Greetings. Those persons wondering why there seems to generally be so much enthusiasm for electronic voting systems by Congress, even in the face of the obvious shortcomings and dangers in most of the available e-voting systems, might have found this morning's House voting procedure instructive of the attitudes involved.

A vote (on a controversial and massive Medicare reorganization bill, that could ultimately affect every American) was scheduled by the Republican House leadership so that it would take place in the wee hours of the morning, starting around 3 AM EST -- when most people wouldn't be up to watch the fun. Then, when it appeared that Republicans had lost the vote at the end of the designated and announced 17 minute voting period, they held the vote open in limbo for a total of about three hours (by far a new record) to allow for additional arm-twisting and political threats, finally convincing enough members to suddenly reverse their votes to get passage.

With this sort of concern for rules and fairness in the Congressional voting process, is it any wonder that so many in Congress embrace risky e-voting systems, and no doubt will support even more dangerous Internet-voting technologies as well?

--Lauren--