http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005 by the authors Mon, 6 Dec 2004 18:42:54 EST http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/12/06/091035.php#comment-102078 I agree there should be an independent means of verification, which would mean some kind of hard copy 102078@blogcritics.org Mon, 6 Dec 2004 18:42:54 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/12/06/091035.php#comment-102070 I have recently participated in witnessing a recount here in Indiana, in District 9, on the recount for the Baron Hill (D) - Mike Sodrel (R) - Al Cox (L). I will post a report on that shortly, but I will say that paper ballots were most useful in the recount. For the record, in my campaign for Secretary of State in 2006, I will insist on paper trails from the ballot box. 102070@blogcritics.org Mon, 6 Dec 2004 18:12:22 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/12/06/091035.php#comment-101992 BTW, I agree with your major premise, that there should always be a "hard copy" of a cast ballot in order to allow for credible recounts... 101992@blogcritics.org Mon, 6 Dec 2004 10:57:30 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/12/06/091035.php#comment-101991 "We seem proud of the almost 60% turnout we managed this year (the highest since 1968), but it is pretty damn pathetic compared to Australia which averages about 95%." In Australia, it's a CRIME not to vote. Literally. So, in other words, you have people with no clue, and no opinion, choosing random candidates in order to avoid criminal penalties. Sure, turnout is higher. But that's no way to run a democracy, IMHO... 101991@blogcritics.org Mon, 6 Dec 2004 10:55:20 EST