Gwinnett Forum.com -- Gwinnett County's community forum and idea exchange

TODAY'S ISSUE
Is the standard election processing
doing nothing but alienating voters?
By Elaine Fuerst
Marketing Essentials, Norcross
Special to GwinnettForum.com

NOV. 8, 2002 -- Yes, I voted Tuesday. I had two little round stickers (city and county) stuck on my right shoulder proudly proclaiming I exercised my rights as a citizen. However, I have to comment on a backward process that sorely needs updating quickly.

This is what was involved in voting today. One person took my driver's license, found my name in the voter registration print out, marked it and filled out a strip of paper. The next person took the strip of paper and filled in some of the boxes. Then still another person wrote my name into a ledger, apparently recording my voter number. Another person handed me a programmed voter card. (I was given a paper ballot for the city elections at a different polling place, but the prior process was the same.)

To people turning 18 and who have experienced surfing the internet at what is referred to as "web speed," today's process would be seen in extremely slow motion. Think molasses.

Something has to change or we risk alienating future voters. Fortunately, the touch screen voting method was as quick as I expected. I even purposely hit a few wrong buttons just to test the correction routine. Not a problem. Thank goodness and technicians for one giant leap for voters.

Now, take the next step. Issue voter cards with voter registration information on it. We swipe it as we enter the polling place. And we insert it into the voting machine.

Go a few steps further. Let us vote over a 24-hour time frame at any grocery store. Everyone eats. Everyone stops into a grocery store at some point. Imagine it. Voter turnout would triple. Maybe the store will offer a "Buy
one---get one free" for voters.

I'm definitely way over 18 and the slowness of the election process bothers me. I chat with neighbors in line and keep my spirits up because I deeply believe in the process and take this freedom seriously. I'm willing to put up with the unpleasantness because I believe the end result is worth my time.

Fears of voter fraud pop up right about now in this conversation. There are evil people regardless of systems in place. Paper ballots and touch screen ballots don't prevent someone from attempting to or successfully cheating. It is still an idea worthy of discussing.

ELLIOTT BRACK
Many Georgians may be happy with election
that ensures not much legislation may pass
By Elliott Brack
editor and publisher
GwinnettForum.com

NOV. 8, 2002 - - For years, we have heard people in Georgia say that they wanted less government.

The results of the 2002 General Election could mean that these people will get their wish of "Less government." Here's why.

With the governor from one party, and the lieutenant governor and president of the Senate from another party...and with both houses of the Legislature still in Democratic hands, there could be an impasse.

While the Democrats might ramrod some bills through the General Assembly with overwhelming majorities, and outlast a veto, still there's a better chance that much legislation will face a different fate. This legislation will either stall in one of the Houses, or else will pass with such a skimpy majority that it would be impossible to override a governor's veto.

Georgians are not used to situations like that. The old saw that "Anything can happen when the Legislature is in session" could no longer be such a threat. Indeed, if nothing happened, many would be most pleased.

What is about to happen will be something not seen in Georgia in 130 years: a division between the governor's office and the legislature. While Gov.-elect Sonny Perdue has experience in the Legislature (as a Democrat, mostly), he won't have the well-oiled majority that Roy Barnes had. And many Georgians may come to like a stymied state government, which won't enact much legislation.

* * * * *

Many Georgians may have been like us, surprised at the key Republican victories in Georgia, but even more surprised at the margins of victory. While we didn't think it would happen this year, but we saw it coming.

You may remember that on September 24, the headline read: "Republicans will win when we least expect it." We added:

* * * * *

Unlike the 1984 Republican sweep in Gwinnett, only the most visible races, and the least visible, saw major Republican victories.

What amazes us is that the key incumbent Democratic Constitutional officers retained their seats in face of the changing-of-the-guard to Republican winners at the top of the ticket, with rather comfortable margins.

Margins of victories were for Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor (6.2 percent), Secretary of State Cathy Cox (25 percent), Attorney General Thurbert Baker (11 percent), Secretary of Agriculture Tommy Irvin (18 percent), and Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond (six percent).

The other major race, for School Superintendent, was replacing an incumbent Republican. In the race, Kathy Cox knocked off Barbara Christmas, who had the major backing of the Democratic Party leaders, by 12 per cent.

Two other lower-ticket races, that for Public Service Commissioner, saw Republican upset victories. Earlene Sizemore lost by five per cent, while Bubba McDonald lost by only 0.4 percent, some 3,000 votes out of the 1.9 million cast in that race. So the very top of the ticket, for governor and Senator, and the lower races, saw surprise endings.

In perhaps the most significant House race, Speaker Tom Murphy lost his race, after serving longer than any state house speaker in the country.

We'll remember the 2002 election as a turning point in Georgia political history, when key state races went the way Gwinnett went in 1984.
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FEEDBACK:
11/8: Agrees amendments better done by legislators

Editor, the Forum:

Hear, hear!

A resounding note of agreement on the matter to allow such constitutional amendments, aka special interests/incentives, up to the individuals we elect to represent us. These individuals should know the background and pros and cons of the various proposals - a heck of a lot better than we (or at least I) do!

BTW, this is also akin to the annual stockholder meeting announcements for our stocks and mutual funds, where we are supposed to vote on individuals and/or strategies to manage our money in industries and areas about which
we have no clue.

No wonder the financial and political world is so topsy-turvy. It's the blind leading the blind.

-- Annette Gelbrich, Norcross

11/8: Says governor's race was result of "gerrybortioning'

Editor, the Forum:

With the Barnes loss, it is a slap at the Democratically-run Georgia Legislature that tried to Gerrybortion the voting districts.

-- Allan Hytowitz, Norcross

11/8: League of Women Voters' Web site helped on amendments

Editor, the Forum:

I agree with you about the amendments on the ballot. To help plan my own voting, I went to the League of Women Voters website http://www.lwvga.org, where I found explanations of each question on the ballot, together with the pros and cons of each. I hope you'll remember to suggest that to your readers in 2004.

I'm enjoying Gwinnett Forum.

-- Myles Godfrey, Winder

11/8: Six Gwinnett schools competed in one-act play competition

Editor, the Forum:

The regional one act play competition was held at the Gwinnett County Performing Arts Center last week with six schools competing for the opportunity to go to state. All six schools were from Gwinnett County, a testament to the excellent performing arts programs in our system. Because of the location, many parents and well wishers were able to attend at least some of the performances. And the performers and directors were pleased to avail themselves of the amenities of this excellent facility. This building is at last being used by the population the original planners envisioned. Many thanks to the school system for financial help to make this dream a reality.

-- Mary Louise Stark, Lawrenceville

11/8: Hold people, not businesses, responsible for their actions

To Ms. Gestar:

"The bars need to start taking responsibility for their actions"? Why do we as a society keep trying to blame institutions instead of individuals for their actions? I agree that bars should keep an eye on people and not perpetuate a bad situation by continuing to give a drunk more alcohol. But let's start holding people (including the drunks themselves) accountable for their actions, not businesses, marketing campaigns, society, institutions, and everyone else but the individual.

-- Craig Heighton, Buford
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THOUGHT OF THE DAY
For the lazy set, how to get your breakfast in bed

"If you want breakfast in bed, sleep in the kitchen."

-- Via Cathy Jacobson, Atlanta.
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