Early voting, the latest rage in America
04 November 2008 à 11h11
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According to the latest estimations, 35 million American citizens could turn to early voting in order to secure their ballot. How can we explain such a trend on non-partisan bases?
Why do they go for early voting?
Early voting was created after the 2000 election problems (about two million ballots were disqualified because they registered multiple votes or none at all when read through vote-counting machines) and in order to avoid the 2004 long queues (even if bosses are forced by the law to let their employees go and vote during election day, four-hour-queues prevented many from casting their ballot).
This new way of voting (that includes mail ballots) is the answer given by some Americans, who are aware of living in a low-voting country. And who don’t want to be taken for a ride.
Parties encourage early voting: fewer employees or volunteers needed to control the vote, shorter opening hours on d-day, shorter campaigning and assured votes for the candidates.
But what will be said if any problem shows up when votes are counted?
Could early voting mean fraud?
The “Help America vote act” was drafted and implemented in 2002 in order to modernize the voting system. It meant to replace the punch card system, to create an Election Assistance Commission and to establish minimum election administration standards, like poll worker training.
The problem is that many consider that the 3-million-HAV Act is an attempt to replace all the voting devices with electronic voting machines, which can be easily falsified.
A website called “video the vote” (http://videothevote.org/) already reports that some early voters were forced to vote for an unchosen candidate by the electronic machines. The voting staff is not trained to check the machines, and during early voting, the control of voting stations gets harder because there are fewer personnel.
Would an early fraud profit McCain or Obama?
“In this election, it’s a choice between a candidate who won’t disavow a group committing voter fraud, and a leader who won’t tolerate voter fraud”, said Sarah Palin. Accusing the community-based organization Acorn (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now), that is in favor of an early vote, the GOP warns it will check all votes.
Every year, some 6 voters are prosecuted for voting fraud in the whole United States. Nothing compared to the million of frauds that could be committed by the electronic voting devices.
Why do they go for early voting?
Early voting was created after the 2000 election problems (about two million ballots were disqualified because they registered multiple votes or none at all when read through vote-counting machines) and in order to avoid the 2004 long queues (even if bosses are forced by the law to let their employees go and vote during election day, four-hour-queues prevented many from casting their ballot).
This new way of voting (that includes mail ballots) is the answer given by some Americans, who are aware of living in a low-voting country. And who don’t want to be taken for a ride.
Parties encourage early voting: fewer employees or volunteers needed to control the vote, shorter opening hours on d-day, shorter campaigning and assured votes for the candidates.
But what will be said if any problem shows up when votes are counted?
Could early voting mean fraud?
The “Help America vote act” was drafted and implemented in 2002 in order to modernize the voting system. It meant to replace the punch card system, to create an Election Assistance Commission and to establish minimum election administration standards, like poll worker training.
The problem is that many consider that the 3-million-HAV Act is an attempt to replace all the voting devices with electronic voting machines, which can be easily falsified.
A website called “video the vote” (http://videothevote.org/) already reports that some early voters were forced to vote for an unchosen candidate by the electronic machines. The voting staff is not trained to check the machines, and during early voting, the control of voting stations gets harder because there are fewer personnel.
Would an early fraud profit McCain or Obama?
“In this election, it’s a choice between a candidate who won’t disavow a group committing voter fraud, and a leader who won’t tolerate voter fraud”, said Sarah Palin. Accusing the community-based organization Acorn (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now), that is in favor of an early vote, the GOP warns it will check all votes.
Every year, some 6 voters are prosecuted for voting fraud in the whole United States. Nothing compared to the million of frauds that could be committed by the electronic voting devices.
