ACLU faults Pima county AZ for invalidating 18% of 2008 provisional ballots..Candidate for California SOS has voted once in his life.. NYC Elections Chief Attacks Reports of Primary Day Chaos..Vote Centers for Ohio?..Dave Schechter, CNN Senior National Editor has a wide ranging analysis of today's election systems and challenges... FVAP blogs on military vote updates...
All this and more in today's voting news below...
AL: Some troops may not get ballots in time
http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/local_news/some-troops-may-not-get-ballots-in-time
AZ: ACLU faults county for invalidating '08 ballots
http://azstarnet.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/article_acad50e1-f065-5b34-8068-f3850189c1f3.html
Pima County was the worst offender in disenfranchising voters in 2008, according to a new report by the American Civil Liberties Union, which determined the county invalidated 18 percent of provisional ballots because voters went to the wrong polling place.
...
The organization's study, which covered Maricopa, Pima, Pinal, Yavapai and Coconino counties in the 2008 election, found that of about 131,500 provisional ballots, almost 40,000 ended up invalidated, for reasons as varied as the person didn't have the right identification or was ineligible to vote.
CA: Challenger who rarely voted seeks California elections post
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_16215223?nclick_check=1
Damon Dunn wants to lead the office that oversees elections and voting systems in the nation's most populous state -- a rather large leap for someone who never voted until last year's statewide special election.
CO: Campaign finance complaint filed against Colo. Secretary of State
http://www.kdvr.com/news/sns-ap-co--colorado-bueschercomplaint,0,3108272.story
A Denver attorney has filed a complaint against Secretary of State Bernie Buescher claiming Buescher violated state law by using state workers to coordinate his campaign for re-election
CT: Lose home but not right to vote
http://www.newbritainherald.com/articles/2010/09/29/life/doc4ca 34f2aeab84763696821.txt http://tinyurl.com/27qxx4q HARTFORD - Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz sought today to reassure Connecticut foreclosure victims that they will not be denied the right to vote.
DE: Delaware Supreme Court Will Hear Fusion Lawsuit Filed by Libertarians, After Election http://www.ballot-access.org/2010/09/30/delaware-supreme-court-will-hear-fusion-lawsuit-filed-by-libertarians-after-election/
FL: Court halts penalties for Fla. election violations
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/09/30/1850152/court-halts-penalties-for-fla.html
Florida election law violators can avoid civil penalties by simply opting for a hearing before an administrative law judge owing to a glitch in legislation passed three years ago, an appeal court ruled Thursday.
FL: Election talk on fantasy Lane (comedy video about Sarasota FL saga)
http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7233883/
IA: Churches to host early voting during Sunday worship
http://www.amestrib.com/articles/2010/09/29/ames_tribune/news/doc4ca3
7f68a5950099539305.txt http://tinyurl.com/2bc4xs8
IL: County election board hears case*
Candidate's husband says his wife's name off ballot; lack of training cited
http://www.post-trib.com/news/lake/2755118,elections0929.article
County Elections Board Attorney Jim Wieser explained that there were four machines sent to the Boys & Girls Club, two for each precinct. However, the two reportedly programmed for EC-31 weren't out when the day's first voters arrived, but within a short time, a mechanic found the machines and set them up.
IN: Election board meets about clerical mistake; clerk doing mailing to possible affected absentee voters* http://gcdailyworld.com/story/1668630.html Nearly 200 Greene County registered voters may have received duplicate absentee ballot cards in the mail during the past two weeks
MS: Local voter fraud case ends
http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/Local-voter-fraud-case-ends/2PP_KOgYnUarUCfB8qLxcw.cspx
A long-running voter fraud case has come to an end in Benton County.
Kenny Ray Bowen and Billy Street were the last among 16 defendants in the case.
NC: Hand count may be needed for some N.C. ballots
http://www.wral.com/news/local/politics/story/8373469/ The State Board of Elections finalized details Wednesday on the method used to identify the Court of Appeals race winner being decided through instant runoff voting.
...
The board decided workers in 24 counties with electronic machines will have to read the register tape generated by each electronic vote should second and third choices be counted.
NE: 13 say they weren't allowed to vote*
http://www.omaha.com/article/20100929/NEWS01/709309853#13-say-they-weren-t-allowed-to-vote
NY: Elections Chief Attacks Reports of Primary Day Chaos
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/30/nyregion/30machines.html?_r=2
City election officials on Wednesday gave their first public accounting of the problems that occurred during the primary this month and, while acknowledging missteps, they vigorously and sometimes heatedly defended their handling of the transition to electronic machines from lever-operated voting booths.
NY: The Board of Elections Blames the Mayor
http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/09/29/the-board-of-elections-blames-the-mayor/
“There is no cheap way to run an election,” Commissioner J.R. Polanco told the senators at the downtown Manhattan hearing. He said the board had asked for $16 million to conduct public education on the new system but received $10 million less.
NY: Lawmaker Calls for Critique of New Voting Machines
County Legislator Edwin Day says there needs to be confidence in voting procedures.
http://newcity.patch.com/articles/lawmaker-calls-for-critique-of-new-voting-machines
OH: Secretary Brunner's Pilot "Vote Center" Concept Creates Significant Savings In Special Election http://www.progressohio.org/blog/2010/09/secretary-brunners-pilot-vote-center-concept-creates-significant-savings-in-special-election.html
OR: State looking into election complaint
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20100929/COMMUNITIES/9290385/1133
City reader board in front of library had candidate listed
TN: Ex-voting technician cites dismissal for election woes
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/sep/29/firing-cited-in-election-woes/
A former voting-machine technician for the Shelby County Election Commission says his dismissal last year contributed to problems in the disputed Aug. 5 election.
...
But election administrator Richard Holden said Reeder was responsible for voting machines, not the electronic poll books.
WV: W.Va. GOP to deploy “Ballot Security Team”
http://blogs.wvgazette.com/squawkbox/2010/09/30/w-va-gop-to-deploy-ballot-security-team/
Internet Voting Watch
U.S. Voters Abroad Test Efforts To Expedite Balloting
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130209616
Hundreds of thousands of ballots from military and other overseas voters were never returned or counted in the 2008 U.S. election. But a new law requires states to send absentee ballots overseas at least 45 days in advance, and some states are now accepting votes via e-mail and fax.
...
The Overseas Vote Foundation is recommending that anyone who sends their votes electronically also send a backup paper copy, just to be safe...
Canada: Online Voting
http://www.thehamiltonian.net/2010/09/online-voting.html Do you think this idea's time has come? Is Burlington one step ahead of us, or venturing into troubled water?
Canada: Internet voting seen as wave of the future
Technology may soon change the face of elections
http://www.windsorstar.com/news/Internet+voting+seen+wave+future/3600226/story.html
Canada: Cottagers can carry clout
http://thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2773123
With many townships moving to vote-by-mail or telephone and Internet voting, those thousands of seasonal residents have a lot of weight to throw around in local races.
Cyber Warfare On The Net
http://business.ezinemark.com/cyber-warfare-on-the-net-31847fc3459.html
Until the recent admission by Iran of a successful cyber attack on its nuclear power plant facilities, cyber warfare had not made serious inroads into the collective consciousness.
National
Analysis: Our votes are counted accurately -- aren't they?
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/09/30/voting.machines/
By Dave Schechter, CNN Senior National Editor
Tools for Transbearency: Q&A Sites for Open Government
http://blog.sunlightfoundation.com/2010/09/30/tools-for-transbearency-question-answer-open-government/
Absentee Voting Week
http://www.dodlive.mil/index.php/2010/09/absentee-voting-week/
Starting this year, states are required to send their ballots out 45 days before the election, to send them out electronically (email, fax, online posting) if you ask for that, and the Military Postal System will Express Mail all ballots for overseas military personnel and their dependents overseas.
GOP senators urge push for states, counties to get ballots to troops
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/09/29/senators.troops.ballots/
Several Republican lawmakers Wednesday urged Attorney General Eric Holder to immediately force states and counties that missed the deadline for mailing military absentee ballots to act promptly to ensure men and women in uniform can vote in time for the November election.
International
India: Sikkim 1st state with round the clock uninterrupted CCTV
surveillance of EVMs http://stockmarkettoday.in/2010/09/30/sikkim-1st-state-with-round-the-clock-uninterrupted-cctv-surveillance-of-evms/
Voting News by Joyce McCloy.Archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/
Also on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/VotingNews and at Twitter http://twitter.com/VotingNews
Subscribe to Voting News at this link: http://tinyurl.com/votingnews
To assist with Daily Voting News, please send links to news articles to us at votingnews@earthlink.net
=============================================
"The Voting News is a free service made possible in part by support from Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018. Be sure to note "for Voting News" in the memo line of your check! Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law."
Donate online at this link: http://tinyurl.com/donate-vn
Disclaimer: Articles and commentary included in "Voting News" do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors of Voting News,or its allied organizations. Articles are selected for inclusion to inform subscribers'ability to draw their own conclusions based on noteworthy and credible news,research, legislation, and debate bearing on the integrity of elections.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Brennan Ctr to vote vendors- report malfunctions. SC cnty stalls election FOIAs
California's new law SB1404 requires vote vendors to report problems...Bo Lipari's testimony on NY primary...Brennan Ctr letter asks vendors to self report probs...South Carolina Straight ticket warning..Charleston Co SC election office drags feet on FOIAS..Mary Mancini's "The Worst Legislation in Tennessee!"..Fox says 7 states violating the MOVE act, may disenfranchise overseas & military voters. But FVAP Director says "To date, all states have complied with their waiver requirements."..Violence & Fraud in 2010 Afghanistan Elections..
All this and more in today's voting news below...
AR: Ballot fixed after voter spots error*
http://arkansasleader.blogspot.com/2010/09/top-story-ballot-fixed-after-voter.html
The 80 Jacksonville residents who mistakenly received absentee ballots without all four aldermanic races have been sent supplemental ballots, according to Melinda Allen, Pulaski County election director
CA: Governor signed SB 1404 by Senator Fran Pavley (D-Santa Monica) - Elections: ballot cards and voting systems. http://www.gov.ca.gov/press-release/16072/
The Bill here http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/sen/sb_1401-1450/sb_1404_bill_20100927_chaptered.html
CT: A Tale In Three Ballots
http://www.ctvoterscount.org/a-tale-in-three-ballots/
Luther Weeks compares CT, MN & NY ballots and issue of ballot design
DC: Experts Warn Against D.C.'s Planned, Insane Internet Voting Scheme
As if U.S. elections aren't disastrous enough as is...
http://www.bradblog.com/?p=8097
IN: General election ballots are incorrect ($ to subscribe/read full article)
http://www.carrollcountycomet.com/news/2010-09-29/Front_Page/General_election_ballots_are_incorrect.html
The Carroll County Election Board... a special meeting was scheduled for Thursday to discuss a problem that was also an issue in the May primary election. It was discovered that ballots are incorrect as printed.
NC: Hand count may be needed for some NC ballots
http://www.wral.com/news/state/story/8373469/
The State Board of Elections finalized details Wednesday on the method used to identify the Court of Appeals race winner being decided through instant runoff voting.
The board decided workers in 24 counties with electronic machines will have to read the register tape generated by each electronic vote should second and third choices be counted. Optical scan ballots used elsewhere will be run through their usual tabulation machines. (editor note-optical scan tally will not be usual)
NY: TESTIMONY ON THE PRIMARY TO THE SENATE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE
http://www.bolipari.com/boblog/2010/09/testimony-on-the-primary-to-the-senate-elections-committee/ By far the largest number of problem reports were administrative and legislative issues. These reports broke down into a few main categories – Privacy Issues; Poll Worker Training; Late Poll Openings; Machine Problems; and Hard to read Ballots.
OR: Oregon voters can register on state website
http://www.kcby.com/news/local/103955764.html
OR: Cutting off voters for no good reason (opinion)
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2010/09/cutting_off_voters_for_no_good.html
SC: More Emails, More Foot-Dragging from Election Officials
http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/TheGoodFight/archives/2010/09/29/more-emails-more-foot-dragging-from-election-officials Addendum to my Sept. 29 City Paper column on problems with Charleston County voting machines:
SC: Marilyn Bowers' Letter of Resignation from Board of Elections
http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/TheGoodFight/archives/2010/09/29/marilyn-bowers-letter-of-resignation-from-board-of-elections (Charleston County)
SC: 'Straight ticket' voting could cause problems in November elections
http://www2.scnow.com/news/2010/sep/29/straight-ticket-voting-could-cause-problems-novemb-ar-895519/ Voters who use electronic voting equipment have the option to select only candidates from one political party by choosing a “select all” option. However, if voters do so, they must make sure to view non-partisan ballot items, such as questions or local races where a political party affiliation is not required.
TN: "The Worst Legislation in Tennessee!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KoQShuQQYQ Mary Mancini on the bill that gutted and delayed the "Tennessee Voter Confidence Act."
Internet Voting Watch
Ireland: Where’s the Irish Mandela to lead us back into the Commonwealth?
http://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/stephen-king/wheres-the-irish-mandela-to-lead-us-back-into-the-commonwealth-132012.html
So if internet voting would encourage more young people – or older people, or the physically disabled for that matter – to vote, I am, in principle, open to the idea.
Or I was. It was two weeks ago that it struck me: if people can send emails and text messages they live to regret from their mobile phone or Blackberry on a night’s drinking, what if people could vote from the comfort of the bar?
National
Letter to Voting Sytem Vendors Regarding Voluntary Database
http://www.brennancenter.org/content/resource/letter_to_voting_sytem
_vendors_regarding_voluntary_database/ http://tinyurl.com/25b6yzm
The Brennan Center for Justice sent the following letter to Dominion Voting Systems, Election Systems & Software (ES&S), Hart InterCivic, and Microvote -- the major voting system vendors in the country -- calling on the companies to create voluntary databases of known equipment malfunctions prior to this fall's elections.
U.S. Voters Abroad Test Efforts To Expedite Balloting
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130209616 Susan Dzieduszycka-Suinat runs the Overseas Vote Foundation, a group dedicated to easing the process. "Really, the entire landscape of U.S. overseas and military voting has transformed," she says.
...
