Counting the Vote: A Firing Line Special with Margaret Hoover

In this one-hour documentary, Margaret Hoover embarks on a journey to explore voting systems across the United States. She examines methods to increase voter confidence and sheds light on states that face challenges in their vote count processes as the 2024 election approaches.
“Counting the Vote” looks back at two of the most bitterly contested elections in American history-2000 and 2020-and examines subsequent efforts to make the casting and counting of ballots more efficient and inclusive. Several pivotal swing states have taken steps to improve election efficiency since 2020, including Michigan, but other potential tipping points in a close presidential contest like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin could be careening toward a crisis.
How did Florida become the gold standard for election administration after the chaos of 2000? Why have some states succeeded in implementing common sense reforms while lawmakers in others struggle to find bipartisan consensus to solve known problems? Amid a flood of disinformation and conspiracy theories, how confident can voters be that their ballots will be counted quickly and accurately this November?
In “Counting the Vote,” personal stories and expert voices from across the country-including interviews with those currently overseeing elections like Republican Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Democratic Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson-provide a comprehensive understanding of the most powerful tool in American democracy, the threats that could undermine the will of the people, and what it takes to protect the vote count.
COUNTING THE VOTE: A FIRING LINE SPECIAL WITH MARGARET HOOVER was made possible by Robert Granieri, The WNET Group’s Preserving Democracy initiative, and PBS viewers like you.
Support your local PBS station: www.pbs.org/donate
Subscribe to the PBS channel for more clips: / pbs
Enjoy full episodes of your favorite PBS shows anytime, anywhere with the free PBS Video App: to.pbs.org/2Qb...
FOLLOW US:
Website: www.pbs.org/sh...
Facebook: / firinglinewithmargaret...
Twitter: / firinglineshow
Instagram: / shop: shop.pbs.org/
FIRING LINE WITH MARGARET HOOVER airs on PBS. Launched in June 2018, Firing Line maintains the character of the original series by William F. Buckley Jr., providing a platform that is diligent in its commitment to a balanced exchange of opinion. In weekly 30-minute episodes, host Margaret Hoover engages in a rigorous exchange of ideas with political leaders, cultural luminaries, thought leaders and activists who represent a wide range of ideas and perspectives. New episodes are available Fridays here on KZbin at 8:30 pm ET.

[@arthurelola4998]

Thank you Margaret. Your reporting and service to our country makes me proud and hopeful. Your guests working to count our votes accurately deserve the same praise.

[@alvallac2171]

*you, Margaret.

[@auntnay5513]

​@@alvallac2171😂

[@heatherupton6558]

This is real news. The mainstream media should be playing this on repeat every day from now until Election Day.

[@jasonk125]

She went to Florida and talked to two Republicans about Bush vs Gore. Couldn't find a Democrat?

[@cassieo4337]

@jasonk125 Republican POV carries more weight/credibility than Democratic POV. Not unlike the case with special counsels, who are always Republican. It's unfortunate but it is understandibly a tactic meant to bring republicans on board. Dems taking the high road, consistently.

[@paigechromy2902]

I’m here from the bulwark podcast ep with Margaret Hoover. Love this doc. ❤️❤️❤️

[@kayfitzgerald309]

Me too!!!😊 VOTE BLUE ❤️ 🤍 💙 🇺🇸

[@terrytillery9295]

LOL "the bulwark" . Losers with TDS trying to be relevant!

[@johntazbaz1121]

Same 💙🇺🇸💙

[@magnus9165]

Tell her grand dad was a prick and a robber baron arse kisser.

[@daveprosser941]

Me too.

[@allanmurphy7474]

When we in the state of Utah received voting by mail, it is great, you have time to study the issues and make a more informed choice in the election and none of the pressure when you have a voting both with a line of people waiting to vote.

[@lucyc1077]

In California, voting by mail is great. It will take me days to fill up a ballot because i needed to study and discuss with family.

[@alexwyatt2911]

Other states allow you to review an online sample of the upcoming election’s ballot, so you have time to review your choices ahead of time :)

[@trevinbeattie4888]

Oregon has had voting by mail as the default for a long time. I _think_ they still have an option to go to a polling booth, but most people prefer being able to read and fill in the ballot on their own time and drop it off when and where is most convenient.

[@Foche_T._Schitt]

Did you know you can get a sample ballot without compromising the election system with something that is illegal to do in every other western country? Why would you want to lengthen a chain of custody if not to compromise it? @trevinbettie4888 Well that explains Oregons problems...

[@jimchik]

Too bad the MAGA gang won’t ever watch this…

[@mariaangelova8275]

I was just thinking about that. Sad. 💔 P.S. Sadly, I think the MAGA crowd lives in a different dimension. They don't seem to acknowledge reality.

[@edugator2242]

It is because this sounds like mainstream garbage that addresses none of the legit concerns about the election And then they put on David Becker as though he is an objective observer of elections when he is a far left guy.

[@Seekthetruth3000]

@@mariaangelova8275 How do you get your news?

[@Seekthetruth3000]

How do you get your news?

[@mallikapatri8477]

I’m 😂😂😂 just imagining maga watching PBS

[@LWms517]

I would advise anyone to call the local ROV (Registrar of Voters) office. ASK them to explain the election process to you and how election integrity is maintained. As an election volunteer, I've seen firsthand how hardworking volunteers (Democrats and Republicans) strive to do their jobs with the utmost integrity. If you really want to learn the process, volunteer to be a poll worker!!

