Election 2000 -- the first election of the 21st century. How ironic the decision rests upon outdated 20th century technology. Much of the controversy surrounds the punch card ballot used in many parts of the United States. Many precincts adopted this 1960 technology as it speeds up the process of countring votes. The problem is that it is difficult to "punch" the card cleanly. As shown in Illustration A at right (highlighted area), a dangling piece of paper, referred to as a 'chad,' remains attached to the voter's card. As the card passes through the electronic reader, the chad can cause the machine to miscount the ballot.
The principle controversy originates in Palm Beach county of Florida. Ironically (again), chads and punch card ballots were the source of a major dispute in the election of 1984. The race for the office of County Appraisor was close. Voters and candidates challenged the final ballot results and lawsuits dragged on for months. A National Bureau of Standards review found that, "Clearly, there were problems of hanging chad" (see Illustration B at right). But Palm Beach county, and 31% of the registered voters in Florida, still must use the voto-matic system.
The Votomatic System, shown in Illustration C at right, is outdated technology. The National Bureau of Standards cautioned election officials about problems with this system. Specifically, an 1988 report stated that "Chads from prescored punchcards tend to fall out randomly during recounts." Illustration D highlights a passage from that 1988 report. The Bureau recommended against using "Votomatic-type" vote recorders that required prescored ballots."
It appears the Bureau's use of the word "strongly" was overlooked by the election officials in Florida and across the nation. The Bureau added that "use of pre-scored punch card ballots [should] be ended" (see Illustration E).
George W. Bush recently signed into law legislation in Texas requiring a hand count rather than a machine count in closely-contested elections. In Bush's statement Wednesday evening (11/15/00), he stated he now trusts machines over people. During the pre-election campaign, Bush repeated a number of times that he trusted the American people. While speaking about the national budget surplus, Bush commented that the people should be allowed to decide. Now, he finds the American people not so trustworthy.
Illustration A: The Chad Factor In Florida's Recount
Source: CNN - November 16, 2000
Illustration B: National Bureau of Standards Report, 1988source: CNN - November 16, 2000
Illustration C: Votomatic System - Outdated 60s technologySource: CNN - November 16, 2000
Illustration D: 1988 National Bureau Of Standards ReportSource: CNN - November 16, 2000
Illustration E: 1988 National Bureau Of Standards ReportSource: CNN - November 16, 2000
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