Voting reform seen unlikely until 2010
Miller cites state budget problems
By Melissa Harris
sun reporter
Originally published February 2, 2007
Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller said yesterday that he could not support an overhaul of the state’s paperless voting system until 2010 in light of anticipated budget shortfalls and a hectic election season in Baltimore.
”There’s a consensus that we need to change the voting system and have a more secure voting system,” Miller said.
Miller’s unwillingness to commit to “paper-trail” legislation this year significantly lowers the chances that voters will cast their ballots on modified or new equipment next year.
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Let me get this straight. There is “concensus” that we need a more secure voting system —- concensus defined as “general agreement” — and a meaningful way to preserve and verify election counts —- but we are not going to make it a priority in time for the next Presidential Election?
Apart from defending against invading armies – there is (imho) no more important duty of the government than to provide for legitimate elections.
If we don’t have legitimate elections – nothing the “elected officials” do (or try to do) has any legitimacy.
Now, I’m not saying this is the case ….. but if the “party in power” wanted to abuse its position to make sure it stayed in power…. what better way than to impede, delay, deny efforts to correct problems with the accountability, verifiability (?), of the voting process.
I notice that during the last election it was the Republican candidate for governor (arguably the minority party in MD) who expressed concerns over the lack of a paper trail for the Maryland voting apparatus…. and now that the Democrats are back “in charge”, they plan to “choose” to avoid addressing the paper trail issue until at least after the next presidential election.
Is there a connection? Maybe… maybe not. Doesn’t really matter to me. But it does make one wonder about the priorities of those “in charge”.
I would prefer to be urging one of the many republican administrations with records of “voter irregularities” to do what ever it takes to make sure every vote is cast, counted and recorded properly. (Democrats are supposed to be above cheating 
)
But I live in Maryland, and it is “my” government which is deciding to let a questionable system continue.
Even though I will probably prefer to see a Democrat win (though it depends on who the choices are), I still want to see a fair, verifiable, election with a user friendly, idiot proof ballot procedure – and a solid paper trail.
Mr. Miller – I know you read this blog. Put the voting system – and the paper trail – back on the priority list …on the top …. it is only a matter of legitimacy and credibility. Without it – you have nothing.
Cindy Vaillancourt
