Recount denied by court in NY Senate race, top vote-getter gains in NC's recount, Russia looks at India's voting system

New York's highest court rejects petition for manual recount in the close State Senate District 7 race; top candidate gains votes in North Carolina's instant-runoff judicial race; Russian officials take a close look at India's electronic voting system...

All this and more in today's voting news below.

CA: Cheaper, popular mail-in ballots worry critics
http://californiawatch.org/dailyreport/cheaper-popular-mail-ballots-worry-critics-7479

CO: Retabulation flips election results
http://www.examiner.com/conservative-in-colorado-springs/retabulation-flips-election-results

IN: Monroe commissioners finalizing purchase of paper ballot-scanning system
http://www.heraldtimesonline.com/stories/2010/12/18/news.qp-9884661.sto

IN: McNamara's four-vote victory in Indiana House race is certified
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2010/dec/18/mcnamaras-four-vote-victory-indiana-house-race-cer/

MN: County election officials: We were stiffed by GOP
http://www.startribune.com/politics/recount/112108169.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUvDEhiaE3miUsZ

NJ: Recall Recount: Nothing Changes in West Wildwood
http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/article/government/west+wildwood/68758-recall+recount+nothing+changes

NY: Top NY Court Nixes Sen. Recount; GOP To Take Power in Albany
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local-beat/Democrats-want-NY-Court-to-Order-Senate-Recount-112196244.html
New York's new voting machines have paper copies of every vote and the Democrats wanted all recounted in hopes there were errors and Johnson won.

However, the Court of Appeals says initial audits showed few discrepancies or ``a substantial possibility'' that Johnson won.

NY: Court Rejects Challenge to Republican Win of Nassau Senate Seat
http://www.law.com/jsp/nylj/PubArticleNY.jsp?id=1202476450504&Court_Rejects_Challenge_to_Republican_Win_of_Nassau_Senate_Seat&slreturn=1&hbxlogin=1

NY: Paper ballots offer certainty
http://www.newsday.com/opinion/oped/paper-ballots-offer-certainty-1.2556022
In New York's first test case on using our new paper ballots, the state judiciary is setting an egregious precedent: nullifying audits and recounts in the interests of a quick decision.

In Nassau County's 7th Senate District race, state courts have essentially ruled that even if New York's audit laws require further manual counting of paper ballots, accepting machine results and declaring a winner outweigh the public's right to know who really won the election.

NC: McCullough still ahead after NC judicial recount
http://www.wral.com/news/state/story/8805469/

TX: Republican challenges Democrat's state House win
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/7347985.html

WA: Nick Handy retiring as Washington elections director
http://www.theolympian.com/2010/12/20/1480762/nick-handy-retiring-as-washington.html

WV: West Virginia Secretary of State's Office Releases Byrd Special Election Costs
http://westvirginia.watchdog.org/2318/west-virginia-secretary-of-states-office-releases-byrd-special-election-costs/


National

EAC: Notes from the Road: Ginnen Bresso-Beach [published December 15]
http://www.eac.gov/about_the_eac/notes_from_the_road_gineen_bresso_beach.aspx
I recently visited Georgia to observe early voting activities, then traveled to Florida to observe both early voting and Election Day activities. Voters in Georgia and Florida are very fortunate to have such innovative and dedicated election officials. Voters in these states have access to a lot of information and services online, and both states have made it a priority to improve services for military and overseas voters.


Internet Voting Watch

Canada: Maybe Internet will entice young voters
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/fyi/Maybe-Internet-will-entice-young-voters.html

Canada: The spectre of Internet voting turns up in Manitoba
http://nitroglycol.blogspot.com/2010/12/spectre-of-internet-voting-turns-up-in.html


International

Canada: Public Leery of Electronic Vote Count
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/Public+Leery+Electronic+Vote+Experts/4002109/story.html

India: EVMS - Good Idea. But Is It Time Yet?
http://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/India/20101220/1652601.html

Russia, India: ECI: CEC of Russian Federation to sign Mou on field of elections tomorrow
http://www.indiasnews.net/story/722009
The Russian Commission has evinced keen interest in the various electoral management systems followed by Election Commission of India, especially the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).


Voting News archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/Also at Twitter http://twitter.com/VotingNewsSubscribe to Voting News at this link: http://tinyurl.com/votingnews =============================================The Voting News is a free service made possible by the 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-vnDisclaimer: 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.

