Today, we are no longer a nation so distinctly divided between those of us who are Republican red and those who are Democrat blue.
Today, we are red, white and blue.
Americans, all.
The triumph of democracy is that millions will engage in spirited debate for months on end, then live with the collective decision of a nation of voters.
Like most victories though, it was neither easy nor perfect.
Locally, the process was somewhat marred by reports of glitches with the voting machines in Northumberland County. Officials said the equipment was tested and passed before Election Day. Unfortunately, when it mattered most, the machines acted oddly.
When voters tried to cast a single-party vote, a summary page suggested that none of the candidates had been selected. Election officials say the summary page was wrong and if the vote was cast, the ballot accurately conveyed the intent of the voter.
It seems a bit much to ask voters to believe a computer is accurately recording a vote if the monitor indicates otherwise.
The leap of faith would be less daunting if the machines included the reasonable safety net of paper ballots.
There may be a tendency to disregard concerns about the security of electronic voting machines as the Internet-fueled musings of crackpot conspiracy theorists. Every election seems to add kindling to their cause.
Northumberland County is not the only location where there have been problems reported this election. Election officials in Philadelphia said computerized systems confused some people to the point that they cast ballots that did not accurately reflect the intent of voters. Voters in Texas complained that when they tried to cast a straight-party vote, the machines applied the votes to the candidates in the opposing political party.
Ensuring accurate elections is one of the most fundamental roles of government. It remains perplexing that Pennsylvania allows counties to use electronic voting machines without paper backup. Sensible reforms could instill greater confidence that every ballot is counted. A voting machine ought to be able to provide receipts to voters, the same as a cash register in the grocery store.
Opinion
Paper ballots would bolster confidence
- Opinion
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Good-paying jobs
I am writing in response to comments made by several lawmakers and certain media regarding people receiving unemployment compensation not searching for employment but only wanting extensions.
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Economy is tough but still pay rises
It was my first time attending a Lewisburg School Board meeting last night. I went to hear public comment on the Boards recent decision to extend the Superintendents contract, which included a 20-plus percent pay raise.
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Sunbury has a lot to offer
I would like to respond to the letter writer that inferred that Sunbury was a pretty package with nothing inside.
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Mutual aid is necessary
Mutual aid agreements in local law enforcement strike at the heart of basic small-town decency. When a neighbor is in need, those equipped to help ought to drop everything and spring to aid.
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Lifting me higher
I am not a winner of a Pulitzer Prize, nor am I an author of best selling novels, I'm just a human being attempting to live life here on earth with purpose and I can find no greater way to do that than through my faith and my belief in God.
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Understaffing
I read with interest your article regarding police mutual aid in Northumberland County.
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Carney, Marino ought to get focused on issues
U.S. Rep. Chris Carney and Tom Marino ought to focus on the issues in the upcoming campaign for Congress.
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Blatantly unfair
The Pennsylvania Republican Party is supporting an effort to strike third-party candidates from the general election ballot in November.
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Fiscal responsibility
This editorial letter is only the second such letter I have been moved to pen in my lifetime.
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Schools need a little help from home
Milton High School failed to meet its adequate yearly progress under Pennsylvania's version of the federal No Child Left Behind because one student did not show up for the standardized test.
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Good-paying jobs
