What else can be done?

Diebold is not my problem. After the '04 election was when I began reading blogs. The stolen election lead me to working the polls. We were using paper ballots and pencils (no erasers). Then the guidelines of HAVA had to be met.

The county commissioners reviewed the options and chose the system that still uses a full paper ballot. Now we mark with black pens. The machine counts the votes from the paper ballot at the polls. When the polls close, absentee ballots are processed through the machine and then it is closed. The machine prints up a tally sheet with all the votes.

The ballots are removed from the machine. Those with write-in votes are separated by the machine and handled separately, as each write-in needs to be recorded on four different tally sheets. All ballots are then packaged.

The cartridge and the paper ballots go to a central location with all the other materials such as provisional ballots. Another count is done and printed up which then gets posted at the polling place.

It is a looong day. With this system it is possible to look at the actual ballots and count the votes, see what is on the tally sheet spit out by the machine and then see what the official tally is from the county's tally. They should match.

When I asked about challenging a vote count, I was told anyone could do this within a time frame with the proper forms for about $10.

There are some places that are really working to keep the integrity of the voting process.

So, back to those with Diebold. How about talking with those who offer the space for voting to take place and setting up another voting process outside. Using printed ballots and pens, ask people to vote as they did on the Diebold machine. Keep it clean with a variety of people from all parties and independents. This would inform all the voters about the Diebold problem, involve them in the process of seeing if their vote was counted by Diebold so they will follow the results more closely and perhaps be willing to engage in a challenge. The comparative data would be right there - no media scrathing of heads as to why exit polls were so off this year.

Do the above with local civics classes so more people participate.

Before the election go around to the voters informing them of the Diebold flaws and ask them to plan to vote with the alternative ballot.

Time and money and organizing skills. And deciding what is important and possible.

After the election is too late to start in with a "What the hey?!" I don't even want to hear about overwhelming numbers and legal challenges on Nov. 5th.

Btw, AG you are way too early for this kind of concern. We usually worry about the voting process about two weeks before the election.

Those who dance are considered insane by those who can't hear the music. (George Carlin)

The phrase "Wake the fuck up!!!" has never seemed more resonant to me.

You want to talk about "the news"?

Who's polling higher in Oshkosh?

Why?

It is just a gigantic hypno-op meant to divert attention from the real shit.

Wake the fuck UP!!!

Rec this one up.

Propagate it on any other blogs that you frequent.

Thank you and have a nice day.

And...WAKE THE FUCK UP!!!

AG


Goodness had nothing to do with it, dearie.-Mae West