NY's Senate District 7 case moves on, Voting Rights Act challenge rejected, FEC elects new chair

In New York, an Appellate Court sends a suit for a full hand recount of the ballots cast in the State Senate District 7 race to the State Court of Appeals. in Washington, D.C., a Federal court turns back a challenge to a major provision of the Voting Rights Act, and Minnesota closes the books on its gubernatorial recount.

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

CA: Humboldt County Election Transparency Project officials to be honored by nonprofit
http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_16872734

CO: An Election Gone Wrong
http://www.examiner.com/conservative-in-colorado-springs/an-election-gone-wrong

CT: 1 in 4 Emergency Ballots Not Counted in Bridgeport
http://www.newhavenadvocate.com/featured-news/1-in-4-emergency-ballots-not-counted-in-bridgeport-037822

IN: Republicans drop recount request, ask for special election
http://www.browncountyindiana.com/index.php?id=6477

MN: Dayton gets election certificate
http://www.minnpost.com/marylahammer/2010/12/16/24299/dayton_gets_election_certificate

MN: Sec. of State closes book on recount
http://ecmpostreview.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6902&Itemid=1
[Secretary of State] Ritchie plans to visit with local elections officials to document the cost of the recount to local government — the Legislature may be able to help cover the expense, he indicated.

Speaking of possible changes to state election law, Ritchie suggested bipartisan support exists for a proposal to reduce the state’s current automatic recount trigger for elections from half a percent to a quarter.

NV: State elections official to resign
http://www.lvrj.com/news/state-elections-official-to-resign-112038219.html?ref=219

NJ: Fox, Maxwell want recount in recall election
http://www.shorenewstoday.com/index.php/wildwood-mainmenu/wildwood-leader/7002-
fox-maxwell-want-recount-in-recall-election.html

NY: Appellate Court Moves 7th Senate Case to Court of Appeals
http://mineola.patch.com/articles/appellate-court-moves-7th-senate-case-to-court-of-appeals
The New York State Second Department Appellate Court has unanimously kicked an appeal for a hand recount in the race for New York's 7th Senate Seat from incumbent Sen. Craig Johnson, D - Port Washington, to the State Court of Appeals.

NY: Count the Paper
http://www.bolipari.com/boblog/2010/12/count-the-paper/

NY: Privacy, Misinformation Top Voting Machine Concerns
http://www.capitaltonight.com/2010/12/privacy-misinformation-top-voting-machine-concerns/
The League of Women Voters of New York State released the results of its 2010 voter survey, which basically codify a lot of anecdotal issues with the new electronic voting machines that we in the media heard during the September primary and November general election.

NY: Voters, Not Machines, Should Elect Candidates
http://www.commoncause.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=5287775&ct=8975779&notoc=1

OR: Recount finished; Bates is Winner
http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101215/NEWS/12150312


National

National: FEC Elects Bauerly Chair, Hunter to Serve as Vice Chair - FEC Press Release
http://www.fec.gov/press/20101216Bauerlyas2011Vchair.shtml

National: Federal Judge Dismisses Challenge to Key Voting Rights Provision
http://legaltimes.typepad.com/blt/2010/12/federal-judge-dismisses-challenge-to-key-voting-rights-act-provision.html


Voting News archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/Also at Twitter http://twitter.com/VotingNewsSubscribe to Voting News at this link: http://tinyurl.com/votingnews

=============================================The Voting News is a free service made possible by the 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-vnDisclaimer: 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.

More news from India, Indiana to review voter registration complaints, North Carolina's IRV recount continues

More news from India, Indiana to review voter registration complaints, North Carolina recount of IRV race continues...

Editor's Note: Verified Voting extends the deepest thanks to Joyce McCloy for her amazing work on the Voting News. We hope to maintain the Voting News at the high standard she has maintained.

AK: Murkowski Camp Expects Vote Certification by Christmas
http://realclearpolitics.blogs.time.com/2010/12/15/murkowski-camp-expects-vote-certification-by-christmas/

AR: Budget Committee Agrees to Pay Portion of Election Costs
http://www.katv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13673832

IN: State to review wrong-precinct voting
http://www.wibc.com/news/Story.aspx?id=1327108

NY: Editorial: How to Turn Off Voters
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/15/opinion/15wed3.html

NC: Counties recounting votes in instant runoff judge race
http://www.newbernsj.com/news/votes-93166-board-instant.html

OH: Brunner Proud of Elections Reforms
http://www.citybeat.com/cincinnati/article-22324-brunner-proud-of-elections-reforms.html

TX: Republican Jeffrey fires back at auditor's election challenge
http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/default/article/Republican-Jeffrey-fires-back-at-auditor-s-900250.php

International

India: Lecture on EVMs creates chaos in Gandhinagar, rescheduled
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/lecture-on-evms-creates-chaos-in-gandhinagar-rescheduled/725480/


Archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/Also on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/VotingNews and at Twitter http://twitter.com/VotingNewsSubscribe 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-vnDisclaimer: 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.

