An Ominous Headline!

[JackLuis]

The South's aging voting machines put election integrity at risk​

The nation's voting machines are aging out, and experts are raising concerns about what that could mean for next year's elections.

A new report by the Brennan Center for Justice titled "America's Voting Machines at Risk" details the voting technology crisis across the U.S. The problem is especially pressing in the South, where states are heavily reliant on machines purchased in 2006 or earlier — and where many local officials say they lack sufficient funds to buy new ones.

The cost to taxpayers of replacing the outdated equipment nationwide could exceed $1 billion, according to the study. But the cost to democracy of not replacing it could be incalculable.

"Old equipment can have serious security flaws, and the longer we delay purchasing new machines, the higher the risk," said the Brennan Center's Norden. "To avoid a new technology crisis every decade, we must plan for and invest in voting technology for the 21st century."

Well bring back the butterfly ballot and save a few billion. Simple.

 

[phrodeau]

Are they running Windows XP?

I live in a major city, and we're still using pen and paper.

http://www.authorhouseselfpublishing.com/authorhouse/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Quill_ink_and_paper_by_enuistock.jpg

 

[BotanyBoy]

Why can't we use our phones to vote yet?

 

[about_average]

Why can't we use our phones to vote yet?

Because the vast majority of them aren't secure.

 

[oggbashan]

Are they running Windows XP?

I live in a major city, and we're still using pen and paper.

No. They haven't upgraded to DOS 3.1

Our local elections, whether for Members of the European Parliament, Members of Parliament, County Councillors, City Councillors or Parish Councillors are on paper ballots marked with a pencil.

Except for some Parish Councils. They have so few candidates that anyone standing is automatically elected.

If you apply for a postal vote, you have to print the ballot paper and sign it before POSTING it. There is no online voting.

 

[Sean Renaud]

Because the vast majority of them aren't secure.

I'm curious how "unsecure" they are en masse assuming that we changed nothing else but allowing you to vote electronically. I mean lets start with the truth, on a day to day basis the risk involved with me buying a DVD online are a lot bigger than someone potentially highjacking my singular vote.

More than that most people have a very specific voting location. Knowing my phone number barely even narrows it down these days. With so few people still paying long distance fees I haven't updated my cell phone number in almost twenty years. I've got a goddamn Florida area code because that's where I was stationed. . .in 2002 when I got my phone! I'm sure I'm an extreme example but even within my current area my friends don't vote at the same location I do because they are on the "far" side of an invisible line.

So assuming the votes still went to individual polling places/servers in order to jack a vote (and make it worth the effort) you'd need my name, phone number, voting address, whatever security measures (most likely some combination of SSN and DoB) and those of enough people in the same district to make such a maneuver worth while. And be smart enough not to get caught.

This is why voter fraud is so fucking rare. It's an astronomical amount of work if you want actually get results. We don't do it for a number of reasons which I imagine boil down basically to two. Dumb old people fear it would be impossible to secure and also think it would be horribly immature. Smart old people know the last thing you want to do is make voting for president as easy as voting for American Idol. They are outnumbered by the youth and out voted for a few reasons which include being away from home (military, college and yes I know about absentee but that's an extra step) being busy with work and just plain not giving a shit. Well I barely pay attention to my face book but regardless if your Facebook timeline said #Ivoteddidyou? on election day I think we could very easily be talking about a 1000% increase in youth vote. The last thing you do when you're winning a game is alter the rules to favor your enemies. If anything you tighten the rules. . .say by restricting early voting in places that don't go your way. . .or other restrictions.