Paperless States - "Strategerie" of Write In Candidate Feature!

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

I was reading about how some folks in Pennsylvania had chosen to
abuse the "write in" feature on the paperless DRES:

Thu, May. 18, 2006. A new meaning to dirty politics
Some people casting write-in votes chose profane language
instead of candidates.

The nifty write-in feature on the new electronic voting machines
attracted something different in Tuesday’s election: profanity.

“I’m disturbed by some of the swear words,” said Luzerne County
Election Bureau Director Leonard Piazza....

http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/14607026.htm

Instead of writing in "dirty" words, why not
cast your vote for:

-voterverified paperballots
-noproof notruth
-HR550
-no vaporballots


If enough people write in the same thing,
your candidate, "No Vaporballots" might win.

Of course you will have to sacrifice a candidate,
(pick strategically by state or by county who you want to sacrifice),
and write in the exact same message --

But, I can see folks using this in the paperless states.
Or in states that have VVPB they can write in HR 550

If "voterverified paperballots" got 2,000 votes in a small contest,
it might win!

[GuvWurld]

1. I like this idea

K&R

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

3. This is a strategy idea for paperless states, wrote more here

This idea is a unique way to FORCE the officials to hear, and at least
SOME reporters will have to pick up on this.
Paperless states need a voice.

If we can get enough people in some localities to strategize,
and write in the same phrase for the same contest, (let their state or county groups
decide together), then a certain choice will get tons of votes.

Then, the groups follow up - get the write in vote totals from their
county BOE, and send this info to the media, in case the media
didn't notice.

Do this promptly, maybe at the post election canvassing meeting.

"What's unfortunate is we still have to report those words as write-in votes," Piazza said of the profanity.

Here is a more expansive write up at my Daily Kos diary:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/5/20/11939/3847

[Kurovski]

2. Enough votes for "voterverified paperballots" and

maybe we can get Diebold mad enough to swear.

[BeFree]

4. Good idea

I can't wait to do just that.

Voter Verified Paper Ballots gets my vote!

[FogerRox]

5. LOL, Imagine having to announce the winner........

The winner in the Mayors race is..........


.........Vo..ter.... Veri..fied ........Pa..per....... Ball..ots

[BeFree]

6. LOL, good one Foger

Lets not let this die. It is an avenue of getting our message out, with the target of the people we most need on our side: Election Officials.

First thing we need to do is proclaim that any idiot that uses swear words is not with us, they are against us.

[noamnety]

7. Especially in uncontested races

there's really no reason not to do that.

(although part of me is tempted to legally change my name to Unverified Paperballots.)

[FogerRox]

8. Put the name change application down, step away from the counter

uncontested races is a great idea, Y E S ! !

[noamnety]

9. What if we ALL changed our names to Unverified Paperballots?

Have we ever had that sort of a protest, where people changed their names like that?

It could just be last names, if people are uncomfortable with changing their first names. Mrs. Paperballots has a nice ring to it.

[FogerRox]

11. Thats a great idea...... you go first . . . .

[noamnety]

12. wait a minute

I messed up the phrasing. I need something that says electronic voting is bad, not paperballots is bad.

See, this is why I can never get a tattoo.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

10. in many states there are alot of uncontested races for legislators

Foger is right, if activists decide to organize a
"write it in" campaign in their state or their locality,
the best race to do it in is a uncontested race.

I know that in my state there would be several.

The key is to see if you can organize your group of folks
to pick one of the uncontested races, and
try to agree on what you will write in, so as to get
enough votes for that write in.

[JimDandy]

13. WOW! Very clever idea WYVBC.

I have just one suggestion: Have dems write-in on a pre-agreed-on uncontested republican contest and repubs do the reverse. That way there is no flak from either side about which party's uncontested candidate to pick and it eliminates the argument that "my candidate will get an artificially poor showing." Does anyone see a problem with this that I'm missing?

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

14. activists groups may wish to decide

This is a strategy that local or state groups may want
to discuss.

Foger is right that using the write in feature for
uncontested seats is one of the best options.

Additionally, local, county or state activists
groups can consult with other members of their coalitions
on what contests to do this in.

Further, local groups can decide if they want to urge
their members to write in a specific
candidate, one that they agree upon.
This gives more impact.

i.e paper ballots (or whatever).

To ensure this hits the news, some folks should attend
post election canvassing so as to ensure the attending
media pick up on the unusual write ins submitted.

[emlev]

15. And, for "paper trail" counties/states, write in...

Count Paperballots

Anybody going anywhere with this write-in idea?