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Advocacy Blog
Thursday, October 19, 2006
More Problematic Voting Predictions
This comprehensive New York Times article covers a number of various problems that may arise on Election Day. Electronic voting machines are arriving late, and there is a shortage of educated people to work them. Vendors for the new machines are even looking to computer science graduate students and websites such as Monster.com for help. As well, many poll workers and voters could be unsure in some areas whether or not voter identification laws will be in effect or not. New computerized statewide voter registration rolls have also left many voters off the registration lists. This happens particularly in cases when information on registration forms differ from the motor vehicle or Social Security databases, as is the case with married names differing from maiden names.
As dozens of states are enforcing new voter registration laws and switching to paperless electronic voting systems, officials across the country are bracing for an Election Day with long lines and heightened confusion, followed by an increase in the number of contested results.
Related: Unlikely to Rule on Indiana ID law till After November 7
On October 18, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments challenging Indiana’s voter identification law, and has yet to rule on the law’s legitimacy. A ruling on Indiana’s voter ID law is not expected until after Election Day.
William Groth, an attorney for the Indiana Democratic Party, one of the plaintiffs, was disappointed that no immediate decision is planned. He predicted the law, approved by the legislature last year, will fuel a spike in provisional, or conditional, ballots and result in a pitched post-election battle over whether those votes should be allowed.
This Indianapolis Star article also has a great update of other such voter identification laws around the country.
Posted by Amanda Adams
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