A few jurisdictions, like some counties in West Virginia, are even experimenting with online voting. That has some voter groups concerned, though, about ballot security
EXCLUSIVE: Advocates Cite Purported MOVE Act Violations in Seven More States
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/09/29/exclusive-law-suit-protect-maryland-military-voters-just-tip-iceberg/ "States granted waivers must certify the delivery of ballots in accordance with their waiver plans and must report post-election on a broad range of statistics regarding ballot delivery and returns. All of those requirements notices, and responses as we receive them, are on FVAP's website at http://www.fvap.gov/reference/laws/waivers.html . To date, all states have complied with their waiver requirements."
International
Bombing Democracy: Violence and Fraud in the 2010 Afghanistan Elections
http://electls.blogs.wm.edu/2010/09/29/bombing-democracy/
Because winning the seat is so lucrative, many candidates took to buying votes for between $1-$18 per ballot, with the average hovering around $5.
India: EVM theft: Mukund Lagoo let out on bail
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/evm-theft-mukund-lagoo-let-out-on-bail/689790/
Pune-based social activist Mukund Lagoo, arrested for his alleged role in procuring an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) from the Collector’s office and handing it over to Hyderabad-based researcher Hari Prasad, was released on bail Tuesday.
Voting News by Joyce McCloy.
Archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/
Also on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/VotingNews and
at Twitter http://twitter.com/VotingNews
Subscribe to Voting News at this link: http://tinyurl.com/votingnews
To assist with Daily Voting News, please send links to news articles to us at votingnews@earthlink.net
=============================================
"The Voting News is a free service made possible in part by support from Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018. Be sure to note "for Voting News" in the memo line of your check! Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law."
Donate online at this link: http://tinyurl.com/donate-vn
Disclaimer: Articles and commentary included in "Voting News" do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors of Voting News,or its allied organizations. Articles are selected for inclusion to inform subscribers'ability to draw their own conclusions based on noteworthy and credible news,research, legislation, and debate bearing on the integrity of elections.
All this and more in today's voting news below...
AR: Ballot fixed after voter spots error*
http://arkansasleader.blogspot.com/2010/09/top-story-ballot-fixed-after-voter.html
The 80 Jacksonville residents who mistakenly received absentee ballots without all four aldermanic races have been sent supplemental ballots, according to Melinda Allen, Pulaski County election director
CA: Governor signed SB 1404 by Senator Fran Pavley (D-Santa Monica) - Elections: ballot cards and voting systems. http://www.gov.ca.gov/press-release/16072/
The Bill here http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/sen/sb_1401-1450/sb_1404_bill_20100927_chaptered.html
CT: A Tale In Three Ballots
http://www.ctvoterscount.org/a-tale-in-three-ballots/
Luther Weeks compares CT, MN & NY ballots and issue of ballot design
DC: Experts Warn Against D.C.'s Planned, Insane Internet Voting Scheme
As if U.S. elections aren't disastrous enough as is...
http://www.bradblog.com/?p=8097
IN: General election ballots are incorrect ($ to subscribe/read full article)
http://www.carrollcountycomet.com/news/2010-09-29/Front_Page/General_election_ballots_are_incorrect.html
The Carroll County Election Board... a special meeting was scheduled for Thursday to discuss a problem that was also an issue in the May primary election. It was discovered that ballots are incorrect as printed.
NC: Hand count may be needed for some NC ballots
http://www.wral.com/news/state/story/8373469/
The State Board of Elections finalized details Wednesday on the method used to identify the Court of Appeals race winner being decided through instant runoff voting.
The board decided workers in 24 counties with electronic machines will have to read the register tape generated by each electronic vote should second and third choices be counted. Optical scan ballots used elsewhere will be run through their usual tabulation machines. (editor note-optical scan tally will not be usual)
NY: TESTIMONY ON THE PRIMARY TO THE SENATE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE
http://www.bolipari.com/boblog/2010/09/testimony-on-the-primary-to-the-senate-elections-committee/ By far the largest number of problem reports were administrative and legislative issues. These reports broke down into a few main categories – Privacy Issues; Poll Worker Training; Late Poll Openings; Machine Problems; and Hard to read Ballots.
OR: Oregon voters can register on state website
http://www.kcby.com/news/local/103955764.html
OR: Cutting off voters for no good reason (opinion)
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2010/09/cutting_off_voters_for_no_good.html
SC: More Emails, More Foot-Dragging from Election Officials
http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/TheGoodFight/archives/2010/09/29/more-emails-more-foot-dragging-from-election-officials Addendum to my Sept. 29 City Paper column on problems with Charleston County voting machines:
SC: Marilyn Bowers' Letter of Resignation from Board of Elections
http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/TheGoodFight/archives/2010/09/29/marilyn-bowers-letter-of-resignation-from-board-of-elections (Charleston County)
SC: 'Straight ticket' voting could cause problems in November elections
http://www2.scnow.com/news/2010/sep/29/straight-ticket-voting-could-cause-problems-novemb-ar-895519/ Voters who use electronic voting equipment have the option to select only candidates from one political party by choosing a “select all” option. However, if voters do so, they must make sure to view non-partisan ballot items, such as questions or local races where a political party affiliation is not required.
TN: "The Worst Legislation in Tennessee!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KoQShuQQYQ Mary Mancini on the bill that gutted and delayed the "Tennessee Voter Confidence Act."
Internet Voting Watch
Ireland: Where’s the Irish Mandela to lead us back into the Commonwealth?
http://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/stephen-king/wheres-the-irish-mandela-to-lead-us-back-into-the-commonwealth-132012.html
So if internet voting would encourage more young people – or older people, or the physically disabled for that matter – to vote, I am, in principle, open to the idea.
Or I was. It was two weeks ago that it struck me: if people can send emails and text messages they live to regret from their mobile phone or Blackberry on a night’s drinking, what if people could vote from the comfort of the bar?
National
Letter to Voting Sytem Vendors Regarding Voluntary Database
http://www.brennancenter.org/content/resource/letter_to_voting_sytem
_vendors_regarding_voluntary_database/ http://tinyurl.com/25b6yzm
The Brennan Center for Justice sent the following letter to Dominion Voting Systems, Election Systems & Software (ES&S), Hart InterCivic, and Microvote -- the major voting system vendors in the country -- calling on the companies to create voluntary databases of known equipment malfunctions prior to this fall's elections.
U.S. Voters Abroad Test Efforts To Expedite Balloting
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130209616 Susan Dzieduszycka-Suinat runs the Overseas Vote Foundation, a group dedicated to easing the process. "Really, the entire landscape of U.S. overseas and military voting has transformed," she says.
...
A few jurisdictions, like some counties in West Virginia, are even experimenting with online voting. That has some voter groups concerned, though, about ballot security
EXCLUSIVE: Advocates Cite Purported MOVE Act Violations in Seven More States
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/09/29/exclusive-law-suit-protect-maryland-military-voters-just-tip-iceberg/ "States granted waivers must certify the delivery of ballots in accordance with their waiver plans and must report post-election on a broad range of statistics regarding ballot delivery and returns. All of those requirements notices, and responses as we receive them, are on FVAP's website at http://www.fvap.gov/reference/laws/waivers.html . To date, all states have complied with their waiver requirements."
International
Bombing Democracy: Violence and Fraud in the 2010 Afghanistan Elections
http://electls.blogs.wm.edu/2010/09/29/bombing-democracy/
Because winning the seat is so lucrative, many candidates took to buying votes for between $1-$18 per ballot, with the average hovering around $5.
India: EVM theft: Mukund Lagoo let out on bail
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/evm-theft-mukund-lagoo-let-out-on-bail/689790/
Pune-based social activist Mukund Lagoo, arrested for his alleged role in procuring an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) from the Collector’s office and handing it over to Hyderabad-based researcher Hari Prasad, was released on bail Tuesday.
Voting News by Joyce McCloy.
Archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/
Also on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/VotingNews and
at Twitter http://twitter.com/VotingNews
Subscribe to Voting News at this link: http://tinyurl.com/votingnews
To assist with Daily Voting News, please send links to news articles to us at votingnews@earthlink.net
=============================================
"The Voting News is a free service made possible in part by support from Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018. Be sure to note "for Voting News" in the memo line of your check! Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law."
Donate online at this link: http://tinyurl.com/donate-vn
Disclaimer: Articles and commentary included in "Voting News" do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors of Voting News,or its allied organizations. Articles are selected for inclusion to inform subscribers'ability to draw their own conclusions based on noteworthy and credible news,research, legislation, and debate bearing on the integrity of elections.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Travis TX judge nixes paper ballots. Philippine source code disclosure ordered
DoD Announces Absentee Voting Week..The Persistence of Partisan Election Administration..Shelby County TN expands whistleblower law, but leaves out reference to elections..Overseas Vote Foundation AK, MI, VI overseas voters: Want to #vote in Nov.? Oct. 3 is your Registration deadline...Court orders Philippine Elections Commission to Disclose source code used in May elections...
All this and more in today's voting news below...
AL: Federal judge keeps Voting Rights Act challenge moving
http://www.shelbycountyreporter.com/2010/09/27/federal-judge-keeps-voting-rights-act-challenge-moving/ A federal district court judge ruled Sept. 10 the federal government must move quickly in contesting Shelby County’s challenge against the constitutionality of sections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
CA: Obstacles challenge election reform bid (City of Los Angeles)
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_16181638
Several council colleagues have already voiced qualms about some of the proposals.
They are particularly concerned about the instant runoff process – in which voters rank candidates in a weighted system instead of holding separate primary and general elections – fearing the top-spending candidate would get the most attention.
CO: Mixed prognosis
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20100928/LETTER/100929848/
1020&parentprofile=1061 http://tinyurl.com/2467d5s
“Why spend so much energy on election integrity issues?” “Why not focus on something popular then run for office?” After all, it's “not nice” to raise these issues so very publicly.
Until fair and transparent elections can be restored in Aspen, I believe that we are stuck with the status quo. Without major reform, running for office merely adds unearned legitimacy to an illegitimate process.
FL: Lawyer: Voter Fraud Accusations Against Client Unfounded
http://www.wesh.com/news/25198192/detail.html (video available)
Daytona Beach City Commissioner Under Investigation
...The supervisor of elections said that before the primary, she got a request for dozens of absentee ballots from an e-mail address traced to Henry.
The request included names and addresses for each voter.
Damore said his client didn’t realize the requests were against the law and that the form doesn’t make that fact clear.
IL: The Hotsheet of the Illinois Ballot Integrity Project
http://ballot-integrity.org/hotsheet
IN: Parker: I’m convinced White committed voter fraud (with video)
http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/politics/parker-i-am-convinced-white-committed-voter-fraud
The current Secretary of State, Todd Rokita, has made voter fraud prevention a priority and Dan Parker thinks he should get to the bottom of it.
IN: Hoosiers can use cell phones to register to vote this year for the first time
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/67f027f7466045ca92815eae1b14e179/IN--Mobile-Voter_Registration/ Residents have to have a valid Indiana driver's license or state-issued ID to use either registration service.
MA: Committee will make recommendation on electronic voting machines for Hampden
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/09/committee_
will_make_recommenda.html http://tinyurl.com/28ec4k5 At a selectmen’s meeting on Monday James Gillen, former city editor of The Republican, echoed the sentiments of Selectman Vincent Villamaino that the town follows an antiquated process in counting the votes by hand.
...
Wiseman said the only complaints she has ever received about Hampden’s late results have come from the media.
MD: Guardsman, D.C. group sue Md. elections board
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/2010/09/guardsman
_dc_group_sue_md_elec.html http://tinyurl.com/2cb2cqx Ross Goldstein, deputy director of the elections board, declined to comment directly on the lawsuit. But he said the Justice Department and military authorities signed off on the office’s plan to send out ballots for congressional offices quickly after the primaries.
MS: Another guilty verdict in local voter fraud case
http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/Another-guilty-verdict-in-local-voter-fraud-case/dpIliu5aqkmTM2cWVMOzUQ.cspx
King will be sentenced October 8 for paying someone to vote for him in the 2007 election.
MS: 3 more plead guilty to voter fraud in Benton Co.
http://www.sunherald.com/2010/09/27/2509410/3-more-plead-guilty-to-voter-fraud.html
NC: IRV? WTF? Durham elections director explains Oct. 12
http://www.indyweek.com/triangulator/archives/2010/09/28/irv-wtf-durham-elections-director-explains-oct-12
NJ: New judge will preside over voter fraud trial of Atlantic City Councilman Marty Small and others http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/communities/atlantic-city_pleasantville_brigantine/article_2b08584a-cb46-11df-a278-001cc4c002e0.html
Small and 13 others were indicted last September on charges they disenfranchised voters in Atlantic City’s 2009 Democratic mayoral primary by filling out absentee ballots themselves or changing people’s votes on the ballots. Since that time, two defendants have pleaded guilty, leaving a dozen defendants to stand trial.
NY: Millman Voting Machine Bill Becomes Law
http://www.brooklyneagle.com/categories/category.php?category_id=31&id=38340
BROOKLYN — Last week, the Governor signed into law a bill introduced by Assemblywoman Joan L. Millman. The bill, A. 8692 (in the Senate, S. 5447), gives local boards of election the authority to ensure poll sites have an adequate amount of voting machines, poll workers and other resources.
OH: Counties can mail absentee ballots, judge rules
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/09/27/absentee-case-web.html?sid=101 Franklin, Cuyahoga and certain other counties are mailing absentee-ballot applications to every active voter and providing return postage to send back the completed ballots in some cases but not all 88 counties are doing that.
RI: R.I. Supreme Court to review Russo's complaint
http://politicsblog.projo.com/2010/09/supreme-court-t.html
The complaint in part seeks to halt the printing of Nov. 2 election ballots without a name for a GOP candidate for lieutenant governor until the court completes its review. It asks that the court review whether there should be a blank on the ballot for the GOP nominee for lieutenant governor
TN: Shelby County expands whistleblower law, but leaves out reference to elections
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/sep/28/county-expands-whistleblower-law/
"What kind of message does it send to say, 'Yeah, we talked about protection to election whistleblowers but we took that out?'" Mulroy asked during the meeting.
TN: E-mail eases voting for military and others overseas
http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=136084&catid=2
"Now what they can do is they can e-mail the request and we can e-mail the ballot out to them which they print out and mail back to us,"
TX: Travis County (Texas) judge says NO to paper ballots this November…
http://markcrispinmiller.com/2010/09/travis-county-texas-judge-says-no-to-paper-ballots-this-november/
WA: Spin Control: Cooler head prevails in voter fraud probe
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/sep/26/cooler-head-prevails-in-voter-fraud-probe/ Christensen didn’t remember voting twice. But unfortunately for the recent Marine Corps retiree who left the service in 2008 after his second tour in Iraq, he couldn’t definitively say he didn’t.
