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"Secure Elections Act" Coming Up For Vote

Posted by kdawson on from the paying-for-paper dept.

Irvu writes "The US House of Representatives is considering HR. 5036, the 'Emergency Assistance for Secure Elections Act of 2008,' as introduced by Representative Rush Holt. The bill is scheduled for a floor vote later today. It would provide for emergency paper ballots, money for the addition of voter verifiable paper ballots to existing systems, and post-election audits. Crucially, the change to paper is opt-in, making it possible for local jurisdictions to govern their own choices. Here are two summaries of the bill. It was reported out of committee with strong bipartisan support. As of this morning the White house has opposed the bill but not threatened a veto, and some previously supportive Republicans have now changed their tune. Calls may be made to your house rep (click on 'Find your representative'). Here's a sample support letter."

5 of 83 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Nonsence... by Metasquares · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Holt is one of the few congressmen who have actually earned my respect - and he's one of the few I'd actually expect to sponsor such a bill without any traps.

  2. Crucially Broken by Doc+Ruby · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Crucially, the change to paper is opt-in, making it possible for local jurisdictions to govern their own choices


    Yes, that is crucial. Because in the jurisdictions that are running rigged elections, that don't want to leave evidence of their rigging, or are just getting bribed by crappy non-verifiable voting machine vendors to buy the crap, despite how it fails any reasonable quality test, those jurisdictions don't have to change anything.

    A good bill would require opt-out, and only subject to some accountability, like a judge's decision that there are extenuating circumstances, or a (paper trail) vote by the people in the jurisdiction.

    I mean, who else but a crooked politicial or a salesperson for a crooked or broken machine could possibly have a reason to opt out, when it's all paid for by the Feds (you and me)? What kind of priorities put anything above the integrity and respectability of our most essential link to democracy, the counting of our votes?
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    make install -not war

  3. Re:Nonsence... by mweather · · Score: 4, Insightful

    A fair election? You mean this ends automatic ballot access for Democrats and Republicans, as well as matching funds?

  4. No surprise by stonecypher · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The president whose election tallies were never counted, in the closest election we've had in more than a century, doesn't want verifiable voting. I wonder why.

    Tin foil hats won't cover this one. :(

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    StoneCypher is Full of BS
  5. Re:Nonsence... by Chris+Burke · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Not that fair...

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    The enemies of Democracy are