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.
