[LINK] Blind voter demands secret vote

[Stilgherrian]

On 24/8/07 5:51 PM, "David Goldstein" <wavey_one at yahoo.com> wrote:
> So the answer to Richard's concerns below is to work for a solution. By saying
> existing technologies are not perfect therefore we should abandon the idea of
> electronic voting is idiotic. The objective should be how to make electronic
> voting work taking into account everyone's concerns.
> 
> Let's face it, electronic voting is here with its imperfections, and it's
> going to happen and be available to everyone in the not too distant future. So
> make it work.

Oh dear! That really just says "It doesn't matter that there are
imperfections, 'electronic voting is here' (fait accompli) so put up with
it." No, we can say "NO, this isn't good enough, go away and try again."

To me, that argument is one step up from "No-one else has a problem with it,
so you shouldn't either," i.e. bullying people into conformity.

David, I don't think for one minute you're a bully! But the argument is
still saying that electronic voting is a given -- when I for one still don't
see what the *advantage* is.

The question must always be "How does this enhance our democracy?" I still
haven't seen where that's been answered.


> Karl, I agree "Non-discriminatory voting is NOT the same as electronic voting,
> and it is a fallacy to equate the two." But, electronic voting is probably the
> only viable method of giving people who are blind a private vote.

How about putting braille on *every* ballot paper? That way you can't tell
whether the vote came from the one blind person in the room. Problem solved,
surely?

Stil


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