The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Nephythys

yeah- cause people are so scared and stupid that someone asking them for their ID makes them afraid to vote.

Someone asking them for ID and not handing them a balot (or computer login code) if they don't produce it prevents them from voting as is illegal.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

And regardless of what political side you are on, I think it is glaringly apparent that the voting system in this country is seriously broken at this point. There should not be questions so early on about alleged fraud (from both sides) all over the country and there shouldn't be people calling voters and spreading misinformation. Likewise, electronic voting machines are obviously not trustworthy enough to be counted on.

I am seriously dumbfounded and saddened at the overwhelming number of issues being reported in precincts all over the country. How can we expect people to vote if nobody on either side can trust that their vote counts for anything?

[Nephythys]

I understand the argument against poll workers giving bad info. I do not understand nor accept the ludicrous notion that requiring ID causes people to not vote, or feel that they can't vote.

Seems like a sure shot way to prevent fraud.

[wendybeth]

What I love is when we go to other countries to make sure their elections are above-board.

[Nephythys]

Originally Posted by Motorboat Cruiser

And regardless of what political side you are on, I think it is glaringly apparent that the voting system in this country is seriously broken at this point. There should not be questions so early on about alleged fraud (from both sides) all over the country and there shouldn't be people calling voters and spreading misinformation. Likewise, electronic voting machines are obviously not trustworthy enough to be counted on.

I am seriously dumbfounded and saddened at the overwhelming number of issues being reported in precincts all over the country. How can we expect people to vote if nobody on either side can trust that their vote counts for anything?

Amen Brutha MBC- my question is, how do you fix it?

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Nephythys

I understand the argument against poll workers giving bad info. I do not understand nor accept the ludicrous notion that requiring ID causes people to not vote, or feel that they can't vote.

Seems like a sure shot way to prevent fraud.

Which is fine, but a totally different discussion. No matter what the specifics of voting laws are, poll workers are by-and-large idiots and rarely know how to properly apply them.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Originally Posted by Nephythys

Amen Brutha MBC- my question is, how do you fix it?

I honestly don't know. It just seems like the old system served us well for many, many years. Sure there were occasional problems but overall it seemed far more reliable. I'm not convinced that electronic voting is anywhere near as reliable. Just too many problems so far.

Technology is a wonderful thing but until there truly is a tamper-proof way to utilize it, I think I am going to be an absentee voter from now on.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Originally Posted by Motorboat Cruiser

I honestly don't know. It just seems like the old system served us well for many, many years. Sure there were occasional problems but overall it seemed far more reliable. I'm not convinced that electronic voting is anywhere near as reliable. Just too many problems so far.

Technology is a wonderful thing but until there truly is a tamper-proof way to utilize it, I think I am going to be an absentee voter from now on.

I wonder if the problems we are seeing now are really worse than the past, or if in this age of instant information, we are more aware of them now.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Nephythys

Amen Brutha MBC- my question is, how do you fix it?

I honestly believe the first, and easiest, step is to actually properly educate the poll workers. 99% of the issues you read about are either caused or exacerbated by poll workers who don't know the laws, don't understand the system, don't know how to resolve issues if they come up, and don't know where to turn for help. That's a serious flaw and no matter what rule changes you make, if the people running the show don't understand how to enforce them, we'll never get anywhere.

[Nephythys]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Which is fine, but a totally different discussion. No matter what the specifics of voting laws are, poll workers are by-and-large idiots and rarely know how to properly apply them.

Gosh- what a nice thing to say about the people who take their day to help people vote.