What happened to the right to a secret ballot? The new scan-type voting machine system makes you feel like a citizen in some third world country. To say the least, I felt uncomfortable in my voting place on Tuesday.

After obtaining a two-sided ballot, voters are directed to a counter with a cheesy, three-sided cardboard “privacy shield.” There you are to complete the ballot, indicating your choices for offices and propositions. In the meantime, other people are walking back and forth behind you. It would be easy for anyone to look over your shoulder and view the ballot.

Then the ballot must be scanned into the voting machine. Standing right next to the scanner is an election monitor, who watches as you insert the ballot. There is no attempt at any sort of privacy, resulting in personal ballot choices being in full view of the monitor, or anyone else walking by.

The technology seemed to work fine, but the process is ripe for intimidation and fraud. Who would dream up such a system?Who would think it would be OK to have someone in plain view of an individual’s election choices? Do they have an agenda? I don’t know, but the process needs to be redesigned to eliminate the perception of voter interference.

Don Fleming

East Amherst