He was charged with “making a false declaration as a voter,” a class C felony.
Christensen’s story isn’t a story of Chicago-style ballot box stuffing, but an example of how efforts to make it easier to register and vote can contribute to confusion and possibly bad balloting.
WV: Dispute over W.Va. ballot strains supplier
http://www.dailymail.com/ap/ApTopStories/201009270220
A Spencer company that programs and prints the state's ballot stock is awaiting the outcome of a dispute over the ballot for the Nov. 2 general and special U.S. Senate elections.
Casto & Harris faces an Oct. 5 deadline to deliver ballots to county clerks. President John Denbigh told the Charleston Daily Mail that there's no time for a protracted legal battle.
Internet Voting Watch
Canada: City voters won't be marking 'X' on paper
http://recorder.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2775365 Brockville...Rather, this electronic election will give people three options for exercising their democratic duty: the Internet, the telephone or a touchscreen at help stations in either of two locations in the city.
National
Overseas Vote Foundation AK, MI, VI overseas voters: Want to #vote in Nov.? Oct. 3 is your Registration deadline. See all state deadlines here: http://ht.ly/2KFGV
DoD Announces Absentee Voting Week
http://www.ameriforce.net/news/?p=219
The Persistence of Partisan Election Administration
http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/electionlaw/comments/index.php?ID=7645
This state of affairs is directly contrary to an emerging international consensus that election administrators should be insulated from partisan politics
International
Court orders Comelec: Disclose source code used in May elections
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=615720&publicationSubCategoryId=63
Granting the petition of election watchdog Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CENPEG), the SC said the poll body is required to allow CENPEG and all other interested political parties or groups to conduct an independent review of the source code or human readable instructions.
Voting News by Joyce McCloy.Archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/
Also on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/VotingNews and at Twitter http://twitter.com/VotingNews
Subscribe to Voting News at this link: http://tinyurl.com/votingnews To assist with Daily Voting News, please send links to news articles to us at votingnews@earthlink.net
=============================================
"The Voting News is a free service made possible in part by support from Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018. Be sure to note "for Voting News" in the memo line of your check! Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law."Donate online at this link: http://tinyurl.com/donate-vn
Disclaimer: Articles and commentary included in "Voting News" do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors of Voting News,or its allied organizations. Articles are selected for inclusion to inform subscribers'ability to draw their own conclusions based on noteworthy and credible news,research, legislation, and debate bearing on the integrity of elections.
All this and more in today's voting news below...
AL: Federal judge keeps Voting Rights Act challenge moving
http://www.shelbycountyreporter.com/2010/09/27/federal-judge-keeps-voting-rights-act-challenge-moving/ A federal district court judge ruled Sept. 10 the federal government must move quickly in contesting Shelby County’s challenge against the constitutionality of sections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
CA: Obstacles challenge election reform bid (City of Los Angeles)
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_16181638
Several council colleagues have already voiced qualms about some of the proposals.
They are particularly concerned about the instant runoff process – in which voters rank candidates in a weighted system instead of holding separate primary and general elections – fearing the top-spending candidate would get the most attention.
CO: Mixed prognosis
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20100928/LETTER/100929848/
1020&parentprofile=1061 http://tinyurl.com/2467d5s
“Why spend so much energy on election integrity issues?” “Why not focus on something popular then run for office?” After all, it's “not nice” to raise these issues so very publicly.
Until fair and transparent elections can be restored in Aspen, I believe that we are stuck with the status quo. Without major reform, running for office merely adds unearned legitimacy to an illegitimate process.
FL: Lawyer: Voter Fraud Accusations Against Client Unfounded
http://www.wesh.com/news/25198192/detail.html (video available)
Daytona Beach City Commissioner Under Investigation
...The supervisor of elections said that before the primary, she got a request for dozens of absentee ballots from an e-mail address traced to Henry.
The request included names and addresses for each voter.
Damore said his client didn’t realize the requests were against the law and that the form doesn’t make that fact clear.
IL: The Hotsheet of the Illinois Ballot Integrity Project
http://ballot-integrity.org/hotsheet
IN: Parker: I’m convinced White committed voter fraud (with video)
http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/politics/parker-i-am-convinced-white-committed-voter-fraud
The current Secretary of State, Todd Rokita, has made voter fraud prevention a priority and Dan Parker thinks he should get to the bottom of it.
IN: Hoosiers can use cell phones to register to vote this year for the first time
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/67f027f7466045ca92815eae1b14e179/IN--Mobile-Voter_Registration/ Residents have to have a valid Indiana driver's license or state-issued ID to use either registration service.
MA: Committee will make recommendation on electronic voting machines for Hampden
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/09/committee_
will_make_recommenda.html http://tinyurl.com/28ec4k5 At a selectmen’s meeting on Monday James Gillen, former city editor of The Republican, echoed the sentiments of Selectman Vincent Villamaino that the town follows an antiquated process in counting the votes by hand.
...
Wiseman said the only complaints she has ever received about Hampden’s late results have come from the media.
MD: Guardsman, D.C. group sue Md. elections board
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/2010/09/guardsman
_dc_group_sue_md_elec.html http://tinyurl.com/2cb2cqx Ross Goldstein, deputy director of the elections board, declined to comment directly on the lawsuit. But he said the Justice Department and military authorities signed off on the office’s plan to send out ballots for congressional offices quickly after the primaries.
MS: Another guilty verdict in local voter fraud case
http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/Another-guilty-verdict-in-local-voter-fraud-case/dpIliu5aqkmTM2cWVMOzUQ.cspx
King will be sentenced October 8 for paying someone to vote for him in the 2007 election.
MS: 3 more plead guilty to voter fraud in Benton Co.
http://www.sunherald.com/2010/09/27/2509410/3-more-plead-guilty-to-voter-fraud.html
NC: IRV? WTF? Durham elections director explains Oct. 12
http://www.indyweek.com/triangulator/archives/2010/09/28/irv-wtf-durham-elections-director-explains-oct-12
NJ: New judge will preside over voter fraud trial of Atlantic City Councilman Marty Small and others http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/communities/atlantic-city_pleasantville_brigantine/article_2b08584a-cb46-11df-a278-001cc4c002e0.html
Small and 13 others were indicted last September on charges they disenfranchised voters in Atlantic City’s 2009 Democratic mayoral primary by filling out absentee ballots themselves or changing people’s votes on the ballots. Since that time, two defendants have pleaded guilty, leaving a dozen defendants to stand trial.
NY: Millman Voting Machine Bill Becomes Law
http://www.brooklyneagle.com/categories/category.php?category_id=31&id=38340
BROOKLYN — Last week, the Governor signed into law a bill introduced by Assemblywoman Joan L. Millman. The bill, A. 8692 (in the Senate, S. 5447), gives local boards of election the authority to ensure poll sites have an adequate amount of voting machines, poll workers and other resources.
OH: Counties can mail absentee ballots, judge rules
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/09/27/absentee-case-web.html?sid=101 Franklin, Cuyahoga and certain other counties are mailing absentee-ballot applications to every active voter and providing return postage to send back the completed ballots in some cases but not all 88 counties are doing that.
RI: R.I. Supreme Court to review Russo's complaint
http://politicsblog.projo.com/2010/09/supreme-court-t.html
The complaint in part seeks to halt the printing of Nov. 2 election ballots without a name for a GOP candidate for lieutenant governor until the court completes its review. It asks that the court review whether there should be a blank on the ballot for the GOP nominee for lieutenant governor
TN: Shelby County expands whistleblower law, but leaves out reference to elections
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/sep/28/county-expands-whistleblower-law/
"What kind of message does it send to say, 'Yeah, we talked about protection to election whistleblowers but we took that out?'" Mulroy asked during the meeting.
TN: E-mail eases voting for military and others overseas
http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=136084&catid=2
"Now what they can do is they can e-mail the request and we can e-mail the ballot out to them which they print out and mail back to us,"
TX: Travis County (Texas) judge says NO to paper ballots this November…
http://markcrispinmiller.com/2010/09/travis-county-texas-judge-says-no-to-paper-ballots-this-november/
WA: Spin Control: Cooler head prevails in voter fraud probe
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/sep/26/cooler-head-prevails-in-voter-fraud-probe/ Christensen didn’t remember voting twice. But unfortunately for the recent Marine Corps retiree who left the service in 2008 after his second tour in Iraq, he couldn’t definitively say he didn’t.
He was charged with “making a false declaration as a voter,” a class C felony.
Christensen’s story isn’t a story of Chicago-style ballot box stuffing, but an example of how efforts to make it easier to register and vote can contribute to confusion and possibly bad balloting.
WV: Dispute over W.Va. ballot strains supplier
http://www.dailymail.com/ap/ApTopStories/201009270220
A Spencer company that programs and prints the state's ballot stock is awaiting the outcome of a dispute over the ballot for the Nov. 2 general and special U.S. Senate elections.
Casto & Harris faces an Oct. 5 deadline to deliver ballots to county clerks. President John Denbigh told the Charleston Daily Mail that there's no time for a protracted legal battle.
Internet Voting Watch
Canada: City voters won't be marking 'X' on paper
http://recorder.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2775365 Brockville...Rather, this electronic election will give people three options for exercising their democratic duty: the Internet, the telephone or a touchscreen at help stations in either of two locations in the city.
National
Overseas Vote Foundation AK, MI, VI overseas voters: Want to #vote in Nov.? Oct. 3 is your Registration deadline. See all state deadlines here: http://ht.ly/2KFGV
DoD Announces Absentee Voting Week
http://www.ameriforce.net/news/?p=219
The Persistence of Partisan Election Administration
http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/electionlaw/comments/index.php?ID=7645
This state of affairs is directly contrary to an emerging international consensus that election administrators should be insulated from partisan politics
International
Court orders Comelec: Disclose source code used in May elections
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=615720&publicationSubCategoryId=63
Granting the petition of election watchdog Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CENPEG), the SC said the poll body is required to allow CENPEG and all other interested political parties or groups to conduct an independent review of the source code or human readable instructions.
Voting News by Joyce McCloy.Archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/
Also on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/VotingNews and at Twitter http://twitter.com/VotingNews
Subscribe to Voting News at this link: http://tinyurl.com/votingnews To assist with Daily Voting News, please send links to news articles to us at votingnews@earthlink.net
=============================================
"The Voting News is a free service made possible in part by support from Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018. Be sure to note "for Voting News" in the memo line of your check! Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law."Donate online at this link: http://tinyurl.com/donate-vn
Disclaimer: Articles and commentary included in "Voting News" do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors of Voting News,or its allied organizations. Articles are selected for inclusion to inform subscribers'ability to draw their own conclusions based on noteworthy and credible news,research, legislation, and debate bearing on the integrity of elections.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Experts slams D.C. Internet Voting Plan as unsafe. Ottawa's internet voting bugs
Hampden MA may end hand counting ballots..Benton Co MI Supervisor paid from $10 to $40 + case of beer for votes..VA Gov McDonnell outpaces Dems in restoring Va. felons' voting rights..Internet voting spreads in Canada & so do problems. Ottawa voters blocked by "captcha" bug & some registered voters told they weren't on the list...Experts pan D.C. Internet vote plan: "Return of marked ballots over the Internet is something we simply don't know how to do safely. Exercises such as this are counterproductive, because they will provide a false sense of security.."
All this and more in today's voting news below...
AK: Murkowski: Uncertainty about vote-counting process
http://newsminer.com/bookmark/9654261-Murkowski-Uncertainty-about-vote-counting-process- U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who's mounting a write-in campaign to hold onto her job, said considerable uncertainty remains over what criteria election officials will use to determine which write-in ballots would be counted.
CA: Every vote counts: Report, legislation seek more accountability for elections equipment manufacturers http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_16178656
Unlike an automobile, when a voting system fails in most jurisdictions across the country, manufacturers are not required to report the malfunction or failure to any government agency, there's no agency that investigates alleged failures and there's no entity that alerts election officials and the public of possible problems, a recent report from the Brennan Center for Justice found.
CO: Aspen Election Commission mulls actions if voters retain IRV
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20100923/NEWS/100929925/0/FRONTPAGE
ASPEN — The Aspen Election Commission began talks Wednesday that could lead to a full hand count — a 12- to 15-hour process, said City Clerk Kathryn Koch — of ballots if instant runoff voting (IRV) is retained in the Nov. 2 election.
DC: Experts raise warning flags over D.C. Internet voting plan
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/debonis/2010/09/experts_raise_warning_flags_ov.html
A national good-government organization and a group of leading computer scientists are raising concerns about a new Internet voting initiative set to debut for District voters in the coming weeks
FL: Daytona leader faces absentee ballot probe
http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/east-volusia/2010/09/25/daytona-leader-faces-absentee-ballot-probe.html
A city commissioner who won re-election last month by a wide margin is at the center of a criminal investigation after nearly 80 absentee ballots were requested from a computer belonging to him, Volusia County's elections supervisor said Friday.
IL: New Illinois law now permits 'naked voting' in Chicago
http://www.examiner.com/political-buzz-in-chicago/new-illinois-law-now-permits-naked-voting-chicago To encourage Illinois voters to take advantage of new absentee ballot rules, Chicago-based Equality Illinois Education Project, in partnership with Rock the Vote and Roosevelt University, has launched “Vote Naked Illinois,” ...
MA: Hampden mulls voting machine
http://www.masslive.com/chicopeeholyoke/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-29/1285572058200950.xml&coll=1 Selectmen Chairman John D. Flynn said the town has had a tradition of counting the paper ballots by hand...
MD: Md. National Guard member sues elections board
http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=2062412 GREENBELT, Md. (AP) - A member of the Maryland National Guard is suing the state board of elections because he says overseas voters have not been given enough time to obtain and return ballots for the upcoming November election.
MS: Benton County, MS supervisor found guilty of voter fraud * (vote buying)
http://wireupdate.com/wires/10479/benton-county-ms-supervisor-found-guilty-of-voter-fraud/
The case stemmed from the August 7, 2007 primary election and the August 27, 2007 runoff elections in Benton County
...
