US Election Assistance Commission - Voluntary Voting System Guidelines Vote
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Name :   Rachel Garner
Organization :   N/A
Post Date :   9/30/2005

General Comments
Comment :  5]  In this computer age, a vote audit system needs to have the following  
features.

a)      Exit poles should be conducted at randomly selected locations by  
qualified independent non-political organizations as the first step in verification of the accuracy of
the results reported by the voting machines.

b)      If there is a discrepancy between the exit poles and the computer reported results of
more than the margin of error or 3%, the candidates would be entitled to  
ask and receive a manual recount at the expense of the government agency.

c)      In addition each voter should be furnished with a printed report  
and the ability to correct mistakes before the machine confirms the vote.  This "voting receipt" should be
given to the election committee and kept on file in a save place for at  
least one year.

d)      In addition, the election commissioner should make a copy of the  
computer program used in the voting machine immediately prior to the day of election.   This copy should be kept in a safe place and made available to independent computer  
programmers for examination if a recount is called for.   Such an examination could help determine if the voting machine was accurately reporting the votes cast.

Such a vote audit system could help prevent vote fraud, help restore faith  
in government and encourage more people to exercise their right and responsibility as citizens.