| The World Upside Down |
18 August 2003
|
ACLU Asks Judges to Halt Recall Vote in California
The California recall initiative has grown ever weirder. However, the icing on the cake may be a lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union to postpone the election until March so that flaws in the voting procedures can be corrected. It may be the first time the ACLU has asked to prevent an election to protect voters' rights. Even Floridians are laughing at California, but at least the lights don't go out on the left coast.
The problems stems from the punch card ballots used by 8 million Californian voters. Many of the precincts with such technology have high concentrations of minority voters. Since American election officials cannot guarantee that the machines will work, the ACLU wants to wait until March, when all have been scheduled for replacement by more sophisticated systems.
Naturally, the delay favors Governor Gray Davis, in that he gets a few more months for things to improve. And the presidential primary in March will bring out more Democrats to the polls, according to people who believe the nomination won't be sewn up by then.
Yet what a wonderful testament to American democracy and the rule of the people. An election, which has been called under duly constituted (if silly) rules, may be postponed (contrary to constitutional provisions on the timing of a recall) to protect the voting rights of the people (many of whom have signed petitions to hold the ballot).
The solution, of course, is simple. Paper ballots and a slow count. Patience would solve the entire thing. It is not, however, at the core of the American national character.
Home