So yeah, I got up bright and early and hit the polls at 7:20 am… (bet you’re surprised, eh Mom? Happy Birthday, by the way… ;-)) Overall, the experience was rather positive… In years past, I’ve always just voted absentee rather than visit polls in Kirksville, so this is actually the first time I’ve ever voted on election day.
Regardless, I had the option of using the electronic, touch-screen device, or I could have used the more traditional “scan tron” paper ballots… There were more people using the touch-screens, but still a good number using paper ballots. The touch-screen machines were quite easy to use and also included a roll of paper to print your votes, as well as store them within the machine. I’ve been reading through various articles about how easy it is to have an election stolen (great article, but a long read…) with these electronic voting machines, since many of them (the Diebold AccuVote TSX in particular…) have no sort of secondary printer to, in effect, “back up your vote.” In case of a recount, my vote can still be compared between the electronic copy and the paper copy that was printed and stored within the machine… So yeah, I felt much more comfortable about the whole experience after using that machine…
Note: If you want to watch the HBO documentary “Hacking Democracy,” regarding Diebold’s shenanigans, you can watch it on Google Video (for free)…it’s about 1.5 hrs long, but worth it if you don’t want to watch election coverage tonight…
…however, I did have one complaint, and that was with the actual voting using the machine. In years past, when I’ve done my absentee, I could always not vote on a particular issue or judge I knew nothing about… Unfortunately, each circuit judge on the ballot (and there were many…) had a “yes” or “no” option, not an “abstain”… Perhaps you could have just hit “Next” and skip over them that way…I dunno…and I didn’t try… I figure all those judges are doing alright, so whatever… 😛
For those that voted, what “methods” of voting did you have? Were there voting machines with rolls of paper included, or were the completely electronic with no paper “backup?” Were there lots of people still using paper ballots?
Regardless, I participated in the process of government today…
Tonight’s returns should be pretty interesting….
they better be pretty interesting
Electronic, paper backup, easy to use, no lines. I voted around the same as you, 7:20 this morning.
yeah, didn’t vote…tired of stupid politicians passing insults back and forth and ruining people’s privacy. It’s ridiculous. I can’t wait until some young guy (or girl, hells yes!) comes along and uses a completely different campaign strategy that actually SAYS what he/she’s for and against and actually makes him/her look like a real person. I think whoever would do that would stand out enough to actually make people like me come out and vote.
plus, I didn’t figure out the whole absentee thing in time so whatev….
I voted on paper (in Illinois). I too had the option of electronic or paper, and chose paper this time. They told me, before I went to vote, that if I didn’t know a judges name, to not vote for a judge. I bet you could have just clicked next.
well I voted the old fashioned way (with a sharpee) because there was a line for the electronic machine and I was on my way to work. and, yes, I’m amazed — can I say that again AMAZED — that you were actually AT THE POLLS??? at 7:20 am! Incredible! I’m proud of you son! Plus, the good guys won