Show Me The Vote !!

Every citizen of the republic ought to consider himself an unofficial policeman, and keep unsalaried watch and ward over the laws and their execution.

- Mark Twain

We wish to thank you for taking time to answer the questions we asked. We hope that open dialogue between voters and the custodians of their franchise will result in a stronger democracy. To that end, Show Me The Vote!! is delighted to provide a medium where neutral, constructive communication can take place.

We have repeated our questions below, and hope the format allows room for your answers. In case there is anything you wish to expand upon, or comments of your own which you wish to pass on to us, we have left a remarks field below the five questions. Or send another page, if need be.

1) Since Voter ID has been such a contentious issue, and since it is the Secretary of State who determines what the ID requirements should be, will you be willing to link your web site to the Voter ID requirement at the SoS web site? http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/voterid /.

(Note: It was with the greatest concern that we learned of the Jackson County board not once, but twice, refusing a direct request from the Secretary Carnahan to link to the SoS web site. In light of August's events, that decision seems bullheaded, if not willfully defiant. After all, the voter is the one who would benefit... at no cost in time, money or effort to the Election Board.)

Answer

2) Will you affirm that you will do your utmost to insure that no voter is deprived of their franchise?

Answer

2a) When there is any question of improper removal from voter rolls, or mistake by government, will you commit to erring on the side of allowing their vote? As opposed to disenfranchisement ?

Answer

3) Are you willing to address voters who choose to address you through our web site?

Answer

3) Are you willing to those address voters who choose to address you through our web site?

(Note: Our research indicates that voters are often reluctant to ask all of the questions that they might wish to unless they are comfortable with the setting. Facing an official over a counter can be intimidating and voters often do not raise all the questions they might for failure to think of them when they need to. Asking well thought questions at a web site and having them answered there raises their comfort level.)

Answer

4) Are you be willing to work with, inform, and communicate with our SMTV!! County Monitors in your jurisdiction? Would you also extend that courtesy to members from out of state?

(Note: Our organization has many members in other states and ideas are often traded. Inquiries indicate that the out of state members would cherish a chance to work with a local official in order to learn techniques, methods, thoughts, and procedures that might be implemented by their own officials... if only they were aware of them. A small amount of time exchanging information with voters in other states could prove valuable to all. Of course, with all there is to do between now and November, our own elections take priority.)

Answer

5) Will you communicate with voters through the showmethevote.org web site? If so, would you weigh in on the 10 points of the SMTV!! manifesto? Example: Of all ten, with which do you concur?

(Note: SMTV!! members sometimes are chided about our10 points and their causing, if instituted, a "great leap into the past". But the record of technology in elections has not been good, voters are leery, and no amount of time savings excuses abandoning democracy, in our opinion. So, feel free to duly consider our ten points and weigh in with your personal opinions. It will be just an "intellectual exercise" to benefit us all.)

Answer

This final text box is for any other thoughts or remarks you may have for SMTV!!. Feel free to make any comments you think beneficial to both voters and democracy. We would welcome that. Really!

Answer

Signature:_____________________________________________

Date:________________________