Election smear tactics: What should be our response?

The smear tactics have escalated in Virginia and a few other states. As the mud is slung, we need to turn off the TVs or radios and stop reading the newspapers and any Blogs that are promoting such nonsense. If you can't make up your mind as to the facts after 2-4 years of data you shouldn't be allowed to vote. You know when people get old, they are required in some states to take a driver's test. Maybe we should use a similar standard for people to be allowed to vote! I'll bet you can come up with some requirements can't you. How about sharing them.

Update: Oct. 27 6:40pm E.S.T.

I checked as to whether the smearing will affect all VA voters and found the following:

Federal Post Card Applications from Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) voters (whether the application is sent by mail, e-mail attachment or fax) for the November 7th General Election must be received by the local election office no later than 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 for overseas voters who are not already permanently registered in Virginia, or who are only eligible for “temporary registration”.


I think many Absentee ballots are already completed and not affected by all this last minute maneuvering, not just in VA but the rest of the country as well. I believe it is one way to commit before the smearing begins. If more people used Absentee Ballots, these smear tactics might be reduced. In my County of Marin, CA, over 40% of the votes have been cast by Absentee already.