Eating Ballots Forbidden in Canada (Research Article)

This is a summary of Canadian superiority in the elections arena or WHY CANADIANS DO NOT RIOT AFTER ELECTIONS
"Technology and the Voting Process" (Elections Canada; June 15, 1998)
– http://www.elections.ca/loi/vot/...
pages 6 and 40-43

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THE INTEGRITY OF THE CANADIAN VOTING PROCESS
"The integrity of the present [voting] system is something to which Canadians attach a HIGH VALUE. But the integrity of [their] electoral system also depends on what Canadians are prepared to accept as a reasonable standard of SECURITY and INTEGRITY. Canadians TRUST [their] present systems and procedures-what could be called present “technologies”-because they are used to them, because they see that THEY WORK and because people ACCEPT that they will produce an HONEST result." [Who in U.S. would make these claims for our system besides Ohio’s Blackwell and Florida’s K. Harris? Let’s take a vote]

FROM ELECTIONS CANADA 1998: "... the issue of effectively identifying eligible voters (e.g., PIN numbers, fingerprints, voice prints, retina scans) is the greatest hurdle for the voting technology options. Technology experts agree that there are several possible solutions to the personal identification issue; such as, electronic signatures, voice prints, fingerprinting, retina scanning, and smart cards." [Note that counting the votes is NOT considered a huge technical hurdle].

MODELLING VOTING TECHNOLOGIES
Canadian key process steps to VOTING: These are: (1) registration confirmation; (2) the ballot; (3) casting a decision; (4) ballot verification and anonymity the elector; (5) submission of the ballot; (6) vote tabulation 21 and (7) retention and storage.

KEY COMPONENTS: PAPER BALLOTING

3. Casting of decision
The elector unfolds the ballot and marks his or her choice using a PEN or PENCIL in the CIRCULAR SPACE provided on the ballot opposite the name of the candidate of his or her choice. Should the elector make an error in his or her selection or inadvertently deface the ballot paper, the elector returns the ballot paper to the Deputy Returning Officer (DRO) and is issued a new ballot paper. Each elector is allowed one replacement ballot paper.

4. Ballot verification and anonymity of the elector
The elector then refolds the ballot and returns it to the DRO. The DRO, on receiving the ballot from the elector, without unfolding the ballot, verifies that the ballot is the same one that was handed to the elector by examining the initials and serial number on the back of the ballot thus ensuring that the ballot cast is the one which was handed to the elector by the DRO. The DRO then removes and destroys the serial number on the ballot in full view of the elector and all other persons present thus separating the identity of the elector from the ballot.

5. Ballot submission
The DRO then returns the ballot to the elector who puts it in the ballot box. If the elector requests it, the DRO shall deposit the ballot in the ballot box. As soon as the elector’s ballot paper has been deposited in the ballot box that elector has voted and the poll clerk so indicates opposite the elector’s name on the register list.

6. Vote tabulation
Immediately after the close of the poll, in the presence and in full view of the poll clerk and all other persons present (e.g., candidates and his or her agents), the DRO: counts the number of electors who have voted; counts the spoiled ballot papers; counts the unused ballot papers; and checks the number of ballot papers supplied by the returning officer against the number of spoiled ballot papers, the number of unused ballot papers and the number of electors listed as having voted. The number of ballots supplied must equal the total number counted at this point before proceeding. The DRO then opens the ballot box and empties its contents on a table and counts the number of votes given to each candidate on provided tally sheets.

If in the course of counting the votes a ballot paper is found with the serial number still attached, the DRO will, while shielding that number from other witnesses protecting the identity of the elector, remove and destroy the serial number. The vote is then counted. In addition, if, in the course of counting votes, the DRO comes across a ballot which does not bear his initials he shall affix his initials in the presence of the witnesses and count the vote if he is satisfied that the ballot paper was supplied to him, an omission has been made, and all ballot papers are accounted for.

All ballot papers that are not rejected by the DRO are counted and a list kept of the number of votes given each candidate. Once this is completed, the DRO prepares a statement of the poll.

Note the use of serial numbers. Tell me again how great out machines are?

Is someone allowed to eat a ballot? Eating a ballot, not returning it or otherwise destroying or defacing it constitutes a serious breach of the Canada Elections Act.

http://www.elections.ca/

http://www.elections.ca/intro.asp?section=faq...

Robin Baneth, M.S., M.A.
Raleigh, NC
rbaneth@mindspring.com