I tire of both sides of the argument re whether the 2004 election was stolen. Here's what's important. I'm highlighting it so people don't miss it.
The point - the point that matters most, is that problems have and will continue to take place if we don't get off our butts and fix our election system.
So what are you going to DO about it? Here's what I've been doing....
I'm listing these in the hopes of inspiring others. We can all do something here. I think the truth about 2004 is important, and I have strong opinions on the subject you can read elsewhere. But
please help keep THIS diary a place to discuss possible actions we can all take.
1. Get informed on why mixing computers with elections is a nightmare waiting to happen. Start here. Or any number of other places.
The first step must always be education.
2. Join an online group. Get on the boards at any of a number of voting rights groups.
3. Find or join local activists already working on this matter. Most, if not all, states have them. Ask around. Everyone knows someone who knows someone, in the political world.
4. Write letters to the editor every chance you get. You're most likely to get published if you follow these simple rules:
a. Keep it short. 200 words or less.
b. Make ONE POINT, not several. Stay focused.
c. Refer to the article that prompted your letter.
d. Include your full name/address/phone/email info.
e. Spell check. ;D Oh yeah. That.
5. Find out what your state election code says. For example, does your state require precinct results to be calculated in the precinct, or can the votes be tallied on a single computer (red flag!) - ask questions.
6. Who is your Secretary of State? What machines have they approved for use in your state? Are those machines certified or not?
7. Who is your local registrar? Who is counting YOUR vote? Is this person trustworthy, or was this person forced out of a previous county for alleged vote fixing?
8. Do you elect your registrar or is yours appointed? If appointed, should they be elected? Would that make him or her more accountable to you? (My county registrar has been very rude and dismissive to activists. I encourage people not to waste time complaining to her. Go to her bosses, the County Supervisors.)
9. Pass strict audit legislation. It's imperative not only to have a paper record, but an automatic check of that paper record. In CA, with 4400 precincts, our 1% audit has only a 77% chance of catching fraud if it's hidden in 5% of the precincts. A 2% audit would increase those odds to 96%. So I'm trying to push for stronger statewide legislation in this regard.
10. Support Federal legislation that mandates a paper trail and an audit of the paper trail. People complained about Holt's bill three years ago - didn't go far enough. Well, had that been passed then, there wouldn't be a state in the union in the 2006 elections that didn't have a voter verified paper audit trail, and a 2% audit. The perfect is the enemy of the good. I wish we had taken what was offered then.
I hope you will add to this list.
It will be really telling to see who comes in and tries to disrupt or dismiss this. They will be exposing their true anti-Democratic process colors.
In closing, I'd like to leave you with this thought:
Vote as if your vote counts. But work to ensure that's not just wishful thinking.