: Expert options on the US electoral system
The US electoral system is certainly full of broken components, that fact is easily determined by observation and data. Fixing it however, is another matter entirely. There are many different opinions and experts on this topic and most disagree. With these differing opinions, it can be difficult to find solutions to the issues due to sheer volume of information. In spite of this, almost all of the opinions share a common thread. The thread is the belief that changes should be made to the system to ensure fair elections. In this essay we will look at some of the most prominent experts on this subject and what changes they proposed. The issue of gerrymandering is a plague. It’s also a plague some think
…show more content…
Since the institution of the ballot, it’s never been entirely fair. Those working on this topic are divided, do they try to fix the ballot, or scrap it and switch to machines. Peter Budnick, a Director and President for the Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics (BCPE) and Senior Editor and reviewer for the publication Ergonomics In Design. who also has a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Utah. In short, he’s pretty much the last word on the subject. Budnik writes, “Voting system usability — from the politicians, civil servants and volunteers who design and operate the polls, to the voters casting ballots — is of critical importance in the design and execution of an accurate, effective, and legitimate voting system. Ergonomists and human factors professionals are stepping forward to help.” He and other experts have already identified many of the problems hounding the ballot and the voting booths. Their solutions seem to be working, at least as far as they’ve been implemented so far. However, some say it’s too late for the ballots and America should switch over to machines entirely. Dennis Cauchon, an editor for White Mountain Range, LLC, he has done extensive research and communications on economics, healthcare, taxes, finance and other issues. (Including ballots.) He claims that according to other experts “Badly designed ballots, not punch-card voting machines, were responsible for most of the problems in the presidential election in Florida last year.” With this information he recommends that we replace all ballots with electronic voting machines or punch card machines. The only problems with this option is the multi billion dollar price tag. Still if more elections experience issues this might be the best