Hand-counted elections certainly challenge the current power structure, and being far less expensive than computers also affect local economies with the millions to tens of millions spent on computerized voting systems in counties. Sally Castleman writes:
“DREs and Optical Scanner equipment are more costly than any hand count system. Not only is the initial cost substantial, but other costs include ongoing testing and certification, secure storage, temperature controlled environments, maintenance, reprogramming, service, batteries, upgrading to newer models to keep up with specification requirements,” and salaries for specialized technical experts.
Back to MacEwan:
“Practical programs advance toward a radical transformation of society.”
Hand-count fans don’t want to reform a broken system; instead, we assert radical change by demanding election night counts in full public view, with the results posted at the precinct.
"A reformist reform is one which subordinates its objective to the criteria of rationality and practicability of a given system and policy."
(a.k.a. 'political realism’)
“Reformism rejects those objectives and demands - however deep the need for them - which are incompatible with the preservation of the system.”
Hand-counts remove corporations and experts-only from counting or verifying vote totals - a government-run expert system with a vested interest in the outcome that may conflict with the public will. Indeed, given the 4/5 disapproval rating, public will directly conflicts with the will of government. Do they deserve to be trusted to count our vote?
"(A non-reformist) reform is one which is conceived not in terms of what is possible within the framework of a given system and administration, but in view of what should be made possible in terms of human needs and demands."
Hand-counts meet the transparent vote counting criterion of democratic elections, something all advocates of free and fair elections demand.
MacEwan suggests that this latter reform is possible without the chaos of revolutionary upheaval, given certain criteria are met. It is here where we get to incrementalism. He argues that incrementalism can be used to advance our agenda without compromising our position.
"Democratic initiatives must:
1. Make a positive difference in people's lives. They should not demand that a sacrifice be made in the name of some greater good; they must bring something good in themselves. Their goals are defined by what should be;"
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