[@alexwyatt2911]

I already signed up to volunteer! Thanks for all your work :)

[@virginiatyree6705]

I call them on a regular basis & ask if they're getting harassed. Thankfully, they haven't! been harassed. my bad! v

[@jobicase7387]

@@virginiatyree6705 Real nice. Virginia. Bet you never volunteered or did anything for free.

[@virginiatyree6705]

@@jobicase7387 , OMG, I just fired my editor (that'd be me!). The election officials HAVE NOT been harassed. I have helped out in my community & support efforts to have a better place to live. Thanks! for responding! You helped me to see my error. v

[@jessicahahn6300]

Thank you for this. Please make sure this is still available for free through January 6 2025 - we will have to show this to many people after the election is called and people say it as stolen.

[@buzoff4642]

Stolen is a ruse, for a narcissist who can't handle that he lost. There was no evidence of fraud, and if anyone is still skeptical, it's because they can't handle: Their candidate lost.

[@Foche_T._Schitt]

@@buzoff4642 Explain the duplicate scans released in Fulton county. Stacks of ballots fed through machines going forward then reverse, then forward again. Physical evidence you can verify yourself. Same ballots. Same hand written filled in names.

[@renenowicki]

As a native Detroiter, i was ill and angry at the attempts to “stop the count.”

[@Seekthetruth3000]

Why did they stop the count?

[@renenowicki]

@@Seekthetruth3000 They didn’t. But it takes a while to count to a million, and it was the day after the election. Wayne County always posts last in the state. The red mirage was vanishing, and hour by hour, Biden got more votes from the City of Detroit. There was a lot of vitriol in the mob outside the counting station. I’d never heard (well, I have since) anything so un American as to stop counting votes because you don’t like the way it’s going.

[@CaptPeon]

​@@Seekthetruth3000they didn't. Trump was just demanding that they ''stop the count' so that the Democrat mail in ballots wouldn't be counted; in the hopes that Trump would win on in-person ballots.

[@Grisostomo06]

Really well done. This so important. Thank you Margaret.

[@tigerlily102511]

Harris/Walz 2024!!! We won't go back!!!

[@RD-dn4vs]

WELL SAID! 🇺🇸 Every voice is equally POWERFUL. Don't Underestimate Your VOTE. Vote is the great EQUALIZER! 🦅🇺🇸🗽..✅💙

[@tomparlo9510]

Hopefully everyone will keep this mantra and vote blue. I hope people don’t think that if Harris is leading in the polls in October they don’t need to vote. Hoping for a BLUE storm through out the country that there won’t be any question who won the election. Unfortunately I feel that even with a huge lead, the Republicans will say that the election was rigged.

[@chrism.1131]

@@tomparlo9510 the only way Trump could possibly lose is if the election is rigged, but if he wins, the election is 100% legit.

[@Seekthetruth3000]

If Trump wins, will you accept the result?

[@carolinemaybe]

What Gore and Biden did was extraordinarily selfless. 2 amazing men. Can you imagine trump doing anything similar? Of course you can’t.

[@virginiatyree6705]

The former guy is running to stay out of prison. Plain and simple v

[@diamonddiva8376]

​@virginiatyree6705 that's exactly what I said

[@virginiatyree6705]

@@diamonddiva8376 , Ok. v

[@edugator2242]

Neither of them are selfless. Gore lost his own state and Florida so he did what he was supposed to do. Biden was forced out by Democrats just like they planned all along.

[@Seekthetruth3000]

Both of them were loyal members of the swamp. Trump refuses to join the swamp.

[@geraldchenry]

I just watched Margaret Hoover’s interview / discussion with Tim Miller on The Bulwark. It was excellent. The I watched Margaret’s documentary. It was excellent. If only it was required watching for every American. Thank you so much.

[@mbn4852]

M Hoover presented a vital detail of the voting process thank you for educating voters of all level🇺🇸🗽🇺🇸

[@coreyham3753]

Note how the west coast states, CA, OR, WA and even CO and UT have almost 100% mail in voting. As a resident on one of those states, it works perfectly and is far ;more cost effective and convenient.

[@ARepublicIfYouCanKeepIt]

While many comments are appropriate, more are not. Commenting on content is appropriate. Offering partisan political positions is not appropriate. Nor are comments about the presenter. Her gender, appearance, etc. are irrelevant and comments about these are sexist and misogynistic. Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan famously said, "You are entitled to your opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts." _Counting the Vote_ presents the facts about the US election system. Continuing to deny the facts doesn't change them, or the truth.

[@mikeimpressionsreviews9831]

I’m sorry but Margaret is hot 😂 I’m a dude. Stop being a prude

[@clytemnestra]

Great coverage!

[@katik.4833]

Excellent reporting ! Thank you @pbs and @margarethoover.

[@terrytillery9295]

Buckley disagrees with you.! Buckley hated leftist propaganda

[@laurieslade7223]

Loved this interview, Hoover is amazing and Tim, thanks for acknowledging how the electoral college system of voting for President is unfair to Democrats. Already the two senators per state allows for ongoing minority rule, but at least it should be one person one vote for President. Meanwhile, we fight the fight we have.

