"The state should recount the ballots available to be rerun through machines. A too-vague standard in the new law instead allows counting totals from machines unless three judges divine the machines appear to have flawed counts.

Different types of machines have different problems, but the optical scan devices should have a clearer standard for recounts that errs on the side of actually recounting."

Bravo Virginia!! Every state should follow this example, so we can get complete accurate recounts and be sure each vote is counted right.

This is the only way anyone can find out if Sequoia's machines (or any machine) did not malfunction or was sabatoged ala Florida. Secrecy is the number one thing that must end.

Secrecy of public records, vote counting, and all form of government. By passing laws that take away the secrecy we can have a true functioning democracy.

Andy was right-paper ballots are our best experiment.

Doug E

Doug,

I'm concerned about what is being proposed in Virginia. They're only suggesting that optical scan ballots be run through the machines again. Since we know that at least some optical scan machines can be hacked via their memory card without leaving a trace, it's not clear that this represents any real advantage to voters who want an accurate counting. In fact, memory cards could be reprogrammed to ensure the "right" result for the "recount".

If there is enough pressure in VA to stipulate that all recounts must be carried out by hand, that would be of far greater value to those desiring fair and transparent elections.

In fact it is significant that the losing candidate did not ask for a full recount by hand, but rather just that ballots be run through the optical scan machine again. Does he know something we don't know?

Why was neither candidate looking for a hand recount of all the votes?

I'm for paper & pencil.

Keep up the work on the machines Brad - We have the votes to save America if we can just get them counted.

Exposing these machines for what they really are is America's only hope.

Catherine-

I'm only talking about the recount law if the votoscope tool is used because obviously, there is alot of problems with the scanners.

But having a proper recount law in place first is the most important thing. Whether its using the scanner or not they need to count the ballots, AND have the audit tools VotoScope to catch the errors. If you have over 900,000 ballots obviously the only best way to count them all is on the machine, but then there's the problem of tampering etc.

That's why both methods are actually the only real solution. It takes too long otherwise and is too difficult when you have millions of votes, in an election. Other than to have proper hand counting rules in place as well as use VotoScope audits on the scanners there is no faster or better solution at this time.

Doug