Reply #16: CO: Clock is Ticking on Ballot Issues

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Clock is ticking on ballot issues

By The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 02/08/2008 09:49:04 PM MST


It's difficult not to empathize with the frustrated folks in Mesa County.

They've seen their voting machines decertified by Secretary of State Mike Coffman and they're worried about a lack of time to plan a November election, as well as the cost of a proposed all-paper ballot.

So, when county commissioners this week broached the idea of just using the machines anyway, as reported by the Grand Junction Sentinel, who could blame them?

While a damn-the-torpedoes approach might at first seem attractive, there are some real-world consequences to consider.

What if Mesa County's votes in the November election get disqualified because they were cast on uncertified machines? That would hardly serve the voters.

And what if other counties decide to follow suit. It's true that the election process in this state is in chaos, but adding anarchy to the mix will only make matters worse.

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http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_8209814