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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



Florida voting problems

Posted: Tuesday, January 29, 2008 10:41 AM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Kerry Sanders
In Broward County Fla., minor delays were reported this morning at a half dozen polling locations. Voters who provide a driver's license for identification have their license run through a machine that reads the magnetic stripe on the back. (The machine is called an EVID).

At least six of those EVID machines at different polling locations did not work this morning. Broward County election officials say they have now corrected the problem, and everyone who wanted to vote has voted, albeit they had to wait a little longer than expected.

Broward County is now infamous for the recounts and hanging chads of the 2000 presidential race.

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Kerry, please remind the poll workers that Florida law does NOT require a driver's license to vote.  I had this discussion with a worker this morning.  While a DL may be what they prefer because of the fancy scanning devise on which they've been trained, it is NOT required, and they cam show any photo ID or even a utilities bill.
WELL ASK PRESIDENT GORE WHAT HE THINKS OF FLORIDA VOTING
You'd think these people would have learned their lesson after 2000.

Or is there something more sinister at work here?
Broward County - run by Democrats. Eight years later, and they still can't figure out how to vote. Better send them some more Federal money so they can try and fix it again.
Because this website has now become a website for Obama's campaign, I will no longer post on this site.  Good luck to everyone, whether you are for Hillary, Obama, or Edwards.  We all have great candidates and would be happy to support any of them.  I will add one more thing, please vote for the Democrat on the ballot in November, no matter who you supported.  The Supreme Court and our country is at stake.  Voting for a Republican or not voting at all for spite over your candidate losing is ridiculous.  All Democrats need to come together.  I've enjoyed interacting with the people on this post and maybe I will return to offer congrats to whoever's candidate ends up winning, but as far as MSNBC goes, I will no longer watch their network or comment on their website.  It seems to be a constant commercial for Obama and just doesn't seem right.  I think this network has become more like Fox news and it doesn't surprise me that CNN has started to overtake them in the ratings.  I like my news to be objective and not slanted one way or another.  Looks like it's back to NPR.  Good luck everyone.

Hillary or any Dem in 08!
The best quote concerning florida voters..."they can spot a crooked majong tile from 40 feet but they can't punch out a chad...'nough said about broward county and west palm beach
I wonder if we will know the winner of Florida tonight...or will it be weeks and a Supreme court decision before we get the results?
The only voting problem in Florida would be any REPUBLICAN voting for McCain (McAmnesty, if you will)

McCain has proven to be an angry old man who will lie through his teeth to get what he wants...  
I used to think Huckabee was the biggest HYPOCRIT in the country (along with all of his other televangelist rip off artist buddies)...
Now its clear that McCain is an even bigger hypocrit...
McCain's LYING over the weekend is the biggest "Florida Voting problem"...

I've grown quite weary of his angry, nasty, backstabbing act.
(Huckabee would be good fit for that imbecile)
Will McCain's mom INSIST on being the first lady?

Whoops... I forgot - if you grow old and ugly, McCain simply divorces you for a younger model.

REEEEEAL integrity there, John.
Who woulda thunk that there would be problems with voting machines in Florida. The repukes are at it again, and will do anything to manipulate the vote to go their way.
De Javu all over again; when is Florida going to ever get it right?
Why does MSNBC make a big deal out of Hillary Clinton holding a fundraiser in Florida, then not bother to mention that Obama has not only held fundraisers in Florida as well, but has ads running on television.  

