From: vdodd@Actrix.gen.nz (Vaughan Dodd)
Subject: Re: Voting
Organization: 16 Parkside Lane
I have just come into this discussion, but there is a simple way of
organising for secret voting in small organisations.
In New Zealand we have a system of counters and envelopes, and the
appropriate equipment is held by each branch or our National Office so
that secret voting can take place.
You might have a system where counters are placed in envelopes for
those candidates in an election you wish to support.  Example: two
candidates stand for an office.  Counter in envolope supports
candidate, empty envolope is a vote against.  You need to have a
system which allows scrutineers to confirm with returning officers
that votes a valid, so typically, counter in an envolope is for, empty
envelope is against.  Each person's vote is dealt with separately.
We use secret voting as a last resort.  Voice voting is preferred, but
on occasions, show of hands is required.
Don't know how our system would apply in large gatherings, but I
suspect, there is more stage managing.
Vaughan.
On 08 Oct 97 03:46:20 GMT, you wrote:
>
>
> Jm> I agree with you.  I wish that there was secret 
> Jm> ballot voting in our state
> Jm> and local chapter.  We use sighted people to count, 
> Jm> and I wish that I had
> Jm> a way that no one knew how I was voting.  They use 
> Jm> my mother-in-law as one
> Jm> of the counters, and we disagree on a lot of 
> Jm> things, and she often hounds
> Jm> me about it afterword.  I know that I can still vote the way I want
> 
>Many state and local organizations have figured out a way for people to vote 
anonymously.  It usually involves reaching into some sort of covered box amd 
moving a specifically shaped object to another location.  That is, the round 
ball represents candidate x and the cube represents candidate y.  You move 
the appropriate ball, or some variation thereof.
>David Andrews
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