While those screaming about HCPB aren't helping PA, they aren't necessarily hurting the state, either.
Yes, they are. They are clouding the issue among potential supporters. And if they are noticed at all by those in power, they are helping to perpetuate the image among some (a few) officials in this state that election integrity activists ALL want nothing but HCPB.
Shamos has/is.
'Ya think????
And any activist who advocated Optical Scan over keeping levers (which aren't outlawed by HAVA) didn't serve the voters, either.
Well, we tried. In 2006 I personally was lead plaintiff on one lawsuit that might have helped but the State Supreme Court threw our win from Commonwealth Court out. And within weeks our levers were gone.
http://votepa.us/newsarchive/2006/westmoreland-suit-timeline.html Other activists have an irrational idea (bolstered somehow by repeated failed attempts of Holt's) that federal legislation will outlaw paper-less voting. Don't hold your breath. Kucinich's HR6200 has as good a chance...which ain't sayin' much.
The "threat" of federal legislation passing (especially as a mandate) has been a BIG help to keep this issue on the table in this state. If that "threat" is removed, I don't think the issue will be taken as seriously (not that it ever was taken very seriously anyway, but it will be further marginalized.)
Realistically Kucinich's HCPB bill has about as much chance of even getting to Committee hearing (let alone out of Committee and to the Floor and passing) as I have of becoming the next Miss America AND the next US President. At the same time.
Optical Scan isn't any safer than DREs unless you have solid auditing regimes.
And don't you think we KNOW that??
But first we have to have something to audit. Then we go after a really good statistically significant audit law. Actually PA has an audit law on the books for a long time; it's weak but it's there even though there is nothing to audit in 51 of our largest counties right now. So we get something to audit and then go for strengthening the law.
One state has a solid auditing regime. That state is New Jersey.
Yes, and nothing really to audit at the moment. See PA plan above.
Please inform everyone as to what you think he got wrong.
I'm not even going to go there. Life is too short. As I said earlier, Kucinich has joined Nader in my "used to admire greatly but now they are off the deep end" file.
Mary Beth, your efforts aren't unappreciated. In fact, they're admired. But a majority of senators and congresspeople failing to come to the aid of PA is not something that should surprise.
Well thank you. But did I say I was surprised? Nooo, but I am dismayed that Republican Leadership turncoated at the last minute, is trying to make this a partisan issue, and BUSH (who has been oh-so-silent about this issue for years) stepped in with a statement calling it "excessive spending" within a day of his seeking $102 Billion (with a B) for his war. And Democratic Leadership allowed them to get away with all this.
We all know we are in deep trouble in this country, but......... geesh.
But to close on a bipartisan note, I am happy to point out that three out of eight Pennsylvania Republicans voted FOR the bill, and one at least didn't vote.