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10/28/2008
A Visit to Some Touch Screen Voting Machines in West Virginia
Yesterday I posted about reports of widespread vote flipping on ES&S iVotronics touch screens in several states.
Video the Vote went to Jackson County, West Virginia to take a look at what's going on. In an interview with Jackson County Clerk Jeff Waybright, and filmed what happens when these machines are out of calibration. Some scary stuff.
Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...
Posted 9:01 AM EST by Andy Towle in Election 2008, News | Permalink
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I'm from Jackson County, West Virginia - that somehow doesn't surprise me that we were the first place things went awry with attempting to vote Barack into office.
Posted by: Kyan H | Oct 28, 2008 9:30:00 AM
So the technology is crap.
Having touch screen PC's at home (PC's and PDA's), I know the importance of screen calibration, however, if the technician recalibrate s the machine, and it STILL has the wrong information, then the machine should be taken out of service.
Are they going to do that? Right....
At least dangling chad showed an actual vote.
Rad
Posted by: Rad | Oct 28, 2008 9:36:26 AM
We need massive turnout. So many Republicans are slime.
Posted by: David T | Oct 28, 2008 9:38:10 AM
We already know this is a issue. This is a problem when you have a complicated technical solution for what is a simple process that already has a simple solution. Touchscreen screens are unreliable for rare one time events such as voting. As usual look to the simple explanation instead of paranoid delusions from DailyKOS or the right wingnuts for the explanation.
(glad to live in a state which uses sensible ballot forms and a pencil)
Posted by: yoshi | Oct 28, 2008 9:39:07 AM
@David T
Did you even read the article? This is not a democrat or republican issue. This is an article about chosen the wrong technology for a solution. Geez - no wonder our country is so frak'n partisan.
Posted by: yoshi | Oct 28, 2008 9:41:21 AM
It doesn't seem like he proved his argument. When he voted straight democrat, he got John McCain, when he voted straight republican, he got John McCain. And how in the hell does a machine get out of calibration after two button touches?
Posted by: Michael W. | Oct 28, 2008 9:41:34 AM
I'm a little bit baffled, but what is wrong with a simple pencil and paper system? I fail to see any benefit in these electronic voting systems.
Posted by: Jeremy | Oct 28, 2008 9:42:14 AM
So his point is that none of this is a problem, so long as your Obama vote goes to Chuck Baldwin rather than McCain?
Posted by: Joel | Oct 28, 2008 9:49:47 AM
I will never, ever vote using one of those ridiculous machines. Paper ballots only, sometimes the old fashioned way is the best.
Posted by: homer | Oct 28, 2008 9:50:51 AM
So, I will paraphrase one of the commentors who commented on the ACORN stories: What's wrong with a little voter fraud? This is what is wrong with voter fraud. The ACORN stuff should not be happening nor should this problem be allowed! It is a disgrace that the American Election system has fallen into corruption on both sides. Granted, I highly doubt the election officials purposely screwed up the machines but it has to be fixed or else they need to go to paper ballots. Gentleman, get ready for a never-ending election night. Both sides have retained lawyers and they are all already preparing their cases. We thought 2000 was bad - I can only imagine what will happen this year.
Posted by: BC | Oct 28, 2008 10:00:46 AM
Gee, that was reassuring! I'm glad I live in a town where I get to put pencil to paper.
As for the "never-ending election night." Well, we'll see. I'm sure some lawyers would love that, but, assuming the "machinery" doesn't hijack this election, the writing may be on the wall earlier than in either 2000 or 2004. We'll all be fresher and prettier on Nov 5 if that's the case.
Posted by: Ernie | Oct 28, 2008 10:20:57 AM
Vriginia itself is seeing a fake flier going through at least 8 minority dominated counties telling democrats that due to turn out they vote on Nov 5th
It has a copy of the VA seal on it and said to be from the state board of elections.
State police are looking for the perps and VA law classifies it as a class 1 misdemeanor to give false info to voters.
Not a new thing actually. At least virginia always sees such every election from repubs.
Be vigilant, we are almost there.
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Oct 28, 2008 10:31:12 AM
BC
When has micky mouse ever voted?
Your concern trolling about ACORN is a red herring. ACORN itself reported the problems just like they do every election cycle. They and the fed in the past have always considered the trade off for bad registrations worth Acorn's work
Hell, Mcshame did in 2006 when he was keynote speaker at an ACORN event. praising ACORN for its work.
ACORN pays impoverished people to register voters. A few bad apples sit around filling out faek registrations so as to get more money from ACORN. ACORN reports the problem registrations and micky mouse never ever votes.
Mccain loved ACORN up to at least 2006 when he was their keynote speaker
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Oct 28, 2008 10:36:16 AM
Its amazing how some people sleep at night - and how they bring out acorn to try and put these machines on the same level as acorn. acorn, if the allegations are tur, was registration fraud and identities of voters are verified upon election day, negating 'mickey mouse' votes. Actual election fraud is a whole new ballgame - with much more important repercussions - and people are acting as if its not such a big deal.
Its funny Republicans want to build a fence between the us and Mexico - but try and run elections like a third world country. Lf they keep it up, and manage to get mclame in office, the fence will keep Americans out of Mexico instead of keeping them out.
Disgusting. This anti-republicanism is not about being partisan - its about being sane.
Posted by: echovic | Oct 28, 2008 10:43:12 AM
Okay so if the vote jumps down two or three notches on this example...isn't it just as likely to be out of calibration the OTHER direction as well? So it is possible the vote for obama went for McCain...just not in this instance...and it is a little worrying that after one more attempt to vote it's THAT far messed up again.
