I agree voting by mail is a good idea for Maui (Today's Editorial, Nov. 29).
It would be easier for voters to mail a letter than to get time off from work, stand in line and wait for a turn to vote in a booth. Voting by mail is a better choice than voting electronically.
Not every voter has access to a computer. Computer technology has not solved its glitches and isn't as reliable as the mail.
Counting paper ballots is simple and recounts are possible.
The voting machine companies are privately owned, some by supporters of major candidates. These companies don't allow independent verification or testing because they claim their system has proprietary rights and cannot be shown publicly. This seems wrong.
Public elections should be counted and verified publicly. Voting by mail saves costs and may help balance our budget.
I hope Gov. Neil Abercrombie and the Hawaii Legislature set up voting by mail now.
Martha E. Martin
Paia
