Watched the entire Florida governor’s debate on MSNBC last night. The candidates and Chris Matthews went round and round over the implications of a paper audit trail.
The assumption was that the voter would walk away with a printout of his vote as cast, and that this would lead to something nefarious such as taking money from a candidate or having the choice “held against” the voters, such as from an employer.
Who defined the paper audit trail in this manner? It looks to me as if a false illustration has been used, ignoring the type of paper audit trail that I experienced here in Cook County.
The ballot I completed two weeks ago was cast on a touch screen, and included a paper audit which printed out as an electronic calculator does, on a continuous roll that is contained within the machine. The voter has already reviewed his/her choices on the screen, made any corrections, then reviews the pages of the paper trail as they print out one by one. This provides yet another chance to correct any errors. The voter doesn’t take home any evidence with which to accept a bribe or to be “blackmailed” in any way.
exactly. Matthews grew up in philly and he knows well how the Dem machine works here. They have gone right into the voting booth with voters. I’ve has assistants come in with me and point at certain candidates, suggesting not so subtlely that I should vote for them.
He doesn’t understand the issue. He’s talking out of his ass based on his experiences as a kid in Philly.
Hadn’t thought of Matthews “speaking from experience” in those repeated questions.
Is this a first for Chris, to be the moderator in an official state-level debate in prime time? I’ve seen many of his campus tour programs, but to be the sole moderator must please his ego. A blog this morning used the term “scaremongering,” and that how I’d describe this anti-paper audit maelstrom.
PS, I added a post to the “Midwest” tab, but due to some mishap, the new never appeared to alert you.
I saw Matthews argue the same on another show and was similarly confused. His father lives in NJ (now). Maybe that’s his “personal” experience.
Under the first Mayor Daley there was no paper trail for those old hard-to-pull machines. However, flimsy paper ballots were used in addition, for the 1972 Democratic Primary. Unsurprisingly, there were pre-marked ballots. After the polls closed, the judges counted and strung them like popcorn.