[@pistolpetenaki]

No the electoral college is an outdated system that needs to be replace .. it’s not that hard ..one vote for everyone

[@katrinkarose175]

Our system is even more unfair to anyone who doesn't particularly want to support either of the primary two parties. The electoral college isn't the only part of our system that needs re-examining (though it is definitely a big one).

[@buzoff4642]

@@katrinkarose175 This is inherent so long as the parties own the voting processes, a clear conflict of interests.

[@David-l4p7d]

The assault on the U.S. Capitol on January 6th first broke my heart but then it hardened me against the danger that trump presents to our system of democracy.

[@ultra_magaman8009]

So.. you didn't see the final report, and.. our President Trump is still running, ummm typical *DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST*

[@ScottMarquardt-s7u]

Drama queens rock. See you on the high ground now that you are hardened.

[@David-l4p7d]

@@ultra_magaman8009trump deserves no respect nor should he be running for president. MAGA followers have their heads up their behinds to not see trump for what he is - a criminal and a con man. Worst of all, Trump is a traitor and should be in prison for his role on January 6th.

[@alvallac2171]

*capitol (means a legislative building) capital: for all other uses, including a city containing such a building (in this case, the city of Washington D.C.) *Trump

[@davegarmendia1717]

The biggest disappointment of my lifetime, the assault of our capitol

[@liasosa4100]

This was a master class of the American Voting System, well represented by both the major political parties. As always Margaret your reporting is impeccable, thank you for this!

[@chestercole9164]

ITS A FRAU. WE HAVE EVIDENCE OF CHEATING EVEN NOW. AND RANK CHOICE VOTING IS ELECTION FRAUD.

[@vcaylor77]

Excellent work, Margaret! The release of this show at the time PBS did it is brilliant. I hope people follow your suggestion of going out to work elections. No matter which state you're in, your Secretary of State is where to start. Training is usually quick. Paid employees get paid, typically through the county or city board you're working for. If you're a volunteer, you may choose to have a shorter day & serve as a poll watcher for a partisan assignment should that be your preferred use of your time. Either way, the more people who learn by doing it, the more people you can help learn, too. It's crucial to our country's survival, much less our success. It has helped me so much to understand how it works in GA & other states. It's nice to meet people from my community & feels good to help them participate in our franchise. It's one of the best ways to learn that we have much more in common than we don't & reminds us that, yes, it's an American value, not a party value. When you have to see your neighbors face-to-face, even in a precinct with registered voters who you think are nothing like you - it's humbling. You learn differently & quickly. While you may never agree with their choices or perspectives, knowing you played a role in the precious right we have & so many squander away - in a world where millions never get the chance ever in their lives - it's an emotional experience. So, again, thank you for all your work, the work of everyone on the show, everyone at PBS. This makes a meaningful difference. 😁

[@michaelvalenzuela2528]

No matter what facts or truths are presented, MAGA will only accept the results as "Free and Fair" if trump wins.

[@ultra_magaman8009]

Cuz we know the DEMS cheat - DEMS = Dirty Elections Made Simple

[@OnoMa-g6v]

Same with Democrats so you can stop your BS. Hillary is still holding on to 2016

[@alvallac2171]

*Trump

[@mrtopcat2]

Someone who no one has ever voted for will win with despite record low votes and you all will call it victory of democracy.

[@auntiez4917]

Well, he’s not going to win. So…here we go again

[@karenakins9232]

What a great overview of the election administration process. This should be mandatory viewing for high school seniors!

[@kennethwilson8633]

Love her shows …Very informative…honest and non partisan.

[@MadridStreetFilms]

I thought vote by mail rolled over. I learned by watching your show it didn't. I'm all set for November. Thank you

[@virginiatyree6705]

The states that have had mail-in-voting for decades (Oregon), has NOT had issues with fraud. tfg started the nonsense with that dummy Steve Bannon. v

[@ericsaroni9380]

America, one man has made you doubt your electoral process for his ego.😂

[@dutch1008]

I totally agree. But it's not funny how someone can threaten what's been in play for so many years just because you lost

[@Secretary.of.Education]

All for a failed huckster who was able to market himself as a "business genius" despite bankrupting multiple businesses

[@ScottMarquardt-s7u]

That and the whole we just stole the election thing. Five swing states stop counting in the middle of the night and it is a Biden victory in the morning. Yes the demented Biden that hid the entire campaign.

[@marilynnyoung7026]

🎉well, it has waaay more to do with trump’s extremely dangerous psychopathology holding HOSTAGE and entire election and results because in his damaged psyche, he cannot process the results of a loss!! That is really the TRUTH of the matter, as is the pattern with him being a malignant narcissistic psychopath. His extremely fragile, damaged ego can’t fathom, cannot accept a loss. He would experience A FULL ON NARCISSISTIC COLLAPSE. To a malignant narcissistic psychopath like trump, that is equivalent to death. He has NEVER grown up, and the fact is, we have too many malignant narcissists and/or sociopaths in the GOP running in lockstep w/ trump. They’re willing to go along with the corruption, claiming falsely that if they don’t get the results THEY want, are quick to call it (wrongly) a “fraudulent election”. And we spend farrrrrrrr too much time, energy and money kowtowing to these sick bastards.

[@terrytillery9295]

​@@dutch1008 It wasnt in play for years . They changed everything because of covid ! Opened the door for anti-american leftist to run amok and steal an election !

