There are many more valid reasons to get rid of the AccuVote election machines in New Hampshire than to keep them.
But any grassroots activism or other non-legislative initiatives aimed at getting rid of the machines need to address the shortage of conservative voters that show up for local town elections.
Based on my own personal conversation with residents in various towns, some major concerns of strong advocates to get rid of the machines also point out a concerning lack of activism among conservative voters at the local level.
A strong advocate for petition warrant articles myself, this shortage is a truth that cannot be ignored. I am not saying I have the right answer, I do not, but I am acknowledging the reality that conservatives seem to not come out to vote in local elections.
We want to thank Ryan Bennett for this Op-Ed.
Please direct yours to Editor@GraniteGrok.com.
Let’s just say, a town in New Hampshire finally votes to ban the machines, or goes back to hand-counting (ban is too strong of a word for even some Republicans), what would the next step be? What would the plan of action be?
What if that town only has older poll workers and an existing shortage of younger ones to help? How would that town implement a plan to fill in that void? These are some questions that activists pushing petitions to get rid of machines must be able to answer. And I’m not saying petitioners are not or have not already thought about these things.
This is not to say initiatives to get rid of the machines should stop.
This is a constructive criticism intended to help provoke more thinking and expression of the bigger picture. If there was a tangible plan communicated by canvassers and other types of grassroots activists, maybe the people who do not trust the machines yet also are apprehensive about creating a void in helping hand count in towns already struggling, might become empowered to sign a petition or even get involved at the local level.
To conclude, if New Hampshire liberty lovers want the machines gone, many more must get involved at the local levels and become more coordinated from the bottom up, peacefully yet firm.
Just my opinion.
