Will we ever trust election results again?

[zanana]

This is my biggest worry; not who's elected, but having trust in the system itself. I don't think a democracy can survive with all the doubts we have about the "winner", whoever that is. I don't believe that Bush actually won this election; common sense tells me that. I don't think that Republicans would have trusted a Kerry victory. Am I paranoid or do you think this is the general feeling among Americans? Also, what the hell do we do about it? What would make us trust election results again?

[pnutchuck]

1. UN oversight

We should have allowed the UN to oversee our elections. There were several groups requesting this, but the White House, not surprisingly, shot this idea down.

[ladjf]

2. The vote results must be verifiable by the individual voter.

That means that in one way or another each voter must have a unique
ID number/code that allows every voter the opportunity to see the
votes he/she cast on the hard copy voting log by precinct. That's
doable.

[malatesta1137]

6. very doable

but Republicans will never allow it, they know they would lose power if elections were real.

When I make a $10 deposit to my account on an ATM machine, I get a receipt. My vote should be worth at least $10.

[ladjf]

7. You have identified the biggest problem, getting the Pubs

to cooperate with reform.

But remember, not all Republicans support voter fraud. With the support of almost all Dems and then many honest Republicans, it might be possible to pressure Congress into allowing reform to happen.

Another angle might be to get the new system incorporated at the precinct level. The success of those precincts could encourage others to adopt it. And bear in mind that those who stand in the way of
voting reform at clearly identifying themselves as people who prefer
fraud to honesty.

[bryant69]

3. Seems like we won't.

But we are some of the most partisan people in America--how do most voters feel? If they trust the system, than the system will continue to work, after a fashion.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[liberal N proud]

4. Your fears are very real and must be addressed by those

who are in authority.
They tore it down, now they must rebuild our trust. Something I doubt can happen.

[0007]

5. Capitalism in a fascist society is the hip thing these days, get your

sick ass in church and paste the fish ribbon thingie on your vehicle, or "Proud To Be An American" sticker which are becoming popular here in Midland Texas.

We're so screwed!