[@f-86zoomer37]

We need to have laws passed that gives jailtime to people who actively attempt to interfere with or halt the vote counting. We also need a federal law addressing harassment of election workers similar to one about harassing postal workers: 25 years in federal prison for election worker intimidation.

[@swordarmstudios6052]

Margaret Hoover is an American Treasure. Firing Line is a fantastic program, with an incredible legacy - and she holds it's weight well.

[@bettyshaw2912]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@Malavander]

All the incredible lengths all these decent people have to go through to try to offset the misinformation of one person and his cult is a total disgrace. We should never have to tolerate such asymmetry. Anyone who refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power should be disqualified from running for any office forever.

[@buzoff4642]

Honestly, I thought he was going to have to be carried out of the White House, kicking and screaming. But, once past the spectacle of Jan 6th, it took a while to wonder what would've happened had the crazies made it to the congressmen.

[@GanacsadeCabdi-sf4cx]

Thank you very much all of you ❤❤❤❤

[@Cracker78]

Excellent reporting on this important issue.

[@Annafan-zg4zy]

Great, nonpartisan journalism. Preprocessing is the most important issue to have faith in the results. We used to always have results on or very soon after election day. Why in this age of innovation can't we do the same?

[@ScottMarquardt-s7u]

Doesn't give Democrats time to edit the results.

[@terrytillery9295]

​@@ScottMarquardt-s7u No truer words spoken ! Remember all of the swing states that stopped counting (just because ) to manipulate the Mail in ballots for FJB ? Counties that sent out more ballots than they had voters....

[@terrytillery9295]

LOL nonpartisan 😂😂😂😂😂😅😅 90% of the interviewees all have chronic cases of TDS

[@blake_lively_matters6553]

Ross Perot had a brilliant idea whose time has since come. He said words to the effect of: let each citizen cast a vote electronically (I think he said 'by phone' as computers and tablets hadn't taken over the world yet) and devise a system that would allow each voter to search out his or her vote down the list to see that it was not altered. In the above program with Ms. Hoover, it was mentioned that Hillary actually got more votes than Trump. A new system, perhaps one doing away with the Electoral College, needs to be implemented. A system where each citizen 18 and over casts one vote and the candidate receiving the most votes wins. I know - sounds too sensible.

[@Screative1]

@@terrytillery9295 Don't cry

[@ivespoken8902]

we need to make sure there will be no hike at 2am in the morning when we go to sleep ;)

[@KIRKDORNBUSH]

Excellent reporting! Margaret Hoover has provided anyone willing to listen an unbiased overview of the key voting laws and issues in the 2024 battle ground states. Bottom line? Because of intransigence and bad faith in several GOP-controlled legislatures, PA, NC and WI are at risk of being a shit-show on election night.

[@jimmyj6053]

Thanks to PBS and Margaret Hoover for this enlightened educational program. It's great to see so many honest and dedicated people working hard to make our elections the best in the world. Be gone Donald Trump.

[@Spiral.Dynamics]

We need to award our electoral votes proportionally like Maine and Nebraska do. Let republicans try to get 270 from all the empty land.

[@DirtFlyer]

If we are going to do that, why not just get rid of the electoral college all together. We don't need an 18th century election system anymore!

[@Spiral.Dynamics]

@@DirtFlyer Because that takes a constitutional amendment.

[@DirtFlyer]

@@Spiral.Dynamics And you think it would be easier to get 50 individual states to change like that? What would be the incentive for a deep blue or red state to divide up their electoral votes like that?

[@mikeimpressionsreviews9831]

If we did that republicans would win easily I imagine

[@mikeimpressionsreviews9831]

@@DirtFlyerI don’t get the point of their comment. If it was really split republicans would pick up a lot of electoral votes, just like republicans control the majority of state legislatures. If you are winning electoral votes from a majority of states you most likely are president

[@stuntone]

Great piece Ms. Hoover, ♥️🤌🏽🫡 💙🦾🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊 TURN TEXAS BLUE 🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊

[@anitrahall8417]

Thanks Margaret!

[@Gaperina]

Georgia Republicans attacked certification process.

[@tadeuszkuczynski7178]

💌💙❤‍🩹💛💚💙💤✌👋🫂!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!vot personaly for freedom on !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@GanacsadeCabdi-sf4cx]

Thank you very good ❤❤❤

[@cancerssos]

Really well done! Thank you.

[@the_great_zampano]

Please all upright "old style" GOP members, WHILE YOUR PARTY HAS LEFT YOU for that dangerous weako who wanted to overturn a fair election and put American democracy at risk: Put country first, make history and VOTE BLUE this time! Cheers from 🇨🇭

[@ScottMarquardt-s7u]

Put your country first and vote Republican.

[@the_great_zampano]

@@ScottMarquardt-s7u Best joke ever.

[@blake_lively_matters6553]

Yes, that fair election with so many question marks hanging over it it looks like a box containing the game 'Clue'.

[@DirtFlyer]

@@ScottMarquardt-s7u You do nothing but disgrace the country by voting for a 34-time convicted felon and adjudicated sexual assaulter for President.

[@cassieo4337]

​@@ScottMarquardt-s7usaid no sane person ever!

[@marynettleton]

Appreciate the transparency. Keep getting the message out. Voting is secure. The count insecure.

[@kaylafinch4206]

Love this doc! They should show it in schools!!!

