Machine Politics

This timeline shows the history of modern voting technology from the first use of uniform paper
ballots in 1856 through the Direct Recording Electronic Voting Machines in use today.

Starting with the 1856 Australian Secret Ballot, which was the first state to use uniform official ballot that listed all candidates and issues in a fixed order, to the 2009 sale Diebold, Inc. voting machines to Election Systems and Software Inc., which now will control over three-quarters of the voting machine market.

After the Presidential Election in "Nov. 2000... many Americans first recognized that their electoral system had serious problems with flawed voter registration lists, obsolete voting machines, poorly designed ballots, and inadequate procedures for interpreting disputed votes." Half of the listings in the timeline have come following the Florida 2000 debacle.

Is there a technological way we can do it better? Despite the advances, voter turnout in the U.S. still stays in the mid-50-percent rage for Presidential elections. Any ideas. Also post your pick for voter turnout in Illinois for the Nov. mid-terms.

votingmachines.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000273

How to Read a Poll

In its traditional media role of scorekeeper, we will see more and more polls reported between now and midterm election day in Nov. These days, it seems there's a poll for everything. In this episode of Congress.org's D.C. Decoder, host Craig Crawford shows you how to tell if a poll's results are legitimate.

www.rollcall.com/cqpolitics/dc_decoder/48423-1.html

One Man, One Vote?

Did the Supremes decision in the Citizens United case, unsettle the democratic principle of 'One man, One vote?' Or, should corporations have a voice like everyone else?

Really? Haven't you heard money talks.....very loudly. In the 2006 midterms, $16 million dropped in election spending. So far for the 2010 cycle, $80 million.

Click on the link for more:

www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/#39510761

Here's the Washington Post article talked about in the video.

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/03/AR2010100303664.html

Why America Hates the Press (or does it?)

Why, exactly, has the media establishment become so unpopular with so many people? Here are just a few examples of what provokes American anger. They suggest that the public has good reason to think that the news media are not doing their job.

Browse the pieces of the PBS Frontline Website on an episode they did on, "Why America Hates the Press." Make sure you read the Fallows article (linked) for discussion and a possible quiz.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/press/