We have the same machines Theo describes. They really do solve the problems of both hanging chad and COMPLETE FUCKING LACK OF ANY RECORDS quite nicely. And, bonus, you use a special magic marker that isn't just a normal marker, and anything that comes with special markers is extra-cool.

Still, though, no ka-CHUNK.

The Scantron itself makes a nice little hummmm though. Still, I do miss the ka-CHUNK.

But voting in Somerville never had a ka-CHUNK (in my lifetime, anyway), so there's no loss there. I'm obsessed with Scantron voting, and don't understand why it's not universal. Except then I remember all of the people who think the ka-CHUNK means voting.

I feel quite certain that a simulated kaTHUNK noise could be worked into the design of the optical scanner voting machines. There could even be a lever to pull when you put the paper in to be scanned. It would be the World's Best Voting System!

New Jersey had a ka-chunker, but I only got to use it once or twice, but I remember getting to accompany parental units behind the Curtain of Democracy in Action.

I've never experienced a Ka-THUNK voting machine, unfortunately. I am all too familiar with the voting system that leads to hanging chads and butterfly ballots (really fun when you're trying to figure out which judge to vote to retain). Since I'm in a new district now, I'm excited to see what I'll be voting with tomorrow!

I'm still trying to decide if I'm going to vote before or after work. Considering my relationship with early mornings, I think after work is going to win by default.

Curtain of Democracy in Action.

THEY TOOK AWAY MY CURTAIN.

I feel quite certain that a simulated kaTHUNK noise could be worked into the design of the optical scanner voting machines. There could even be a lever to pull when you put the paper in to be scanned. It would be the World's Best Voting System!

It could only be improved if each voting machine came with a monkey that started shrieking once you placed your vote.

Insta-fuffle: Ka-thunk, or Ka-chunk?