Privatized Democracy: Why On Earth Do Private Companies Hold So Much Sway

[Wilms]

Privatized democracy
Sancho's problem exposes flaw

Opinion

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Why on earth do private companies hold so much sway - with relatively little oversight - in a process so central to democracy?

State governments have long recognized that regulation of private utilities is necessary to protect consumers from unfair practices. Is it not similarly important to hold more accountable companies that provide the technology used to cast and count ballots?

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Yet, the same state government that certifies three companies doesn't require as a condition for their doing business in Florida that no county supervisor be left high and dry. Whatever their problems with any supervisor - in this case, the one who administers elections in the state capital, no less - private companies should not be permitted to potentially undermine the voting process and the rights of citizens.

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"Private companies that are not accountable to the United States of America ought not be controlling how Americans vote and how their votes are being counted," he (Sancho) said.

"The right to vote of every Leon County citizen is being obstructed by these three companies, and the state has no responsibility to ensure that the citizens of Leon County can vote? Excuse me, but I think there is a problem with this model."

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