Officials say e-voting researchers issued visas by mistake, recounts wind down, California turnout exceeds projections

India reportedly issues visas to e-voting researchers by mistake; recounts wind down in Maine, Oregon, and New Jersey; California turnout exceeds projections.

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

CA: Capitol Alert: 2010 election produced high voter turnout
http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2010/12/2010-election-produced-high-vo.html
The turnout was about five percentage points, or 800,000 voters, higher than the pre-election estimate made by the Field Institute, the state's leading polling organization. The secretary of state's office used to make pre-election predictions, but Bowen stopped the practice when she took office.

CA: Registrars defend against David Harmer accusations

http://www.lodinews.com/news/article_6fd4068f-91a2-588e-9d1d-c391750e7908.html

CT: UConn Team Ensures Election Integrity
http://news.engr.uconn.edu/uconn-team-ensures-election-integrity.php

IN: Recount Commission Dismisses Dems' SOS Challenge
http://www.wibc.com/news/Story.aspx?ID=1326799

IN: Dems may appeal sec. of state challenge dismissal
http://www.wwltv.com/news/politics/national/111761879.html

KS: Battle brews over plan to require photo ID to vote
http://www.ksn.com/news/local/story/Battle-brews-over-plan-to-require-photo-ID-to-vote/zHA_yUYw5Ey5uOrW6VBBVQ.cspx

KY: New voting machines are here (McCreary County)
http://mccrearyrecord.com/local/x1168753425/New-voting-machines-are-here
Haynes and his staff now have five months to familiarize McCreary County voters with the new system, which uses paper ballots. "I wouldn’t have wanted to start with a county election, but I hope to ease lines with this system," Haynes said. “I’m really excited about putting these machines into use.”

MA: Disputed house election raises question: who will be sworn in Jan. 5?
http://www.wickedlocal.com/sherborn/news/x719358088/Disputed-house-election-raises-question-who-will-be-sworn-in-Jan-5

ME: Maine casino vote recount effort dropped by opponents
http://ballotnews.org/2010/12/14/maine-casino-vote-recount-effort-dropped-by-opponents/
Dennis Bailey, executive director of Casinos No!, said, “We decided we had seen enough. We just were not seeing any big changes. But if we hadn’t done the recount, we would have always wondered. After all, it was one of the closest voting margins in state history.”

MN: Secretary of State thanks those who make democracy work
http://www.hometownsource.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15981:secretary-of-state-thanks-those-who-make-our-democracy-work&catid=13:capitol-news&Itemid=29

NJ: Second recount of South Amboy election maintains results
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20101214/NEWS/12140330/Second-recount-of-South-Amboy-election-maintains-results

OH: Sarantou sues over alleged vote error
http://toledoblade.com/article/20101214/NEWS09/12130420/-1/NEWS04

OH: [SOS-elect] Husted taps familiar faces for his senior staff
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/12/13/husted-taps-familiar-faces-for-his-staff.html?sid=101
Secretary of State-elect Jon Husted has assembled an experienced team to serve as his senior staff, including Matthew Damschroder, the former director and current deputy director of the Franklin County Board of Elections.

OR: Tiernan partly satisfied by Multnomah recount
http://blog.oregonlive.com/mapesonpolitics/2010/12/tiernan_partly_satisfied_by_mu.html
But Tiernan said he's not done. He said the Republican Party will ask the Legislature to change the law to require more uniformity among counties on their ballot-handling procedures. And he said he'd like to give elections observers more power to intervene when they see a potential problem.

