The Voting News Daily: Voter Action challenges Diebold sale, Tennessee 2 step, NJ worries over e-voting

The group Voter Action is challenging the merger of Election Systems and Software and Diebold. “This transaction threatens the democratic process itself,” Voter Action’s letter states. “The ES&S/Premier acquisition is absolutely unique in its potential for disturbing U.S. election processes and results.” Meanwhile, Diebold is cutting jobs at touchscreen factory in Lexington NC. Could ES&S…

Verified Voting Blog: Verified Voting Public Comment on the Draft Voluntary Voting System Guidelines, Version 1.1

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We appreciate the opportunity to comment on the most recent iteration of the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (1.1). We understand that the goal is to move forward on specific elements from the prior draft which were widely supported. The exclusion of some key principles warrant great concern and if left out of any approved version going forward, will delay progress toward greater reliability of voting systems. We support the comments made by A Center for Correct, Usable, Reliable, Auditable and Transparent Elections (ACCURATE), and add our comments on three main points below.

1. SOFTWARE INDEPENDENCE

Software independence (SI), or the “quality of a voting system or voting device such that a previously undetected change or fault in software cannot cause an undetectable change or error in election outcome,” is the foundation of an auditable voting system. Verified Voting strongly supports software independence. Leaving out this core element from the prior draft in the current VVSG 1.1 will delay essential progress in voting system reliability and security. We strongly recommend the reinstatement of the principle of software independence into the VVSG to be enacted as quickly as possible. For security, nothing is as crucial as auditing an auditable voting system. Without the ability to detect changes or problems in the voting system confidence in the integrity of electoral outcomes is unfounded.

The Voting News Daily: Machine Gun Fundraiser in SC, Military ballots failure rate? Diebold return our money

Diebold return our money: group says Diebold should refund $100 million to California taxpayers.Extreme fundraising? South Carolina politician holds a “Machine Gun Social” to raise funds.Unintended consequences? The House legislation meant to defund ACORN may apply to a wide range of organizations and corporations.Mass. fills seat left by death of Senator Edward Kennedy. Boulder County…

The Voting News Daily: ES&S Diebold heads to court, Tennessee seeks voting machine proposals, Election polling fraudulent?

ES&S Diebold shotgun wedding comes to a halt: Federal Judge Robert Kugler in Camden, NJ., agreed late Friday to hear a request for an emergency injunction that could halt Election Systems & Software’s Sept. 2 announced acquisition of Diebold Inc.’s Premier Election Solutions. “…when one considers ES&S’ reckless performance as an election provider the real…

The Voting News Daily: Internet Voting for Australia and Oshawa Ontario? E-voting for London? ACORN probed, ACORN sues

Internet Voting Whack-A-Mole continues: Australia considers internet voting. Oshawa Ontario politicians want internet voting but will put it off until 2014.London plans to use electronic voting in 2012.The Justice Dept is probing ACORN and meanwhile ACORN is suing the film producers who secretly recorded embarrassing videos.Is New York ready for voting machines yet? A local…

The Voting News Daily: ES&S-Diebold’s “Ominous Monopoly”, ACORN, NY “Count the Vote”, Internet Voting Whackamole in FL

ES&S purchase of Diebold “The Most Ominous Monopoly”. Congratulations to Brad Friedman, who has a piece about the Acorn controversy published in the Guardian UK.Florida has a bill, HB 131 that would allow overseas voters to cast ballots by email.New Jersey’s early voting (by mail) could diminish effect of “October Surprise”? Boulder Co releases report…

The Voting News Daily: “Let Freedom K-Ching”, Plug pulled on e-voting in Australia, OH, NY election glitches

Plug pulled on electronic voting trials in Australia, deemed “too expensive“.Conversely, Bangladesh considers electronic voting trials to save money.Meanwhile, in the US there were voting machine problems reported in NY and OH.Internet Voting? “Given its current architecture and engineering, the Internet provides neither high assurance data security and integrity, nor reliable information transmission protected from…

The Voting News Daily: Diebold sale triggers Hart anti trust suit & Senator’s request for DOJ probe

The Diebold sale to ES&S has hit the fan:Senator Schumer seeks DOJ probe of Diebold’s sale of voting-machine business.Hart Intercivic files antitrust suit against Diebold and ES&S. See “Your Once-Public Elections & Your Once-Public Elections on ES&S Monopoly Steroids” ~ Brad Friedman of Bradblog.Again, why is “Citizens United v FEC” so important? “Campaign money and…

The Voting News Daily: The Business of Voting Machines, Citizens United drama,TX Vote Center controversy, DREs for sale

Editorials on Diebold’s sale to ES&S pouring in: “The Diebold name was snake-bitten, the product didn’t satisfy, and changing the name didn’t help much.” ~ the Dayton Daily News. “The combination of the Election Systems & Software and Diebold American voting machine divisions raises classic antitrust concerns.” ~ The New York Times.Citizens United v. the…

The Voting News Daily: IEEE on Diebold sale -“Good riddance”, former NM SOS waives arraignment, $10M for Biometric voter ID, not bread?

Why should you care about “Citizens United vs FEC”? The case “if decided wrongly, could surrender control of our democracy to corporate interests.” – EJ Dionne of WaPo. The Supreme Court case is set for argument on Wednesday, Sept. 9.The IEEE (electrical engineering standards group) has something to say about the Diebold sale: “Good riddance.”A…

The Voting News Daily: 9/1 correction: Why “Citizens United” matters, Iowa Co makes own e-poll software, UTAH voters bring ID

*Our apologies. Title to yesterday’s voting news dated 9/1 title incorrectly said for Oregon voters to bring ID. It should have read “Utah voters bring ID”. We apologize for any problems this may have caused. The subject line to yesterday’s news has been corrected and can be viewed here at this link:http://votingnews.blogspot.com/2009/09/why-citizens-united-matters-iowa-co.html Here is incorrect…