Where I Stand — Mike O’Callaghan: Time for some changes

Thursday, Dec. 14, 2000 | 9:49 a.m.

Mike O'Callaghan is the Las Vegas Sun executive editor.

AS STATED PREVIOUSLY, there is no good reason for Nevadans or any small-state voters wanting to revise the Electoral College. Not only is it a great equalizer, but just imagine the mess if we had to have a nationwide recount instead of just one state like Florida.

This doesn't mean we shouldn't be looking at ways for updating the voting systems of the several states. Did you ever wonder how developing countries testing democracy can conduct an accurate count? Just imagine a nation where large numbers of people speak different languages and can't read or write. It's not uncommon for a national ballot to have a photo of the top candidate of each party. Also a party symbol and colors of each party are on the same line leading to where the voter places an acceptable mark. These ballots are not only easy to mark -- they are also easy to count.

The New York Times believes a special commission should look into the best method of having a better voting system. The newspaper's suggestion should sound familiar to Clark County voters:

"Without prejudging such a commission's inquiry, a quick review of alternatives suggests that the most technically advanced reliable systems involve touch-screen ATM technology, not unlike what one encounters at a bank. Used in less than 10 percent of voting jurisdictions, these ATM systems minimize the potential for human error, on the part of either the voter or the ballot counter. They not only preclude double-punched ballots, but are also capable of asking voters who fail to vote for either candidate if that is really what they want to do.

"ATM systems also entail a more accurate count. They would preclude the New Mexico scenario, where the state's electors were almost awarded to Gov. George W. Bush because one ballot counter initially misread a handwritten "620" on a tally sheet of Gore votes as "120." Brazil, a country larger than the continental United States, held the first national election conducted entirely on an ATM system, with resounding success. More than 100 million people voted on 186,000 machines."

Dr. Katherine Dowling, an expert in geriatrics, writes in the Los Angeles Times:

"We need to consider ways to avoid elder confusion at the voting booth of the future. Ballots will need to be designed specifically for seniors with contrasting primary colors, bigger holes for arthritic hands and a weighted punching instrument that would be easier to control for shaky hands. Designated voting officials could be available to discreetly aid older or infirm citizens, and special voting booths could be designed to comfortably seat those who have difficulty standing."

Kathleen Sullivan, dean of Stanford Law School, is calling for one standard ballot for presidential elections. This, she admits, would require a constitutional amendment, and Congress should initiate the process.

USA Today noted that voting-problem solutions can be had and points to Brevard County, Fla., which "replaced its punch ballots with optical scanners last year. Voters fill in circles on a paper ballot, and the scanners tally votes instantly. This election, the county had complete results before 10 p.m. on election night, and its recount got the exact same result."

So several problems have been recognized, but solutions are also available for the 1,500 counties that have antiquated voting systems. Let's not let changes slide until 2004 and possibly face even more problems.

In the meantime we can thank our lucky stars that our former Clark County registrar of voters, Kathryn Ferguson, came along when she did and brought our system into the 21st century.