http://www.auburnpub.com/articles/2009/11/10/opinion/letters/letters01.txt
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 12:30 AM EST
I would like to make a statement about the new voting system
that was used in the Sterling Town Hall, Nov. 3. It was an absolute atrocity!
Here are some of the reasons:
1. The privacy of the voting process was practically
non-existent. We had to “color” in our choices in view of anyone that wanted to
glance over our shoulder and check our entries on the voting sheet. If there is
anything that we don't want to lose, it is our right to a secret ballot
including the privacy of the enclosed voting booth.
2. The new system is archaic. The mechanical machines were
more technically advanced. In this high tech day and age, surely a better
system could be utilized.
3. It is physically difficult for many people to do the
coloring. People with handicaps, arthritic conditions, or simply those with
poor motor skills are severely challenged with this type of task. Many sheets
were rejected by the machine and had to be counted separately.
4. As far as I can see, it would be impossible to correct a
mistake if one was made. I doubt if an erasure could be made.
My suggestion would be to never use this system again.
Either return to the mechanical voting machines or come up with an electronic
device that would simulate the voting process that everyone is used to. It
should be well within the realm of technology to make a computer touch screen
that would be simple and quick and would look identical to the normal voting
machine that everyone is used to.
I also fail to see what advantage there is to combining the
three voting areas into one building. It still requires the same number of
people. Quite frankly, when we went down, it was a zoo in there and it was not
overly crowded with voters. I would like to suggest that we return to voting in
our own area as we did for many years. No one was doing anything wrong; there
is simply too many people and activities going on in a room that is too small.
Please understand that I am not finding any fault with the
workers. They were most helpful and sympathetic with the plight of the voters.
I would strongly suggest that you interview them to get their perspective on
this new voting process.
Phillip T. Eno
Martville