[@WilliamMoran-j6g]

as long as the vote is legal they all must be counted.I have heard that thousands of rolls have been purged of dead and other reasons. this is good.

[@mariaangelova8275]

12:57 vote counting can't stop just because you say so. You can't just negate and throw out the rest of the votes. Every vote counts!

[@leesmith4522]

Excellent in all ways, thank you.

[@roberthill4123]

Bush and Florida pulled an electronic coupe! Trump is trying to do the same!

[@QB405]

🎯

[@blake_lively_matters6553]

Was it a DeVille stuck in a ditch?

[@DoubleMrE]

Just FYI, it’s ‘coup’. 😉 But you are right. This one group (forgot the name) did an investigation and it turns out that Gore would’ve won if the recount had continued. They stole it for sure.

[@BarbaraCowdery]

Please SHOW THIS to the My Pillow guy Mike Lindell for God’s Sake!!!!

[@HZ-fg9sf]

He will plug his eyes, shut his eyes, and go "lalalalala".

[@BarbaraCowdery]

@@HZ-fg9sf lol

[@michael5265]

Thanks for shining a truthful light on the process counting the votes

[@f-86zoomer37]

As a Democrat, I agree every single state must have laws requiring preprocessing of mail ballots. Actually, many states with republican legislatures that are swing states banned election officials from doing exactly that, like in Pennsylvania. That's why so many votes were left uncounted on election day, because large counties like Philadelphia were not allowed to count them, and then had to handle election day first, before they were even allowed to process the huge backlog of mail ballots. I will also lambast my own state, California, for sucking at counting mail ballots. As a state that has universal mail balloting, there is absolutely no excuse to not preprocess, and I will praise the state of Florida this ONE TIME for doing this ONE THING correctly.

[@Hope-f5z]

Georgia Texas North Carolina and others

[@leovanorden4243]

Well done, excellent reporting.

[@KathleenHayden2016]

This was a great program. It was interesting to see why each state is so different and how results are processed. It would be great if you could interview Chris Krebs, as he has been such an important figure in ensuring safe and secure elections, especially with the variations in voting procedures across states.

[@Rocket-hb6jh]

I love the sheer arrogance of the USA insisting it has the most secure and best voting system in the world. I’m sure it’s secure but if put the Australian system of elections, independent boundaries of district setting and standardised ballots and processes up against the US any day. The Australian Electoral Commission is invited all over the world to oversee elections but I guess if you live in the USA you can’t see past the hype and nonsense.

[@alexwyatt2911]

Americans _are_ very egocentric but in this case-the most common sentiment expressed is that 2020 was the most secure election in _our_ country’s history-not the world. Also, Australia’s population is 1/10th of the US population and each of our states has its own election process. It’s impressive that we can conduct elections so consistently and so accurately.

[@Rocket-hb6jh]

@@alexwyatt2911 I agree but 1/10th of the population doesn’t make it any easier as the same proportion of election workers and resources are committed proportional to the population.

[@alexwyatt2911]

@@Rocket-hb6jh Larger scale operations are always more difficult to complete than smaller scale operations; you’re also presuming that both countries have comparable poll worker/voter ratios. And again, that particular point was a minor contribution to my overall comment. The prevailing American sentiment is that the 2020 election was the most secure in our nation’s history, not the world. Besides, a superlative expressed by one person is an opinion. It’s hardly worth declaring the entire country to be arrogant. However, I do agree that Americans are generally egocentric and our hubris is frequently shameful.

[@Rocket-hb6jh]

@@alexwyatt2911 two things to consider. One is that we have compulsory voting and get 95-98% turnout. Second we use compulsory preferential (ranked choice/instant run off) voting which is far more complex to count so there are 18 million to 19 million voters which is more than ten percent of those who actually vote in the United States with less than a tenth of your population and we don’t have automatic counting as it’s all paper ballots and all counted by hand. We’re not talking about tens of thousands against millions here were only talking about difference of about 20m vs 140-160m and the senate ballots are extremely complex as they incorporate PR as well plus uniformly every postal vote is counted if it arrives 13 days after the closing of polls. You can also vote anywhere at any polling place for any electorate. Polls are open from 8am to 6 pm not all day. So, there’s a lot of things that distort the complexity vs punching a card and putting it through a machine. We also go to extreme lengths to ensure everyone votes not suppressing parts of the population requiring onerous ID laws that further thins out the numbers. No lines for 12 hours. I think this is like the American boast of having more Nobel prize winners but when it’s assessed on per capita basis it doesn’t look so impressive. BTW, we have a permanent electoral authority which administers electoral boundaries fairly and regularly based on census data. These systems are at all levels of government.

[@alexwyatt2911]

@@Rocket-hb6jh Bud, take a step back and remember that I am not arguing with you. I never said the US election process was better than _any_ other country’s election process. I have not claimed that the US is superior in any way. Why are you speaking to me like this?

[@kasapihellas]

Great reportage, Kudos, Margaret!

[@smithyamiami]

I love Jeb Bush having the audacity to say what he does after the shit he pulled in Florida in 2000 for his brother.

[@Vlad65WFPReviews]

and then his Party thanked him by tossing Jeb aside for the guy peddling Bibles, steaks and gold running shoes

[@nikita-dh5je]

@@Vlad65WFPReviewsJen Bush and Katherine Harris purged 90,000 voters off the rolls illegally before the election. Also they threw out black voters ballots at a far greater rate than white voters. It was a stolen election, this country and the world suffered immensely, Bush Cheney was the worst administration in modern history and paved the way for Trump.

[@buzoff4642]

@@Vlad65WFPReviews George Bush said himself he didn't know how he ended up running for president/in the white house. Clearly a dupe, for use by neocons Rumsfeld and Cheney.

[@jobicase7387]

George and Jeb. You owe the American people your honest thoughts, regardless who you are voting for, we value your honest opinion.

[@mattfoley6082]

*Does Trump still watch 2000 Mules now that Salem Media admitted it was a lie and pulled it from sale?*

[@alexwyatt2911]

Oh, c’mon. He never watched it in the first place lol

[@virginiatyree6705]

Trick question? Of course he doesn't. v

[@terrytillery9295]

They never admitted it was a lie ! If they did MSM would still be making headlines about it.

[@terrytillery9295]

Wasn't a lie they just got the title wrong. Should have been 1999 Mules

[@kcwicks]

​you got problems, I feel for you son, you say 99 mules but can't name one!

[@dylantyt6654]

Fun Fact: I looked up my deceased grandpas voting record. He died in 1994, but voted in 2008 state election. Interesting 🤔

[@jacqdanieles]

Have you reported it to election authorities? Have you taken that proof to the media? Or, more likely, are you trolling?

[@mallikapatri8477]

Or just check on Gran- he might be alive and well. Just changed party affiliations

[@jacqdanieles]

@@mallikapatri8477 😉

[@buzoff4642]

@@mallikapatri8477 Sounds like Grandpa had enough of dylan, and moved away.

[@sbwende]

As a European (an Englishman living in Denmark) it amazes me the the US doesn't just do it's counting the old fashioned way, entirely by hand. It works perfectly well and you get the results very quickly, why mess about with involving machines? The other obvious question as an outsider is why do politicians have involvement in the running of elections in America? It seems like a very strange arrangement which will inevitably lead to problems whether real or imaginary.

[@thomasw.5344]

It's based on the assumption that public officials have some sense of decency and actually take things like oaths seriously. It seemingly worked for quite a while until some corrupt moron decided to pen-test the system.

[@michaeljohnson1576]

Because they're so many races going on at one time that having a human count these ballots would take forever for just one ballot. Also, mistakes are higher when counting paper ballots due to human error. Tons of different variables and factors can affect how likely a person is to screw up when counting ballots whereas, with a machine, code can solve those issues far faster than any human could. Finally, each of our different races have different cut-off times, and we have to meet those deadlines for counting. I do agree with you on politicians being involved in our races though.

[@adrianasoldevila630]

The system in your country isn’t that much better, it’s all relevant.

[@GuyHarper-ce6do]

The system is staffed by dedicated people at every step of the way to make every election safe, free and fair. Americans have always voted in large numbers during the presidential cycle. Therefore to count the large number of votes, machines work faster and are more accurate. I have been voting for over 40 years and have always felt the results were correct. Even when the candidate I voted for lost.

[@krystleklearcentral]

@@michaeljohnson1576, we have different pieces of paper (ballots) for each office that is elected. We mark them off with a pen, then put in a box. They are coloured differently too, Eg Green paper goes in Green box and the green is for House of Reps. - This is Australia.

[@johnhumphries505]

Pulitzer nomination work, Mrs. Hoover.

[@kn9ioutom]

IN AUSTRAILIA PEOPLE ARE FINED IF THEY DO NOT VOTE ! JUST THE OPPOSITE IN AMERICA !!!

[@buzoff4642]

Do tell, do you believe your politicians legislation reflect the will of the public? Sincere question.

[@BobFrender]

This was a fabulous program. I am from Canada, and wonder how many Americans will actually see it.and how many who do will actually trust the trustworthy information that was offered to them.

[@terrytillery9295]

Not many. We're sick of Pravda type disinformation!

[@hermanmunster714]

FACT: The ONLY Mail-In Voting used to be our Military Personnel Overseas, the Elderly in Nursing Homes, and miniscule handful of Americans who legitimately were overseas on travel for business or pleasure. THERE SHOULD BE NO OTHER REASON At All for MAIL-IN VOTING. YOU HAVE MONTHS TO study the issues and Absolutely Should Not Be Permissable. THIS EXPANSION IS WHEN ISSUES STARTED. FEDERAL ELECTION VOTING MUST BE IN PERSON, AS IT ALWAYS HAD BEEN.

[@tatsymarie3196]

Very educational and important. Thank you.

[@rui569]

Easy fix: do NOT vote for the Liar.

[@trevinbeattie4888]

The hard part about that is convincing people which one is the liar. And to be fair, practically all politicians lie to some degree (see Politifact for some examples); some just do it much more than others and some lies are more harmful than others. That’s why one should never take anything they say at face value and check it against authoritative sources on things that matter.

[@rui569]

@@trevinbeattie4888 maybe start with not lying about election results

[@antoniocalhau4711]

A must see ahead of November! Thank you.

[@j.d.schultzsr.9215]

Terrifying that we're looking a lot like Venezuela!!

[@MiriamDandelion]

Here after watching the Bulwark podcast promoting this doc. This is a pretty good documentary. Really nice, deep investigation here with the right key people interviewed. But there has to be a way to push back on the “both sides” statements from some of those interviewed,even within the framework of a documentary. The democrats are not the ones subverting and denying election results and there should have been some kind of pushback to those statements. People on the fence with little knowledge before watching this probably come away with the idea that both Republicans and Democrats are engaging in election denialism and that’s just not true.

