Today’s news brings us more from California. A poll was conducted by The Field Poll in the state with 402 registered voters responding. The questions asked were to gauge the voter’s confidence in different modes of voting i.e. paper ballots, DRE, and punch card. The report showed a near equal percentage of voters had confidence in each of the three voting methods with paper ballots leading by one percentage point. 44% of the voters polled had a great deal of confidence that their ballot was being accurately counted without regard to the system being used. What is interesting is reading the headlines from those sources reporting on this poll. The poll results are entitled, “Voter Confidence In Touch Screen Voting Systems No Different Than Its Confidence In Other Vote Methods”. The newspapers then put on headlines that reflect their opinions from, “Many skeptical on vote counting” to “Voters confident in counts” to “Electronic voting trusted, poll shows “. There appears to be no truth in marketing there. [Note: A hat-tip to Frank D. Russo, who wrote about the same issue in today’s “California Progress Report”]
NAtional: Notes from the Underground
Why the 2004 Election Matters More than Ever
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0708/S00284.htm
CA: Voter Confidence In Touch Screen Voting Systems No Different Than Its Confidence In Other Vote Methods
http://www.field.com/fieldpollonline/subscribers/Rls2240.pdf
CA: Field Poll: Less Than Half of California Voters Have "Great Deal" of Confidence That Their Votes Are Being Accurately Counted
Today's Papers Vary Widely in Headlines and Frame on StoryHere are the Numbers and an Analysis
http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/2007/08/field_poll_less.html
CA: Many skeptical on vote counting
http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/339965.html
CA: Voters confident in counts
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070823/A_NEWS/708230325
CA: Electronic voting trusted, poll shows
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20070823-9999-1n23field.html
CA: Touch-screen machines OK with California voters
But Most Like Old Way Better
http://www.mercurynews.com/localnewsheadlines/ci_6695932
CA: Most voters suspicious of ballots' accuracy, Field Poll finds
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/08/23/BAB0RNAO8.DTL
CA: Paper or e-vote? It's a virtual tie, poll says
http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_S_field23.50bc9b.html
CA: More Uncertified Voting Systems in California?
http://www.josephhall.org/nqb2/index.php/2007/08/22/certmess2003
CO: Voting systems' approval delayed
The state won't recertify equipment until Oct. 1, leaving some clerks on edge as Nov. 6 approaches. If systems aren't certified, counties must find a solution.
http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_6692633
CO: Post reported on voting system recertification delay, but not former GOP secretary of state's key role
http://colorado.mediamatters.org/items/200708230006
MS: Leflore County - Candidates, others share concerns on primary
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18736225&BRD=1838&PAG=461&dept_id=104621&rfi=6
NM: Independent Researchers Find High Voter Confidence in New Paper Ballot System
http://www.votetrustusa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2564&Itemid=113
NY: Poll Access for the Disabled
http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/voting/20070823/17/2265
PA: Allegheny County - A vote for new machines
Panel says adapt the old or move on
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07235/811531-181.stm
PA: Allegheny Co. debating whether to replace voting machines
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_523647.html
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