1 comment:

• Jerome Kinderman posted at 1:21 am on Sat, Oct 9, 2010.

  Posts: 2060

  While I wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Roberts that the electronic voting machines should be eliminated (I currently serve as a voting inspector at a local voting precinct and have yet to have one person use the machine), I cannot concur with his notion to force voting by mail.

  The problem with that is Constitutional in nature, not just affection for having an actual voting place open to cast my vote. The upcoming election is to take place on November 2, 2010. As such, the polls are to remain open from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. In fact, I'm sure Mr. Roberts recalls the requirement that one official must verbally announce the polls open at precisely 7:00 a.m. and likewise verbally announce it closed at 8:00 p.m.

  Election Day is the last day when people are to register their choice for candidates and other items of great importance. Until that day, many things can occur that would have us change our minds. "October Surprises" aren't always limited to days in October. As such, once one places their ballot in the mail, they are unable to change their vote.

  If forced voting by mail is enacted, those ballots would be required to be placed into the mail well before Election Day - for everyone. I believe the courts would view such a move as a "no brainer" and declare it a violation of the Constitution.

  If folks want to voluntarily vote for mail, that's one thing. And I agree that the rolls have far more people now who choose to vote that way than ever before. But it is THEIR choice.

  So yes, get rid of the machines. But no, don't force people to vote by mail.

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