perrin_for_paul
Member
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2008
- Messages
- 85
So I just got back from voting. I am a precinct leader, and went in early to ask some questions and introduce myself. I was not happy at all with how it went. (sorry this is long...I'm kind of angry)
1) I asked for a paper ballot, since they are required to have them on hand in case of machine failure. I was told that they cannot give out paper ballots unless the machines are down, even if you request to use one.
2) I asked if there would be an sort of receipt either given to me or for the poll workers showing the vote totals (I already knew the answer, but still don't like it)...no.
3) I asked if the results would be read at the precinct when the polls close. The answer was no. They take the cartridges from the machine to the election commission (the head poll worker at each precinct takes them). I asked how that was possible, since the SC constitution states that the ballots would be counted in public. The answer was that I "could see them reported on TV...that's public."
4) When I voted, the touch screen instructions were confusing. After I selected the candidate, it asked me to press "confirm" on the screen. The next screen also said to press "confirm," and had the same button, but there was also a red flashing "vote" button on the top of the machine (not on the touch screen). The poll worker said I needed to press the "vote" button, and when I did, the screen asking me to confirm went away and only showed instructions to the poll worker saying that the cartridge must be reinserted before the next voter. I took information design classes in college, and this was not good information design.
5) All of the poll workers were very nice except the head guy, but he was the only one who knew what was going on. The others said they were just there to mark people off the list when they came in. I voiced my concerns about not having a paper trail or physical confirmation of any sort, and here is the conversation (somewhat paraphrased):
him: that would be ridiculous and unnecessary
me: why can my ATM could give me a receipt and the voting machines can not?
him: its too expensive, ridiculous, and unnecessary
me: I work on computers 17 hours per day, and I know how vulnerable they are, and I would much rather have a paper ballot
him: you weren't around in the 70's when poll workers had to stay half the night to count ballots and then wait another few hours for the police and election officials to confirm and seal the ballots. it is much better now. less errors when machines do it. people mess up.
him: (wanders off)
Alright, that's all of my vent...don't feel much better though. This guy was not very helpful, not very nice, and made me feel worse about a situation I already wasn't happy with. I'm not giving up, but I don't think there's any way that the SC primary is going to be accurate...and we'll never know for sure.
On the plus side, I was exit polled
GO RON PAUL!
1) I asked for a paper ballot, since they are required to have them on hand in case of machine failure. I was told that they cannot give out paper ballots unless the machines are down, even if you request to use one.
2) I asked if there would be an sort of receipt either given to me or for the poll workers showing the vote totals (I already knew the answer, but still don't like it)...no.
3) I asked if the results would be read at the precinct when the polls close. The answer was no. They take the cartridges from the machine to the election commission (the head poll worker at each precinct takes them). I asked how that was possible, since the SC constitution states that the ballots would be counted in public. The answer was that I "could see them reported on TV...that's public."
4) When I voted, the touch screen instructions were confusing. After I selected the candidate, it asked me to press "confirm" on the screen. The next screen also said to press "confirm," and had the same button, but there was also a red flashing "vote" button on the top of the machine (not on the touch screen). The poll worker said I needed to press the "vote" button, and when I did, the screen asking me to confirm went away and only showed instructions to the poll worker saying that the cartridge must be reinserted before the next voter. I took information design classes in college, and this was not good information design.
5) All of the poll workers were very nice except the head guy, but he was the only one who knew what was going on. The others said they were just there to mark people off the list when they came in. I voiced my concerns about not having a paper trail or physical confirmation of any sort, and here is the conversation (somewhat paraphrased):
him: that would be ridiculous and unnecessary
me: why can my ATM could give me a receipt and the voting machines can not?
him: its too expensive, ridiculous, and unnecessary
me: I work on computers 17 hours per day, and I know how vulnerable they are, and I would much rather have a paper ballot
him: you weren't around in the 70's when poll workers had to stay half the night to count ballots and then wait another few hours for the police and election officials to confirm and seal the ballots. it is much better now. less errors when machines do it. people mess up.
him: (wanders off)
Alright, that's all of my vent...don't feel much better though. This guy was not very helpful, not very nice, and made me feel worse about a situation I already wasn't happy with. I'm not giving up, but I don't think there's any way that the SC primary is going to be accurate...and we'll never know for sure.
On the plus side, I was exit polled
GO RON PAUL!
