Optical-scan voting nears South Florida debut

[Freddie Stubbs]

New optical-scan voting machines will be the third ballot system used in South Florida since 2000.

BY MATTHEW I. PINZUR
[e-mail]

After the 2000 debacle proved that punch cards were too old, and voter skepticism showed that touch screens were too new, South Florida election officials are looking for their new optical-scan systems to be like that fabled third bowl of porridge: just right.

Unlike the ATM-style machines used since 2002, the scanners use paper ballots and a long-tested technology trusted for sensitive projects like the U.S. Census and the SAT college-entrance exam.

Unlike the cards, they notify voters immediately of problems on their ballot and give them a chance to fix it.

Nearly 3,000 new scanners will debut in Miami-Dade and Broward for the Aug. 26 primary. Two months later, the presidential election is expected to draw record numbers of voters -- many voting for the first time.

more: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami_dade/story/565568.html

[Fredda Weinberg]

1. This should work out well. n/t

[Freddie Stubbs]

3. Even if there is a paper trail?

:shrug:

[Fredda Weinberg]

4. I wasn't being sarcastic. Optical scanning is the most reliable n/t

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

9. if they keep getting their shit together, we'll let FL back in the Union

but for now, they still need to get a few more things right.

[mac2]

2. Someone is making money and it isn't the voters.

No machine is safe from manipulation. When I vote on my towns optical scanner I get back a number only. Number "203"..that's all I get to prove I voted.

Machine tecnology and machanics can be tamped with. Only paper ballots counted in public are acceptable for fair elections.

The US census and student testing have no reason to be manipulated by a large number of people who want to win at any cost.

[Fredda Weinberg]

5. Bev Harris made money sounding like you. People aren't safe

from manipulation either ... and the systems in place require violating simple precautions to be vulnerable. Sorry if you don't understand this, but experts agree.

[Stevepol]

6. Optical scan is better but ONLY if robust audits are used to verify.

Otherwise, what's the difference between touchscreen and optical scan? Both are computer-based vote counting, trivially easy to manipulate, patch, hack, etc., especially by insiders.

If there are strict audit laws, that would be different, but where are the states with the strict audit laws?

IMO prior elections have been manipulated MORE by optiscans than by touchscreens. I have no proof of that other than the fact that in the precincts where the discrepancies between the exit polls and the vote was greatest were more often optiscans. Of course, with our present voting system, it's not possible to prove anything either way. That's the whole point.

It's not possible to have the slightest confidence in most elections in the US today.

[Freddie Stubbs]

7. Wouldn't this system with a paper trail allow for an accurate recount if

the losing candidate wanted it?

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

8. in our state we have plenty of recounts too

In 2006 our first year of all paper, we had recounts all over the place.

It was a good thing.

Even with paper, or levers, if someone mis reports the totals, you can be
screwed.

Its about checks and balances.

I am happy for Florida.

[Freddie Stubbs]

10. Were a lot of initial election results overturned due to all of those recounts?

:shrug: