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Database Problems Stop People from Voting Database Problems Stop People from Voting

Are we really ready to use technology in this way for democratic elections in the USA?
ComputerWorld reports that California’s new voter registration database — whose creation the federal government once called a model for other states — may prevent thousands of eligible voters from casting ballots in a June 6 statewide election, officials fear. Since the database was implemented last December, the voter registration process has been invalidating numerous registrations, mostly as a result of minor data-entry problems.

IMHO this is big news. If registered voters are not allowed to vote then we really are no longer living in a democratic country. Now I will not get into political squabbles about voting irregularities in past elections, but if database problems are stopping citizens from voting then perhaps we ought to go back to paper and pen ballots. I work with technology on a daily basis and I get a little queasy when I go into the voting booth and see the computerized voting equipment. With all of the glitches and security breaches happening these days it is not difficult to imagine elections being thwarted by unscrupulous folks manipulating the technology "behind the scenes."

Now I am not a Luddite, but I think it makes sense to protect the cherished hallmark of our democracy - open, free and unfettered elections. So we should either allocate sufficient budget to protect and administer voting systems and databases appropriately -or- hold off on implementing the technology until we can.

Thursday, April 13, 2006  |  Permalink |  Comments (0)
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Craig Mullins
Data Management Specialist
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