Saturday, November 04, 2006
51-49. My Prediction For The FL Governor's Race.
Update: I wasn't even close although I did say
Crist will win. Do not doubt that Fl Republicans are faithful voters, even when they have to hold their collective noses during this election (as well as close their eyes and ears.) But who knows who really wins the typical close Florida election. There are still quite a few undecided voters in this governor's race, unlike other contests.
I picked up my VST materials last night. Public law dictates that VSTs attend 4 hours of training. It wasn't enough time for me to learn how to perform my assigned tasks. The official said that volunteers (we do get paid $190) wouldn't go for more hours of training, Hell, they can't even get enough people now. I was the last person to leave last night during the only scheduled pick up time. There were still at least 50 communications packs left.
After spending at least another hour completing the hands on activity (a checklist of each task we need to know.) I feel like I'm somewhat competent. I'll still need to study the manual this weekend, so I will know how to use it if I need it. Brenda Snipes, the election supervisor, met each VST personally at the door. I told her I was a little overwhelmed and she assured me that everything would go just fine. She is a lovely person. It wasn't the time or place to talk politics, but I have the impression that she is the kind of person who listens to all sides before making her decisions. I would love the chance to talk to her.
The first red flag. Our morning checklist does not include calibrating the machines. That's what I think is behind all these vote switching stories. Another red flag. I have the master PEB at home over the weekend. It's in a case with a plastic security seal. A more secure procedure would be for elections officials to deliver the master PEBs. VSTs should test the master PEB and calibrate the machines in the morning. If we are stuck with this system, stringent (expensive) measures would make hacking more difficult.
There are some good articles on Slashdot and elsewhere about the central tabulators. Why aren't people talking about the obvious technical fix needed to restore the public faith in the electoral system? ¶ 12:17 PM
Crist will win. Do not doubt that Fl Republicans are faithful voters, even when they have to hold their collective noses during this election (as well as close their eyes and ears.) But who knows who really wins the typical close Florida election. There are still quite a few undecided voters in this governor's race, unlike other contests.
I picked up my VST materials last night. Public law dictates that VSTs attend 4 hours of training. It wasn't enough time for me to learn how to perform my assigned tasks. The official said that volunteers (we do get paid $190) wouldn't go for more hours of training, Hell, they can't even get enough people now. I was the last person to leave last night during the only scheduled pick up time. There were still at least 50 communications packs left.
After spending at least another hour completing the hands on activity (a checklist of each task we need to know.) I feel like I'm somewhat competent. I'll still need to study the manual this weekend, so I will know how to use it if I need it. Brenda Snipes, the election supervisor, met each VST personally at the door. I told her I was a little overwhelmed and she assured me that everything would go just fine. She is a lovely person. It wasn't the time or place to talk politics, but I have the impression that she is the kind of person who listens to all sides before making her decisions. I would love the chance to talk to her.
The first red flag. Our morning checklist does not include calibrating the machines. That's what I think is behind all these vote switching stories. Another red flag. I have the master PEB at home over the weekend. It's in a case with a plastic security seal. A more secure procedure would be for elections officials to deliver the master PEBs. VSTs should test the master PEB and calibrate the machines in the morning. If we are stuck with this system, stringent (expensive) measures would make hacking more difficult.
There are some good articles on Slashdot and elsewhere about the central tabulators. Why aren't people talking about the obvious technical fix needed to restore the public faith in the electoral system? ¶ 12:17 PM
