Yearly Archives: 2009

The Voting News Daily: Hawaii election chief postpones problems,Diebold ES&S a “worst case scenario”, Georgians need paper ballots

John Oxendine, GOP rival of Georgia SOS Karen Handel did not like the Georgia Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the use of the paperless voting machines. Oxendine’s reaction: ”With all due respect and appreciation for the Supreme Court of Georgia, I am deeply disappointed in the decision today to reject the challenge to touch-screen electronic voting machines.….[M]any Georgians will suggest, and I agree, that the 2000 presidential election demonstrates the exact need for a back-up paper system to establish the integrity of the voting process.”

SPLOST? Then vote twice. Fayette County, GA is warning voters that they need to vote in two different polling places to cast votes in both the muni elections and county referendum this November.

Hawaii’s troubled election chief has issued an addendum to the state’s RFP for voting machines. The addendum seems to keep the RFP alive with the objectionable language intact, with postponed deadlines.
Allen County, Indiana considers feasibility of cutting 2/3 of polling places for Vote Centers. The move would also increase dependency on technology.

A losing candidate for Amesbury, MA mayoral race filed election complaint about the results but neglected to request a manual recount.
I-Report: Bo Lipari reports on Day 4 of New York voting system testing.

The Diebold ES&S merger: “Election reformers in and out of government have for years advocated for full public control of elections and strict transparency as the only way to run legitimate elections. This new merger is perhaps a worst-case scenario, giving one company control of much of the nation’s election infrastructure.” ~ Progressive States.

GA. Your morning jolt: Al Gore’s champion in Republican ranks
September 29, 2009 Within hours of a Georgia Supreme Court decision upholding the use of touch-screen voting machines, Secretary of State Karen Handel celebrated with a press release. “Georgia has the most secure elections in the nation due to our four levels of security testing on touch-screen voting machines,” crowed the Republican candidate for governor. But if Handel is fer it, then GOP rival John Oxendine must be agin it.
http://blogs.ajc.com/political-insider-jim-galloway/2009/09/29/your-morning-jolt-al-gores-champion-in-republican-ranks/?cxntfid=blogs_political_insider_jim_galloway

GA. County to warn 9,000 voters of precinct two-step for SPLOST *
Tue, 09/29/2009 – More than 9,000 Fayette voters will be forced to travel to two different voting precincts in November, at least if they want to vote in their municipal election and also on the countywide SPLOST referendum.
But those voters will get a postcard notice in the mail from the county’s elections department notifying them of the issue. Some on the Fayette County Commission initially balked at the idea several weeks ago because the postcards could be construed as “promoting the SPLOST,” a violation of Georgia law.
http://www.thecitizen.com/~citizen0/node/39663

HI. Office of elections takes baby step to appease the judge
Hawaii’s Office of Elections has finally responded to Judge Joseph Cardoza’s order handed down orally in May. An addendum was added to the RFP for voting machines, posted on the Office of Elections website, and emailed to all legislators today:
http://disappearednews.com/2009/10/office-of-elections-takes-baby-step-to.html

IN. Feasibility Of Vote Centers To Be Studied In Allen County
Oct 1.

The Voting News Daily: Common Cause sues Tennessee SOS over voting machines, ES&S-Diebold anti-trust court date, internet whack-a-mole cont’d

Common Cause Tennessee filed a suit today to compel the State of Tennessee to comply with the paper ballot law. “Tennessee voters deserve a voting system that they know will accurately record and count their votes” said Dick Williams, Chair of Common Cause Tennessee. “That is why the legislature passed this bill in 2008 and the Governor signed it into law. We are going to court today to see that the will of Tennessee citizens is honored and the law is enforced by 2010.”

Update on ES&S/Diebold monopoly: “Judge Robert Kugler of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey didn’t immediately rule on a request for an injunction that would block the merger of two large voting machine manufacturers, instead setting a hearing for Nov. 12.” ~ Carrie Levine.

The state of Maine will conduct the first ever voter registration drive in a prison. Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, officials will seek to prosecute 195 felons for voting (illegally).

I report: Bo Lipari blogs his observations of New York’s 3rd day of voting system testing.

Good point: “Now, is convenience something that we should be striving for in elections? Yes, but it’s not traded off against integrity but rather against cost and against the rights of others… Integrity involves many items. It should mean only eligible people vote. It should mean that every ballot is counted as intended by the voter. It should mean that the winners of elections actually won.” ~ Mark Sheldon, Champaign County Clerk.

Today’s internet whack-a-mole target is: the city of Vaughn,in the York Region of Ontario, Canada. Internet voting is being recommended by a city task force.

Dominion Voting Systems is the second fastest growing tech company in Canada this year according to an industry ranking

CT. ‘Short and sweet’: Voting results to be audited
Thursday, 01 October 2009. It turns out the town is not quite done with last month’s tax collector primary between Bill Grad and Rick Novakowski.
As part of state law, anytime there is an election, either primary or general, districts from around Connecticut are randomly chosen to have their results audited to make sure that a hand recount matches machine totals from the optical scanning voting machines in use throughout the state.
http://www.acorn-online.com/joomla15/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=37841:short-and-sweet-voting-results-to-be-audited&catid=10:greenwich-local&Itemid=1092

GA. Georgia Supreme Court Rules Unauditable, Unverifiable Elections Are Just Fine
http://www.bradblog.com/?p=7445

ME. First In The Nation Prison Voter Drive Held
…Maine and Vermont allow even convicted felons to cast ballots.
Yesterday the NAACP sponsored a voter registration drive throughout Maine’s correctional system. It’s the first of it’s kind in the nation and organizers are hoping it helps prompt change in other state laws
http://www.wcsh6.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=109634&catid=2

MS. Hattiesburg city wards upheld (hat tip to Rick Hasen of ElectionLawBlog ) September 30, 2009 Hattiesburg didn’t hurt minority participation on the city council when it counted university students as city residents while redrawing ward lines, a federal appeals panel ruled Tuesday.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans had been asked to overturn a Mississippi judge’s ruling upholding the city’s decision to include dormitory students in population calculations used to draw the city’s wards.