According to the investigation, King paid people to vote for him on two separate elections. The defendants got involved in a scheme where they paid $40 and a case of beer to as little as $10 per vote to get people to vote for certain candidates.
NY: Ballot problem influenced results (LTE)
http://web.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp? newsdate=9/26/2010&navigation=nextprior&category=OPINION&storyID=973674 http://tinyurl.com/2brbtd4 It is untrue that the primary election results were unbiased by the spoilage of up to 8 percent of the ballots in Albany County because of awkward ballot design, as argued by county election officials.
NY: North Castle clerk takes heat for going to poll sites
http://www.lohud.com/article/20100927/NEWS02/9270318/-1/newsfront/North-Castle-clerk-takes-heat-for-going-to-poll-sites Douglas A. Colety, the Republican commissioner for the county Board of Elections, said he believes Curran violated the law by being present at the polling places and touching the machines.
RI: Anti-gay marriage group sues over RI election law
http://newsblog.projo.com/2010/09/anti-gay-marriage-group-sues-o.html
A group that opposes same-sex marriage wants to run TV ads in the Rhode Island governor's race, but doesn't want to comply with state campaign finance laws,
SD: Voter disenfranchisement looms on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation*
http://buffalopost.net/?p=12007
“[H]ow could elected officials plan to disenfranchise thousands of Native American voters and get away with it?” asks Semans, rhetorically. (Semans is director of Four Directions) “This is what is happening right now in Shannon County,” said Semans. “Rather than provide the same voting opportunities available to citizen in the rest of South Dakota, officials in neighboring Fall River County … have chosen to resign, leaving Shannon County with no state-sanctioned election official and jeopardizing the voting rights of its residents. Even more shocking is the fact that there is evidence that this action was premeditated.”
...
Noting that on election day Shannon County voters will have no polling places for casting their ballots, Semans contends that the American Indians in Shannon County “are being denied equal voting rights and “may be disenfranchised” entirely.
TN: Podcast: What’s the matter in Tennessee?
http://www.ctvoterscount.org/podcast-whats-the-matter-in-tennessee/
Allegations of massive election fraud, voter suppression, intimidation, and election manipulation in Shelby County, Tennessee. 10 candidates have filed a lawsuit
TN: "True recounts cannot be done."
http://www.blounttalk.com/b2evolution/blogs/index.php/2010/09/21/true-recounts-cannot-be-done?blog=2
Rikki Hall of Metro Pulse writes about the pitfalls of electronic voting
VA: McDonnell outpacing Democrats in restoring Va. felons' voting rights
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/25/AR2010092501818.html
...McDonnell announced a revamped process...shaving the time nonviolent felons must wait to apply after serving their sentences from three years to two years.
WV: W.Va. court denies GOP appeal to have separate ballot for Senate seat
http://www.herald-mail.com/?cmd=displaystory&story_id=253488&format=html
WY: Wyoming voting rights case legal bills exceed $880K
http://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/article_00df4d66-45a3-50d3-9953-9baa513ac94a.html Lawyers representing American Indians who won a voting rights lawsuit against Fremont County are seeking more than $880,000 from the county.
Members of the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribes sued Fremont County in 2005 charging that at-large voting for county commissioners violated federal law by diluting the American Indian vote. U.S. District Judge Alan B. Johnson ruled for the Indians this spring.
Internet Voting Watch
DC: Experts raise warning flags over D.C. Internet voting plan
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/debonis/2010/09/experts_raise_warning_flags_ov.html
a pair of letters questioning the legality and the security of the process were sent last week to council member Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3), the legislator who oversees city elections and who has also been the leading proponent of numerous voting reforms.
...
Common Cause, the nonpartisan good-government lobbying group, sponsored both letters. The first missive [PDF] questions whether the digital vote by mail system is "voter-verifiable," as required under the city's new election laws. The voter has no way of confirming that the ballot he or she sent is the same one that is counted by elections officials, the letter argues.
The second letter [PDF] raises sharp concerns over the vulnerability to infiltration by hackers, calling the new system a "poorly conceived experiment" that "imperils the overall accuracy of every election on the ballot."
Where We Stand – Update on the D.C. Overseas Distance Balloting Project
http://www.trustthevote.org/where-we-stand-%E2%80%93-update-on-the-d-c-overseas-distance-balloting-project ...the sliver of good news is there will be a public review before the DoJ stipulated ballot availability deadline. One thing that should be of value is their CTO’s 40 page white paper — at least to the extent of answering questions about the what, why, etc.
Canada: E-ballots get Ontario's vote
http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/261197--e-ballots-getting-ontario-s-vote
Burlington is among a record number of Ontario communities using Internet balloting for the October municipal election, a trend that technology providers say is booming for political, union, business and other types of votes.
But security concerns remain top of mind for officials everywhere, triggered by incidents such as one this summer in the United States.
Election 2010 Notebook - City working to fix voter-list glitches * (captcha bug)
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Election+2010+Notebook/3578664/story.html
Ottawa's election officer this week pulled the online voters' list off the city website in order to fix an unfortunate glitch: the program was telling people who are registered to vote that they were not on the list."We are working through these issues," said Catherine Bergeron, the city's election officer. She added that the "captcha" security feature -- where users have to type certain hard-to-read numbers and letters to prove they aren't computers trying to break into the system -- was "not working properly with all browsers
National
2010 early voting calendar
http://www.earlyvoting.net/blog/2010/09/2010-early-voting-calendar
JUST DAYS LEFT TO REGISTER
http://www.blog.rockthevote.com/2010/09/just-days-left-to-register.html
Express Ballot Delivery: Overseas Vote Foundation, Federal Express Announce Partnership http://blog.verifiedvoting.org/2010/09/27/867
Campaign cash: Who's spending where in 2010
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaign/2010/spending/index.html
Hidden Under Tax-Exempt Cloak, Political Dollars Flow
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/24/us/politics/24donate.html?_r=2&pagewanted=1&hp
How to Tilt an Election Through Redistricting
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/26/weekinreview/26cooper.html So what are the tricks of the trade? Why do so many districts end up as misshapen Rorschach inkblots with nicknames like “the Earmuff,” “the Flying Giraffe,” or, in the case of a State Senate district in upstate New York, “Abraham Lincoln Riding on a Vacuum Cleaner”?
How the EAC Could Help Bring Voter Registration Into the Digital Age
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brian-j-siebel/how-the-eac-could-help-br_b_733849.html
GILDED AGE CORRUPTION
http://electionupdates.caltech.edu/?p=3308 First, Reynolds concludes that the big problem was the fact that a host of new election reforms were being implemented by old guard election officials. What ensued was often not fraud, but just sloppiness as they tried to cope with a lot of changes at once. (Sound familiar?)
International
Afghan polling day more violent than last election, figures show
http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=436292
As counting continues, claims of irregularities have grown. Observers have noted fake voter cards, proxy voting, ballot stuffing, underage voting, voter intimidation, washable ink that allowed for multiple voting, irregular voting patterns and higher than 100 percent turnout in some provinces
Venezuela Secures Electoral System as Venezuelans to Vote on Course of Bolivarian Revolution http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/5661 ...Gabriela Ramirez, the head of the Public Defenders Office, urged the opposition to recognize that “no political party can abrogate the legitimacy” of the election, since the National Electoral Council (CNE) is “the only entity authorized to determine legitimacy.”
On Friday afternoon, the CNE announced that 100% of the 36,553 voting centers were installed, complete with electronic voting machines that underwent a comprehensive audit in recent weeks.
...
Paraguayan Senator Fernando Silva, also an observer, praised Venezuela’s electronic voting machines, which print a paper record of each vote that the voter can view. “This system is very enviable because it guarantees the transparency of the process,” he said.
Voting News by Joyce McCloy.Archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/
Also on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/VotingNews and
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============================================
"The Voting News is a free service made possible in part by support from Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018. Be sure to note "for Voting News" in the memo line of your check! Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law."
Donate online at this link: http://tinyurl.com/donate-vn
Disclaimer: Articles and commentary included in "Voting News" do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors of Voting News,or its allied organizations. Articles are selected for inclusion to inform subscribers'ability to draw their own conclusions based on noteworthy and credible news,research, legislation, and debate bearing on the integrity of elections.
All this and more in today's voting news below...
AK: Murkowski: Uncertainty about vote-counting process
http://newsminer.com/bookmark/9654261-Murkowski-Uncertainty-about-vote-counting-process- U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who's mounting a write-in campaign to hold onto her job, said considerable uncertainty remains over what criteria election officials will use to determine which write-in ballots would be counted.
CA: Every vote counts: Report, legislation seek more accountability for elections equipment manufacturers http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_16178656
Unlike an automobile, when a voting system fails in most jurisdictions across the country, manufacturers are not required to report the malfunction or failure to any government agency, there's no agency that investigates alleged failures and there's no entity that alerts election officials and the public of possible problems, a recent report from the Brennan Center for Justice found.
CO: Aspen Election Commission mulls actions if voters retain IRV
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20100923/NEWS/100929925/0/FRONTPAGE
ASPEN — The Aspen Election Commission began talks Wednesday that could lead to a full hand count — a 12- to 15-hour process, said City Clerk Kathryn Koch — of ballots if instant runoff voting (IRV) is retained in the Nov. 2 election.
DC: Experts raise warning flags over D.C. Internet voting plan
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/debonis/2010/09/experts_raise_warning_flags_ov.html
A national good-government organization and a group of leading computer scientists are raising concerns about a new Internet voting initiative set to debut for District voters in the coming weeks
FL: Daytona leader faces absentee ballot probe
http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/east-volusia/2010/09/25/daytona-leader-faces-absentee-ballot-probe.html
A city commissioner who won re-election last month by a wide margin is at the center of a criminal investigation after nearly 80 absentee ballots were requested from a computer belonging to him, Volusia County's elections supervisor said Friday.
IL: New Illinois law now permits 'naked voting' in Chicago
http://www.examiner.com/political-buzz-in-chicago/new-illinois-law-now-permits-naked-voting-chicago To encourage Illinois voters to take advantage of new absentee ballot rules, Chicago-based Equality Illinois Education Project, in partnership with Rock the Vote and Roosevelt University, has launched “Vote Naked Illinois,” ...
MA: Hampden mulls voting machine
http://www.masslive.com/chicopeeholyoke/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-29/1285572058200950.xml&coll=1 Selectmen Chairman John D. Flynn said the town has had a tradition of counting the paper ballots by hand...
MD: Md. National Guard member sues elections board
http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=2062412 GREENBELT, Md. (AP) - A member of the Maryland National Guard is suing the state board of elections because he says overseas voters have not been given enough time to obtain and return ballots for the upcoming November election.
MS: Benton County, MS supervisor found guilty of voter fraud * (vote buying)
http://wireupdate.com/wires/10479/benton-county-ms-supervisor-found-guilty-of-voter-fraud/
The case stemmed from the August 7, 2007 primary election and the August 27, 2007 runoff elections in Benton County
...
According to the investigation, King paid people to vote for him on two separate elections. The defendants got involved in a scheme where they paid $40 and a case of beer to as little as $10 per vote to get people to vote for certain candidates.
NY: Ballot problem influenced results (LTE)
http://web.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp? newsdate=9/26/2010&navigation=nextprior&category=OPINION&storyID=973674 http://tinyurl.com/2brbtd4 It is untrue that the primary election results were unbiased by the spoilage of up to 8 percent of the ballots in Albany County because of awkward ballot design, as argued by county election officials.
NY: North Castle clerk takes heat for going to poll sites
http://www.lohud.com/article/20100927/NEWS02/9270318/-1/newsfront/North-Castle-clerk-takes-heat-for-going-to-poll-sites Douglas A. Colety, the Republican commissioner for the county Board of Elections, said he believes Curran violated the law by being present at the polling places and touching the machines.
RI: Anti-gay marriage group sues over RI election law
http://newsblog.projo.com/2010/09/anti-gay-marriage-group-sues-o.html
A group that opposes same-sex marriage wants to run TV ads in the Rhode Island governor's race, but doesn't want to comply with state campaign finance laws,
SD: Voter disenfranchisement looms on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation*
http://buffalopost.net/?p=12007
“[H]ow could elected officials plan to disenfranchise thousands of Native American voters and get away with it?” asks Semans, rhetorically. (Semans is director of Four Directions) “This is what is happening right now in Shannon County,” said Semans. “Rather than provide the same voting opportunities available to citizen in the rest of South Dakota, officials in neighboring Fall River County … have chosen to resign, leaving Shannon County with no state-sanctioned election official and jeopardizing the voting rights of its residents. Even more shocking is the fact that there is evidence that this action was premeditated.”
...
Noting that on election day Shannon County voters will have no polling places for casting their ballots, Semans contends that the American Indians in Shannon County “are being denied equal voting rights and “may be disenfranchised” entirely.
TN: Podcast: What’s the matter in Tennessee?
http://www.ctvoterscount.org/podcast-whats-the-matter-in-tennessee/
Allegations of massive election fraud, voter suppression, intimidation, and election manipulation in Shelby County, Tennessee. 10 candidates have filed a lawsuit
TN: "True recounts cannot be done."
http://www.blounttalk.com/b2evolution/blogs/index.php/2010/09/21/true-recounts-cannot-be-done?blog=2
Rikki Hall of Metro Pulse writes about the pitfalls of electronic voting
VA: McDonnell outpacing Democrats in restoring Va. felons' voting rights
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/25/AR2010092501818.html
...McDonnell announced a revamped process...shaving the time nonviolent felons must wait to apply after serving their sentences from three years to two years.
WV: W.Va. court denies GOP appeal to have separate ballot for Senate seat
http://www.herald-mail.com/?cmd=displaystory&story_id=253488&format=html
WY: Wyoming voting rights case legal bills exceed $880K
http://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/article_00df4d66-45a3-50d3-9953-9baa513ac94a.html Lawyers representing American Indians who won a voting rights lawsuit against Fremont County are seeking more than $880,000 from the county.
Members of the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribes sued Fremont County in 2005 charging that at-large voting for county commissioners violated federal law by diluting the American Indian vote. U.S. District Judge Alan B. Johnson ruled for the Indians this spring.
Internet Voting Watch
DC: Experts raise warning flags over D.C. Internet voting plan
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/debonis/2010/09/experts_raise_warning_flags_ov.html
a pair of letters questioning the legality and the security of the process were sent last week to council member Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3), the legislator who oversees city elections and who has also been the leading proponent of numerous voting reforms.
