Should Voting Machine Software Be Open Source?

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Seriously, though.

― Oh, No Reason, Wednesday, 3 November 2004 06:21 (nineteen years ago) link

Somewhat to my surprise, you had the option of using paper ballots at my polling station if you didn't want to vote electronically.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 3 November 2004 06:24 (nineteen years ago) link

absolutely. Everyone can understand how a box and a wax seal works. The widest number of people should be able to scrutinise and understand any other system.

― Ed (dali), Wednesday, 3 November 2004 06:24 (nineteen years ago) link

Ned, I heard they were doing that in quite a few places.

The thought occurs that they would just feed it into the machine for you, though.

― Oh, No Reason, Wednesday, 3 November 2004 06:47 (nineteen years ago) link

paper ballots are just as corruptable as electronic ballots.

there's no way to completely eliminate all voter sabotage.

― twiki's ho and dr. theo slapping ass, Wednesday, 3 November 2004 06:50 (nineteen years ago) link

I agree there's no way to completely eliminate fraud, but that's no reason to make it easy. And effectively impossible to detect.

― Oh, No Reason, Wednesday, 3 November 2004 06:58 (nineteen years ago) link

Making voting software open-source is an obvious Yes. The politicians will never go for it, though, because of all the lobbyists claiming that open source Harms Big Business.

― caitlin (caitlin), Wednesday, 3 November 2004 08:25 (nineteen years ago) link

we don't need voting software. it is a trap

― LE CHUCK!™ (ex machina), Wednesday, 3 November 2004 08:26 (nineteen years ago) link

Open source has increased competition. Competition = healthier business

― Core of Sphagnum (Autumn Almanac), Wednesday, 3 November 2004 08:26 (nineteen years ago) link

My sense is that it would be argued against (read: shouted down) by conflating it with non-secret ballots.

Of course, this will never become a big issue.

But it should.

― Oh, No Reason, Wednesday, 3 November 2004 08:35 (nineteen years ago) link

five years pass...

This is where New Yorkers should post any nightmarish experiences of our first-ever paper-ballot election.

― kind of shrill and very self-righteous (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 14 September 2010 14:07 (thirteen years ago) link

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