My proposal for fair elections...

[crimsonblue]

It is inevitable that computerization will become fully integrated with society (just as running water and electricity did). that being said, it is crucially important that votes be able to be recounted accurately. My plan to provide fair elections:

+ The ballot to be cast shall be a scantron-type paper ballot

+ no voter-computer interface shall be used, except for special needs individuals that may need pictures, sounds, braille, or larger words.

+ ballots will not be processed at the precinct.

+ After voting in the booth, individuals will place their ballot into a well locked, GPS tracked box.

+ At least one on duty police officer will be posted to the box at all times, without exceptions. If the officer needs to use the restroom, he will sign over temporary custody to the precinct captain. The precinct captain would be personally liable for any inconsistencies that occur during this time. The officer is not to initiate communication with voters in any way. Preferably,the most senior and distinguished officers will be used.

+ campaigning restrictions shall be extended to a 1000 ft radius around precincts.

+ After voting has finished, the ballot box will be taken in armed car to a central processing facility.
- the police officer shall take the ballot box to the facility, along with a representative from both parties and a voting watchdog representative

+ The central processing facility shall be fully montitored, and live feeds shall be shown on the internet

+ Bump-proof and pick resistant locks shall be used on the ballot boxes (maybe electro-encrypted lock)

+ The ballots shall be processed twice, and compared for inconsistencies. If inconsistencies cross a determined threshold (~ 1 or 2%) then hand counting shall commence.

+ballots that cannot be read will be separated and shall be manually counted

+ 10 days after vote certification, the ballots shall be turned over to an independent watchdog group that will perform an audit (use of the central facility may be required)

+ change state and US constitutions to read that accurate vote count must be established, even if it means pushing back inaugurations or the Electoral College

+ to deter vote and election fraud, these crimes shall be categorized as treason, and shall be punishable by death.

what do you think? Ideas? Suggestions?

[DMorgan]

1. I can go along with that.

No problem with that for the final elections in OH, FL, PA, IL, NY.

All other states, sure, if they can be managed on time. But these other states have already proved in 2000, 2004, and/or in Primaries in 2008 that they cannot run a fair election process according to the rules.

But the death penalty for voter fraud, that's a bit much, I am against the DP for almost all crimes.

[crimsonblue]

5. You just categorize it as treason, because that is what it is

and in the penal code, treason is punishable by death. Very rarely does that happen these days though.

[Nederland]

2. The big question is...

Who pays for all this?

[crimsonblue]

3. you do whatever it takes to make sure elections are fair

without fair elections, democracy is kind of pointless. Plus, I hear we are spending upwards of $10 bil a month in Iraq...

[Nederland]

4. You are aware though

That there are no national standards for how to run an elections. The rules are all made by individual states and paid for by individual states. Getting people to spend millions of dollars to change a system that put them in office is a long shot.

Worth trying, but a long shot.

[marions ghost]

6. I would count ballots at the precinct

and use random hand counts to check the machines. Then those tallies should match the centralized count. I like the idea of an independent audit after the fact.

Penalty for crimes should be increased, mainly enforced for a change, but no death penalty.

[suston96]

7. All ballots should be counted AT the precinct on live TV and then recounted AT the precinct ...

...by a second and third set of counters.

The totals should be announced live on TV and THEN transmitted to the county and state election officials.

Only paper ballots should be used.