...
Common Cause, the nonpartisan good-government lobbying group, sponsored both letters. The first missive [PDF] questions whether the digital vote by mail system is "voter-verifiable," as required under the city's new election laws. The voter has no way of confirming that the ballot he or she sent is the same one that is counted by elections officials, the letter argues.
The second letter [PDF] raises sharp concerns over the vulnerability to infiltration by hackers, calling the new system a "poorly conceived experiment" that "imperils the overall accuracy of every election on the ballot."
Where We Stand – Update on the D.C. Overseas Distance Balloting Project
http://www.trustthevote.org/where-we-stand-%E2%80%93-update-on-the-d-c-overseas-distance-balloting-project ...the sliver of good news is there will be a public review before the DoJ stipulated ballot availability deadline. One thing that should be of value is their CTO’s 40 page white paper — at least to the extent of answering questions about the what, why, etc.
Canada: E-ballots get Ontario's vote
http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/261197--e-ballots-getting-ontario-s-vote
Burlington is among a record number of Ontario communities using Internet balloting for the October municipal election, a trend that technology providers say is booming for political, union, business and other types of votes.
But security concerns remain top of mind for officials everywhere, triggered by incidents such as one this summer in the United States.
Election 2010 Notebook - City working to fix voter-list glitches * (captcha bug)
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Election+2010+Notebook/3578664/story.html
Ottawa's election officer this week pulled the online voters' list off the city website in order to fix an unfortunate glitch: the program was telling people who are registered to vote that they were not on the list."We are working through these issues," said Catherine Bergeron, the city's election officer. She added that the "captcha" security feature -- where users have to type certain hard-to-read numbers and letters to prove they aren't computers trying to break into the system -- was "not working properly with all browsers
National
2010 early voting calendar
http://www.earlyvoting.net/blog/2010/09/2010-early-voting-calendar
JUST DAYS LEFT TO REGISTER
http://www.blog.rockthevote.com/2010/09/just-days-left-to-register.html
Express Ballot Delivery: Overseas Vote Foundation, Federal Express Announce Partnership http://blog.verifiedvoting.org/2010/09/27/867
Campaign cash: Who's spending where in 2010
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaign/2010/spending/index.html
Hidden Under Tax-Exempt Cloak, Political Dollars Flow
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/24/us/politics/24donate.html?_r=2&pagewanted=1&hp
How to Tilt an Election Through Redistricting
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/26/weekinreview/26cooper.html So what are the tricks of the trade? Why do so many districts end up as misshapen Rorschach inkblots with nicknames like “the Earmuff,” “the Flying Giraffe,” or, in the case of a State Senate district in upstate New York, “Abraham Lincoln Riding on a Vacuum Cleaner”?
How the EAC Could Help Bring Voter Registration Into the Digital Age
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brian-j-siebel/how-the-eac-could-help-br_b_733849.html
GILDED AGE CORRUPTION
http://electionupdates.caltech.edu/?p=3308 First, Reynolds concludes that the big problem was the fact that a host of new election reforms were being implemented by old guard election officials. What ensued was often not fraud, but just sloppiness as they tried to cope with a lot of changes at once. (Sound familiar?)
International
Afghan polling day more violent than last election, figures show
http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=436292
As counting continues, claims of irregularities have grown. Observers have noted fake voter cards, proxy voting, ballot stuffing, underage voting, voter intimidation, washable ink that allowed for multiple voting, irregular voting patterns and higher than 100 percent turnout in some provinces
Venezuela Secures Electoral System as Venezuelans to Vote on Course of Bolivarian Revolution http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/5661 ...Gabriela Ramirez, the head of the Public Defenders Office, urged the opposition to recognize that “no political party can abrogate the legitimacy” of the election, since the National Electoral Council (CNE) is “the only entity authorized to determine legitimacy.”
On Friday afternoon, the CNE announced that 100% of the 36,553 voting centers were installed, complete with electronic voting machines that underwent a comprehensive audit in recent weeks.
...
Paraguayan Senator Fernando Silva, also an observer, praised Venezuela’s electronic voting machines, which print a paper record of each vote that the voter can view. “This system is very enviable because it guarantees the transparency of the process,” he said.
Voting News by Joyce McCloy.Archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/
Also on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/VotingNews and
at Twitter http://twitter.com/VotingNews
Subscribe to Voting News at this link: http://tinyurl.com/votingnews
To assist with Daily Voting News, please send links to news articles to us at votingnews@earthlink.net =
============================================
"The Voting News is a free service made possible in part by support from Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018. Be sure to note "for Voting News" in the memo line of your check! Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law."
Donate online at this link: http://tinyurl.com/donate-vn
Disclaimer: Articles and commentary included in "Voting News" do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors of Voting News,or its allied organizations. Articles are selected for inclusion to inform subscribers'ability to draw their own conclusions based on noteworthy and credible news,research, legislation, and debate bearing on the integrity of elections.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
DC internet vote hack test? Thoughts on NY Primary. Visit 'Electionland'
With short notice, DC offers a public "test" of internet vote system from Sept 24-30...Bo Lipari has some thoughts & recommendations r/e New York's primary..Houston Voting Machine Fire Update and Shouting 'Voter Fraud' in a Crowded Midterm Election..Visit Electionland to register to vote, find polling place & sign up for election reminders.."the threat of the Citizens United ruling to our democracy goes far beyond the narrow definition of corruption." ~ John Bonifaz & Jeffrey Clements...
All this and more in today's voting news below...
AL: Judge Denies Discovery in Voting Rights Act Case
http://www.courthousenews.com/2010/09/21/30485.htm
An Alabama county's constitutional challenge to portions of the Voting Rights Act cleared a legal hurdle when a federal judge in Washington, D.C., rejected the government's bid for further discovery.
In its federal lawsuit, Shelby County claimed that the "preclearance" requirements of the Act put undue pressure on its election process, raising costs and delaying at least one election.
CA: Woman pleads no contest in Fresno voter fraud
http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/09/21/2087120/woman-pleads-no-contest-in-fresno.html
Authorities say Darlene Holland turned in 100 forged voter signatures on behalf of Cynthia Sterling, a Fresno City Council member running for the county Board of Supervisors, and Oliver Baines, a police officer running for Sterling's seat on the council.
DC: DC Invites Public Testing of Internet Voting System (internet voting )
http://blog.verifiedvoting.org/2010/09/22/850
The announcement by the DC Board does not say how the test results will used, or if the decision to proceed with the pilot in November will be affected if flaws are discovered, only noting “After testing is completed, the service will be made available to overseas voters”.
MN: Judge Backs Minn. Disclosure Law on Political Cash
http://protectourelections.org/node/38 A federal judge refused on Monday to interfere with a new Minnesota law that revealed political donations from Target Corp. and other companies, saying the public has an interest in knowing who speaks and who pays for those messages as the election approaches.
NY: Port Chester board to meet with lawyers on voting rights appeal
http://soundshore.lohudblogs.com/2010/09/21/port-chester-board-to-meet-with-lawyers-on-voting-rights-appeal/
Could Port Chester’s four-year-old voting rights case, which yielded a cumulative voting system for village trustees in June, be destined for an appeal?
...
Ironically the trustees who were elected under the new method are the ones now exploring an appeal.
NY: THOUGHTS ON THE NY PRIMARY
http://www.bolipari.com/boblog/2010/09/thoughts-on-the-ny-primary/
Despite the impressions received from media reports, the September 14th primary was not the first time that New Yorkers voted on paper ballots and scanners. In the 2009 off-year election, 47 counties in upstate New York used the new systems as part of a pilot program. This trial run taught participants valuable lessons, and New York City’s decision to abstain led directly to many of the problems reported there
TN: Rutherford County officials escape disciplinary hearing for election error
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100922/NEWS02/9220368/Rutherford-County-officials-escape-disciplinary-hearing-for-election-error
Polls weren't opened for early voting one Saturday
TN: 55 Apply For Elections Administrator Job (Davidson County)
http://www.wsmv.com/politics/25101181/detail.html
TX: Houston Voting Machine Fire Update and Shouting 'Voter Fraud' in a Crowded Midterm Election http://www.bradblog.com/?p=8082 Using Fraud to Declare Fraud
WV: Other Options?
http://www.newsandsentinel.com/page/content.detail/id/539350/Solution-offered-over-ballot-controversy.html?nav=5061 A hearing is set for Friday in front of a Kanawha County Circuit Judge on the legal challenge to the ballots voters throughout West Virginia will use on Election Day, November 2nd.
...
However, Party Chair Mike Stuart now says there may be other ways to resolve the ballot issues outside of a courtroom.
On Tuesday, Stuart suggested removing the straight ticket option from the November ballots or reprogramming voting devices so the U.S. Senate Special Election is not part of the General Election ballot.
Internet Voting Watch
DC: Board Announces Public Test of Digital Vote by Mail Service (internet voting)
MEDIA RELEASE D.C. BOARD OF ELECTIONS AND ETHICS September 21, 2010
http://www.dcboee.org/popup.asp?url=/pdf_files/nr_588.pdf
WASHINGTON, D.C. —The Board of Elections and Ethics today announced that the
public examination phase of the Digital Vote by Mail pilot project for overseas voters will begin on Friday, September 24.
...
During the test period, which will continue through Thursday, September 30, individuals who wish test and comment on the technology and usability of the application will be granted access to the application, a complete system architectural diagram, and access to the underlying source code.
A limited number of test credentials will be available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning on Friday morning.
DC Invites Public Testing of Internet Voting System (internet voting )
http://blog.verifiedvoting.org/2010/09/22/850
The announcement by the DC Board does not say how the test results will used, or if the decision to proceed with the pilot in November will be affected if flaws are discovered, only noting “After testing is completed, the service will be made available to overseas voters”.
National
The Tea Party and Voter Fraud
http://electls.blogs.wm.edu/2010/09/22/the-tea-party-and-voter-fraud/ ...this debate forces us to consider the integrity of our election process and how to maintain that integrity.
Rock the Vote We're launching our new project called Electionland. Come check it out.
http://electionland.com/ Electionland is the place where you can ask and answer questions on everything related to elections in your state.
You can register to vote, find polling locations and and learn more about the voting process. You get access to experts and election officials. In some states, you can even ask candidates questions directly.
Restoring the Constitution - John Bonifaz & Jeffrey Clements
http://bostonreview.net/BR35.5/bonifaz.php
The domination of our political process by corporate money and resulting corporate power undermines self-government, and the Court essentially has stated that the Constitution provides the people no recourse against that power.
Anonymous Campaign Donors Dodge Disclosure
http://nonprofitvote.blogspot.com/2010/09/anonymous-campaign-donors-dodge.html
Since a 5-4 Supreme Court opened a wide door to outsider political giving - even calling it a form of "free speech"! - the New York Times reports more donations are coming from 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporations and other entities that don’t have to disclose who their donors are.
The Rise of 'Super PACs' Continues, Leaving Voters in Dark as Attack Ads Fill Airwaves http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2010/09/the-rise-of-super-pacs.html
International
India: EC-Ashok Chavan ‘deal’ to harass EVM critics?
http://www.indianevm.com/blogs/?p=471
Mukund Lagoo, an activist fighting for tribal rights was arrested 10 days ago and is languishing in jail. Mumbai Police’s application seeking cancellation of Hari Prasad’s bail (apparently drafted by the Election Commission) threatens his arrest again. Mumbai Police are not stopping there. They plan to summon Hari Prasad’s colleagues in NetIndia for questioning. The list is unlikely to stop there.
The series of these actions show the worst form of police terror unleashed against ordinary citizens since the days of emergency imposed in 1975.
World Freedom Atlas measures democracy, human rights and institutions
http://digest.electionguide.org/2010/09/22/world-freedom-atlas-measures-democracy-human-rights-and-institutions/
Voting News by Joyce McCloy.Archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/
Also on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/VotingNews and at Twitter http://twitter.com/VotingNews
Subscribe to Voting News at this link: http://tinyurl.com/votingnews
To assist with Daily Voting News, please send links to news articles to us at votingnews@earthlink.net
=============================================
"The Voting News is a free service made possible in part by support from Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018. Be sure to note "for Voting News" in the memo line of your check! Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law."Donate online at this link: http://tinyurl.com/donate-vn
Disclaimer: Articles and commentary included in "Voting News" do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors of Voting News,or its allied organizations. Articles are selected for inclusion to inform subscribers'ability to draw their own conclusions based on noteworthy and credible news,research, legislation, and debate bearing on the integrity of elections.
All this and more in today's voting news below...
AL: Judge Denies Discovery in Voting Rights Act Case
http://www.courthousenews.com/2010/09/21/30485.htm
An Alabama county's constitutional challenge to portions of the Voting Rights Act cleared a legal hurdle when a federal judge in Washington, D.C., rejected the government's bid for further discovery.
In its federal lawsuit, Shelby County claimed that the "preclearance" requirements of the Act put undue pressure on its election process, raising costs and delaying at least one election.
CA: Woman pleads no contest in Fresno voter fraud
http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/09/21/2087120/woman-pleads-no-contest-in-fresno.html
Authorities say Darlene Holland turned in 100 forged voter signatures on behalf of Cynthia Sterling, a Fresno City Council member running for the county Board of Supervisors, and Oliver Baines, a police officer running for Sterling's seat on the council.
DC: DC Invites Public Testing of Internet Voting System (internet voting )
http://blog.verifiedvoting.org/2010/09/22/850
The announcement by the DC Board does not say how the test results will used, or if the decision to proceed with the pilot in November will be affected if flaws are discovered, only noting “After testing is completed, the service will be made available to overseas voters”.
MN: Judge Backs Minn. Disclosure Law on Political Cash
http://protectourelections.org/node/38 A federal judge refused on Monday to interfere with a new Minnesota law that revealed political donations from Target Corp. and other companies, saying the public has an interest in knowing who speaks and who pays for those messages as the election approaches.
NY: Port Chester board to meet with lawyers on voting rights appeal
http://soundshore.lohudblogs.com/2010/09/21/port-chester-board-to-meet-with-lawyers-on-voting-rights-appeal/
Could Port Chester’s four-year-old voting rights case, which yielded a cumulative voting system for village trustees in June, be destined for an appeal?
...
Ironically the trustees who were elected under the new method are the ones now exploring an appeal.
NY: THOUGHTS ON THE NY PRIMARY
http://www.bolipari.com/boblog/2010/09/thoughts-on-the-ny-primary/
Despite the impressions received from media reports, the September 14th primary was not the first time that New Yorkers voted on paper ballots and scanners. In the 2009 off-year election, 47 counties in upstate New York used the new systems as part of a pilot program. This trial run taught participants valuable lessons, and New York City’s decision to abstain led directly to many of the problems reported there
TN: Rutherford County officials escape disciplinary hearing for election error
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100922/NEWS02/9220368/Rutherford-County-officials-escape-disciplinary-hearing-for-election-error
Polls weren't opened for early voting one Saturday
TN: 55 Apply For Elections Administrator Job (Davidson County)
http://www.wsmv.com/politics/25101181/detail.html
TX: Houston Voting Machine Fire Update and Shouting 'Voter Fraud' in a Crowded Midterm Election http://www.bradblog.com/?p=8082 Using Fraud to Declare Fraud
WV: Other Options?
http://www.newsandsentinel.com/page/content.detail/id/539350/Solution-offered-over-ballot-controversy.html?nav=5061 A hearing is set for Friday in front of a Kanawha County Circuit Judge on the legal challenge to the ballots voters throughout West Virginia will use on Election Day, November 2nd.
...
However, Party Chair Mike Stuart now says there may be other ways to resolve the ballot issues outside of a courtroom.
On Tuesday, Stuart suggested removing the straight ticket option from the November ballots or reprogramming voting devices so the U.S. Senate Special Election is not part of the General Election ballot.
Internet Voting Watch
DC: Board Announces Public Test of Digital Vote by Mail Service (internet voting)
MEDIA RELEASE D.C. BOARD OF ELECTIONS AND ETHICS September 21, 2010
http://www.dcboee.org/popup.asp?url=/pdf_files/nr_588.pdf
WASHINGTON, D.C. —The Board of Elections and Ethics today announced that the
public examination phase of the Digital Vote by Mail pilot project for overseas voters will begin on Friday, September 24.
...
During the test period, which will continue through Thursday, September 30, individuals who wish test and comment on the technology and usability of the application will be granted access to the application, a complete system architectural diagram, and access to the underlying source code.
A limited number of test credentials will be available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning on Friday morning.
DC Invites Public Testing of Internet Voting System (internet voting )
http://blog.verifiedvoting.org/2010/09/22/850
The announcement by the DC Board does not say how the test results will used, or if the decision to proceed with the pilot in November will be affected if flaws are discovered, only noting “After testing is completed, the service will be made available to overseas voters”.
National
The Tea Party and Voter Fraud
http://electls.blogs.wm.edu/2010/09/22/the-tea-party-and-voter-fraud/ ...this debate forces us to consider the integrity of our election process and how to maintain that integrity.
Rock the Vote We're launching our new project called Electionland. Come check it out.
http://electionland.com/ Electionland is the place where you can ask and answer questions on everything related to elections in your state.
You can register to vote, find polling locations and and learn more about the voting process. You get access to experts and election officials. In some states, you can even ask candidates questions directly.
Restoring the Constitution - John Bonifaz & Jeffrey Clements
http://bostonreview.net/BR35.5/bonifaz.php
The domination of our political process by corporate money and resulting corporate power undermines self-government, and the Court essentially has stated that the Constitution provides the people no recourse against that power.
Anonymous Campaign Donors Dodge Disclosure
http://nonprofitvote.blogspot.com/2010/09/anonymous-campaign-donors-dodge.html
Since a 5-4 Supreme Court opened a wide door to outsider political giving - even calling it a form of "free speech"! - the New York Times reports more donations are coming from 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporations and other entities that don’t have to disclose who their donors are.
The Rise of 'Super PACs' Continues, Leaving Voters in Dark as Attack Ads Fill Airwaves http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2010/09/the-rise-of-super-pacs.html
International
India: EC-Ashok Chavan ‘deal’ to harass EVM critics?
http://www.indianevm.com/blogs/?p=471
Mukund Lagoo, an activist fighting for tribal rights was arrested 10 days ago and is languishing in jail. Mumbai Police’s application seeking cancellation of Hari Prasad’s bail (apparently drafted by the Election Commission) threatens his arrest again. Mumbai Police are not stopping there. They plan to summon Hari Prasad’s colleagues in NetIndia for questioning. The list is unlikely to stop there.
The series of these actions show the worst form of police terror unleashed against ordinary citizens since the days of emergency imposed in 1975.
World Freedom Atlas measures democracy, human rights and institutions
http://digest.electionguide.org/2010/09/22/world-freedom-atlas-measures-democracy-human-rights-and-institutions/
Voting News by Joyce McCloy.Archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/
Also on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/VotingNews and at Twitter http://twitter.com/VotingNews
Subscribe to Voting News at this link: http://tinyurl.com/votingnews
To assist with Daily Voting News, please send links to news articles to us at votingnews@earthlink.net
=============================================
"The Voting News is a free service made possible in part by support from Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018. Be sure to note "for Voting News" in the memo line of your check! Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law."Donate online at this link: http://tinyurl.com/donate-vn
Disclaimer: Articles and commentary included in "Voting News" do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors of Voting News,or its allied organizations. Articles are selected for inclusion to inform subscribers'ability to draw their own conclusions based on noteworthy and credible news,research, legislation, and debate bearing on the integrity of elections.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
866-OUR-VOTE. NY fusion lawsuit, disabled access probs . AZ lawsuit update
Ruling in AZ election case...Disappearing Voters -No Penalties for Failing to Correctly Fill Out & Deliver Voter Reg.Forms...NC vote vendor does NOT want to break law..NY city disabled complain -voting places inaccessible & no ballot-marking devices..3rd party lawsuit against NY Fusion..Wisconsin Group alleges voter suppression..Why Your Toaster Works Better Than Your Voting Machine..1-866-OUR-VOTE is back..Ireland still storing 6 yr old voting machines..Vote buying mars Kenya polls..
All this and more in today's voting news below...
AK: Write-in rules need clarification before election, not after the fact
http://newsminer.com/bookmark/9598917/Write-in%20rules%20need%20clarification%20before%20election%20controversy
The counting of write-in ballots for Sen. Lisa Murkowski is probably going to become controversial.
AZ: Maricopa Judge Favors Misleading Testimony of Election Officials Over Election Law: Rules Partial Victory for Electors
http://audit-az.blogspot.com/2010/09/maricopa-judge-favors-misleading_21.html
AZ: Tea party T-shirt headed to court
http://www.yumasun.com/news/owens-64051-bolick-party.html
PHOENIX — A federal judge will decide whether tea party members who wear their hearts on their sleeves can wear their politics on their shirts at polling places.
CA: State online voter registration still years off
http://www.pe.com/politics/miller/stories/PE_News_Local_D_voterreg20.2fabe64.html
Vendors push hard to sell online voter reg
CA: Disappearing Voters -No Penalties for Failing to Correctly Fill Out and Deliver Voter Registration Forms
http://www.independent.com/news/2010/sep/21/disappearing-voters/
No. Steve Pappas has not yet managed to get his name inserted into the English language as a synonym for a clever form of massive voter fraud, but if he wins his lawsuit seeking to throw out votes in his race against Doreen Farr for 3rd District supervisor, he stands a good chance of ending up in the dictionary.
...
The fraud is simple: They (“oops”) forget to deliver the registration forms for a week, and they (“Oh my!”) neglect to fill out the box correctly. Under the law, these people cannot be punished.
CO: A shift in identity for Aspen Election Commission
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20100921/NEWS/100929973/1077&ParentProfile=1058
The commission has met several times this month to establish mechanical operations meant to eliminate the complaints, including a set period for early voting and requiring that voted ballots are shuffled by election staff before voting data is compiled.
FL: Palm Beach County teachers approve $500 bonuses (internet voting problem)
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/palm-beach/fl-teachers-bonus-vote-20100920,0,7102130.story
Teachers were given an extra day to vote because some were unable to vote Thursday because of an Internet security access issue.
GA: Ballots Delivered Electronically to GA's Military & Overseas Voters
http://www2.wsav.com/news/2010/sep/20/ballots-delivered-electronically-gas-military-over-ar-853880/
(Blank only, no electronic return of voted ballots.)
Guam Election Commission Violates Move Act?
http://guamnewswatch.com/201009213104/Local-News/Guam-Election-Commission-Violates-Move-Act.html GEC still hasn't received the card stock to print the ballots. The commission was told that military cargo has taken priority out of Hawaii.
IL: Illinois Votes Naked: Nude Campaign Spreads News About Changes To Absentee Voting Law (VIDEO)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/21/illinois-votes-naked-nude_n_733277.html
One effective campaign tool? Nudity. The "Vote Naked Illinois" folks made this informative video about the changes to the state's early voting law: (Hat tip to Gapers Block for bringing this gem to our attention!)
IL: Justice Stephen Breyer Won’t Alter Special U.S. Senate Election in Illinois
http://www.ballot-access.org/2010/09/20/justice-stephen-breyer-wont-alter-special-u-s-senate-election-in-illinois/
On September 20, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer denied the request by U.S. Senator Roland Burris to alter the special election for U.S. Senate in Illinois.
MD: Absentee envelopes scrutinized in Worcester
http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20100921/OPI01/9210397
Worcester County State's Attorney Joel Todd said he was "made aware" Sept. 10 of a "potential issue" with absentee ballots cast by voters in District 2. He requested the election board have staffers handle absentee ballots with surgical gloves as not to impact evidentiary value.
MN: Revamped voting procedures, meant to avoid 2008 recount hassles, begin today for general election http://ceimn.org/Minnesota_elections_recount_2008_Ritchie_Weiner_voting_Mansky
NC: E-Vote Vendors to NC: We Don't WANT to Break the Law!
http://www.bradblog.com/?p=8079 In an August 30 letter, the voting vendor warns that our voting system cannot legally tally instant runoff voting, and the vendor will not accept responsibility for an IRV related election fiasco. The letter to Gary Bartlett, Executive Director of the NC State Board of Elections, warns about the illegality of using our voting machines for this process...
NY: New voting machines slow results*
http://www.steubencourier.com/news_now/x966119064/New-voting-machines-slow-results
In Chemung County, a mismatch between the software designed to read the memory cards and the county’s system forced election officials there to manually enter all the results from the county’s 86 election districts, according to WETM-TV.
According to the Associated Press, flustered poll workers and machine breakdowns resulted in long lines at several voting sites across the state.
NY: Voters With Disabilities Add to Complaints About Primary Election* (video)
http://dnainfo.com/20100920/washington-heights-inwood/voters-with-disabilities-add-complaints-about-primary-election Disabled voters from all over the city complained about inaccessible voting places and no ballot-marking devices.
...
Problems include a lack of ramps, wheelchair-accessible doorways locked with no way to communicate to people inside, and a lack of private voting space, disability advocates say.
Of particular concern to disabled voters was a dearth of accessible ballot marking devices (BMDs), which are supposed to be available to people of all needs, including those with sight, hearing or mobility impairments. The electronic machines function like the optical scanning voting machines, but have special tools for the blind, deaf and otherwise impaired.
Voters said many places didn't have the devices, or they were unavailable, or election workers had no idea how to make them work.
NY: Minor Parties Challenge 'Fusion Voting' in NY
http://www.courthousenews.com/2010/09/21/30494.htm The Conservative Party of New York State and the Working Families Party filed a federal lawsuit against the New York State Board of Elections, claiming the practice of "fusion voting," which allows candidates to appear on the ballot multiple times for multiple parties, is robbing them of votes.
NY: Election Monitors Sought for City
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703989304575504432506018888.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
Federal monitors should be dispatched to New York City to monitor the Nov. 2 election in the wake of widespread violations of voter privacy during last week's primary, a City Council member said.
OH: Partisanship, redistricting underlie high-stakes Secretary of State race
http://www.leagle.com/unsecure/news.do?feed=yellowbrix&storyid=150035801
The stakes are high in this year's race for secretary of state, the winner of which will not only oversee Ohio's election system but also hold a vital seat on the five-member state Apportionment Board that will redraw legislative districts in 2011
PA: NAACP Launches online voter registration
http://ccityblogger.blogspot.com/2010/09/naacp-launches-online-voter.html
This cutting edge campaign will add the “Upload 2 Uplift” tool that uses social media technology to allow people to register to vote online and to upload the Email addresses of family and friends who are not yet registered to its full voter empowerment campaign.
TN: Editorial: Wrong lawyer for the task
County government should be perceived as neutral on allegations being raised about the election http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/sep/20/editorials-wrong-lawyer-for-the-task/
TX: Harris County now geared up for election with donated machines
http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2010/09/20/bellaire_examiner/
news/be_harrisco_electiongear.txt http://tinyurl.com/27se5w6
WI: Group calls for investigation of alleged voter suppression plan
http://www.superiortelegram.com/event/article/id/45903/group/homepage/
A liberal advocacy group wants state and federal justice officials to investigate an alleged conservative plot to purge young and minority voters from the polls before the November election.
WV: Tennant calls GOP ballot lawsuit 'frivolous'
http://www.wvrecord.com/news/229809-tennant-calls-gop-ballot-lawsuit-frivolous
The Republicans' filing argues the party would suffer "irreparable harm" if voters are allowed to vote a "straight ticket" in both the general election and U.S. Senate races.
Internet Voting Watch
FL: Palm Beach County teachers approve $500 bonuses
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/palm-beach/fl-teachers-bonus-vote-20100920,0,7102130.story
Teachers were given an extra day to vote because some were unable to vote Thursday because of an Internet security access issue.
WV: Electronic ballots available in Putnam County
http://www.dailymail.com/News/PutnamCounty/201009200707
WINFIELD, W.Va...Putnam County offered electronic absentee voting as part of a state pilot project for the first time in the August special vote to select U.S. Senate candidates, but time was limited and few voted online, Wood said.
...
We currently have a dozen or so signed up for the General Election and look forward to having more participate."
Canada: Sounding off on online voting
http://www.abbotsfordtimes.com/news/Sounding+online+voting/3555843/story.html
There are a lot of hackers who frequently break into 'secure' government and banking sites, some for fun but mostly for profit, and what greater profit would there be for those that seek power within government? Whether that be a city or a country.
Canada: E-Voting: A new electronic way to vote
http://www.newbrunswickbeacon.ca/2010/09/e-voting-a-new-electronic-way-to-vote/6687
(mostly poli sci, no computer scientist observations)
Russia: e-voting to be tested in Russia''s 20 regions in October
http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/evoting-to-be-tested-in-russias-20-regions-in-october/337692.html Vienna, Sept 20 (Itar-Tass) Electronic voting technology will be tested in Russia's 20 territories during upcoming regional elections,
National
Reminder: Tell a Friend about the Election Protection Hotline and 866OurVote.org Today! www.866OurVote.org Election Protection will again be putting together a comprehensive nationwide voter protection program for Election Day
Why Your Toaster Works Better Than Your Voting Machine
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/09/why-your-toaster-works-better-than-your-voting-machine/63107/ Why are electronic voting machines so prone to problems?
The EAC should sit down with engineers to learn about the best ways to track bugs from one version of the software to the next.
Mark A. Robbins to Serve as EAC’s Next General Counsel
http://www.eac.gov/mark_a._robbins_to_serve_as_eac%E2%80%99s_next_general_counsel/
EAC names general counsel
Become a Sunlight Campaign Ad Monitor
http://blog.sunlightfoundation.com/2010/09/21/become-a-sunlight-campaign-ad-monitor/
In Hot Political Climate, Election Experts Want 'Voter Fraud' Watchdogs To Be Clear On Rules http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/09/in_political _climate_election_experts_ want_voter_fraud_watchdogs_to_be_clear_on_the_rules.php http://tinyurl.com/2fh3uut
International
Afghan officials say too early to judge election
http://www.mail.com/Article.aspx/world/0/APNews/General-World-News/20100920/U_AS-Afghanistan?pageid=1
Afghan authorities said Monday it was too early to judge the validity of the country's parliamentary ballot despite observers' reports of widespread fraud in the vote that was to help consolidate its shaky democracy.
Observers want Investigation of Afghan Election
http://www.newspaperstoday.com/asia/observers-want-investigation-of-afghan-election
Just a few days after Afghanistan’s parliamentary elections, there is a call for an independent investigation into just what went wrong
...
“We have seen ballot stuffing, proxy votes, underage voting and also multiple voting. The most serious one is the ballot stuffing, out observers have observed in around 280 centers in 28 provinces where the ballot stuffing did occur.”
Vote buying mars Kenya polls
http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/Kenyanews/Vote-buying-mars-Kenya-polls-9865.html
Ireland: Task force fails to curb rising costs of €55m e-voting fiasco
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/task-force-fails-to-curb-rising-costs-of-euro55m-evoting-fiasco-2345624.html
Almost 7,500 Dutch-made e-voting machines were bought for €51m by the Government in 2004 with a view to using them in the local and European elections that year.
However, the plan was cancelled just six weeks before polling after the Independent Commission on Electronic Voting said it was not sufficiently satisfied with the system's accuracy and secrecy.
Swedish vote ends in hung parliament
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20100920/twl-swedish-vote-ends-in-hung-parliament-f363c67.html
Voting News by Joyce McCloy.Archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/
Also on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/VotingNews and
at Twitter http://twitter.com/VotingNews
Subscribe to Voting News at this link: http://tinyurl.com/votingnews
To assist with Daily Voting News, please send links to news articles to us at votingnews@earthlink.net
=============================================
"The Voting News is a free service made possible in part by support from Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018. Be sure to note "for Voting News" in the memo line of your check! Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law."
Donate online at this link: http://tinyurl.com/donate-vn
Disclaimer: Articles and commentary included in "Voting News" do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors of Voting News,or its allied organizations. Articles are selected for inclusion to inform subscribers'ability to draw their own conclusions based on noteworthy and credible news,research, legislation, and debate bearing on the integrity of elections.
All this and more in today's voting news below...
AK: Write-in rules need clarification before election, not after the fact
http://newsminer.com/bookmark/9598917/Write-in%20rules%20need%20clarification%20before%20election%20controversy
The counting of write-in ballots for Sen. Lisa Murkowski is probably going to become controversial.
AZ: Maricopa Judge Favors Misleading Testimony of Election Officials Over Election Law: Rules Partial Victory for Electors
http://audit-az.blogspot.com/2010/09/maricopa-judge-favors-misleading_21.html
AZ: Tea party T-shirt headed to court
http://www.yumasun.com/news/owens-64051-bolick-party.html
PHOENIX — A federal judge will decide whether tea party members who wear their hearts on their sleeves can wear their politics on their shirts at polling places.
CA: State online voter registration still years off
http://www.pe.com/politics/miller/stories/PE_News_Local_D_voterreg20.2fabe64.html
Vendors push hard to sell online voter reg
CA: Disappearing Voters -No Penalties for Failing to Correctly Fill Out and Deliver Voter Registration Forms
http://www.independent.com/news/2010/sep/21/disappearing-voters/
No. Steve Pappas has not yet managed to get his name inserted into the English language as a synonym for a clever form of massive voter fraud, but if he wins his lawsuit seeking to throw out votes in his race against Doreen Farr for 3rd District supervisor, he stands a good chance of ending up in the dictionary.
...
The fraud is simple: They (“oops”) forget to deliver the registration forms for a week, and they (“Oh my!”) neglect to fill out the box correctly. Under the law, these people cannot be punished.
CO: A shift in identity for Aspen Election Commission
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20100921/NEWS/100929973/1077&ParentProfile=1058
The commission has met several times this month to establish mechanical operations meant to eliminate the complaints, including a set period for early voting and requiring that voted ballots are shuffled by election staff before voting data is compiled.
FL: Palm Beach County teachers approve $500 bonuses (internet voting problem)
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/palm-beach/fl-teachers-bonus-vote-20100920,0,7102130.story
Teachers were given an extra day to vote because some were unable to vote Thursday because of an Internet security access issue.
GA: Ballots Delivered Electronically to GA's Military & Overseas Voters
http://www2.wsav.com/news/2010/sep/20/ballots-delivered-electronically-gas-military-over-ar-853880/
(Blank only, no electronic return of voted ballots.)
Guam Election Commission Violates Move Act?
http://guamnewswatch.com/201009213104/Local-News/Guam-Election-Commission-Violates-Move-Act.html GEC still hasn't received the card stock to print the ballots. The commission was told that military cargo has taken priority out of Hawaii.
IL: Illinois Votes Naked: Nude Campaign Spreads News About Changes To Absentee Voting Law (VIDEO)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/21/illinois-votes-naked-nude_n_733277.html
One effective campaign tool? Nudity. The "Vote Naked Illinois" folks made this informative video about the changes to the state's early voting law: (Hat tip to Gapers Block for bringing this gem to our attention!)
IL: Justice Stephen Breyer Won’t Alter Special U.S. Senate Election in Illinois
http://www.ballot-access.org/2010/09/20/justice-stephen-breyer-wont-alter-special-u-s-senate-election-in-illinois/
On September 20, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer denied the request by U.S. Senator Roland Burris to alter the special election for U.S. Senate in Illinois.
MD: Absentee envelopes scrutinized in Worcester
http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20100921/OPI01/9210397
Worcester County State's Attorney Joel Todd said he was "made aware" Sept. 10 of a "potential issue" with absentee ballots cast by voters in District 2. He requested the election board have staffers handle absentee ballots with surgical gloves as not to impact evidentiary value.
MN: Revamped voting procedures, meant to avoid 2008 recount hassles, begin today for general election http://ceimn.org/Minnesota_elections_recount_2008_Ritchie_Weiner_voting_Mansky
NC: E-Vote Vendors to NC: We Don't WANT to Break the Law!
http://www.bradblog.com/?p=8079 In an August 30 letter, the voting vendor warns that our voting system cannot legally tally instant runoff voting, and the vendor will not accept responsibility for an IRV related election fiasco. The letter to Gary Bartlett, Executive Director of the NC State Board of Elections, warns about the illegality of using our voting machines for this process...
NY: New voting machines slow results*
http://www.steubencourier.com/news_now/x966119064/New-voting-machines-slow-results
In Chemung County, a mismatch between the software designed to read the memory cards and the county’s system forced election officials there to manually enter all the results from the county’s 86 election districts, according to WETM-TV.
According to the Associated Press, flustered poll workers and machine breakdowns resulted in long lines at several voting sites across the state.
NY: Voters With Disabilities Add to Complaints About Primary Election* (video)
http://dnainfo.com/20100920/washington-heights-inwood/voters-with-disabilities-add-complaints-about-primary-election Disabled voters from all over the city complained about inaccessible voting places and no ballot-marking devices.
...
Problems include a lack of ramps, wheelchair-accessible doorways locked with no way to communicate to people inside, and a lack of private voting space, disability advocates say.
Of particular concern to disabled voters was a dearth of accessible ballot marking devices (BMDs), which are supposed to be available to people of all needs, including those with sight, hearing or mobility impairments. The electronic machines function like the optical scanning voting machines, but have special tools for the blind, deaf and otherwise impaired.
Voters said many places didn't have the devices, or they were unavailable, or election workers had no idea how to make them work.
NY: Minor Parties Challenge 'Fusion Voting' in NY
http://www.courthousenews.com/2010/09/21/30494.htm The Conservative Party of New York State and the Working Families Party filed a federal lawsuit against the New York State Board of Elections, claiming the practice of "fusion voting," which allows candidates to appear on the ballot multiple times for multiple parties, is robbing them of votes.
NY: Election Monitors Sought for City
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703989304575504432506018888.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
Federal monitors should be dispatched to New York City to monitor the Nov. 2 election in the wake of widespread violations of voter privacy during last week's primary, a City Council member said.
OH: Partisanship, redistricting underlie high-stakes Secretary of State race
http://www.leagle.com/unsecure/news.do?feed=yellowbrix&storyid=150035801
The stakes are high in this year's race for secretary of state, the winner of which will not only oversee Ohio's election system but also hold a vital seat on the five-member state Apportionment Board that will redraw legislative districts in 2011
PA: NAACP Launches online voter registration
http://ccityblogger.blogspot.com/2010/09/naacp-launches-online-voter.html
This cutting edge campaign will add the “Upload 2 Uplift” tool that uses social media technology to allow people to register to vote online and to upload the Email addresses of family and friends who are not yet registered to its full voter empowerment campaign.
TN: Editorial: Wrong lawyer for the task
County government should be perceived as neutral on allegations being raised about the election http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/sep/20/editorials-wrong-lawyer-for-the-task/
TX: Harris County now geared up for election with donated machines
http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2010/09/20/bellaire_examiner/
news/be_harrisco_electiongear.txt http://tinyurl.com/27se5w6
WI: Group calls for investigation of alleged voter suppression plan
http://www.superiortelegram.com/event/article/id/45903/group/homepage/
A liberal advocacy group wants state and federal justice officials to investigate an alleged conservative plot to purge young and minority voters from the polls before the November election.
WV: Tennant calls GOP ballot lawsuit 'frivolous'
http://www.wvrecord.com/news/229809-tennant-calls-gop-ballot-lawsuit-frivolous
The Republicans' filing argues the party would suffer "irreparable harm" if voters are allowed to vote a "straight ticket" in both the general election and U.S. Senate races.
Internet Voting Watch
FL: Palm Beach County teachers approve $500 bonuses
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/palm-beach/fl-teachers-bonus-vote-20100920,0,7102130.story
Teachers were given an extra day to vote because some were unable to vote Thursday because of an Internet security access issue.
WV: Electronic ballots available in Putnam County
http://www.dailymail.com/News/PutnamCounty/201009200707
WINFIELD, W.Va...Putnam County offered electronic absentee voting as part of a state pilot project for the first time in the August special vote to select U.S. Senate candidates, but time was limited and few voted online, Wood said.
...
We currently have a dozen or so signed up for the General Election and look forward to having more participate."
Canada: Sounding off on online voting
http://www.abbotsfordtimes.com/news/Sounding+online+voting/3555843/story.html
There are a lot of hackers who frequently break into 'secure' government and banking sites, some for fun but mostly for profit, and what greater profit would there be for those that seek power within government? Whether that be a city or a country.
Canada: E-Voting: A new electronic way to vote
http://www.newbrunswickbeacon.ca/2010/09/e-voting-a-new-electronic-way-to-vote/6687
(mostly poli sci, no computer scientist observations)
Russia: e-voting to be tested in Russia''s 20 regions in October
http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/evoting-to-be-tested-in-russias-20-regions-in-october/337692.html Vienna, Sept 20 (Itar-Tass) Electronic voting technology will be tested in Russia's 20 territories during upcoming regional elections,
National
Reminder: Tell a Friend about the Election Protection Hotline and 866OurVote.org Today! www.866OurVote.org Election Protection will again be putting together a comprehensive nationwide voter protection program for Election Day
Why Your Toaster Works Better Than Your Voting Machine
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/09/why-your-toaster-works-better-than-your-voting-machine/63107/ Why are electronic voting machines so prone to problems?
The EAC should sit down with engineers to learn about the best ways to track bugs from one version of the software to the next.
Mark A. Robbins to Serve as EAC’s Next General Counsel
http://www.eac.gov/mark_a._robbins_to_serve_as_eac%E2%80%99s_next_general_counsel/
EAC names general counsel
Become a Sunlight Campaign Ad Monitor
http://blog.sunlightfoundation.com/2010/09/21/become-a-sunlight-campaign-ad-monitor/
In Hot Political Climate, Election Experts Want 'Voter Fraud' Watchdogs To Be Clear On Rules http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/09/in_political _climate_election_experts_ want_voter_fraud_watchdogs_to_be_clear_on_the_rules.php http://tinyurl.com/2fh3uut
International
Afghan officials say too early to judge election
http://www.mail.com/Article.aspx/world/0/APNews/General-World-News/20100920/U_AS-Afghanistan?pageid=1
Afghan authorities said Monday it was too early to judge the validity of the country's parliamentary ballot despite observers' reports of widespread fraud in the vote that was to help consolidate its shaky democracy.
Observers want Investigation of Afghan Election
http://www.newspaperstoday.com/asia/observers-want-investigation-of-afghan-election
Just a few days after Afghanistan’s parliamentary elections, there is a call for an independent investigation into just what went wrong
...
“We have seen ballot stuffing, proxy votes, underage voting and also multiple voting. The most serious one is the ballot stuffing, out observers have observed in around 280 centers in 28 provinces where the ballot stuffing did occur.”
Vote buying mars Kenya polls
http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/Kenyanews/Vote-buying-mars-Kenya-polls-9865.html
Ireland: Task force fails to curb rising costs of €55m e-voting fiasco
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/task-force-fails-to-curb-rising-costs-of-euro55m-evoting-fiasco-2345624.html
Almost 7,500 Dutch-made e-voting machines were bought for €51m by the Government in 2004 with a view to using them in the local and European elections that year.
However, the plan was cancelled just six weeks before polling after the Independent Commission on Electronic Voting said it was not sufficiently satisfied with the system's accuracy and secrecy.
Swedish vote ends in hung parliament
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20100920/twl-swedish-vote-ends-in-hung-parliament-f363c67.html
Voting News by Joyce McCloy.Archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/
Also on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/VotingNews and
at Twitter http://twitter.com/VotingNews
Subscribe to Voting News at this link: http://tinyurl.com/votingnews
To assist with Daily Voting News, please send links to news articles to us at votingnews@earthlink.net
=============================================
"The Voting News is a free service made possible in part by support from Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018. Be sure to note "for Voting News" in the memo line of your check! Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law."
Donate online at this link: http://tinyurl.com/donate-vn
Disclaimer: Articles and commentary included in "Voting News" do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors of Voting News,or its allied organizations. Articles are selected for inclusion to inform subscribers'ability to draw their own conclusions based on noteworthy and credible news,research, legislation, and debate bearing on the integrity of elections.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Md. needs to switch to paper ballots. A Decent Proposal - for voting machines
"if Maryland is truly concerned about election results that are not only verifiable but also available much more quickly on election night, we would move as quickly as possible to the optical scan voting system mandated in the law passed by the General Assembly in 2007." ~ Rebecca Wilson, SAVEourVotes.org ..Shelby County Tennessee Election Commission, Democrats prepare for trial over voting irregularities...An Important New Proposal for Voting Machines - create a searchable national database of voting machine problems to be created and made available to the public.
All this and more in today's voting news below...
AK: Murkowski's Write-in Bid Could Test Alaska's Dubious Diebold E-Voting System
http://www.bradblog.com/?p=8078 The three-way race, along with Democratic candidate and Mayor of Sitka Scott McAdams, could prove to be a serious challenge for Alaska's historically-dicey optical-scan voting system made by Diebold. Given the shortcomings of the system which otherwise employs the concealed vote-counting of centrally tabulate ballots, the need to hand-review write-in votes this November could present a unique opportunity for citizens of the 49th state to oversee at least some of their own electoral system --- for a welcome change.
CT: LGWCT: Voters Guide to Secretary of the State Candidates
http://www.ctvoterscount.org/lgwct-voters-guide-to-secretary-of-the-state-candidates/
The League of Women Voters have published a guide to the Secretary of the State Candidates, listing their qualifications and their responses to two questions
HI: Hundreds of Maui voters assigned to the wrong voting district *
http://www.staradvertiser.com/elections/2010/primary/Hundreds_of_Maui_voters_ assigned_to_the_wrong_voting_district.html http://tinyurl.com/27yncxh
Hoylman said the error could've affected yesterday's election as well as previous elections. "It bewilders me that all these years went by and no one challenged it," he added.
IL: Court fight possible over early-voting site on UI campus
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/politics-and-government/2010-09-16/court-fight-possible-over-early-voting-site-ui-campus.html
MD: Md. needs to switch to paper ballots
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/readersrespond/bs-ed-paper-ballot-letter-20100920,0,417348.story In response to your editorial, "How the Votes are Counted"
MN: Revamped voting procedures, meant to avoid 2008 recount hassles, begin today for general election
http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2010/09/17/21534/revamped_voting_procedures_ meant_to_avoid_2008 _recount_hassles_ begin_today_for_general_election http://tinyurl.com/2a9b29j
Given the recent polls, and yet another three-way race for a statewide office, some officials are preparing for another 2008-style recount in an election that's sure to attract 2 million voters.
NM: County Clerk concerned by lax third-party voter registration rules
http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-news/ci_16099262
LAS CRUCES - Doña Ana County Clerk Lynn Ellins said this week he remains concerned about the laxity of a law that allows non-county groups to register voters.
NY: 71 New York poling stations opened late Tuesday *
http://blastmagazine.com/the-news/new-york-news/2010/09/71-new-york-poling-stations-opened-late-tuesday/ According to the New York Times, 71 polling locations opened late due to missing or malfunctioning machines. With polls scheduled to open at 6 a.m., some voters experienced a delay of up to 4 hours.
OH: Lawsuit seeks end to Cuyahoga voters' edge in casting ballot by mail
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/09/lawsuit_seeks_an_end_to_cuyaho.html
They want to block counties like Cuyahoga and Franklin from mailing absentee ballot applications to all registered voters, from paying return postage on the applications and from paying return postage for the completed ballots. Or, they argue, the state should help pay to offer that same service in all 88 counties.
SD: Early voting in Shannon County encounters roadblocks
http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/news/article_bf831c0e-c2df-11df-a9e0-001cc4c002e0.html
Early voting for the Nov. 2 election begins Monday throughout South Dakota.
But in troubled Shannon County, voters cannot cast an early ballot without traveling to Hot Springs in Fall River County or applying by mail for an absentee ballot.
TN: Shelby County Election Commission, Democrats prepare for trial over voting irregularities *
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/sep/19/commission-dems-prepare-for-election-trial/
Pynchon and Harris have released long subsequent reports claiming many problems. They say records show that election commission officials improperly accessed voting databases, that officials misused computer identities in order to access databases inappropriately and even manipulated data in order to "hide" things from the public.
Last week, they released a report in which they claimed that there were 3,221 more "votes cast" than recorded "participating voters."
The election commission says those so-called "over votes" are connected to three-page long absentee ballots, and that the report misinterprets voting data.
Internet Voting Watch
Interpol chief's identity stolen on Facebook
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/201358/interpol-chiefs-identity-stolen-on-facebook
Interpol secretary-general Ronald K. Noble recently disclosed that criminals had impersonated him twice on Facebook in attempts to access information on the anti-crime organization's secret operations.
National
An Important New Proposal for Voting Machines
http://blog.verifiedvoting.org/2010/09/20/842
A report released last week by the non-partisan organization, Voting System Failures: A Database Solution, found that in the absence of requirements to report malfunctions, vendors do not keep election officials informed about voting system defects. The report recommends several remedies for this pervasive problem. Among other conclusions, it calls for a searchable national database of voting machine problems to be created and made available to the public.
Officials In The Dark About Voting Machine Glitches
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129866551
One reason is that election officials are often unaware of previous problems with the equipment they use, according to a new report from the Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law.
International
India: Flap over Indian Electronic Voting Machines
http://quicktake.wordpress.com/2010/09/19/flap-over-indian-electronic-voting-machines/
Fears of the Vindictive State seems to have been misplaced. Instead, we had a judge who echoed, pretty much what 2ndlook said. The judge said,
"if the machine was possessed by the accused for demonstrating only that it could be tampered with, then the accused committed no offence. On the contrary, he has done a great service to the democracy,” the Judge said in the bail order.
UK: Data matching to identify Britain's 3.5 million 'missing' voters
http://www.ukauthority.com/Headlines/tabid/36/NewsArticle/tabid/64/Default.aspx?id=2907
TOWN halls will be urged to take part in 'data-matching' trials in a bid to find Britain's 3.5 million 'missing' voters. The move to plug the gaps on electoral registers was revealed alongside plans to speed up the introduction of compulsory individual voter registration.
Voting News by Joyce McCloy.Archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/
Also on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/VotingNews and at Twitter http://twitter.com/VotingNews
Subscribe to Voting News at this link: http://tinyurl.com/votingnews
To assist with Daily Voting News, please send links to news articles to us at votingnews@earthlink.net
=============================================
"The Voting News is a free service made possible in part by support from Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018. Be sure to note "for Voting News" in the memo line of your check! Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law."
Donate online at this link: http://tinyurl.com/donate-vn
Disclaimer: Articles and commentary included in "Voting News" do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors of Voting News,or its allied organizations. Articles are selected for inclusion to inform subscribers'ability to draw their own conclusions based on noteworthy and credible news,research, legislation, and debate bearing on the integrity of elections.
All this and more in today's voting news below...
AK: Murkowski's Write-in Bid Could Test Alaska's Dubious Diebold E-Voting System
http://www.bradblog.com/?p=8078 The three-way race, along with Democratic candidate and Mayor of Sitka Scott McAdams, could prove to be a serious challenge for Alaska's historically-dicey optical-scan voting system made by Diebold. Given the shortcomings of the system which otherwise employs the concealed vote-counting of centrally tabulate ballots, the need to hand-review write-in votes this November could present a unique opportunity for citizens of the 49th state to oversee at least some of their own electoral system --- for a welcome change.
CT: LGWCT: Voters Guide to Secretary of the State Candidates
http://www.ctvoterscount.org/lgwct-voters-guide-to-secretary-of-the-state-candidates/
The League of Women Voters have published a guide to the Secretary of the State Candidates, listing their qualifications and their responses to two questions
HI: Hundreds of Maui voters assigned to the wrong voting district *
http://www.staradvertiser.com/elections/2010/primary/Hundreds_of_Maui_voters_ assigned_to_the_wrong_voting_district.html http://tinyurl.com/27yncxh
Hoylman said the error could've affected yesterday's election as well as previous elections. "It bewilders me that all these years went by and no one challenged it," he added.
IL: Court fight possible over early-voting site on UI campus
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/politics-and-government/2010-09-16/court-fight-possible-over-early-voting-site-ui-campus.html
MD: Md. needs to switch to paper ballots
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/readersrespond/bs-ed-paper-ballot-letter-20100920,0,417348.story In response to your editorial, "How the Votes are Counted"
MN: Revamped voting procedures, meant to avoid 2008 recount hassles, begin today for general election
http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2010/09/17/21534/revamped_voting_procedures_ meant_to_avoid_2008 _recount_hassles_ begin_today_for_general_election http://tinyurl.com/2a9b29j
Given the recent polls, and yet another three-way race for a statewide office, some officials are preparing for another 2008-style recount in an election that's sure to attract 2 million voters.
NM: County Clerk concerned by lax third-party voter registration rules
http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-news/ci_16099262
LAS CRUCES - Doña Ana County Clerk Lynn Ellins said this week he remains concerned about the laxity of a law that allows non-county groups to register voters.
NY: 71 New York poling stations opened late Tuesday *
http://blastmagazine.com/the-news/new-york-news/2010/09/71-new-york-poling-stations-opened-late-tuesday/ According to the New York Times, 71 polling locations opened late due to missing or malfunctioning machines. With polls scheduled to open at 6 a.m., some voters experienced a delay of up to 4 hours.
OH: Lawsuit seeks end to Cuyahoga voters' edge in casting ballot by mail
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/09/lawsuit_seeks_an_end_to_cuyaho.html
They want to block counties like Cuyahoga and Franklin from mailing absentee ballot applications to all registered voters, from paying return postage on the applications and from paying return postage for the completed ballots. Or, they argue, the state should help pay to offer that same service in all 88 counties.
SD: Early voting in Shannon County encounters roadblocks
http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/news/article_bf831c0e-c2df-11df-a9e0-001cc4c002e0.html
Early voting for the Nov. 2 election begins Monday throughout South Dakota.
But in troubled Shannon County, voters cannot cast an early ballot without traveling to Hot Springs in Fall River County or applying by mail for an absentee ballot.
TN: Shelby County Election Commission, Democrats prepare for trial over voting irregularities *
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/sep/19/commission-dems-prepare-for-election-trial/
Pynchon and Harris have released long subsequent reports claiming many problems. They say records show that election commission officials improperly accessed voting databases, that officials misused computer identities in order to access databases inappropriately and even manipulated data in order to "hide" things from the public.
Last week, they released a report in which they claimed that there were 3,221 more "votes cast" than recorded "participating voters."
The election commission says those so-called "over votes" are connected to three-page long absentee ballots, and that the report misinterprets voting data.
Internet Voting Watch
Interpol chief's identity stolen on Facebook
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/201358/interpol-chiefs-identity-stolen-on-facebook
Interpol secretary-general Ronald K. Noble recently disclosed that criminals had impersonated him twice on Facebook in attempts to access information on the anti-crime organization's secret operations.
National
An Important New Proposal for Voting Machines
http://blog.verifiedvoting.org/2010/09/20/842
A report released last week by the non-partisan organization, Voting System Failures: A Database Solution, found that in the absence of requirements to report malfunctions, vendors do not keep election officials informed about voting system defects. The report recommends several remedies for this pervasive problem. Among other conclusions, it calls for a searchable national database of voting machine problems to be created and made available to the public.
Officials In The Dark About Voting Machine Glitches
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129866551
One reason is that election officials are often unaware of previous problems with the equipment they use, according to a new report from the Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law.
International
India: Flap over Indian Electronic Voting Machines
http://quicktake.wordpress.com/2010/09/19/flap-over-indian-electronic-voting-machines/
Fears of the Vindictive State seems to have been misplaced. Instead, we had a judge who echoed, pretty much what 2ndlook said. The judge said,
"if the machine was possessed by the accused for demonstrating only that it could be tampered with, then the accused committed no offence. On the contrary, he has done a great service to the democracy,” the Judge said in the bail order.
UK: Data matching to identify Britain's 3.5 million 'missing' voters
http://www.ukauthority.com/Headlines/tabid/36/NewsArticle/tabid/64/Default.aspx?id=2907
TOWN halls will be urged to take part in 'data-matching' trials in a bid to find Britain's 3.5 million 'missing' voters. The move to plug the gaps on electoral registers was revealed alongside plans to speed up the introduction of compulsory individual voter registration.
Voting News by Joyce McCloy.Archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/
Also on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/VotingNews and at Twitter http://twitter.com/VotingNews
Subscribe to Voting News at this link: http://tinyurl.com/votingnews
To assist with Daily Voting News, please send links to news articles to us at votingnews@earthlink.net
=============================================
"The Voting News is a free service made possible in part by support from Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018. Be sure to note "for Voting News" in the memo line of your check! Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law."
Donate online at this link: http://tinyurl.com/donate-vn
Disclaimer: Articles and commentary included in "Voting News" do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors of Voting News,or its allied organizations. Articles are selected for inclusion to inform subscribers'ability to draw their own conclusions based on noteworthy and credible news,research, legislation, and debate bearing on the integrity of elections.
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