Not to change the subject, but we noticed that another Parade idea on that same page of last Sunday's issue was to have throwaway paper measuring cups so you don't have to wash any. The very next page had an "Intelligence Report" piece about how much paper Americans waste. That's Parade.

Self-printed ballots might work for some people, but perhaps the county could have some ballots available at the polls for those who a) don't have a computer and printer or b) don't like the idea of creating a ballot which could be seen or checked by someone (employer/spouse/parent/union leader/pastor etc.) prior to dropping it in the ballot box.

And, having a personal paper trail doesn't really help if there's need for a recount. Florida Nader voters in 2000 would have been scurrying to reprint their ballots to turn in to prove their Gore votes.

Unless you have a secure, integrated system, how would this "paper trail" help? And if you're going to do all that to make it work, why not just have online voting?

Brian A.
I'd rather be cycling.

I believe the idea is that when you turn in your paper ballot, it is optically scanned and retained by the election commission for recount/audit purposes, just like they do in states that use optical scan ballots. The benefit of optically scanned ballots is that a human can look at it and verify what it says against what was counted.

ST, pre-printed paper ballots would still have to be provided for those without the capability to print their own. The number of people printing their own, however, might significantly reduce the number of pre-printed ballots required.

(This was my response to Greg's email)

If the Election Commission could make sure the pre-printed ballots cannot be altered after being marked, I would like to set up a collection station where multiple ballots can
be filled out, each voter paid a "convenience" fee and then driven to the poll turn it in.

I know voters can be 'inluenced' now, but these ballots sure would make things a lot easier. We wouldn't have to rely on a voter's honesty or not voting the 'right' way once they get in the booth.

This comment is all in jest, of course. But, after hearing war stories from old Republicans and Democrats, one has to wonder how these ballots could be abused.

I'm not sure I see much difference in filling them out at the polls in person or filling them out ahead of time and turning them in at the polls?

(Although I have to admit that was pretty funny, CBT. Sounds like us Dems could use some lessons...)

The better stories I've heard have been from old Democrats.

Heh. This reminds me of:

"Don't buy a single vote more than necessary. I'll be damned if I'm going to pay for a landslide."

Joseph Kennedy, re. JFK's campaign.

Dems have lost the fire, apparently.