My vote was stolen today by the Hart Intercivic voting machines...

[Vadem]

that we have now in Alexandria, VA. I voted for Lt. Gov. Leslie Byrne and delegate Elsie Mosqueda;

When I selected my person for Lt. Gov., I highlighted and entered as the instructions made clear that I must do; the next screen that came up was for the delegate; I chose Elsie Mosqueda, highlighted and pressed enter; the next screen only showed Elsie, with "cast ballot" highlighted; I thought that I would receive another screen for the Lt. Gov. after I had selected the delegate; not so!!

When I "cast ballot" for Elsie, that was it! (the SOB's stole my vote for the Lt. Gov.) I raised holy hell in my little elementary school. Two men came over to see what I was upset about. I explained what had happened and told them that the f***ing machine had failed and my vote for Lt. Gov. was in the ethernet; I asked them if they could cancel my vote from my four digit voter number and they said NO! They said that once you press "cast ballot" that was the end of it! It makes no sense to me that they were unable to cancel my vote (because I had the four digit number that they gave me to program the f**king machine).

The way our fu**ing machines work in Alexandria, is that when you go in to sign up to vote, after asking for your i.d., they give you a four digit number code that you have to put into the computer; after you insert your voter code number, you move the wheel to highlight the candidate that you wish to vote for. I highlighted Leslie Byrne and hit enter to select her; the next screen that appeared had the Northern Virginia delegates; I highlighted the delegate that I wanted and pressed enter; then I received "cast ballott" which I chose; the only ballot that was voted upon was for the delegate! I called the officials over and told them what had happened and that the machine had failed. They were questioning me about what I had done; I went through the steps and it was determined (by me) that the fucker had failed! I asked them if they could cancel my vote by my voter number and let me vote again. They said "Oh no, once you cast ballot, that is the end of it! I was not very ladylike as I stated that I have been working very hard to get rid of the g.d. machines without a paper ballot, hand counted, and that it would be accomplished before the 2006 elections. I will file a complaint with the Alexandria Election Commission! You can bet on it!

I told them that I have been working to get rid of these machines! I said "Paper ballots, hand counted, and nothing else!" I told them that we would get paper ballots, hand counted, for the 2006 election!

At least, Elsie got my vote!

The bastards!

[johnnypneumatic]

1. we're living in the "Matrix" and

we've got to fight against the machines. The only way to kill a machine is with an EM pulse. So take a tazer with you when you vote (or an ax)

[applegrove]

2. You bring up an important issue. The machines are too complicated

(because in American elections there is always more than one thing to vote on) and people need a way to double check their vote.

[FSogol]

3. Over in Burke,

They warned us not to hit the cast "Vote" button unless we were sure everything was correct and encouraged people to ask questions.

I hope you didn't cuss those volunteers out. Most are senior citizens and are working a pretty long day at the polls.

I also hope that you will follow up with a complaint.

[Vadem]

8. No, I didn't cuss anyone out! I'm very firm but polite.....they got

my point but without the profanity!:grr:

[beachmom]

4. Punch cards where I am

It's paper, but once you pull it out, you have NO idea if you poked the right hole. Completely agree. Paper ballots only that you check mark, and patience for counting the vote. That's what this country needs. That's how it's still done in Europe, and I never here about voter fraud over there. They could have had more advanced technologies, but were smart enough to realize you don't create "efficiency", when it's at the expense of reliability and accountability.

[ernstbass]

5. What a pisser!!

We just got those machines in my precinct too.

[Stewie]

6. Not "stolen" per se

"Cast Ballot" refers to casting your entire ballot. That's why you didn't see it until you finished voting in the only two races on your ballot.

And you've never been able to go back and change your vote, no matter what method of voting you're using.

[Vadem]

7. What I say to this????F***k these machines!!!! We will get rid of them...n