US elections too f'd up even for Carter Center to try to monitor [View all]

[TheDormouse]

a blast from the past, but, sadly, none of this has changed

Originally published March 28, 2005

MANY ASPERSIONS were cast in the wake of the 2000 presidential election debacle. A common theme involved former President Jimmy Carter, trusted monitor of more than 50 elections around the world, and how his talents were more needed at home.

Indeed, Mr. Carter and former President Gerald R. Ford were both quickly pressed into service to recommend election reforms. But they were mostly ignored.

Now, four years and another messy election later, Mr. Carter, 80, is being drafted for help again. Congress would be smart to listen to him this time if American elections are to rise above global laughingstock.

By the criteria Mr. Carter applies to other nations, U.S. elections are nowhere near fair. Candidates don't have equal access to the public through the media. There is no central election commission viewed as nonpartisan. Voting procedures aren't uniform, even on a statewide basis. And many places using electronic touch-screens, including Maryland, have no paper backup for recounts.

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