7/21 Voting News. New Mexico SOS can't protect assets, Arizona's voting machine suit in court, Tennessee paper fight rages, EAC certification

Can New Mexico's Secretary of State protect elections? The New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office doesn’t have the technical capability to manage information technology projects, or "protect the assets of the SOS and the people of the State of New Mexico." according to a Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) evaluation.
The EAC announces several certifications of software and voting systems.
An Arizona lawsuit over voting machines goes back to trial,
Tennessee in the news again as a partisan election official calls Optical Scan voting "Insanity". I rebut his claims.
US voter turnout in 2008 increased by 5 million over 2004.

AL. Trial date scheduled in Alabama judge's ethics case
The Alabama Court of the Judiciary has scheduled a trial July 29 on the judicial ethics charges against Hale County Circuit Judge Marvin Wiggins.
The state Judicial Inquiry Commission accused Wiggins in May of violating the state's ethical standards for judges in his handling of a voter fraud investigation involving three of his relatives.
http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20090721/NEWS02/907210322/Trial+date+scheduled+in+Alabama+judge+s+ethics+case

AR. Arkansas Greens Will Sue Over Definition of “Political Party”
...The party was removed from the ballot in November 2008 because it polled under 3% for president. However, it polled over 20% for U.S. Senate, and its three U.S. House candidates averaged over 19%.
http://www.ballot-access.org/2009/07/20/arkansas-greens-will-sue-over-definition-of-political-party/

AZ Voting machine case goes back to trial judge
Some individuals who claim that touch screen voting machines are not reliable will get a chance to make their case in court.
...Tuesday’s ruling, unless overturned by the Arizona Supreme Court, sends the case back to a trial judge who three years ago threw the case out of court.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/141960

CA. Special Congressional Election in California Will be 5-Party Race
The California special election to fill the vacant 10th district U.S. House seat on November 3 will be a race between members of five political parties. The Green, American Independent, and Peace & Freedom Parties all will be represented.
http://www.ballot-access.org/2009/07/21/special-congressional-election-in-california-will-be-5-party-race/


NM. Legislative review: N.M. Secretary of State’s Office lacks technical ability to manage IT projects.
.."The SOS IT capability is significantly lacking in staffing and technical skills. Expectations are far greater than the ability of the people resources to deliver the results required and to provide the necessary and required processes to protect the assets of the SOS and the people of the State of New Mexico."
http://newmexicoindependent.com/32345/legislative-review-n-m-secretary-of-states-office-lacks-technical-ability-to-manage-it-projects

TN. Optical Scan Voting "Insanity," Says Election Commission Head
The Voter Confidence Act passed by the Tennessee General Assembly in 2008 is a creation of “the liberal wing of the liberal party” and a “bad idea,” according to Bill Giannini, the chairman of the Shelby County Election Commission.
http://www.memphisflyer.com/JacksonBaker/archives/2009/07/21/optical-scan-voting-insanity-says-election-commission-head


Protecting Tennessee's vote: Rebutting Giannini's "Optical Scan Voting Insanity" rhetoric
The facts are NOT on the side of partisan election official Chairman Bill Giannini of Shelby County Tennessee.
http://votingnews.blogspot.com/2009/07/protecting-tennessees-voterebutting.html


US. "Obama Campaign Returning Foreign Contributions"
President Obama's campaign committee wants your money — but only if you happen to be an American citizen. But even those who can't vote and don't live in the U.S. seem intent on handing him money.
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/obama-campaign-returning-thousands-in-foreign-contributions-2009-07-21.html

US. Voter Turnout Increases by 5 Million in 2008 Presidential Election, U.S. Census Bureau Reports
Data Show Significant Increases Among Hispanic, Black and Young Voters
About 131 million people reported voting in the 2008 U.S. presidential election, an increase of 5 million from 2004, according to a new table package released today by the U.S. Census Bureau.
http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/07-20-2009/0005062598&EDATE=



EAC Certifies ES&S Unity 3.2.0.0 Voting System
By EAC Media Release July 21, 2009
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) today certified the Unity 3.2.0.0 optical scan voting system by Election Systems & Software to the 2002 Voting System Standards. It is the second voting system to achieve federal certification under the EAC Voting System Testing and Certification Program.
http://votetrustusa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3022&Itemid=51