Will Your Vote Count?

Voters in a democratic society should have confidence in the electoral process. Yet, as Americans have witnessed in every election since 2000, voting-the basic act of citizenship—is under assault: technologically complex, subject to manipulation, and fiercely contested on many levels. Documenting the areas of collapse in the American electoral process, this book analyzes ongoing problems in the casting and counting of ballots, as well as new threats: future elections could be compromised by new voting machines that are unreliable, poorly programmed, and prone to tampering. At this critical moment for American democracy, the author issues a call for urgently needed reforms.

• Our electoral system was not built for high-intensity conflict, high voter turnout, and close elections. This book:

• Systematically examines the problems voters may face as they cast a vote and the factors that may prevent a cast ballot from being counted.
• Clarifies the degree to which electronic voting machines' security and reliability have been problematic in elections.
• Critically analyzes acts of voting intimidation and discrimination in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections.
• Traces the increasing number of election lawsuits, a trend established as a result of the 2000 election debacle.
• Explains the intent of the U.S. founders and fundamental Constitutional principles as they relate to electoral politics at the national level.
• Proposes reform measures to reclaim America's electoral system for the people.

Herma Percy, Ph.D. is an associate professor at the Homeland Security and Criminal Justice Institute at Anne Arundel Community College in Arnold, Maryland, and a radio news director, anchor, and talk show host for WNAV-AM in Annapolis. She has had a wide-ranging career in politics, political science education, media relations, public affairs, and journalism.