>The punch is hand held ? So putting dull punches in some ( Democrat ) counties, and sharp ones in ( Republican ) others, would result in more spoiled ballots in some counties! AN opportunity for abuse ( or paranoia ! )
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Mostly paranoia... your "dull punch" theory, IMO doesn't hold, in the sense that unless you have major physical limitations it's almost impossible not to completely and accurately :) remove the little thingy that I refuse to call a "chad."

>I heard that in Texas, a law was passed recently mandating manual recounts? strage goings on by any account !
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As long as there are clear and agreed-upon rules, I wouldn't mind manual recounts. This "I see the light" nonsense just shouldn't be.

>Here ( canada ) , our electors are our congressmen, so the party in power chooses the prime minister. I think I prefer it that way ! I've watched too many US elections where good candidates couldn't get the nomination, and those nominated couldn't get elected! Here, the party knows that if they choose the wrong candidate, they won't get elected locally, so their seems to be less catering to special interest groups!
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I don't think the people here would ever stand for giving up their right to cast a Presidential vote, no matter how uninformed or misguided it may be or how indirect it is in deciding the outcome.