, where he came upon a rather vary large and well placed sign, indicated "No political activity allowed within 150' of the building"

He entered the office and was met by a worker who asked him to fill out an information card, and to have his photo identification ready. After doing this, he stood in a short line where his identification was checked against the voter registration list, and his photo I.D. was checked off as accurate.

He then moved to another short line to vote. In his hand was the previously filled out voter information card. When his turn arrived, his card was taken and checked once again against another voter registration list. While standing in place, he couldn't help but notice the large signs indicating how to use the voting machine.

When he finally arrived at his designated voting machine, he found that it was "...easy enough for a child to understand and operate...:. If he did have a problem, there were people there to offer assistance. He used the touch screen to enter his votes.

After voting, he turned and thanked those who were there to assist and left for home. The entire process took 8 minutes.

If memory serves me correctly, Georgia was the very first state to post completed election results that day earlier this month.

I'm proud as can be that I live in such a fine state: We are considered "backwards" by many up north, but the entire country would do quite well by adopting Georgia's voting method!
http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/flag17.gif

[Whitetop]

Obviously the gentleman highlighted in the story lived on the opposite side of the state from the Florida state line. Therefore, there was no opportunity for stupidity bleedover into GA. You folks should be commended for a job well done.

[Markvh]

I'm troubled by the fact that provisionals in past elections, I've read, have been disqualified at a rate of 60-80%.

This time. tho, Ohio is only tossing about 20%.

In precincts with 90%+ votes going to 1 particular candidate, it's difficult to imagine objectivity in the counting process.

[SAMWICH]

To SkipK911, My Hubby spent 1971 at Fort Benning, after Vietnam. He liked it. Made friends even though he has a yankee accent. Basically he says good manners and respect have not gone out of style. Somebody needs to teach children respect for their elders and the south DOES DO THAT.