I think it's time for us to just let the 5th grade classes all over the US

[hootinholler]

Count the federal election results as a civic duty.It would be easy to do on paper. Each voter gets a pad of ballots, one sheet say 3x5 for each question or position and on the way out put them each in a separate container. Then the students count the votes and forward the precinct results to more students at the county level who add the results and forward to yet more students at the state level.

The kids would love it, and it would encourage voting later in life.

-Hoot

[annabanana]

1. It's a beautiful idea....

The logistics in the big cities would be, um, tricky.

[hootinholler]

2. I think the school administrations could work with the voter registrars

They can organize it, the polling places don't have to be schools. Even if it takes the week leading up to the election to get everyone set, it would be worth it as a learning experience.

I bet there won't be any cheating either. 5th graders definitely have the concepts of fair counts down pat.

-Hoot

[annabanana]

3. I would certainly trust a room of 5th graders to count fairly before

I'd trust any group of adult Republicans...

[Swamp Rat]

4. Love it!

It could be done, but how do we motivate the ADULTS to make it happen?

[hootinholler]

5. SWAMPY!

What a fabulous seal!

You have a great point, I don't know the answer to. Maybe if we lobbied Scholastic and Congress?

Maybe if we could get it into the courts somehow...

Any ideas?

-Hoot

[Swamp Rat]

6. I think there are too many bureaucratic hurdles to overcome

For instance, getting this past a multitude of school boards will take, like forever.

Getting Congress on board, too, will take a lot of time.

:shrug:

[hootinholler]

10. Not with the backing of the special prosecutor...

It could be an emergency action. I think the courts would be the fastest way to make it happen. but a special session of congress could do it too.

I agree it's a large hill to climb. But with the special prosecutor request and the ruckus that is now called ACORN, if Obama proposed it or championed it behind the scenes, it could be made to happen.

-Hoot

[Subdivisions]

7. What a revolutionary idea! Kid's get to count the ballots! I LOVE IT! n/t

[hootinholler]

8. Hmmm. Beautiful idea, love it, revolutionary...

And no recs. If we can't make it happen without exposure, eh?

-Hoot

[dkofos]

9. Great idea. I trust 5th graders more than DIEBOLD.