Elections
Today is election day and the results are not yet know, but I have a few observations of the process as it is and has been. I served twelve years as an election judge in my county, and my wife served as one of my election clerks. These observations are partially based on that service experience.
First, the election cycles are much too long. We've been bombarded with political talk for months on end and are weary of hearing it. We have to really feel for those poor souls residing in the so-called "battleground" states that have had a constant daily feeding frenzy of political talk.
Second, the process from the beginning of the primaries to the final general elections in November cost way too much. We've reached the point to where it takes mega bucks to even consider being a political candidate for any office, and especially national office. The current presidential election process has cost billions of dollars. That's border line sin. Something should be done to limit the amount of money spent which in turn will limit the time and the amount of political talk.
Third, the election process it self is suspect. Extended early voting lends itself to way too much time for opportunity for mischief. Early voting should be done away with, or at least limited to only three days in the week prior to the election day. Absentee ballots must be retained for those unable to physically be able to get to the polls to vote such as military, elderly in nursing homes, critical workers like police, firemen, EMS technicians, etc.
Fourth, you must be registered to vote. If you are not properly registered you should not be allowed to vote. That means do away with the provisional ballot where anyone can show up and vote regardless of circumstances. If a person does not have sufficient interest to take the time to get properly registered then they should not have the opportunity to vote. It's simply meeting your citizenship responsibility to get properly registered. Proper registration also speeds up the voting process at the polls and virtually eliminates the opportunity for voter fraud.
Fifth, the sanctity of the right to vote must be protected at all costs. Extreme measures must be taken to be sure poll workers are honest people, that poll watchers are closely scrutinized to be sure they are legal and properly restrained, that only legal voters and people legally authorized are allowed in the polling areas, and that measures are taken to prevent voter intimidation at the polling places.
Sixth: A person should have some level of normal intelligence to be a legal voter. As an example, the county in which I reside has a state supported facility that houses and cares for a clientele of about 500 mentally impaired people most of whom are of voting age. In my own precinct was a woman of voting age properly registered but definitely of impaired intelligence that always showed up and voted. She always caused a problem getting her ballot, miss marking her ballot, destroying several of the ballots given to her, etc. She obviously had no concept of the voting process and no idea of who or what she was voting for, yet she voted.
Finally, go vote. But, be a properly registered voter and an informed voter. That way we preserve our precious American way of life.
First, the election cycles are much too long. We've been bombarded with political talk for months on end and are weary of hearing it. We have to really feel for those poor souls residing in the so-called "battleground" states that have had a constant daily feeding frenzy of political talk.
Second, the process from the beginning of the primaries to the final general elections in November cost way too much. We've reached the point to where it takes mega bucks to even consider being a political candidate for any office, and especially national office. The current presidential election process has cost billions of dollars. That's border line sin. Something should be done to limit the amount of money spent which in turn will limit the time and the amount of political talk.
Third, the election process it self is suspect. Extended early voting lends itself to way too much time for opportunity for mischief. Early voting should be done away with, or at least limited to only three days in the week prior to the election day. Absentee ballots must be retained for those unable to physically be able to get to the polls to vote such as military, elderly in nursing homes, critical workers like police, firemen, EMS technicians, etc.
Fourth, you must be registered to vote. If you are not properly registered you should not be allowed to vote. That means do away with the provisional ballot where anyone can show up and vote regardless of circumstances. If a person does not have sufficient interest to take the time to get properly registered then they should not have the opportunity to vote. It's simply meeting your citizenship responsibility to get properly registered. Proper registration also speeds up the voting process at the polls and virtually eliminates the opportunity for voter fraud.
Fifth, the sanctity of the right to vote must be protected at all costs. Extreme measures must be taken to be sure poll workers are honest people, that poll watchers are closely scrutinized to be sure they are legal and properly restrained, that only legal voters and people legally authorized are allowed in the polling areas, and that measures are taken to prevent voter intimidation at the polling places.
Sixth: A person should have some level of normal intelligence to be a legal voter. As an example, the county in which I reside has a state supported facility that houses and cares for a clientele of about 500 mentally impaired people most of whom are of voting age. In my own precinct was a woman of voting age properly registered but definitely of impaired intelligence that always showed up and voted. She always caused a problem getting her ballot, miss marking her ballot, destroying several of the ballots given to her, etc. She obviously had no concept of the voting process and no idea of who or what she was voting for, yet she voted.
Finally, go vote. But, be a properly registered voter and an informed voter. That way we preserve our precious American way of life.
posted by Donald G Davidson at 11:23 AM
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