WRT:
>http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/archives/2000/nov/10/511018638.html
I'm surprised that the LV Sun doesn't get this issue. There is no surprise in the fact
that the errors are non-random. The recounts were in heavily democratic counties where
punch ballots were used. A small (but large in the context of this election) fraction
of punch card ballots don't get punchced all the way through. When these are run
through the machines some of the incomplete punches fall out. Thus the statistically
significant trend towards Gore.
Wouldn't a recount of the entire state including Republican counties equalize the
benefits of the hanging chads? From what I have been told -- and the most likely
reason why Mr Bush turned down Mr. Gore's offer last night -- the punch card ballots
were used disproportionately in Democratic counties so a full hand recount of all the
votes will probably pick up a lot more Gore than bush ballots with partial punches.
-- Bill Dickens
William T. Dickens
The Brookings Institution
1775 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 797-6113
FAX: (202) 797-6181
E-MAIL: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
AOL IM: wtdickens