International

India: EVM flaw-finders not welcome in India?
http://goguu.com/2010/12/14/evm-flaw-finders-not-welcome-in-india/

India: EVM flaw-finders issued visa by mistake
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/EVM-flaw-finders-issued-visa-by-mistake/articleshow/7096316.cms
“We had never raised this issue with any ministry of the government of India,” deputy election commissioner Alok Shukla said. “Since we were contacted after they were denied entry, the commission felt we should clarify our position, and hence we wrote to the home ministry saying we were not opposed to the entry of anyone to India irrespective of the views they held about India’s electoral system. We are all for free speech,” Shukla said.
India: Hardnews Exclusive: We are examining the possibility of paper trails for the EVMs http://www.hardnewsmedia.com/2010/12/3751


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=============================================
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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.

Wikileaks, Estonia's internet election and 'Lessons Learned'. Editor's Note

Maryland Report – Scanners Cost Less than DREs..EAC has $2,000,000 in grants for voting system pre-election logic & accuracy testing & post-election audits...Wikileak describes actual attacks on a Estonia's first internet election in "SUBJECT: ESTONIA'S CYBER ATTACKS: LESSONS LEARNED"...Yesterday we ran a news article saying that US voting machine expert Alec Halderman was deported upon arrival in India. We have learned since that the article was wrong and Prof Halderman was not deported. We do not have a link yet.

All this and more in today's voting news below...

EDITORS NOTE: This is my last voting news. Sean Flaherty of www.VerifiedVoting.org will be editing the very next edition. I'm happy because because 1) Verified Voting has the resources and brain trust of experts to provide high quality news that you need, with ability to answer technical questions as well; and 2) I will now be free to go back to work on voting issues in my own state. You will be notified in advance if delivery of the Voting News changes.

Thanks again to all of you for your support. Thanks to Sean & Verified Voting for taking over! I am excited to have more free time to write & research issues in my state and nationally. It will be fun to just read the news instead of editing it. Remember, transparency is the oxygen of democracy. Sincerely, Joyce McCloy, editor.


Wikileak: Viewing cable 07TALLINN375, ESTONIA'S CYBER ATTACKS: LESSONS LEARNED http://wikileaks.ch/cable/2007/06/07TALLINN375.html
... ¶5. (C) E-VOTING. In March 2007, Estonia held the world's first national election where e-voting was used. From the outset of the crisis, the e-voting security team was immediately seconded to CERT and became a vital asset in responding to the attacks.
...
These experts were invaluable in addressing the wide variety of attacks (e.g., bots, spam, DDoS, Trojan Horses, etc.).


AK: Miller appeals ruling on write-in vote count
http://www.adn.com/2010/12/13/1601927/miller-faces-deadline-today-to.html
Miller filed his appeal Monday, three days after a lower court ruled against his lawsuit challenging how the state counted write-in ballots for his rival, Sen. Lisa Murkowski. Arguments are set for Friday.

CA: San Leandro to look at future of ranked-choice voting
http://www.insidebayarea.com/dailyreview/localnews/ci_16831489

CT: Analysis of What Happens When Elections Officials Print Too Few Ballots
http://www.ballot-access.org/2010/12/13/analysis-of-what-happens-when-elections-officials-print-too-few-ballots/

MD: Maryland Report – Scanners Cost Less than DREs
http://blog.verifiedvoting.org/2010/12/13/1299 The report recommends that the State should move to implement optical scan systems for “long-term cost-effectiveness and cost control.” and that “Maryland would spend $9.5 million less on an optical scan system than it would on a DRE system

NC: Not best way to boost confidence in elections
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/12/13/1906884/not-best-way-to-boost-confidence.html Instant Runoff Voting was alot faster than the counting.

TX: Straight-party voting bad for democracy, backers of ban say
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/state/stories/DN-straightticket_13met.ART.State.Edition2.436136c.html

VA: Absentee Ballots' Suit Comes to an End
http://www.nbc29.com/Global/story.asp?S=13660375
Virginia election officials have agreed to take steps to make sure military members and Americans living overseas get a chance to cast absentee ballots


National

Voter ID a Misguided Effort
http://www.brennancenter.org/blog/archives/voter_id_misguided/

PUBLIC ADVOCATE DE BLASIO RELEASES REPORT ON IMPACT OF CITIZENS UNITED IN 2010 ELECTIONS http://pubadvocate.nyc.gov/news/2010-12-10/public-advocate-de-blasio-releases-report-impact-citizens-united-2010-elections

Felon Disenfranchisement in 2010
http://nonprofitvote.blogspot.com/2010/12/felon-disenfranchisement-in-2010.html
Despite the rulings, a New York Times editorial postured that "Their Debt is Paid." The editorial also found that more than five million Americans were unable to vote in November because of what the author described as "unjust and archaic state laws that disenfranchise former offenders, even when they have gone on to live crime-free lives."

