It has been discovered that the electronic voting machines in the VA election have "hacked" off the last name of the candidates, as well as their party affiliation. This will make it almost impossible for people not intimately familiar with the first name, initial, and nickname of the candidates to find the one they want to vote for.
More below the fold
The
story in the Smirking Chimp says that
What is being called a "glitch" by Hart InterCivic spokespersons, three cities in Virginia -- Alexandria, Falls Church and Charlottesville -- will not properly display Jim Webb's name on the November ballot summary screen. Voters will only see 'James H. "Jim"' on the ballot, instead of James H. "Jim" Webb.
To make matters worse, the candidates will have "their party affiliations...cut off" even after navigating through the summary screen nearly blind. To put some perspective and clarity to this, in Alexandria, Falls Church and Charlottesville, Virginia, voters will not be able to recognize Jim Webb by his full name OR by his party's affiliation!
The secretary of the Virginia State Board of Elections, Jean Jensen, said they should have it fixed in time for the 2007 elections. Oh, goody!!! But what about THIS ELECTION???!!!!!
Sorry for the shortie diary, but I thought this was important to get out to DKos and didn't find it on a search. Apologies if it has already been covered.