I agree - the stipulation will not make any difference, but I really do think his numbers are off.
Thanks for clarifying the point about pregnant chads. BTW, it looks like my sentence itself was unclear, although you understood my meaning. It should read:
I personally oppose counting any vote unless some part of the ballot has been punched through....
I feel sorry for anyone who screwed up their vote, and I don't think they deserve abuse. In most elections, it would not make a difference. This time it might, but that doesn't mean they require special treatment. About 12,000 of their neighbors made similar mistakes, noticed it, asked for and received new ballots and cast those ballots before leaving the polling place. This type of thing happens every election year, no matter how simple or complicated the ballot.
It is the voter's responsibility to check his or her ballot for accuracy. The county provides every voter with a sample ballot so that each voter has the opportunity to familiarize himself or herself with the ballot. The voter may bring that sample ballot to the polling place. Ample safeguards are provided, but the state cannot force the voter to review his/her ballot or take advantage of the safeguards.
The organized cries of distress immediately after the election are highly suspect. Anyone who says they KNOW they cast the wrong vote had the opportunity to correct that error before departing the polling place. Anyone who says they THINK they cast the wrong vote cannot prove a thing as almost none of the votes are identifiable. Either way, the state has no responsibility to correct these errors. |
