The main problem I see is this, the same generation that utilizes technology to its utmost potential is still the generation that is apathetic when it comes to voting as a whole. This will change as we get older and politics will evolve as the needs of the voting constituency changes. By that time, the internet will no longer be "cutting edge" in political organizing but it will be the obvious route to the voting block.
It's true what Dan Wallach said about the purpose of election is to ease the loser's mind that nothing the process is executed legitimately because they tend to demand a recount, which is perfectly understandable because high-technology is pushing the limits of human capability. Solid paper trail is definitely more assuring.
I think the 3rd article is kind of shocking--I can't beleive a high-school student is able to forge a card, which is used to identify voters. This person has intermediate internet skills; can you imagine what experts could do to electronic voting?
It looks like we are back to the subject of electronic voting, and if it helps or hinders democracy. Personally I think these readings made me now more than ever a fan of paper ballots.
assignments
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Responses (comments) to this week's blog postings due by 5 pm Friday
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Reading for Wednesday's class :
(1)
"Applying the ADA to the
Internet: A Web Accessibility Standard" by Cynthia D. Waddell, JD.
Presented at the American Bar Association National Conference (17 June 17 1998)
; (2) "Accessibility: The Politics of Design from IA/Usability (22 January 2001) ;
(3. Optional-Extra-credit) "The
Race of the Web Sites 2004" from ACM Interactions by Kathy Gill (November-December
2004) [pdf]
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blog post due by 9.30 am Wed 18 May : What is the relationship between
cyberspace as a public space and accessibility standards? [1 post] [Extra
Credit - 1 post]
resources