cAPSLOCK--I agree with you that the "hey, I marked the wrong candidate's name" shouldn't count. However, the situation in Florida is different. It's not a matter of someone's simple complaint.
One significant difference in the South Palm Beach voting irregularity confusion is the clear fact that poll supervisors felt it necessary to print a leaflet warning folks that the ballot was confusing and that it was possible to make a mistake. This warning was issued after many, many ballots erroneously were already submited.
Obviously, the 19,000 or so ballots marked both Gore and Buchanon were not Buchanon ballots. They were Gore ballots and Gore should have gotten those votes. Had Gore gotten 'em, there'd be no recount and he'd have been declared the victor of Florida's 25 electoral college votes.
[NOTE: The sample ballot sent out for review prior to use, did include the punch-hole marks. In other words, those reviewing the sample did not have a sufficiently clear view that Gore, the second name on the list, would actually be the third punch-hole. It's been reported that the punch-hole mark confusion also caused the Socialist candidate to get more votes in that particular county than anywhere in the nation.]
And there were several other voting irregularities which should also receive due consideration. Thus, I think your comments are premature cAPSLOCK. At this point, it sure looks like it'll get resolved in the courts. |
