This is starting to seem relevant to the thread of a few weeks back
regarding the difference between statistical & practical significance. It
may be that the 96 Palm Beach bad ballot numbers were statistically
significant, but not practically so (wouldn't have had an impact on the
outcome either way). The 00 results are definitely practically significant
(otherwise there wouldn't be this debate), and could well be the difference
between electing Bush or Gore.
Again, I heard that the real difference in disqualified votes between 96 &
00 is around 15,000 vs. 30,000, when you compare apples to apples.
And I'd also like to enter a contrarian opinion on the incompetence of the
voters. Incompetence or ignorance (even if that is the root cause of the
misvotes) is currently not a disqualifier for involvement in the democratic
process. If that were the case, they wouldn't provide assistance for
illiterate voters (which they do) and (IMHO) they wouldn't allow 90% of the
candidates to run for office.
The discussions I've heard during the media coverage of this all have a
disconcertingly political tinge to them. There seems to be a lack of debate
based on principle. The principle I'm referring to the right of every
eligible citizen to have their opinion heard and choice recorded. If the
voting system in place in Palm Beach hampered this fair process, then it
needs to be investigated in an even-handed way, considering all of the data
available.
- Eric
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Reg Jordan
Sent: Friday, November 10, 2000 12:25 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; dennis roberts
Subject: Re: Stats on Palm Beach votes
These 19,000 "spoiled" ballots account for about 0.3% of the vote count.
Doesn't seem too high to me.
reg
----- Original Message -----
From: "dennis roberts" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Friday, November 10, 2000 10:02 AM
Subject: Re: Stats on Palm Beach votes
> the people claim that since it had been publicized in the newspaper trial
> printing of the ballot ... that it was assumed that al gore, who IS listed
> second on the left ... that his vote would be the second hole ... so, it
> seems like many just like automatons ... punched the second hole ... which
> was for buchannan ... but, the ballot is clear enough ... the arrow next
to
> gore is clearly >>>>>> this way to the right hole ...
>
> but, i want to know why there has not be as much fervor over the 19,000
> invalidated ballots (primarily for double voting for TWO PRESIDENTIAL
> CANDIDATES) and WHY that is the case? sure, they say that it was 15,000
> last time (and then no one presses further on this issue) but ... this
> seems real high to me ...
>
> i would like to see some county listings ... with total votes and %
> invalidated for double voting and see if what palm beach is within the
> typical range or, really an outlier ... IF it is an outlier ... then how
> come? is it because the voters there are SO stupid as to vote for two
> presidential candidates??? i seriously doubt it ... however, if that is
not
> a plausible alternative, then .. what about the layout of the ballot
> compared to what was publicized in the local media??
>
> no one has really pressed this issue ... which seems crucial to me
>
> now, i am totally against REVOTES ... since, folks now know the results
and
> could alter their votes accordingly ... so that is not fair ... but, there
> has to be some ways to attempt to recreate from the invalidated ballots
...
> what happened and to try to recount those in relation to what appears to
be
> a read ballot design fiasco ...
>
>
>
> =================================================================
> Instructions for joining and leaving this list and remarks about
> the problem of INAPPROPRIATE MESSAGES are available at
> http://jse.stat.ncsu.edu/
> =================================================================
>
=================================================================
Instructions for joining and leaving this list and remarks about
the problem of INAPPROPRIATE MESSAGES are available at
http://jse.stat.ncsu.edu/
=================================================================
=================================================================
Instructions for joining and leaving this list and remarks about
the problem of INAPPROPRIATE MESSAGES are available at
http://jse.stat.ncsu.edu/
=================================================================
