Blunt Will Set Rules For Voting By Touch Screen (MO - Paper Trail Required

[hatrack]

"Any touch-screen voting machines used in Missouri elections must also churn out a paper ballot so voters can review them in the booth, says Secretary of State Matt Blunt in an announcement slated to go out today.

Blunt's edict is aimed at local election authorities who want to replace their punch-card ballots with the machines. But in St. Louis County, where authorities are considering a switch, the top election official says the mandate could prove costly.

However, Blunt says that's not the issue. "This requirement will enable voters to review their ballot before it is cast to ensure that it was marked as intended," he said in a statement made available Thursday to the Post-Dispatch.

The paper ballots also would serve as a backup if a machine fails or a recount is needed, he said."

EDIT

[tom_paine]

1. Hurrah!

Some one send this to Andy and Bev, if they don't know about it already!

[Bandit]

2. Recount ~ we don't need no stinkin' recounts

We trust the machines not the people. Contrary to what you may have been led to believe.
"I Trust the People" GW Bush* 2000
"Only the machines are objective, people are subjective so no recount" GW Bush* 2000

[sonias]

3. Outstanding, Way to go Big MO

At issue, for Blunt, is the growing national concern by a bipartisan cadre of critics that touch-screen machines could be susceptible to fraud. California, Washington state and Nevada also are mandating that touch-screen voting machines produce paper ballots.
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Please send this on across the nation.

Sonia

[GOPisEvil]

7. Sonia, if you have Adina's e-mail, you should send this to her!

More ammo!

[sonias]

11. Yes I did GOPisEvil

She moderates the Yahoo news group for Centex E-voting
The Yahoo list here
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/centex-evote/

The TX State initiative here (not very current)
http://www.safevoting.org/

Sonia

[Qutzupalotl]

4. "We could save so much money

if you'd just let us subvert democracy. Geez!"

[leftchick]

5. excellent...

I just emailed the entire article to my lame election official who claims the paper ballots are too costly. Thanks! :)

[Zhade]

6. Hell yeah!

Kickin' this baby! :dem:

[BadGimp]

8. now this is a positive development

The paper ballots also would serve as a backup if a machine fails or a recount is needed

nice

[oneighty]

9. To any conservatives tuning in.

It is also to your advantage to have a paper trail. The possibility of election rigging in touch screen voting is a two way street.

180

[Fovea]

10. Matt Blunt -- American Hero

And loyal son of Missouri.

[Lars39]

12. Blunt object????

I'm almost to the point where I think a *pencil and paper* coup is the answer.