Internet voting in the Michigan Democratic primary
The New York Times has an article today, Michigan's Online Ballot Spurs New Strategies for Democrats:
The virtual ballot box has arrived in Michigan. Democrats in this state are the only voters in the country who have the option of voting online in the presidential primaries this year.Since New Year's Day, voters have been allowed to apply for ballots and vote by mail or Internet in advance of the Feb. 7 caucuses. Or, on Feb. 7, they can go to one of 576 caucus sites and vote the old-fashioned way. By Thursday night, 11,000 people had applied for ballots, three-fourths of them over the Internet, according to the Michigan Democratic Party. About 100 people had voted so far, 90 of them online.
Mark Brewer, executive chairman of the party, said he had promoted the Internet option as a way to make voting easier and increase turnout. "Polls show that this is very popular, particularly with young people, and they have one of the worst rates of participation," Mr. Brewer said. "If this helps them, that's terrific."
When Mr. Brewer proposed online voting last year, none of the candidates objected. But when Howard Dean started climbing in the polls, they had a change of heart, fearing that his Web-surfing followers would have an inherent advantage.
Seven of the nine candidates — all but Dr. Dean and Gen. Wesley K. Clark — joined a challenge to the process initiated by Joel Ferguson, a Lansing businessman and member of the Democratic National Committee. Their brief, filed with the national committee, which oversees the rules for states, said that major security problems had not been resolved and that online voting discriminated against low-income blacks and Hispanics, less likely than whites to be computer-literate.
But the national party agreed to the Michigan proposal, and now, with the rules set, the candidates have embraced the process, devising innovative ways to track their supporters and prompt them to vote online.
The article explains how each campaign in trying to turn out the vote -- either via the Internet or at traditional voting sites -- using technology.
Comments
Hey Michigan ! Informed Democrats across the country are counting on you not to be steamrolled as Iowa and New Hampshire voters were into voting for Kerry under the mistaken notion that he's the best and most "electable" candidate. Sadly and significantly a poll of New Hampshire voters on the day of their primary revealled that by a wide margin they considered Howard Dean to be best on the issues yet supported Kerry as more electable
based on his military and Congressional experience. However, the truth is that George W. Bush's military and political record is so disgraceful that almost anyone looks good compared to him ! However, we don't want to put anyone else in the White House who says one thing and does the opposite. I hope Michigan voters will be inspired by Howard Dean's example to stand up for what they believe and know is the "best man" rather than try to second-guess what "the majority" is liable to do. If we take the trouble to be adequately informed on the issues and vote accordingly, we can guarantee that Howard Dean, a man of conscience, rare abiity and integrity will be our next President !
Posted by: Joanne | February 1, 2004 2:53 PM
What good is it to register to vote on the internet with the Democratic Party, if one doesn't know where / URL to go to in order to actually cast the vote, or if like tonight, the web site of mi-democrats.com is not available?
Posted by: John Newman | February 2, 2004 10:16 PM
I still think that Wesley Clark is the man who has most chances versus Bush. He's from the South (unfortunately, the liberal North of the US doesn't have that much significance) and has moderate ideas, so has a great potential. Plus, he's an ex-general, so he's able to criticize Bush from his experience.
I personally think Dean's the best ideas (if he'd be the candidate versus Bush in my country, The Netherlands, he'd surely win because Bush is considered to be extremely conservative) but is unfortunately too leftist to win.
I wish all the Democratic candidates good luck in defeating George Bush!
Rogier van Nierop
Leiden, The Netherlands
Posted by: Rogier van Nierop | February 4, 2004 5:47 AM
As a Michigan voter and a college student, I find it exciting to be able to vote without having to make an 8 hour drive home or apply weeks in advance for an absentee ballot. I plan to vote and wish that I would be able to in November as well.
Lance
Posted by: Lance | February 4, 2004 7:51 PM
I think voting on line is great as long as no one finds a way to fudge it up too! I also would vote for any one of the Democratic candidates before I would vote for Bush. One thing I would like to see is a little better instructions on how to vote on line. Most people that would like to will probably never figure it out!
Posted by: Dick Guttowsky | February 5, 2004 7:37 PM
I would have liked to vote on line, but specific information, such as the URL, is scarce. Is this by accident, or intentional?
Concerning which Democratic Candidate to vote for, I say: Vote your heart. Don't be swayed by the numerous opinion polls, which are easily manipulated (and often inaccurate). Many times, these "polls" are part of a political strategy by the opposing party. Cast your ballot for the most qualified candidate.
Posted by: Karima | February 7, 2004 10:25 AM