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Want to Vote, O'Connor? Think Again

Apostrophes, hyphens, and spaces in names confuse computers

By Laila Weir,  Newser User

Posted Feb 22, 2008 4:00 PM CST
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(Newser) – The Information Age has been bad news for O'Connors, D'Angelos, Al-Husseins, and Van Kemps everywhere. Apostrophes in Irish, French, Italian, and African last names; hyphens in Arab names; and spaces in Dutch ones cause their owners endless headaches when computer systems reject or mis-record them, reports the AP, blocking them from voting, booking flights, and taking college exams.

Thousands of votes weren’t counted in the 2004 Michigan caucus because of computer problems with voters’ names. Such glitches happen either because the system filters out strange-looking names or because punctuation is mistaken for computer code once the name is stored. Some people are giving in and changing their surnames’ traditional spelling—at least when dealing with technology.

A young voter hands over his identification as he registers to vote at the Chicago Board of Elections Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008. In the 2004 Michigan caucus, thousands of votes weren't counted because they were cast by people with apostrophes or hyphens in their last names. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
A young voter hands over his identification as he registers to vote at the Chicago Board of Elections Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008. In the 2004 Michigan caucus, thousands of votes weren't counted because they...   (Associated Press)
Iraqi refugees in Syria register their names on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008 in a center for the United Nations Higher Commissioner for Refugees to receive food assistance in Damascus. Many might find their last names distorted or rejected by computer systems that can't handle hyphenated names.(AP PHOTO)
Iraqi refugees in Syria register their names on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008 in a center for the United Nations Higher Commissioner for Refugees to receive food assistance in Damascus. Many might find their...   (Associated Press)
Clerk Shawntae McCain feeds envelopes containing absentee ballots into a scanner that verifies signatures on those envelopes with registration records, in preparation for counting in the California Super Tuesday Primary election at the office of the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder in Norwalk, Calif., Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 5, 2008. Thousands of...
Clerk Shawntae McCain feeds envelopes containing absentee ballots into a scanner that verifies signatures on those envelopes with registration records, in preparation for counting in the California Super...   (Associated Press)
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Passengers with hyphenated names have trouble booking United flights
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computer programming • software • surnames • electronic voting • spelling • data entry

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