Californians, Can we start an initiative, to require

[mitchtv]

un-tamperable voting machines statewide?I am no expert, but it sounds like a winner.

[CAcyclist]

1. I'm in and I'm sure Kevin Shelley would be on board

We'd just need a lawyer that can write the initiative and we'd be on a roll.

Or an amendament to the state consititution declaring we have an inalienable right to vote.

[mitchtv]

2. Both and a same day registration

also.Jail time for violaters. We'd need to settle on a fool proof system first.

[waldnorm]

3. Same Day Registration Was on the Ballot in 2002

and it lost by 60%. The main arguments were our state is too big, it would cost too much, illegal aliens would manage to vote, yada yada. I'm all for it, but it may be a bit of an uphill climb. Granted, 2002 was a low turnout election.

[Liberty Belle]

5. A good way to keep Reps off the street

Jailing those who intimidate and defraud voters sounds like a good way to get lots of Republicans off the streets!

[Liberty Belle]

4. Is there such a thing as an un-tamperable machine?

I don't trust any voting machines. The voting machine companies are run by crooks, by and large, who have already been convicted of bribery and suborning public officials. Malicious programming could change votes even in machines that weren't hacked from outside.
I'd favor an initiative that requires paper ballots where we mark an X? If it takes longer to count them, it's worth the wait.

Also, no picking up ballots or counting votes by outside vendors (especially those with Bush-Cheney bumper stickers)!
This work must be done by non-partisans and witnessed by either the media, represesntatives of each political party that wishes to send a representative, or both.

Let's mandate a minimum number of voting machines for each precinct, based on the number of registered voters in each precinct. No more 12 hour lines in minority neighborhoods while wealthy white GOP voters get finished voting in 10 minutes!

Can we get Bev Harris at blackboxvoting.org to work with other experts on this stuff and draft up petition language? I'll gladly get a few hundred friends to start circulating them!

[mitchtv]

6. I prefer an X myself, but Ca ballote can get Huge

somehow they can make ATMs pretty well, with few errors, however. If you had an ATM type votercard maybe it could work. I like the idea about mandated number of machines. Incidentally my motor voter registration didn't go through and I was denied a vote in 2002. What a scam that is.

[Liberty Belle]

7. ATMs and voting machines

I hate to inform you, but the same companies that make voting machines also make ATMs. In fact, Air America reported that Diebold got a contract to sell ATMs in Iraq.

[Cleita]

10. Banks do not take the figure on the ATM tapes at face value.

A hand count is done of the money and deposits to verify the machine count. No bank or large retail store would take the risk. If Walmart and Bank of America can do a balance countrywide on a daily basis, there is no reason we can't do it every couple of years.

[Misskittycat]

8. I usually hate the ballot initiative approach, but I'm in.

This is a legitimate reason for the citizens to take control of a lazy government that won't respond to this basic need. P.S. I'm in San Diego.

[Cleita]

9. I think we need to demand an old-fashioned hand count

to verify the voting machines. The machines should be used like cash registers or ATMs where the hand count is to balance the figures against the machine tally. It's just good accounting sense. Someone posted in the voting forum how they do the counts in France. It's practically fool proof. We need to demand this.

[genius]

11. Let's call for public ownership of software and the right of the public to

inspect it at all times.

[geo]

13. comment on our right to access...

we just passed prop 59. www.prop59.org or www.cfac.org

We can get the info. You just watch. ;) Our right to access, as of November 3rd, is a right garaunteed in the CA Constitution. :) :)

Chances our we don't need to pass more rules about getting info. We just need to demand it, and if it is denied, litigate it.

Warmly,

George

[geo]

12. yes we can, and it is not that tough...

the secretary of state has good info on getting a ballot measure worked up. I believe it takes about $600 in filing fees, some petitioning (which they review and approve), and a few other steps.

Pm me if you can't fund the info and I'll try to myself. I read it not that long ago. :)

Warmly,

George