The EAC has $2,000,000 in grants available for voting system pre-election logic and accuracy testing and post-election audits.
http://www.eac.gov/payments_and_grants/testing_and_auditing_grant.aspx

Comment on testing and certification manual
http://www.eac.gov/comment_period_begins_for_testing_and_certification_manual_2.0/
EAC is soliciting comments on version 2.0 of the EAC Testing and Certification Program Manual. The comment period ends Jan 31, 2011. See instructions for comment here.

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

India deports US voting machine expert. Bridgeport recount finds errors. Editor Note!

10 yrs after Bush V Gore: "HAVA has been misinterpreted and misused from the moment of its passage."~ Joe Richey, Colorado SOS Elect. Best Pract.Commission..CT Post: Recount shows widespread miscalculations. "If you cast a photocopied ballot in last month’s gubernatorial election in Bridgeport, there’s a 1 in 4 chance your vote was miscounted."..India: US prof behind EVM study deported on arrival...

All this and more in today's voting news below...

EDITORS NOTE: Changes ahead! The Voting News will have a new editor(s). Sean Flaherty of www.VerifiedVoting.org will be editing the Voting News in the near future. This is a positive change for several reasons - 1) Verified Voting has the resources and brain trust of experts to provide high quality news that you need, with ability to answer technical questions as well; and 2) I will now be free to go back to work on voting issues in my own state. I just can't do both with the time I have. What can you expect in the next few days? Your news delivery will not change at this time. If or when delivery changes, you will be notified in advance by Verified Voting so that you won't miss a day of news.

I thank all of you for your support and assistance in getting the news out, and trust that you will do the same for Sean and anyone else from VV.org. My thanks to Sean & Verified Voting for taking over! Sincerely, Joyce McCloy, editor.

India: US prof behind EVM study deported on arrival
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/us-prof-behind-evm-study-deported-on-arrival/723897/ An American computer scientist, J Alex Halderman, who had co-authored a study titled “India’s EVMs are vulnerable to fraud”, was not allowed to enter the country after landing at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport here on Sunday evening. Airport sources said he would be deported, but offered no reason for the action.

CA: Your Turn: Counting mail-in ballots (Contra Costa County)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/opinion/ci_16827100?nclick_check=1
The three main causes for a vote-by-mail ballot to not be counted are; late, no signature, and no signature match.
We have seen a jump in rejections because signatures don't match over the past two elections. Further analysis is warranted to determine why there has been a jump in rejections due to signatures not matching.

CT: CT Post: Recount shows widespread miscalculations (how recount conducted & more)
http://ctvoterscount.org/ct-post-recount-shows-widespread-miscalculations/
Given the circumstances I am not surprised that the Coalition found such differences. However, understanding how it happened does not justify complacency, it calls for appropriate action. Connecticut voters deserve a more accurate and resilient system. Democracy requires it.
(includes collection of related articles)

GA: Attempt to save time caused vote result delays (video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpyFZNHKrZI&has_verified=1
...during the general election, Board of Elections officials opted not to stop and post results by precinct, hoping to save time and just post final results. Payne said there was also a problem with the sole machine that can officially tally the votes, delaying the process about 45 minutes.

IN: Clerk wants to keep HAVA funds for 2012 election
http://timessentinel.com/county/x1199049350/Clerk-wants-to-keep-HAVA-funds-for-2012-election Councilman Gene Thompson wants the county to use money left from a federal grant to pay for next year’s municipal election.

IN: TODD ROKITA'S PARTING SHOT AS SOS
http://electionlawblog.org/archives/018262.html

MN: Newly elected Minnesota legislators announce intent to make voting more difficult
http://www.projectvote.org/blog/?p=1129

NJ: Paperless vote remains flawed
http://www.nj.com/gloucester/voices/index.ssf/2010/12/paperless_vote_remains_flawed.html New Jersey still uses paperless electronic voting systems, which cannot be independently audited. Regrettably, our state is one of only six full states, and certain counties in 11 others, that still use unauditable voting systems.
Rush Holt, U.S. Representative D-12th Dist. Pennington

NY: When the Board of Election in the Bronx goes wrong: a quick look at houw our constitutional right may be at issue (election protection volunteer comments)
http://www.r8ny.com/blog/jroman/when_the_board_of_election_in_the_bronx _goes_wrong_a_quick_look_at_ how_our_constitutional_right_may_be_at_issue.html
http://tinyurl.com/29clss7

National

Ten years after Bush v. Gore: New calls for election reform
http://www.dailycamera.com/ci_16828244
HAVA has been misinterpreted and misused from the moment of its passage.
...
Why have we been sold the high-tech but fallible solution at every turn since 2000?

