Yesterday’s post on new voting machines speculated that fears about technical glitches might help avert technical glitches.
So much for that theory. The Washington Post reports that “James Webb’s last name has been cut off on part of the electronic ballot used by voters in Alexandria, Falls Church and Charlottesville because of a computer glitch. . . .”
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Just a follow-up to my last comment—anyone interested in more information can find it posted here:
http://ricksincerethoughts.blogspot.com/2006/10/posts-report-on-harts-eslate.html
That may tell you more about how ballots are designed, local Electoral Boards work, and how we address problems and difficulties than you ever thought to ask about.
Hart Intercivic has already fixed the problem in version 6.0 of the eSlate system. The new software has not yet been certified by the State Board of Elections. It will be ready in time for the 2007 elections.
Over 500 voters have cast absentee ballots in Charlottesville so far, and not one has complained about the truncation of James H. “Jim” Webb, Jr.’s name on the summary page. Charlottesville is a very Democratic town, too, so if anyone would notice a problem, they would do it here.
We have been dealing with this issue in Charlottesville for several years now in the most direct, low-tech way: We post notices in every voting booth that show how all the candidates’ names will appear on the summary page, before a voter pushes the “cast ballot” button. This has proven satisfactory to the voters here.
What would be GREAT is is James We was the Green Party candidate or something…
Have they reported a fix for this yet?
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