-Caveat Lector- Online Voting Could Mean The End Of Pregnant Chads by Paul Shread Talk about good timing. In the midst of the Florida election fiasco, online voting firm VoteHere.net just announced $10 million in venture funding from Northwest Venture Associates, Compaq Computer and Cisco Systems. The company says the timing, while fortuitous, had nothing to do with the imbroglio in Florida, with its butterfly ballots and pregnant chads, or improperly punched ballots. "This has always been the timeline, it just worked out this way," said VoteHere.net spokesperson Kerry Alexander. But the company's not wasting the opportunity to point out that the presidential debacle could have been avoided had its Web-based voting machines been in use. "Certainly, online voting has some advantages to the voting systems currently in place," Alexander said. For one, the system provides a "clear-cut audit trail" and is "more fail-safe and protected from fraud" than current systems. There are no over votes, and no spoiled or mishandled ballots. In short, nothing to fight over in close elections. No reason to send party lawyers to contest the results. No captivating television dramas. How boring. VoteHere.net hasn't been certified for use in any state yet, but the company is pursuing the process in California and Florida. That's right, Florida. Alexander said that despite the headlines, Florida is "very progressive" in these matters. VoteHere.net is also seeking certification with the National Association of State Election Directors, which would give the company inroads into 37 states. Online voting pilots were conducted in California and Arizona this fall. The system could be used from home, similar to the way absentee ballots are conducted now (don't go there), but Alexander said the system more likely will be used in public polling places. Voters could vote from any polling place, since all information would be contained in a central database. After signing in, they would be given a digital certificate, which they would then take into the voting booth to choose their candidates on a computer screen. Ballots are encrypted, sent to the company's secure data center via the Internet, and never decrypted, denying hackers access. Alexander said the cost of the system is comparable to current systems, and potentially less. And certainly less than the cost of a couple dozen party lawyers, endless court hearings and hand recounts. For an online version please see http://www.internetvcwatch.com/vcwatch/article/0,2112,2601_517451,00.html <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
