I just voted for the first time in South Dakota: PAPER Ballots!!!!!

[liberalhistorian]

I was very proud to be casting my very first votes as a bona fide South Dakotan (I've been in Rapid City exactly a year now) today. I was very surprised, however, to be handed a paper ballot and a marker. It's been years and YEARS since I've voted with a paper ballot, so it was strange, to say the least. However, I actually liked it better than a damned @#$@#$% untrustworthy, non-paper-trail machine.

The poll workers told me that they had one older machine, but that it had broken down that morning and they'd had their paper ballots ready in case that happened. Apparently, the machines cost too much for most precincts in the state to have more than one at a polling place, if they have any at all (some of the rural areas don't have, and have never had, machines). I was also pleasantly surprised to hear the workers say that they also prefer paper ballots, because with machines you "just never know" and there's not even a paper trail or verification. That's what seemed to bug them the most. Anyway, it was kind of nice to vote with paper ballots again. At least this way, I know my vote has more of a chance of actually counting!

[msongs]

1. act now to make sure the ballots stay paper : -) nt

Msongs
www.msongs.com
batik & digital art
get YOUR pics on shirts!

[liberalhistorian]

2. Oh, you bet we will!

And neat link-thanks for posting.

One of the ballot measures here in Rapid City was to vote on the rezoning to allow Wally-World to build yet another one of their goddamned "superstores" in Rapid. This one would be even worse than the one that's already here, since it would be located on the highway heading out of town and into the Black Hills and Rushmore, Crazy Horse, etc. That road has already been cluttered up enough with kitchy junk, we do NOT NOT NOT need a super wally-world. Especially considering the unique shops and businesses we have and the charm it gives downtown. Makes me sick just to think of it. God, I hope that goes down in flames!!!!!!!!!!

[Djinn]

3. never worked out the reasoning for non paper voting

Well obviously there's a dodgy reason but what are the supposed "pro's" spouted publically?

Australia's elections are all paper and our results tend to come in rather quickly all things considered, admittedly there's quite a few more of you lot to count but given many Americans don't bother voting and that our electoral system is much more complicated (preferential and proportional voting) I can't for the life of me see why people would risk elections being tampered with (or simply being seen to be tampered with) via the use of electronic voting.

[havocmom]

4. You got ... a marker? Cool

We don't have markers in my little Montana town. We have pencils.

Paper ballots and real people counting, watching, verifying is a satisfying and secure way to hold an election.

[liberalhistorian]

5. It certainly is, and I'd

almost forgotten that since I've voted on machines for many years now!

[MaineDem]

7. Paper and pencil here too

I've never voted on a machine and I've been voting since 1972.

[liberalhistorian]

6. Damn, the Wal-Mart rezoning

issue passed! Now, they're gonna put a goddamn @#$@#%#@$%@#$ Wally World Superstore on highway 16 leading out of town, that beautiful road that leads to the Black Hills, Rushmore and Crazy Horse. That'll mean even more ugly sprawl on that beautiful road, more traffic, congestion, building, kitchsy crap, etc., etc., etc., and nothing can stop it once it gets going. WTF IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE? We already have one goddamn Wally World superstore here, we sure as fuck don't need another! :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :nuke: :nuke: