EAC, OAS sign agreement on voting initiatives, Finland puts the brakes on e-voting, Illinois prepares for first "undervote warning" election

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission signs an agreement with the Organization of American States that, among other provisions, calls for cooperation on "the standardization, testing, auditing and implementation of electronic voting initiatives," Finland becomes the latest country to put the brakes on electronic voting, and Illinois election officials prepare optical scan and DRE equipment to provide an undervote warning for state offices in the February 2 primary.

All this and more in today's Voting News...

IL: New voting rule takes effect in primary
http://www.galesburg.com/news/x1301086263/New-voting-rule-takes-effect-in-primary

MA: Coakley winds the Hand Counts
http://www.gouverneurtimes.com/frontpage-news/10818-coakley-wins-the-hand-counts.html

NE: Council: No recount
http://www.nptelegraph.com/articles/2010/01/20/news/60005311.txt

NJ: Judge orders new election for Park Ridge Council seat
http://www.northjersey.com/news/politics/012010_Judge_orders_new_election_for_Park_Ridge_council_seat.html
Citing voting irregularities and the difficulty in determining for whom some disqualified voters cast their ballots in the Park Ridge municipal election Nov. 3, Superior Court Judge Robert C. Wilson on Wednesday ordered that a new election be held for a seat on the Borough Council.

International

International - OAS and the United States Sign Cooperation Agreement on Electoral Affairs
http://www.sflcn.com/story.php?id=7830

Finland: Electronic voting will not be developed further on the current basis
http://www.isria.com/pages/20_January_2010_95.php

India: Compulsory voting against democracy, EC says
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Compulsory-voting-against-democracy-says-EC/articleshow/5481993.cms

India: 58 to 60 percent registered in Chotila by-polls
http://www.ptinews.com/news/477551_58-to-60-per-cent-voting-registered-in-Chotila-by-polls

Philippines: Traders to get first-hand demo on voting machines
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/239407/traders-get-firsthand-demo-voting-machines

United Kingdom: Voters with learning disabilities 'disenfranchised'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8469533.stm
..."Looking further forward, it [a study by charity United Response] believes a new strategy is needed to boost democratic involvement, with all elected representatives taking more account of the needs of those with learning disabilities. "...



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