Computer Question about Voter Suppression

[goclark]

Last edited Mon Jun 25, 2012, 06:37 PM - Edit history (2)

We need to get a receipt ------ would this work?


... A receipt that could prove how you voted immediately., before you left the polling station. Or, if you mailed in your vote, you would still get a # that indicated that you voted for OBAMA etc.

I'm not a computer genius but I was thinking something like ....

You go online to Amazon--- you buy your 5 pillows, you click the button and your purchase is confirmed.

Then somehow, when the votes come in you can see that ballot number #208 VOTED for OBAMA and all the others on your ballot.

Could it also tell you how many other people in that polling location also voted for OBAMA?

IT would only have a number, not a name for who voted for him.


Of course I'm just dreaming because the Rethugs would NEVER let it happen and the last time I checked they are in Total Control of this country and certainly in control of this Election Suppression.

[jeff47]

1. The problem is this makes vote buying work

Let's say I'm walking up to a polling place, and some guy offers me $100 to vote for Romney. Currently, I can go in, vote for Obama, and lie to him. I get my $100.

That's why vote buying doesn't happen today - there's no way for the buyer to ensure that the voter actually voted their way.

Now imagine the scenario with a receipt - The buyer will only give me the $100 if I show him my receipt. Now he's able to successfully buy votes.

Further, what does your receipt actually prove? All it proves is the receipt printer thinks you voted for Obama. That has nothing to do with the official tally. In addition, you only have the receipt for your vote. How do you prove election fraud?

More complex systems have been designed in an attempt to get around this second problem, but they still suffer from the vote buying problem.

[goclark]

2. Thanks so much

I understand it better now.