Report: Aging voting machines could cause election meltdown
By Zachary Roth, MSNBC
America’s voting machines are reaching the end of their lifespans, and many states appear unwilling to spend the money to replace them, a detailed new report warns. The impasse raises the threat of a catastrophic meltdown in next year’s presidential election.
The report, released Tuesday by the Brennan Center for Justice, paints an alarming picture. Experts say today’s machines have an expected lifespan of 10 to 20 years—closer to 10. But in most states, a majority of jurisdictions have at least some machines that were bought in 2006 or earlier, while in 11 states—including presidential battlegrounds like Nevada and New Hampshire—every jurisdiction uses such machines. Fourteen states will use some machines that were bought over 15 years ago.
Election officials are increasingly sounding the alarm. “We’re just really concerned,” one county election official in Missouri told the Kansas City Star recently. “Going into a presidential election year with old equipment – we don’t want to be another Florida.”
It is time to convert to a total VOTE BY MAIL system. Not only are the voting machines getting old, they are subject to failing during the election. In addition, the enormous cost to recruit and train pollworkers, rent polling spaces, deliver & pick up voting machines/equipment, etc. can be saved by moving to a total “VOTE BY MAIL” system. Yuba County, and now San Mateo County is engaged in a pilot program for 2015 and 2016 elections – except the Presidential election. A voting site in each City (usually a City Hall) will be available for those who wish to vote in person.
The last election saw Gary Johnson who qualified for the ballot in every jurisdiction except one (around 55 state, territory, ect.. jurisdictions), not allowed into the nonprofit presidential debates. Some people claim John F. Kennedy was the last president who made more independent decisions. So, how valid is the election.
Voting on a computerized device will be much easier to hack and streamline the process.