Comments on: ALL Iowans Can Use Paper At Polls!!! http://iowavoters.org/2006/11/01/all-iowans-can-use-paper-at-polls/ for Open and Transparent Elections Fri, 18 May 2012 15:57:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0 by: Carole Simmons http://iowavoters.org/2006/11/01/all-iowans-can-use-paper-at-polls/#comment-3129 Sun, 05 Nov 2006 06:47:12 +0000 http://iowavoters.org/2006/11/01/all-iowans-can-use-paper-at-polls/#comment-3129 You may be right about the ballots not being subject to challenge. Nonetheless, voters might want to check to see how these paper ballots will be counted. In at least some counties, absentee ballots - and presumably these paper ballots as well - will be counted by being entered onto the touchscreens by election workers. You may be right about the ballots not being subject to challenge. Nonetheless, voters might want to check to see how these paper ballots will be counted. In at least some counties, absentee ballots - and presumably these paper ballots as well - will be counted by being entered onto the touchscreens by election workers.

]]> by: Jerry Depew http://iowavoters.org/2006/11/01/all-iowans-can-use-paper-at-polls/#comment-3002 Thu, 02 Nov 2006 04:52:56 +0000 http://iowavoters.org/2006/11/01/all-iowans-can-use-paper-at-polls/#comment-3002 Provisional ballots are not the same as challenged ballots. Ballots are cast provisionally when the registration of the voter is in dispute. If the registration can be verified after polls close, the ballot will be counted. If the registration is not in dispute, I see no problem. Counties can't throw out your vote just because they are offended by your choice of ballot style. And if they gave you the paper ballot, how can they challenge it as inappropriate? Provisional ballots are not the same as challenged ballots. Ballots are cast provisionally when the registration of the voter is in dispute. If the registration can be verified after polls close, the ballot will be counted.

If the registration is not in dispute, I see no problem. Counties can’t throw out your vote just because they are offended by your choice of ballot style. And if they gave you the paper ballot, how can they challenge it as inappropriate?

]]> by: Carole Simmons http://iowavoters.org/2006/11/01/all-iowans-can-use-paper-at-polls/#comment-2996 Wed, 01 Nov 2006 17:19:34 +0000 http://iowavoters.org/2006/11/01/all-iowans-can-use-paper-at-polls/#comment-2996 Jerry, I'm one of your biggest fans, but beg to differ on this post. My recommendation to those in all-DRE counties is: Vote on paper by voting absentee. All paper-ballots-on-request-at-the-poll in these counties will be considered provisional, and hence subject to challenge. Iowa code does not require auditors to provide these ballots, except in case of power failure or machine malfunction, etc. So there's a good chance your ballot may be rejected. Whereas all Iowa voters have a right to request an absentee ballot. If I lived in a county using only DREs, I'd go to the auditor's office and vote early (=absentee) on a paper ballot. Let's hope voters avoid the touchscreens, one way or the other! Carole Jerry, I’m one of your biggest fans, but beg to differ on this post.

My recommendation to those in all-DRE counties is:
Vote on paper by voting absentee.

All paper-ballots-on-request-at-the-poll in these counties will be considered provisional, and hence subject to challenge. Iowa code does not require auditors to provide these ballots, except in case of power failure or machine malfunction, etc. So there’s a good chance your ballot may be rejected. Whereas all Iowa voters have a right to request an absentee ballot.

If I lived in a county using only DREs, I’d go to the auditor’s office and vote early (=absentee) on a paper ballot.

Let’s hope voters avoid the touchscreens, one way or the other!

Carole

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