Orange County: More E-Ballots Cast Than Voters

Nofsck Ingcloo writes "Orange County, California has discovered the joys of electronic voting. The story originated in the LA Times, which requires registration to view it. Yahoo News has a copy here. Problems occurred in races throughout the county. Among the symptoms of the problem were turnouts exceeding 100%." Read on for more.

"David Hart, chairman of Texas-based Hart InterCivic, which manufactured Orange County's voting system, said it would be impossible to identify which voters cast ballots in the wrong precincts because of steps the company had taken to ensure voter secrecy. For this reason, an exact account of miscast ballots is impossible. The good news, if the folks there can be believed, is that there is no evidence yet that any result is in jeopardy. In a masterpiece of understatement, elections system analyst Kim Alexander is quoted as saying, "Certainly this kind of problem that's occurred in Orange County doesn't do anything to contribute to greater confidence in electronic voting systems." Steve Rodermund, Orange County's registrar of voters, is quoted as saying that despite the problems, he is satisfied with the performance of Orange County's new electronic voting system."

WTF?

[Anonymous Coward]

Why are there no comments? Looks like we need independent auditors for Slashcode!

Two replies?

[Hays]

something seems buggy here

E-voting problem, Slashcode problem...

[jacobhoupt]

Coincidence? I think. Maybe there are actually only 80% of us replying to this.

So, why doesn't a losing candidate sue?

[Anonymous Coward]

It seems pretty open & shut. They have no clue what the real results should be.

Maybe they can call in some UN observers (or Haitian officials) to supervise the next round of elections.

knowing what I do about the OC...

[Chris Morten]

I have a feeling that either Oliver or Marissa's mom had something to do with this.

Wrong access code?

[MarkusQ]

Wow. Less than 10 posts on this when the one above it has 200 some odd. This must be some kind of record for the least-cared about story to ever hit the front page.

Not neccessarily. I think it may be because they're giving us the wrong access code or something. At least, all of my posts in this thread so far have shown up under an adjacent story which is posted on the same web site.

I swear, these electronic messaging systems are just too unreliable.

-- MarkusQ

P.S. And darn it, why can't I get a simple paper reciept when I post?!

Re:Why can't America get this right?

[woverly]

We're not so much the "torch-bearer of democracy" anymore as we are a mob with torches. And proud of it!

Re:I don't get it

[corbettw]

All we need is one serious fuck-up, like California (the most liberal state around) being won by Bush, and you'll see voter riots.

Um, except that the people most likely to not want Bush elected aren't quite capable throwing a riot. Remember, one of the requirements to having an armed rebellion, is an armed populace. Who do you think is more, or less, likely to have assault rifles in the home: Bush backers, or Kerry backers?

Problem?

[zygote]

More people voted than 100% of those registered?
Shocked! I am appalled.

Sincerely,
Chicago

Re:WTF?

[YetAnotherLogin]

I think that's because all the initial comments on this story got attached to other adjacent stories. :)

Record turnout

[Anonymous Coward]

I don't know, with one precinct reporting a record 290% turnout, it seems like this e-voting stuff is just what we need to get more people involved in their government.

Although the neighboring precinct only had a 9% turnout, so I guess there are just some places where apathy is incurable.

Re:I don't get it

[suss]

If you live in CA, support Barbra Boxer.

Did anyone else see this and go "Barbra Boxer Barbra Boxer Barbra Boxer Barbra Boxer Barbra Boxer MUSHROOM MUSHROOM"?

No? Must be just me then. I'll be off to my Badgers Anonymous meeting now.

Re:Wrong access code?

[SEWilco]

Your access code is 1337

That flame shield stuff...

[Anonymous Coward]

You know, if I were worried about flames and such, I'd put my flame shield on right at the end of the post ;)

This is great see.

[shawn(at)fsu]

This proves my theory, if they would make voting easier then more people would vote, see how good it worked. More than everybody voted which you can't argue with is much better than a measly 40% turnout.

Re:I don't get it

[corbettw]

Well, I didn't say it would be a successful rebellion, just that it would be an armed one.

Besides, the last time the Democrats tried to use armed rebellion to "protest" a President they didn't like, Sherman burnt down Atlanta.