[@5mintify]

Choose JOY over joke, COMMON SENSE over conmanship!

[@lesleywall4186]

Thank you. Very informative.

[@phiferhowe4235]

Excellent show. Could be improved by identifying party affiliation with captions.

[@buzoff4642]

A very partisan comment. Do I need a party affiliation for that too?

[@TheHiddenPearl]

Though the contexts of both extraordinary situations that presidential candidate Al Gore versus current president Joe Biden are different, one is PEACEFULLY RECEDE AFTER THE ELECTION, and THE SECOND IS PEACEFULLY RECEDE BEFORE THE ELECTION, these men are the representatives of the new masculinity that shows how to love and put love in the right places. I heard some question raised on here some days ago about the masculinity is in the question of roles now.

[@doubleshottrazorsedgecanti8437]

VOTE BLUE UP AND DOWN THE BALLOT!!!

[@LadyAtheOnly]

💯🎯💯🎯

[@coma_TOES]

WHY DOESN'T THIS EPISODE -- A PUBLIC BROADCASTING SHOW -- HAVE CLOSED CAPTIONING?!

[@Hope-f5z]

🤷🏻‍♀️

[@glenmcclure9883]

This was very informative!

[@HiAnnMarie1722]

Is this shown on major channels ? It should be

[@milmex317th]

It's on PBS the only News I trust. Until they prove me wrong

[@terrytillery9295]

​@@milmex317th Uuh? Judy Woodruff's recent claims?

[@buzoff4642]

@@milmex317th PBS too is partisan. "Asylum seekers", for example.

[@TheHiddenPearl]

Watching this clip is very good education of the materialistic sides of our DEMOCRACY PHYSICAL STRUCTURE. I have a suggestion: if we can make a combine system of physical vote with count at the same time. There are machine at each booth that the voters put their ballots into the machines that would flow towards the main receivers at the end. Once a voter finishes their vote and inserts the ballot into the machine, there is the count number immediately appear on the screen and they need to print that small piece of receipt and give that receipt that show the count of their own ballot to the vote register desk clerk. Then, the clerk would make a check mark onto either their computerized/paper chart that matches with the voter number on the receipt. This way, we have cross-counting from voters themselves and from the vote registration committees. That saves times and more accuracy. Besides, I would suggest instead of fifty states with fifty voting committees and counting separately, preferring that we DO NOT WANT JUST ONE VOTING SYSTEM - as similar to communism controlling- we can group 50 states into groups of 2 more a few more states that share the same beliefs in how the votes be counted. This, again, may save time and accuracy.

[@nomenclature9373]

A scanner at each booth would drive costs exponentially. Thus the reason for precinct tabulators for walk in voting and a group of high speed tabulators for the mailed in ballots. Around 30 years ago precinct tabulators had ability to connect to central processing centers via a dial up data connection. Physically moving the data card from the precinct to central with chain of custody is more secure.

[@TheHiddenPearl]

​@@nomenclature9373 well, does not need to be machine, but we can arrange ALL PHYSICALLY CROSS COUNTING as well. Each voter has their theoretical number of their own vote that is checked once they give that number piece of tag, for example tagged to the ballot and be torn off after they finish their ballot vote and put into the slot. This cross-counting can arrange ALL PHYSICALLY, no need machines actually. WE ARE THE ULTIMATE MACHINES!

[@TheHiddenPearl]

@@nomenclature9373 well, does not need to be machine, but we can arrange ALL PHYSICALLY/MANUALLY CROSS COUNTING as well. Each voter has their theoretical number of their own vote that is checked once they give that number piece of tag, for example tagged to the ballot and be torn off after they finish their ballot vote and put into the slot. This cross-counting can arrange ALL PHYSICALLY/ MANUALLY, no need machines actually. WE ARE THE ULTIMATE MACHINES

[@ashleyking]

Informative

[@BarbaraWhite-p9l]

Georgia Governor,and your election board. People are hoping you'll assure that your state will conduct a FREE AND FAIR election. Your state is not looking too good in the eyes of some.Thank you .

[@noelhausler2911]

"I cannot tell a lie" - George Washington "I cannot tell the truth" - Donald Trump "I cannot tell the difference" - MAGA

[@rui569]

We can make financial payments and transaction, and almost everything online nowadays but not vote. Why? The process can be secure and we would have the results almost immediately. It's 2024 for god sakes! Do it. Edit: it would also increase participation and that might be the reason it's not done.

[@trevinbeattie4888]

It’s far less secure to vote online without a paper trail. Suggest viewing Tom Scott’s videos “Why Electronic Voting is a BAD Idea” (on the Computerphile channel) and “Why Electronic Voting Is Still A Bad Idea” (his own channel).

[@rui569]

@@trevinbeattie4888 I'll watch it. Thank you.

[@rui569]

@@trevinbeattie4888 Estonia does it. Watch "Why Don't We Vote Online in Elections?" by TLDR Explains

[@buzoff4642]

Audits, some highly responsible polling stations audit, with the paper ballots. You vastly overestimate the quality of software being written.

[@fortunazee]

I prefer to use the dropbox because it saves the postage for the election office.

