[SATLUG] OT: Making sure my vote counts

[Dennis Myhand]

R. Tyler Ballance wrote:
> Does anybody know which, if any, of the precincts in texas are going 
> with electronic voting machines? (Personally, I think they're a bigger 
> threat to democracy than religious fundamentalists, but that's just me 
> with my "logical thinking" again ;))
> 
> When I voted last year (or year before last, can't remember) I 
> implicitly chose not to use the electronic machines in my parent's 
> precinct (San Patricio County) explaining to the two little old ladies 
> running the polling station that I wanted a paper trail of my vote 
> because its much harder to fake a paper ballot than it is an electronic 
> one, to which they replied "good point" and directed me to a table so I 
> could fill out my ballot.
> 
> We're all tech-savvy folks around here, so I'm certain most, if not all, 
> of you understand the crucial flaws in electronic voting, so the 
> question is this, _if_ they only have electronic voting machines in the 
> precinct I vote in next week, is there any way to (force?) request a 
> paper ballot to ensure that my vote counts?
> 
> 
> What can I say, I'm young and naive, and still think that my vote really 
> matters ;)
> 
> 
> Cheers
> 
> R. Tyler Ballance: Lead Mac Developer at bleep. software
> contact: tyler at bleepsoft.com | jabber: tyler at jabber.geekisp.com
> 
> 
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We are using Electronic Voting in the Victoria area.  They do not have 
to provide a paper trail since no one in the Texas Legislature sees the 
need for this requirement to be in the law which was passed requiring 
the e-voting machines (Big surprise there.  What Pol would think it a 
good idea to make it easier to keep an eye on them).  I spoke with the 
office of the Sec State about the e-voting machines in the state and was 
told there was "No way anyone could 'hack' into these and to stop being 
so paranoid."  I guess the only way is to take a piece of paper and pen 
with you and write down your votes.

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little too early for anything you want to do. -- Jean-Paul Sartre