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| "So Long, Long Lines!" : Responsible Voter Machine AllocationThe Challenge: advocate for a "responsible" ratio of voting machines allocated per registered voter in order to abate excessively long, arduous, and demoralizing voting waits. How the proposed Challenge meets the challenge criteria: 1. Our challenge builds upon the Help America Vote Act. Vision or background behind the proposed Challenge: In the 2004 presidential election, many eligible voters were unable to vote because of excessively long voting lines. Such lines infringe unreasonably upon the private lives of voters; they discriminate against the elderly, those fatigued from the workday, and individuals with special medical need. Furthermore, speculative information about election results can inundate long voting lines, affecting individual votes and skewing final results. Long lines also augment the use of provisional ballots, increasing the potential for fraud. Since 2004, little has been done to address this dilemma in our electoral system. . In the small college town of Gambier, Ohio, there were 1300 voters eligible to vote on November 2, 2004, but only two voting machines were allocated—and one of them broke down. In the whole of Knox County, where Gambier is located, there were only 112 voting machines allocated: an average of 330 registered voters per machine. The current “responsible” standard, as defined by the Ohio state legislature, is 175 voters per machine. Our vision is to determine what “responsible” voter machine allocation is, and then to promote this standard into law. To do so, we seek to hold Congressional hearings, foster dialogue on the topic, and raise awareness about machine allocation. We support quotas or mandates for a responsible number of allocated machines so that all Americans can vote freely and with integrity. Why Roosevelt should take on this Challenge over others: This initiative has already promised much media attention. We have already met with members of two different congressional committees (Bob Ney, Dennis Kucinich, John Conyers, Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Danny Davis, Janice Shakowsky)spoken publicly with senators (Hillary Clinton, and John Kerry), and have garnered bipartisan support for this measure of reform, including that of Madame Commissioner Gracia Hilman (Help America Vote Act Commissioner). It is our sincere hope that our panel of researchers and experts will soon illuminate this issue before the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, ensuring a more just democracy, and resurging the civic passion that exists within the American heart. Roosevelt's endorsement would be a great benefit to both our initiative and Roosevelt's involvement in the political spotlight. CommentsAn imperative challenge to tackle... Intelligent and realistic. It is an issue on which both parties could agree. This is a realistic proposal that could easily see support from both sides of the aisle. A critical issue, some changes are desperately needed. Great idea, could encourage more young voters |
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