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Take a Photo Of your Ballot - For Backup
I just read a story on DailyKos about a voter in Pennsylvania taking a photograph of their ballot. This is a great idea.
Not only do the voters get a copy of their own votes, the city/state gets a digital copy of all votes taken. This would be perfect for recounts.
If the cameras could all be somehow tied to one computer or place to store all those pictures, date and times – then if a recount is needed the pictures would be available.
I’m no expert but couldn’t those pictures be scanned and then a total count added up of who voted for whom? In fact, if this scan can be done, wouldn’t this provide quicker results for an election?
Anybody see any drawbacks to this idea?
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Comments (11)
Is it legal? I don't see why it wouldn't be but there might be some law against it.
April 22, 2008 2:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/4/22/132930/583/548/500835
This is where I saw the story.
It's YOUR vote -- why couldn't you take a picture of it? And as far as the city/state taking a copy of it -- your name is NOT on the ballot, so it's not involving personal rights.
April 22, 2008 2:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://www.runhardmedia.com/hrc.jpg
April 22, 2008 2:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Where is Barack Obama?
April 22, 2008 2:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's one of those things that candidate supporters hand to you as you're going into the voting booth to "help" you vote.
April 22, 2008 3:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is the perfect state for voter 'irregularities'. Rendell has the aura of a sub-prime mortgage broker.
April 22, 2008 3:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think having a record would help.
The person who rigged the 2000 election built software that could hack the voting machines and turn the overall count in favor of any candidate.
He even made sure to match the outcome as closely as he could with the exit polls.
Of course, you can't do this if a landslide is expected. Only when it's close and it's a make or break situation. Like Ohio.
I've been curious about the last tallies that came in there. They seemed to inflate the point difference pretty quickly.
I have no proof that this stuff is going on now. But in this election, the Clintons seem as addicted to power as the neocons.
So it would be irrational to think history won't repeat itself.
April 22, 2008 2:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
So, what's wrong with this?
Well, there's one of two problems with it. Either (a) it can be easily spoofed, or (b) it can't.
If it can be easily spoofed, then it doesn't help much, because you can't trust what you're seeing.
If it can't be easily spoofed, then it can be used by those who wish to coerce you into voting a particular way. They would demand "proof" that you voted the way you said you were going to vote.
April 22, 2008 3:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, some voters already get a ticket showing who they voted for. I would accept that too. But this is no different in my opinion, except that it could be used as a reinforcement against the actual vote. If they don't match, then a recount will be needed.
April 22, 2008 3:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
They don't keep that ticket though, do they? I'm assuming that ticket is put in a physical ballot box to use as backup if something goes wrong with the computer system. (This is how it should be done.)
April 22, 2008 3:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well it COULD be spoofed. But it could definitely work at the sametime.
I read this making an assumption that most people nowadays have a camera phone, or at least access to one.
It would be easier to take a pic of it while voting, or going to vote. And you can upload the photo to a digital server that Verizon, Sprint and Cingular all use. I am not sure about TMobile and how they do it.
If you dont have the internet on your phone, or the picture ability, you will more than likely pay a .01cent per kb for the upload. Roughly a buck, a buck and a half depending. I dont BELIEVE any of the providers are at .02cents yet, but you can do the math.
Ill be doing this on Election day here in Cali.
The overall problem with this is that most people will NOT do this, and thus would probably nullify a recount. But not a bad thing to get the word out on it before November.
April 22, 2008 3:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
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