O I forgot, this is the Obama for change network.  The only thing I a changin for this nation if Obama is elected president is something I never thought I would see, an American president named Hussien!
The final three polls released this morning have a complete toss-up: http://www.campaigndiaries.com/2008/01/final-florida-trends-polls-spending-and.html
I'm so pleased that every state in the union except Florida has a perfect, no wait,no confusion,perfect voting process. Wake up folks, Florida decides the political future of national elections, deal with it.We will continue to get every tidbit of mishaps told on national news because we are national news.
McCain, I guess I am a flip flopper cause I was once for you now I have opened my eyes to your weasle ways of straight talk lies.  I hope other Floridians will see through his conservative smoke he blows and see him for the true liberal ways he is bestowed to.  Why else is the conservative base so upset with him?  He is on the wrong path...Romney you have my vote for being honest and a true Reagan Conservative.
McCain, I guess I am a flip flopper cause I was once for you now I have opened my eyes to your weasle ways of straight talk lies.  I hope other Floridians will see through his conservative smoke he blows and see him for the true liberal ways he is bestowed to.  Why else is the conservative base so upset with him?  He is on the wrong path...Romney you have my vote for being honest and a true Reagan Conservative.
I hate Florida.
The only surprise here in Florida is if an election runs smoothly.  Last time around, I had a machine that insisted on voting for Katherine Harris for Senator.  It took two poll workers stabbing the touch screen with pencil erasers ten minutes to convince the thing that I really was trying to vote for Bill Nelson.  (How many other people didn't notice or were afraid to ask?)  I was lucky.  Other local voters had their polling places moved with no notice and couldn't even find their machines.  In 2000, I was turned away at the polls.  Is it incompetence, dirty tricks, or a combination of both?  Until the state Democrats get organized and find some political will, we'll never know.
Florida with voting problems? Wow - even without that harpy evil Katherine Harris around?
well i watched John McCain stick to answering question using mitt as his escape to his qanswers..Cant anybody ask him what he going to do with the 12 million illegals,   Dont give me the excuse we have to get our borders secure..How longs that going to take while more and more get in..How about answers to the economy not who you have for edorsement, give ous solutions yours not others,  what will are  troops be comming home to a broken american because there will be nothing here for them to support there families who are allready suffering..wheres your leader ship on this issue your now only responding to the war which in your case will be for ever instead of whats right for America...My friend straight talk  and quit hiding behind others. very disappointed.This was at 1200n today the 29th..You know my friend ever state has its own issue and they are  all important but we cant make promises to ever state with issue...We did with Katrina and what a disaster that was...You only promoting hope during you campaing and disappointment when elected.
justhinkinoutloud:

And what Republicans are the Republican rigged machines favoring, especially with Republicans who don't really mind providing ID, while the Duh-eeNC has disenfranchised Flori-duh voters from the primary process?

Will the duh-nied duh-elegates now be allocated as super duh-elegates where Clinton has an edge? Isn't the Duh-eeNC run by Howar-duh Duh-ean?  Why has Howar-duh Duh-ean disenfranchised Flori-duh Dem voters?

Be careful about thinking out loud, people can hear you.

That's all right Matt.  You don't have to come down here.  Might as well leave this horrible <sarcasm> state to those of us who have to suffer with living here.
News Flash......Lead levels in your blood from leaded gasoline and paint in the mid 20th century cause brain function decline in latter years...........Soon enough the Republican Party will be no more.
Greg R., Spokane, WA:

You seem to be relishing the unlikely prospect of a mono-government in which only one point of view would be tolerated. I suppose the "fairness" doctrine is also high on your list as a tool to silence the opposition.
Dick, WA state

I was proudly Republican for most of my life.  If they (R's) don't wake up and get back to what I used to support.....at least a mono Govt will do the same thing to the Dems as it has to the GOP.  No question there.
Here we go again!!!.....is Karl Rove in Florida?...i smell a rat!!!
Most probably don't care, but I can't find any Maine GOP Caucus polls.  Do they exist?
Kathleen Harris still in Florida?
FLORIDA VOTER FRAUD!
Some newspapers in Florida are reporting that poll workers in Florida are giving ballots to registered "Independents"; and allowing them to vote in today's Republican Primary Election!

Isn't that Voter Fraud? ( YES!)
It's a "closed" primary! Poll workers are allowing people to change their Party Affiliation on the spot; right at the polling place, just minutes before voting!
This is a winner take all REPUBLICAN ONLY primary! It is illegal for registered Independents to be allowed to vote in it!

Some serious and not-so-serious questions for Greg R., Spokane, WA:

Does any other party (with a chance of winning an election) offer more of what used to make you proudly Republican?  

Is the current Democrat party a viable alternative for you, i.e., offering more of what used to make you proudly Republican?

Do you consider addressing me as "Dick" instead of Richard clever and original or is it just the lead poisoning working?  It was pretty underwhelming.



"I'm so pleased that every state in the union except Florida has a perfect, no wait,no confusion,perfect voting process."

