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http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060510/OPINION02/605100305

Journal underestimates importance of each vote

In the April 9 editorial "Elections rift must be ended," the Journal assumes when we implement new voting machines "there will be glitches in the systems; people fear change." This is a cavalier way to describe the possibility of lost votes.

What is the value of a single vote, lost because of a "glitch?" For the ordinary citizen of Dutchess County, the fiscal value of their vote is more than $25,000. That's the average amount we pay in income, property and sales tax — our fees to government — divided by the number of times we vote.

Would we be so cavalier about "glitches" in the banking industry that involved tens of thousands of dollars?

For the ordinary citizen, there is no direct voice in government; we call or send e-mails to our lawmakers. Our elected official may ignore our opinion. For the ordinary citizen, there is no time to visit and lobby our lawmakers. We have little enough time for work and family.

For the ordinary citizen, there is no daily editorial we can write to express our opinion; we must ration our letters to newspapers.

All the ordinary voter has, in terms of a voice in government, is that one brief moment when they vote.

Let's get serious about making sure every vote is counted. Our county Legislature should push the election commissioners to choose safe, reliable paper ballots voting, counted with scanners. Make sure voters have confidence in their elections.

Vicky Perry, Director Mid-Hudson Verified Voting Red Hook