Re: Finger Prints
Hi,
Maybe I'm missing something about fingerprints. The usual voting
scenario for a piece of equipment is that it gets set up, maybe cleaned,
a bunch of voters vote, screen gets covered with fingerprints and at
the end of the day the equipment gets taken down.
At some point the evil fingerprinter comes in and gets fingerprints off
the equipment. What does he/she do with the fingerprints? Many of the
fingerprints will be made indistinct by other fingerprints. With the
few clear fingerprints, the fingerprinter finds out if the person voted.
However, that will be in the records any way. If there are a number of
candidates and/or issues the chances of going from a clear fingerprint
to how a person voted on some particular issue is pretty slim.
Since few of us probably have little professional background in
fingerprints, if this continues to be a serious concern, the committee
might want to go outside of the committee and bring in people with
professional background in fingerprints.
From an HCI/usability point of view, having the voter be able to review
and confirm makes a lot of sense.
Scott
> Touch screens are in use all over the country everyday in banks an other
> locations such as information kiosks... Granted the recording of a vote
> is a quantum leap in importance than some other applications, but these
> screens can be wiped down periodically or as Michael suggests a stylus
> of some sort can be employed. The latter though will pose additional
> difficulties for those with problems holding and using such items.
>
> If more electronic means to record votes are to be used (and that seems
> a given) it might make sense to have a confirmation offered such as:
> Here are your selections, please confirm (with a press of a yes or no on
> a large button - additionally color coded and shaped for recognition by
> all - or most). That would eliminate the issue of "I didn't know who I
> was voting for...
>
> There will always be a number of situations that cannot be accommodated
> for all. These exceptions should be dealt with as such and addressed as
> the primary focus.