[@maggio174]

He returned home from the military and found 3 mail in ballots at his home, all for different people. I guess we’ll just have to take his word on it. 😂

[@ryanheisel]

VOTE BLUE, VOTE BLUE, VOTE BLUE, VOTE BLUE, VOTE BLUE, VOTE BLUE!! UP AND DOWN THE BALLOT. GO KAMALA AND WALZ!!

[@models2watch819]

Compliments

[@elenaalexander6138]

Thank you, Ms. Hoover, for presenting this. And thank you,, Mr. Richer, for your integrity and intelligence. What now? This Trumpian threat is utterly frightening. The useful idiots who serve such ideas have no idea how happy they make Vladimir Putin, among others. No joke, to quote Biden.

[@openmind763]

The most developed country in the world has the most antiquated electoral system in the world. I dare to say that the United States has joined one of the Banana Republics its people complain so much about. Just let that sink in.

[@auntiez4917]

Nothing wrong with the system until Trump lost 🙄

[@terrytillery9295]

​@@auntiez4917 He he LOL! Trumps going to win it for the third time.

[@buzoff4642]

@@auntiez4917 You have to be kidding. Districts are gerrymandered, for state and for congressional elections. Electors are gerrymandered, in states that legislate all electors go to whoever gets over 50%. Populations are gerrymandered (illegal migrants and prison locations) to skew the allocation of house of representative seats. Miami, Ohio, etc. under equipping polls to disenfranchise via hours long waits to vote. Some states don't allow Independents, 50% of voter affiliation, to vote in primaries. And these are just the tip of the ice berg.

[@LG-dz9ss]

Stop the squeal! 🪣🌊🌊🌊🇺🇸

[@mmrgratitudes]

Thank you for making this video. I’m so tired of Trump and his supporters who continue to undermine the United States 🇺🇸, our processes, and our institutions.

[@jacquirimown3886]

And people will still vote for trump , unbelievable

[@alvallac2171]

*Trump. Unbelievable.

[@jacqdanieles]

​@@alvallac2171*dump

[@kayfitzgerald309]

Too bad the uneducated doesn't watch PBS!!!

[@rainmanjr2007]

donOLD's Motto: Stop the voting! We're ahead by one and have had enough of the voting!

[@leighlong8966]

Richer is a running nut case. He’s still living in 2020 no matter what’s been proved. How good would he be as a congressman he lives with his head in the sand. But I can still say “Thank you for your service.”

[@ObiWahn68]

US elections are the most free, fair and secure in the world??? Far from it, the USA rank 29th on the Economist Democracy Index, Norway is No. 1! Around 60% voter turnout is ridiculous.

[@buzoff4642]

Not free, some states place their voter ID stations in far corners of their state. Not fair, districts, voting rules, population locations, polling station quantities and locations, are gerrymandered. Not necessarily secure, with electronic voting, if they aren't auditing, then secure is presumed. Voter turnout can be for multitudes of reasons. Weather, job or life commitment conflicts, or simply having a bad day.

[@ObiWahn68]

@@buzoff4642 I'd assume the low voter turnout is due to voter supression legislation in many states. Plus as a German, the concept of having to register for every election anew alienates me. In Germany I have to register as a resident once I change my primary residence and after that I automatically get reminders for each election per mail.

[@buzoff4642]

@@ObiWahn68 No one has to register anew, per election. They do have to show citizenship to register, and an ID when picking up a ballot, for mail in or on site.

[@CarlosIowa]

Gee. Stop saying "Not in a partisan basis," and call a Trump MAGA Republican a Trump MAGA Republican. It's the GOP, the party of Jim Crow 2.0.

[@ultra_magaman8009]

But the DEMS are the Party of Jim Crow and now Karl Marx

[@terrytillery9295]

Silly boy ! Democrats are the party of Jim Crow ! From the Civil War into the 1960s Republicans fought for their civil rights ! A 100 years of democrats lynching, castrating, burning, poll taxing and literate testing(to keep them voting for Republicans) and burning a churches filled with little girls and killing college kids was even too much for democrats and finally joined the republicans.. Enjoy your history lesson. Welcome

[@terrytillery9295]

Democrats are the party of Jim crow . Just a fact.

[@LadyAtheOnly]

💯🎯💯🎯

[@user-werenotlucky]

Great program. Trump is to America what Maduro is to Venezuela.

[@terrytillery9295]

Maduro is a communist . Democrats would be absolutely ecstatic if they could vote for someone like Maduro... Democrats are a clear and present danger to the Republic.

[@johnishikawa2200]

Actually , people are thinking " there must be a lot of willfully ignorant bigots who live in Florida " . That's what I'm thinking at any rate .

[@mariaangelova8275]

Everyone should watch this!

[@missmelis7260]

Excellent coverage

[@robertzastrow4648]

What Jeb Bush did as Governor of Florida (illegally expunging thousands from being able to vote, in order to help his brother win the Presidency) as well as what the Supreme Court did (stopping the vote counting in Florida) has always been highly suspect. For Bush to say now to people still upset at the outcome "Get over it" says more about what type of person he is. His brother became what many considered as the very worst President this country has had, because of his actions as President (9/11 happening, our invasion of Iraq, the financial collapse near the end of his second term) only to be outdone in ineptness and stupidity by Donald Trump, who claims the 2020 election was stolen from him, and is now running again for President.