FAST FACTS:
Shelby Elections Commission let candidates and poll workers look at machines. Diebold computer machines will be used for early vote beginning Friday Commission still needs poll workers
(Memphis 9/21/2009) Transparency. That's what the big wigs call it. It's one of those new fangled "action" words.
It means see through, or clear. Saran Wrap is transparent. That's what government officials like to say about their operations. They're not hiding anything, why their operations are "transparent." That's what they say at the Shelby County Elections Commission these days.
Over the years there have been a lot of controversial elections...people voting at several polling places, even dead folks were voting. There was great concern that people had lost faith in the system. That's what the new members of the Shelby County Elections Commission are trying to restore...and by opening up their machines for inspection is one way.
The Diebold system has been the subject of a lot of complaints, but Commission Chairman Bill Giannini says it's probably the best computerized voting machine available. Mistakes are almost impossible. "You select your candidate," Giannini said. "When you vote, the computer will show you who you voted for. You have a chance to go back and change your vote, or cast your vote. So it is as foolproof as it can possibly be."
While some candidates were walking through the big warehouse, where the voting machines are stored, another group was getting a quick lesson in how they operate. "They're training poll workers," Giannini said. "We're going to have about 1600 poll workers," he said, "...and we still have needs."
If you are interested in being a poll worker, and it's a paying job, contact the Shelby County Elections Commission at (901) 545-2600.
Shelby Elections Commission let candidates and poll workers look at machines. Diebold computer machines will be used for early vote beginning Friday Commission still needs poll workers
(Memphis 9/21/2009) Transparency. That's what the big wigs call it. It's one of those new fangled "action" words.
It means see through, or clear. Saran Wrap is transparent. That's what government officials like to say about their operations. They're not hiding anything, why their operations are "transparent." That's what they say at the Shelby County Elections Commission these days.
Over the years there have been a lot of controversial elections...people voting at several polling places, even dead folks were voting. There was great concern that people had lost faith in the system. That's what the new members of the Shelby County Elections Commission are trying to restore...and by opening up their machines for inspection is one way.
The Diebold system has been the subject of a lot of complaints, but Commission Chairman Bill Giannini says it's probably the best computerized voting machine available. Mistakes are almost impossible. "You select your candidate," Giannini said. "When you vote, the computer will show you who you voted for. You have a chance to go back and change your vote, or cast your vote. So it is as foolproof as it can possibly be."
While some candidates were walking through the big warehouse, where the voting machines are stored, another group was getting a quick lesson in how they operate. "They're training poll workers," Giannini said. "We're going to have about 1600 poll workers," he said, "...and we still have needs."
If you are interested in being a poll worker, and it's a paying job, contact the Shelby County Elections Commission at (901) 545-2600.