Don't fret, Im - in 2004, Ohio had voting districts with more over-votes for George Bush than the district had registered voters, so there are at least two "voter fraud 'r us" states.

The pathetic part is they cheated to put a trained monkey in the WH. Sparticus I could understand, but Bush the Lesser?  Good job.
Like my seriously Republican father told me growing up:  

You can't legislate morality.

Any other (political) Party offer more?....Nope, just less (acrimony and Party first, formost and last).  I hate Nazi's, R's have quit thinking for themselves....see Cal Thomas' article of today.

Any party that does not pander, and especially to religious wackos, will get my attention.

How's Richie R. work for ya?
This doesn't surprise me.  Since 2000, Florida has had problems for awhile; the country only became aware of the problems since 2000.  If something like this were to happen again, I would have everyone re-vote!  There is no need to have people looking there for day after day.  Everyone should have be made aware of how to do the punching out of the chad.  
I hate to admit it, but i did see a problem at the polls today regarding the computers. When you show your ID and,it is confirmed you are who you say you are, you sign a screen,similar to one we have all seen before, and a recipt is printed with your signature on it. Well a woman who arrived a few minutes before me came running back to the desk and had a recipt with another persons signature on it. By the way turn out was very low at 10:30 this morning. The poll worker easily confirmed "you are right that isn't you signature, I know that person and it sure isn't you" After 2 or 3 phone calls and 4 or 5 minutes everything was resolved. I am not sure what really happened, but it didn't seem difficult to fix. However like I said it was very slow at this polling place(New Port Richey Fl. Pasco county just north of Tampa) Now folks, I am not kidding about this, I was told as I walked to the screen to vote,"Don't get used to this machine we are changing again this August" .

I just wanted to share a few thoughts on voting for the first time in the South, I am from Connecticut. And in case you wanted to know I voted for Mitt Romney.            
The GOP is in such disrepair, they need Independent voters just to get a decent showing at the polls. None of candidates are conservatives anyways. (Expect the one who's being ignored).
Re: Difficulties in voting
The machines had to be at fault. These were Republicans voting and they are intelligent enough to know how to use the machines.
I'm a registered voter, they had me independent , so I could not vote, what's up with that, I'm getting sick of this, Republican are going to be handed this again, Sorry John Edwards, I went there to vote for you!
Tuesday afternoon, I voted in the Florida Presidential Preference Primary.

Let me be among the first to say that the new system was poorly designed, poorly executed, and with a security hole big enough for any dishonest voter to drive a truck through, with no knowledge of computers necessary!

After the preliminaries, the pollworker retrieved the red and gray device that had to be plugged into the voting machine to activate it. After activation, A message popped up, asking whether I was Republican, Democrat, or Independent.

And then she asked me what party!

I was horrified.

ANY voter could have easily voted in the Republican primary, just by lying to her. ANY voter could have easily voted in the Democrat primary, just by lying to her.

This information SHOULD have been taken from that paper. By asking the voter, she would have allowed ANYONE to vote in the Republican or Democrat primaries, in violation of Florida law.

In a properly-designed system, a unique code on the paper would have had to be entered on the machine. This would determine which ballot would be displayed.

Once again, our government has fixed a problem by creating a much bigger problem.

I have no faith in the results of this election, because any politically active voter noticing this flaw early in the day could have mobilized a crowd to vote in the wrong primary, in violation of Florida law.

As a technical writer (author of software manuals and online help), I know a bit about usability, computer security, and user interfaces. Had any qualified computer or security professionals tried out the prototype machine and/or software early in the development process, this serious flaw could have been detected in five minutes! And then prevented before millions of dollars were wasted.

I am hoping that an update to the firmware is all that is required to fix this security hole, and that it can be accomplished before the Florida primary this fall.

The politicians who authorized these systems owe us some serious answers about why this system was chosen with such obvious flaws.

Follow the money!
Dear Everyone,
           I am from the panhandle of florida. I thank God that we did't have voting machine or other problems. I will say this to all the other states , this situation can happen to any other state. Bad from the top to the bottom.!!!!!! It will be up to the voter to scream loud and clear ,,,to get this mess clean UP!!!!
                     Hazel C. Seamans from Pensacola. Fla.


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