2016 Postmortem

kerouac2

(449 posts) Tue Nov 6, 2012, 11:27 AM Nov 2012

My Central NY vote cast on optical machines...

I just cast my ballot in Central NY. Optical readers. You fill out the bubbles with a pen and insert it into the machine. What bothers me is that there is no screen to tell you how your votes were read. It only says that your ballot was cast successfully.

At least there are paper ballots that can be pulled out and counted. I would feel so leery using a touch screen with no paper trail. I can't imagine feeling any sense of confidence in my vote being counted accurately. At least I have a paper ballot.

I had read that NY recounts are not automatic. They are court ordered or candidate requested (for certain races). I really hope Dan Maffei beats Buerkle and Al Stirpe takes back his spot as our assemblyman, but their going to be close. President Clinton was here about 2 weeks ago standing up for them at a rally.

5 replies

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My Central NY vote cast on optical machines... (Original Post) kerouac2 Nov 2012 OP

I don't know if this will reassure you OKNancy Nov 2012 #1

We have them in CT. At least there is a paper trail. Jennicut Nov 2012 #2

I'm in Rochester. Habibi Nov 2012 #3

It's taken time, but my parents are getting bluer and bluer. kerouac2 Nov 2012 #4

I am in upstate NY, and the same thing just happened adigal Nov 2012 #5

OKNancy

(41,832 posts)

1. I don't know if this will reassure you

Reply to kerouac2 (Original post)

Tue Nov 6, 2012, 11:34 AM

Nov 2012

but Oklahoma has had optical scan machines in every precinct in the whole state for years.
In the primary of 2004, there was a recount between Wes Clark and John Edwards to see the winner.
They hand counted the ballots as a double check. The vote ended within one or two difference.
The readers were almost 100% accurate.

Jennicut

(25,415 posts)

2. We have them in CT. At least there is a paper trail.

Reply to kerouac2 (Original post)

Tue Nov 6, 2012, 11:40 AM

Nov 2012

Habibi

(3,598 posts)

3. I'm in Rochester.

Reply to kerouac2 (Original post)

Tue Nov 6, 2012, 11:40 AM

Nov 2012

We have Image Cast machines--new to me this year, though I voted using another type of optical scanner when I lived in MN.

It bothered me too, that I couldn't review the ballot cast. But, we didn't have paper receipts when we used the old lever machines, either.

I hope Maffei kicks Buerkle's behind, too! But with Rozum in the mix, who knows?

kerouac2

(449 posts)

4. It's taken time, but my parents are getting bluer and bluer.

Reply to Habibi (Reply #3)

Tue Nov 6, 2012, 11:56 AM

Nov 2012

They say they went for Obama last time, but voted for Buerkle because they just "didn't like" Maffei. Now they absolutely hate that they voted for Buerkle and are going to vote Maffei, Stirpe and Obama. For what it's worth, the 47% tape sealed the deal against mitt. They just can't trust him and I hope a lot of seniors feel the same way.

adigal

(7,581 posts)

5. I am in upstate NY, and the same thing just happened

Reply to kerouac2 (Original post)

Tue Nov 6, 2012, 01:25 PM

Nov 2012

There is NO way to prove your vote! I think this sucks!!

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