October 30, 2008
-
Another thing about the American election
How can Americans stand it that they don’t all vote the same way? What about those electronic voting machines that can’t be trusted, or the chad-producing nonsense that befuddles the vote-counting process? How about the unceasing efforts on the part of each political party to discredit advance votes that are likely to aid the other party? What about all the Americans who are disenfranchised for one reason or another? And the different experience of the poor from the rich when they go to vote?
We just finished an election here in Canada. It was easy to register to vote. When I arrived at my polling station, it was staffed mainly by my neighbours who’d volunteered to participate in the process. I felt reassured that everything was being done to scrutinize and make the vote accurate. My name was checked off in a binder. I was given a voting card. I went behind a little screen, picked up a pencil, and made an X. I came back to the table and deposited the folded card into a box. Afterwards, all the cards with their Xs were counted, and the winner was proclaimed.
If there are any disputes about the vote count, the cards can be recounted. They exist, and provided quality control works, which I think it mostly does, they have not been tampered with. The best process is a physical one, not an electronic one, because that can be carefully watched by concerned local people who care to see that it goes properly. We also have the federal Elections Canada department to help make sure that all Canadians have the same voting experience and that their votes are all counted as equally and accurately as possible.
It’s not that we don’t have problems here. For example, not enough people vote (only 59% this time around, I feel ashamed to admit). I don’t assert that our process is perfect. But it seems to me that Americans are putting up with a deeply flawed process, even if you just look at election day. Why?
Comments (6)
I’m not sure I’m the proper person to answer you on this, but I’m going to anyway.
Most years when I vote, I use a machine. I normally wait about 15 minutes to vote, and the voting place is 6 blocks from my house. I’ve never been discouraged in any way from voting. I live in a lower middle income area, in a mid-size city. This year I took advantage of the wonderful new option of voting early! I went last Saturday morning with my husband to a building that when we got there probably had 150 people already in one stage or another of registering or voting. I had to wait about 20 minutes to vote. This time they offered me a choice of a paper ballot or a voting machine. Because there was such a line of people who wanted to use the machines, and because I’ve never voted on paper before I used paper. Not as slick as the machines, but a unique experience. There are so many different ways to vote because people want it that way. If everyone disliked the machines, they would only vote by paper, and there would be no machines. When there were problems with the infamous “chads” as quickly as possible florida started replacing them with newer more reliable machines and also started offering people the option of paper.
The polling station was in a very bad neighborhood. The type of neighborhood where you lock your car doors as soon as you get close to it. Everyone in the building was happy. My husband and I talked about it after. It was such a celebratory experience. I think it’s because every person was there because they wanted, and were eager to vote. I’ve never had a bad experience while voting, nor met or talked to anyone who has. I’m not saying there isn’t problems, but when there are problems they are brought up and publicly displayed for all. They become the standard of voting experiences, at least until the media is done covering them. No journalist stopped me on my way to the car and said why are you so happy.
So, now that I’ve taken up so much space on your blog, my real answer is, Americans don’t put up with such a deeply flawed process, they embrace it and become a part of it. It’s been evovling and changing for about 232 years, and I’m sure it will continue to change every single year until it’s just the way we want it. Or until the Media says it’s okay.
Looking back up at what I just entered, I do apologize. I didn’t realize it was that long and I don’t mind at all if you delete it. Sorry about that.
@tlm0000 -
Goodness, I don’t mind one bit – in fact, after reading your entry with great interest, I read it to my husband. It’s a pleasure to get an idea of how it is on voting day for some actual (non-mediated) Americans. Thanks so much for writing! :goodjob:
And that’s why I have been reading you for awhile now (even though you don’t post very much!) you’re very gracious.
@tlm0000 -
*blush* It’s true, I need to blog more. I think of things to talk about all the time, but never seem to find the time to write about them. I vow to amend my ways! :shysmile:
All the easier to rig, my dear. (Not the the popular vote elects anything. 2000 proved that.)
xoxoxo