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In reply to the discussion: Letter Carrier Attempted Election Fraud by Changing Mail-In Forms from 'Democrat' to 'Republican' [View all]yellowdogintexas
(22,250 posts)We also have the two envelope system for VBM.. The outer envelope must be sealed, then signed. If it has been tampered with, the ballot will be returned to the voter for correction with a new set of envelopes. (happened to me once because I did not read instructions properly) Anything which indicates an attempt to mess with the ballot would be reviewed.
I feel that VBM and a system like the one we are using offer the utmost security not to mention a 100% paper trail; we retain our ballots for 3 years, and presiding judges keep a copy of all the tapes and paperwork for 3 years.
Our votes can't be changed on the touch screen machine because the only thing it does is provide the correct ballot info. Nothing is stored in that machine. Voter can review for as long as they think they need to be sure it is correct, then print it and check it one more time. If it still isn't right, we will void that one and issue a new one with a different access code. Once the voter is satisfied the ballot is correct, it is then taken to a scanner where the actual count is taken. Ballots stay with the equipment and are bagged and sealed at the end of the day. The scanner is sealed and tapes are printed to produce total vote counts etc. The number of ballots scanned must match the number of voter check ins. We have to account for all spoiled ballots and return them to Elections Office. We have to void the check in if a voter has to leave the premises before scanning the ballot. That way the voter can vote at another location if necessary.
It is not anyone's decision to determine what mail goes through to its destination. It just goes there.
Postmaster General has no say one way or the other.
We have 5 lawsuits going right now in Texas, to establish if fear of catching COVID 19 is sufficient reason to request a VBM application. One case has had its ruling flipped twice as it moved up the court and appeals ladder. Meanwhile, the last case review made no mention of disability being verified, since the application only asks the voter to check the disability box which allows an "out" for those who really feel it's needed. To require the voter to identify the disability would have to move through the legisature.