World

2006 Zogby Poll: 92% Support Public's Right to Monitor Vote Count

by Erik Larson | August 16, 2008 at 08:56 am | 138 views | 4 comments | 2 recommendations

92%; how's that for a demographic? I am surprised that 8% didn't agree; I thought only the owners of the companies making the secret and unnaccountable software counting US elections, and their backers in the Republocrat Party were the ones who are afraid of transparency and public oversight in the electoral process.

A majority of Americans—61%—are aware of news reports of flaws in electronic voting machines and want members of the general public to be able to watch votes be counted following an election, a new Zogby International poll shows.

The telephone survey of 1,018 likely voters was conducted Aug. 11-15, 2006. It carries a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points.

Asked whether Americans have the right to view and obtain information about how elections officials count votes, 92% of respondents concurred.

"The 92% support for the public's right to view vote counting and obtain information about it is a very strong political value of transparency and against secret vote counting outside the observation of the public," said Paul Lehto, a lawyer and sponsor of the survey. "To put this figure in context, support for election transparency exceeds the support for tax cuts, exceeds the approval of Pres. Bush immediately after 9-11, and virtually all other political values being measured." Mr. Lehto is counsel in the 50th Congressional District election contest in California.

Most of those surveyed— 80%—said they want votes to be counted in front of observers representing the public, and that elections officials should not rely solely on the proprietary software that operates electronic voting machines that are presently being installed all over the United States.

I favor paper ballots marked secretly/cast publicly, hand counted in full public view on election night in the local precincts with results posted immediately in the precinct and online, with numerous independent exit polls to verify the results. I also favor getting corporate money out of the political process. Less commericals and more debates, including 3rd party and independent candidates. Instant run-off voting. If "elites" are really elite, they should be able to compete on a level playing field with the rest of us.

recommend Add a comment

René

at 09:20 on August 16th, 2008

Think the only way at this point the American people can make any changes, is to threaten and start recalls on Governors and legislators in their states to force valid voting methods. And we don't have much time. But take heart, Louisiana did force their voice to be heard in less than three weeks. So it can be done.

Erik Larson

at 14:28 on August 16th, 2008

the recall is an interesting option, happened out here in CA, which opened up the playing field to a lot of different contenders. It can be a lot of work and expensive gathering signatures, and then there's still the problems with the voting machines.

As scared as the powers that be are of transparency, and of the public having all the facts, as many billions they spend every year on "manufacturing consent", I'm betting that sharing info and ideas with the new and emerging media is going to cause a paradigm shift.

I am actively looking for alternatives and options, and interested in hearing about anything that doesn't involve violence.

moonwolf

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 09:22 on August 16th, 2008

Since when does anyone in the US Administration give a damn what the people want? It will be electronic business as usual in November.

Erik Larson

at 14:35 on August 16th, 2008

Right, they don't; it even seems they think the People are an annoyance. They probably hate that they have to lie so much to maintain their position and privilege. I don't have the answer that will establish justice, but I think human nature and the new media are developing one. 92% is a demographic that the illegitimate elite class should be wary of messing with. We don't need Big Brother; the parasite needs the host.

The False Logic of Hopelessness (Why the Elephant Should Stand Up to the Mouse)