[EM] Voting machines

[JanetRAnderson]

> Since in the US, the
> districts buy their own machines, richer districts can afford top-of
> the line, first class democracy.  So, in the US, voting power is
> partly tied to wealth.  This helps out the Republicans, and is quite
> possible the reason that George W. Bush is now President Elect.

Blake,
You may know your math, but you sure have mixed up facts to arrive at the
partisan conclusion you wanted!  I believe most, if not all, elections are
conducted by Counties, not districts.  Most counties were formed at
statehood and were related  more closely to geography than population.
County income from taxes is influenced by the amount of commercial activity
in that county.  The "richer" counties usually host the largest cities which
tend to vote heavily Democrat.  The rural and suburban areas of a state,
usually host far less commercial property and by your definition rank among
the "poorer counties" and tend to lean Republican.  Let's try to hold down
the misleading partisan rhetoric.
Janet

----- Original Message -----
From: "Blake Cretney" <bcretney at postmark.net>
To: <election-methods-list at eskimo.com>
Sent: Monday, January 01, 2001 1:18 PM
Subject: [EM] Voting machines


> Here's an interesting way of looking at the recent American
> Presidential election.  Most Americans votes are tabulated by
> machines.  The two most common types, according to Time magazine (Nov
> 27, 2000) are punch card reader 34% and optical scanner 27%.
>
> Punch cards are the famous "hanging chad" style.  You line up a card
> of punch holes with the names of the candidates and punch out the
> corresponding hole.  However, voting machines tend to reject a lot of
> votes.  As well, this results in more voting errors due to the need
> for correctly lining up the two cards (apparently especially by the
> elderly).
>
> For the optical scanner you fill in a small circle by the candidate's
> name, using a pencil.  Since there is no need to line up two cards,
> there is less voter error.  If the voter notices an error, they may
> simply erase the bubble, rather than having to ask for a new card.  As
> well, there is less machine error.
>
> Now, it's pretty clear that a district using an optical scanner is
> doing better for its residents than one using punch cards.  More votes
> will be accurately counted for the intended candidate.  This
> difference could actually decide the winner in a close election.
>
>
> ---
> Blake Cretney
>