How we vote: A mandate, a mess

[kster]

SNIP....Officials in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties are struggling to comply with the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002. They're moving to replace lever machines with electronic systems.
Both counties have delayed purchases, even though the new machines should be in place by the May 16 primary to qualify for federal voting system subsidizes. Compliance waivers can be sought but are not certain.

In Westmoreland County, a lawsuit alleges state law requires a voter referendum on purchasing the machines. The state says the federal mandate trumps all. A similar lawsuit has been filed against Butler and Cambria counties.


SNIP......Actually, lever machines and punch-card systems are pretty good. Yet, the world is moving on and electronic voting is the way it will be done. The hysterical federal mandate, however, crashes into a wall of reality. Many Pennsylvanians aren't quite ready or have profound questions about the security and reliability of electronic voting.

As they have profound questions about a congressional mandate that assumes Pennsylvanians can't even run their elections right.

That's pretty funny coming from Congress.



http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/opinion/archive/s_419881.html

[Wilms]

1. I don't know how many readers will catch the reference, but I like it.

"That's pretty funny coming from Congress." :rofl: