I captained a Citizen Parallel Election yesterday. Very empowering.

[shance]

In short, it was one of the best experiences I've ever had in terms of democratic participation.

We had an amazing group of volunteers (minus one rather interesting person), mostly older individuals, and the response to our 'election' was overwhelmingly supportive and appreciative by all the voters who participated, which was the majority of all those we approached.

What a Citizen parallel election is, is essentially a citizen written exit poll, or citizen audit of the votes being tallied at a specified polling place.

We set up our 'voting booth' twenty five feet outside the election site at 6:30 in the morning and when the polls opened, we asked the voters to participate in our written exit poll after they had finished voting.

There were two entrances to the booths so we missed a number of voters, but out of all the voters we did approach, I'd say ninety percent of them participated. It was an incredible response. There were a lot of individuals very concerned about their vote being counted.

What is so valuable about implementing a parallel election, especially right now in light of the usage electronic (vote vaporizing/magically appearing*) voting machines, is it can provide substantial evidence of irregularities/inconsistencies/fraud at an election site, AND the results from a parallel election can be used as tangible, credible evidence in a court of law and/or a call for a recount.

Last year in San Diego during the mayoral campaign, parallel elections were held at a number of voting places.

The results were so distinctly inconsistent with the "legitimate" election results that were tabulated, it became the necessary evidence needed to instigate a Mayoral recount.

Of course and unfortunately, there was red tape/opposition/stalling thrown into the mix of the recount (which is why I'm not supportive of recounts as much as I am removing the greatest obstacles to an honest election like electronic voting machines ), but the importance and value of parallel elections was made crystal clear during that election.

There are certainly vital guidelines that must be met when implementing a citizen audit/parallel election, namely that it is totally bi-partisan, all regulations/standards must be followed to the 't', and that the results are TABULATED PUBLICLY in full view of any citizens who want to participate.

Bottom line: our Democracy depends on us.

We MUST PARTICIPATE in order to keep it.

Period.

And the great thing about it, it's a lot of fun and empowering to participate.

There is no doubt in my mind that if every voting place also maintained a parallel election/citizen audit, it would create a groundswell of empowerment, enlightening results and much more honest elections.

And you can make some good friends along the way.

[shance]

1. Coffee kick

n/t

[KittyWampus]

2. Shance, would you mind sharing the results of you exit poll? Did it match

percentage-wise with official results.

And I didn't know there were concerted efforts to do this.. or that they can be influential in calling for a recount.

[shance]

3. I'd love to. We are doing a public tabulation of the votes today!

I'll keep you posted after I get the results.

n/t

[shance]

4. And another*

n/t