Posted by: ADAMF | Oct 28, 2008 11:16:00 AM
Sorry: follow up. In all fairness, I think what happened the second time (when he tried to vote straight republican) he had already changed it to Ralph Nader and then went to straight republican. Doesn't voting a straight ticket still allow you to change your candidate in particular races? People should be aware of this though.
Posted by: ADAMF | Oct 28, 2008 11:20:40 AM
Jimmy: As far as Mickey Mouse, no he doesn't vote. However, here in Ohio, we had a week in which you could register and vote on the same day. I could have gone to my county board of elections, registered and voted with NO TIME to verify my information. Then I could drive 30 minutes in either direction and do the same in another county. And yes, SOME ACORN volunteers were supporting that. ACORN itself is not inherently bad. However, it is apparent that the "big wigs" want a huge deomcratic turn out. But of course, like typical far lefters, you pick out one small point in my big picture and attack that instead of looking at the big picture. The problem with American elections today is that when one side wins, the other side sees something as unfair. I'm not blaming one side over another, I'm blaming both sides. Its ridiculous. Face it, if (and I know its a big IF), McCain pulls it out and wins, half the country will be calling for explorations into voter fraud and conspiracy theories. It is unavoidable. We all need to accept whoever wins and move forward, trying to make our country the place it needs to be - the best country in the world. Remember, Hillary brought up ACORN in the primaries. Hillary brought up William Ayers and at that point it was all OK. Lets stop trying to villify people and respect others opinions and not everyone will agree with us.
Damn, maybe we do need to do what Iraq does and have our fingers dipped in ink when we vote. Then for sure Mickey Mouse won't vote.
Posted by: BC | Oct 28, 2008 1:00:39 PM
Interesting, MSNBC just reported that these machines are being systematically taken out of service and replaced with the older paper ballots.
Posted by: Rad | Oct 28, 2008 1:11:53 PM
Whats wrong with paper and pen. old, reliable system, that take 4 hours to totally count and can be checked by all who can read.
Posted by: Alex from Germany | Oct 28, 2008 2:03:49 PM
I hope Chuck Bladwin will make a good president.
Posted by: YvesPaul | Oct 28, 2008 2:15:57 PM
BC you are so full of shit!
its really clear here - election machines are not working, most likely intentionally - and honest voters are not having their votes counted.
period. its not about bipartisanship and ACORN doing shit - its about a reality of fraud that is plain to see.
Of course mccain is not going to win - unless - MACHINES LIKE THIS SKEW ELECTION RESULTS IN SWING STATES.
This is worse than Mexico - its fucking Guatemala.
ps many countries - even poor ones like india - have election commissions that are 100% accountable and NOT partisan, and have 100% verifiable results. Its not too hard to do in this country - unless apologists and the 'passive majority' allow it!
pps sorry to go on but I am incensed. its funny that its a republican thing to commit this type of wholesale fraud, and they have, in true thug form, created this 'scandal' about Acorn to try and swiftboat the issue and try and persuade people that Acorn and this type of fraud are equvalent. Totally unconscionable. Not to mention evil and un-American.
I just hope, BC, that you make more that $250,000 so that you are taxed more heavily come November. If not, you're just a poor schmuck who bough their crap hook, line and sinker.
Posted by: echovic | Oct 28, 2008 2:43:47 PM
ECHOVIC: what exactly am I full of shit on? I am agreeing with you that the partisan way of running elections is completely wrong. The fact that the Secretary of State who is considered "Head of Elections" is elected based on party affiliation is wrong and sets itself up for problems. Ohio's secretary of state intentionally allowed some sketchy voting practices to happen here for a week because it benefited her party, the Democrats. It is not full of shit that I potentially could have registered in several counties and voted and had my vote count. That is why Ohio was brought to the US Supreme Court. The Supreme Court said basically that in an effort to not disenfranchise any more voters, we'll wait till after the election to tell Ohio to fix this so it doesn't happen again. I am by no means saying that Republicans have not done the same thing. WHY am I not allowed to have my own opinoin without being attacked. I have attacked no one on here.
Again though, people who are too far left OR too far right refuse to see that anyone in their camp does anything wrong. All this finger pointing is ridiculous. Again, if you look for hate you will find hate. If you actively search for any possible problem, you will find one and exploit it. Why can't people just see that there is corruption in BOTH parties and one is not worse than the other. But of course, because I am implying that the democrats might not be all perfect, I'll be attacked again.
Posted by: BC | Oct 28, 2008 3:53:43 PM
Poor persecuted Brucie!
Posted by: 24play | Oct 28, 2008 4:02:40 PM
The electronic voting machines work fine under two sets of circumstances. They must be in good repair. The one in the clip obviously is not. The other circumstance involves the vigilance of the voter. Just as the demonstrator in the clip said, you should never leave the polling place until you are certain that you voted for the correct candidate. We have similar machines here in Arkansas, but I have never had a problem. If I did I wouldn't leave until the problem was resolved. If it takes requesting a paper ballot, then request a paper ballot. If the machine can malfunction to the detriment of the Democratic ticket, then it can malfuntion to the detriment of the Repulican ticket.
Lastly, Go Barack Obama 362! (That's the number of electoral votes that he's going to get this time)
Posted by: Jeffrey | Oct 28, 2008 4:15:46 PM
BC,
Same day registration is how Minnesota has been running things for years. For some reason, they don't seem to have massive problems with voter fraud due to the system...indeed, they often lead the country in voter turnout. How about some real issues, please, and not "same-day registration leads to fraud" nonsense.
Posted by: MAJeff | Oct 28, 2008 4:20:51 PM