As we reflect on Bush v. Gore today, it is worth reconsidering the sort of public-private partnerships that were forged to conduct our elections. Did we get our money's worth? No. Has voter confidence or participation increased? No.
( Joe Richey serves on the Colorado Secretary of State Elections Division's Best Practices and Vision Commission and works with public interest groups to increase voter turnout.)

BUSH V. GORE REFLECTION: NATE PERSILY
http://electionlawblog.org/archives/018266.html

Voting News by Joyce McCloy. Archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/
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New York 7th SD recount quest about precedent. Alaska judge rules for state

Alaska Judge rules for state, against Miller. What does it mean? ..Johnson to appeal NY 7th Senate District loss: “The procedures governing these new voting machines are uncharted territory..What happens here could very well govern how all future close elections are decided. That is why I intend to take my request for a full hand recount to a higher court.." ~ incumbent Craig Johnson (D)..

All this and more in today's voting news below...

AK: State judge rules in favor of state, against Miller, in election challenge
http://community.adn.com/?q=adn/node/154746 The judge found there was no evidence of election fraud and that there was nothing wrong with the state considering "voter intent" and counting misspelled write-in ballots for Murkowski. (Miller has until Tuesday to appeal.)

AK: Rick Hasen of ElectionLawBlog: JOE MILLER LOSES: WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
http://electionlawblog.org/archives/018256.html ..what happens next?

FL: Elections chief explores ways to count votes faster
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/state/elections-chief-explores-ways-to-count-votes-faster-1110264.html The county first will try counting votes at one of about 20 locations scattered throughout the county, work that was previously done at a warehouse in Riviera Beach, county Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher said.

By the end of 2011, she hopes to have modems that work with the county's existing vote scanners, letting her staff send in results directly from the precinct.

IL: Champaign county clerk resigns
http://www.dailyillini.com/node/46116 Champaign County Clerk Mark Shelden is resigning from his position to become U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson’s (R-15) new chief of staff.
...
According to Shelden’s website, he developed new election management software for the County Clerk’s office that “greatly enhanced” the office’s efficiency.

The software, which deals with ballot design and vote counting, has saved the office hundreds of thousands of dollars over the last five years.

MO: Brother and Sister Arrested for Casting Extra Votes in November
http://ozarksfirst.com/fulltext?nxd_id=369587
24-year-old Mark Calhoun and 21-year-old Lindsey Calhoun participated in early voting October 30th, then went to the polls on election day, November 2nd, and voted again.

County Clerk Karen Pritchard says it's the first time she's seen that in almost 40 years of running elections.

NC: Scott Mooneyham: Addressing voter fraud
http://www.reflector.com/opinion/mooneyham/scott-mooneyham-addressing-voter-fraud-212217
What legislative Republicans should fear is that a requirement is so poorly crafted that local poll workers can use it to turn away voters with a valid ID.

If that happens, the voter fraud will have been committed in the Legislature Building, and voters will know who to blame.

NC: Instant Runoff Comments (Election official on NC Court of Appeals Contest)
http://mile181.blogspot.com/2010/12/instant-runoff-comments.html
Another way to avoid the expense of runoff primaries, as I previously suggested here is to abolish the runoff. We don't need it. Most states don't use it.

NY: Supreme Court Certifies Senate Race, Declares Martins Winner -Johnson Will Appeal
http://www.antonnews.com/illustratednews/news/12125-supreme-court-certifies-senate-race-declares-martins-winner.html Warshawsky did not hide his disdain for the new voting machines.

NY: New York State Board of Elections Expects to Release Official Tally on Monday, December 13 http://www.ballot-access.org/2010/12/10/new-york-state-board-of-elections-expects-to-release-official-tally-on-monday-december-13/

TX: New bill for verification of information on voter registration
http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=552675 Unclear handwriting and typos are just some of the reasons thousands of Texans have their voter registration applications delayed or denied.
But State Representative Scott Hochberg of Houston wants to improve the process.

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