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by Mike Masnick

Sun, Jan 18th 2004 9:26pm





Internet Voting: The Modern Poll Tax?

from the makes-it-tricky,-doesn't-it? dept

An interesting question is being raised as we get closer and closer to offering some kind of internet voting mechanism. Does internet voting unfairly benefit those on the "have" side of the digital divide? If so, how can you ever offer internet voting, when it's always going to be easier for some people than others? I think the argument may be going too far. Already, there are some people who have cars and some who don't. Those without are going to have more difficulty getting to a polling place, but people don't complain about that. Even in cases where everyone does have a car - some are nearer than others to a polling place. You can't necessarily guarantee completely equal simplicity in getting to a polling place. The issue shouldn't be one of making it equally difficult for everyone to vote - but making it as easy as possible for everyone to vote.

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  1.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Jan 18th, 2004 @ 11:37pm

    So what's wrong with a poll tax?

    So what's wrong with a poll tax? I mean, it applies equally to everyone. Sure, "it's always going to be easier for some people than others" to pay a tax, but as long it costs less than a car people really shouldn't complain seeing as how they don't complain about driving to polls. Since you can't necessarily guarantee completely equal voting access anyway, maybe it's time to reinstitute poll taxes in conjunction with internet voting!

     

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  2.  
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    Mike (profile), Jan 18th, 2004 @ 11:42pm

    Re: So what's wrong with a poll tax?

    Ah, but that misses my point. The poll tax was about making voting more difficult. Internet voting is about making it easier. As long as things are progressing to make voting easier (while still maintaining the necessary security and integrity that voting should entail), then that's a good thing.

     

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  3.  
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    aNonMooseCowherd, Jan 19th, 2004 @ 7:43am

    Re: So what's wrong with a poll tax?

    Didn't you ever read the Constitution? See the 24th amendment.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]


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