Not able to vote for Chuck Baldwin in Texas...

[pumpkinette]

Yesterday I wasn't able to vote for Chuck Baldwin in Texas.  I've already filed a complaint with the county voter registrar.  I'd never done a "write-in" vote for US president and when I asked how to do it I was told by the pollworker it wasn't allowed and that she and the others were "told to not do write-in votes".  There WAS a button for write-in on the voting machine screen.  I pointed this out and was told AGAIN write-ins weren't allowed.  This is an outrage.  Even if it was an honest mistake, it's WRONG.  I've wondered since yesterday how MANY others it's happened to in the same place?  The woman I talked to at the registrar's office said write-ins ARE ALLOWED for US president.  I asked her twice to make sure.  Write-ins AREN'T allowed for any of the others races that were on the ballot.  I refuse to NOT vote for US president UNLESS the choices are so evil I could never support any of them for anything.  That's EXACTLY how I feel about McCain and Obama.  I voted for Bob Barr.  To be honest, he was my last choice.  At least HE was on the ballot!  I've e-mailed the Constitution Party and Ralph Nader about this incident.  Because both of them are write-ins in Texas, they need to know.  My fiance also sent e-mails to both of them.  He's also outraged.  Nader was my 2nd choice.  I was so upset being told this that I wasn't thinking the best, to be honest.  I know that if this happens AGAIN, I'm going to press that write-in button ANYWAY.  I think I'll also keep my mouth shut and not ask how to do a write-in again.  1 reason I asked for help besides never having DONE a write-in before was to do all I could to be sure the vote was cast the RIGHT way.  This whole thing is very upsetting and it's never happened to me before.  I'm hoping it never will again.  Has anyone else had this problem with write-ins in Texas?  Thanks for listening. 

[Dok]

Its those Diebold machines, every other vote is a McCain vote. I only use absentee ballot from now on.

[plantop14]

I have already emailed my county voter registrar regarding doing a write-in on the machine and was replied back that it can be done on the voting machine at my polling place! I guess I'll be copying that email, taking it with me to vote and raising hell if I'm told I can't do a write-in! Oh, and I guess I'd better remember to unholster my concealed handgun before going through the door!

[pumpkinette]

Its those Diebold machines, every other vote is a McCain vote. I only use absentee ballot from now on.

These were ESS machines.  However, yes, I've heard a lot about the evil going on with Diebold.     God help us. 

[Dok]

These were ESS machines.  However, yes, I've heard a lot about the evil going on with Diebold.     God help us. 

Its probably all the machines. With Absentee you can take a picture of your vote, to prove what was actually voted for. With these new machines there is no paper trail, its all ones and zeros that can be changed in an instant. Heck the machines can say you voted for McBama and actually tally it up different and no one will ever know the difference.