After watching the documentary Hacking Democracy last night on HBO, the business of counting votes was very much on my mind today (if you're at all curious about electronic voting and accuracy, watch it. It's repeating a lot this month.) This story of counting trouble is hopefully resolved.
In Virginia, the attorney general has just ruled that absentee ballots filled out by members of the armed forces must be counted. This ruling comes after Fairfax county began rejecting overseas ballots for a technicality. Though all votes count, those who can't be here in person to vote because they're serving, that's a vote to count for sure.
Troops may be voting, but veterans are volunteering for both campaigns. To see they're stories, read more.
Though Pentagon regulations forbid active-duty troops from doing and partisan political activities, for those 869,000 troops who've served in Iraq or Afghanistan and have left the military, campaigning is just the ticket. McCain is expected to carry the military/veteran vote though young vets are working for both parties. For some, the rigors of working on a campaign is pretty close to the service they remember.
One such volunteer said, “For the first time since I came home, I felt like I had the same clarity of purpose with a like-minded set of individuals. It really motivated me.” The key difference for these volunteers could be their motivation. For many it's people over policy. One describes the reason he's campaigning like this: “We lost 37 men in my unit. That sacrifice is holy to me. All of them I knew and I loved.”
Rimmel
Gucci
Rosato
Its good that the Vets are finding a good purpose in working for the campaigns, and that they see the fruits of their labor of love both overseas and stateside
1That documentary is a must see for all Americans, it's frightening what happened and how easily the machines were used for defrauding but it's also inspiring to see ordinary people working so hard to see justice carried out.
2Well, of course their votes must be counted.
3We have to fight for the soldiers right to vote. What the pf*ck?
4Citizen, is the documentary going to make me mad? I've got a list going, I can only get mad about 3 new things a week, and this election has me backed up several months.
5I think the documentary will make you equal parts mad and inspired by the sheer tenacity of the average person who wants to make a difference.
6It's the very best of the American spirit. And I mean that in the most sincere way.
Tons of military votes were thrown out in 2004. I don't know how this 'technicality' wasn't resolved in four years. How long does it take to resolve?
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