The Voting News Daily: Threat of Internet Voting Looms, Siegleman fraud case claims another victim, Twittering election officials

The threat of internet voting looms closer as the Defense Authorization bill (S1390), that allows for military email voting, is on the verge of passing from a conference committee. The dangerous idea of email/internet voting has spread to North Carolina: the popular NC paper, the Greensboro News and Record ran an OpEd that endorses having overseas military cast their ballots by email, over the internet. Insecure voting does not honor our troops one little bit. My blog on that is in this edition of news. Internet/email voting is a problem, not a solution. At this time, we should seek simple, cost-efficient and effective measures, not big expensive ineffective things like internet voting that carries multiple security risks with it. Then we can reassess the situation.

The Siegleman election fraud case claims another victim – whistle blower, Tamarah Grimes fired. The FEC is already making it easier for LLCs to influence elections.
Some less scary news: Bo Lipari is reporting on Day 2 of New York’s voting machine exams.
Election issues and services are hitting twitter, Voting News, Verified Voting, Overseas Vote Foundation, even San Mateo County election office are tweeting. Check it out.

The news is short today because of the internet voting issue raised today in North Carolina. I’m in North Carolina and we now have a new issue to fight. Internet voting is also your problem because of the federal DOD bill which would serve as the trojan horse for internet voting nationwide. We’ll catch up tomorrow on voting news. Meanwhile, Voting News is happy to publish your articles and blogs about e-voting when possible. Just send them to ncvoter (at) gmail.com. If we can use them we will. Thanks

CA. Tweet from smcvote: Election and voting news from the Office of Warren Slocum, Chief Elections Officer, San Mateo County, California: “We are currently performing functional testing of each piece of voting equipment for use in the Nov. election. It should take about 10 days”

GA. Siegleman Election Fraud Claims Another Victim
September 29, 2009 This is the case of election fraud in the reelection bid of Alabama Governor Don Seigelman. The 1st victims were the people of Alabama. Governor Seigelman was not reelected due to fraud in the election. The next victim was Don Seigelman..Most recently a whistle blower, Tamarah Grimes, sent Attorney General Eric Holder a letter detailing more misconduct in the case. Three days later Ms. Grimes was fired, becoming the latest victim..
http://www.ctvoterscount.org/?p=2422

NC North Carolina Internet Voting Whack-a-Mole,military vote by email not secure, not private
It is Internet Voting Whackamole Time – this time in North Carolina. The Greensboro News and Record is running an OpEd that endorses having overseas military cast their ballots by email, over the internet. Does anyone believe that if email/internet voting were allowed for overseas that it would not spread to the rest of our elections? Making military votes go over e-mail is unsafe in the first place.
http://ncvoters.blogspot.com/2009/09/north-carolina-internet-voting-whack.html

NY. Day 2 of NYS Voting Machine Tests
September 29 2009 The second day of New York State’s Voting Machine Certification testing again focused on completing ballot programming on the Election Management System (EMS) systems for the Dominion ImageCast and ES&S DS200/Automark.

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 be ending the troubled Diebold voting machine line?

Indiana’s voter ID law still stands for the November election although that law was struck down by a State Appeals Court.

Tennessee Two Step – Tennessee Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey will introduce a bill to delay implimenting paper ballot law, thus risking that will be the next state to have a Florida-style election nightmare. Meanwhile SOS Hargett plans to find voting machines compliant with the law in time for 2010.

Now that its the 21st Century, isn’t it time to end the use of blended voting systems and give everyone a paper ballot? “Why should voters with disabilities continue to be forced to vote on segregated ballot systems that are far too complicated for the pollworkers to operate and that make us vulnerable to disenfranchisement because of poor machine reliability and inadequate training and/or poor attitudes on the part of the pollworkers?” ~ Noel Runyan, electrical engineer and computer scientist.

Citizens report: New York began end to end testing of voting machines yesterday – Bo Lipari gives a firsthand report with photos.

Meanwhile, the New York media whines about low turnout/high cost elections without accepting any responsibility of spurring voters’ interest in interesting voters in the elections.

CA. Runner sues Attorney General over ballot wording (measure in favor of voter id)
Runner blasts ‘biased’ summary of his initiative to prevent voter fraud
September 28, 2009 SACRAMENTO • State Sen. George Runner is suing California Attorney General Jerry Brown for crafting what Runner calls an “overtly biased” summary of a ballot measure the senator created to prevent voter fraud.
http://www.vvdailypress.com/news/sues-14749-attorney-wording.html

CA. Riverside County supervisors may discuss to discuss registrar’s response to audit
Sept 26. (podcast available) The audit, led by former District Attorney Grover Trask, said the election was successful but presented 36 recommendations for improvement. In her response, Dunmore says she has already heeded 31 of them and has partially implemented five.
http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_S_registrar27.45a50a0.html

CA. Collection of my Electronic Voting Experiences on the Sequoia Edge II
by Noel H. Runyan September 24th, 2009 …the government should refuse to buy any more systems, unless they are completely redesigned and made reasonably useable…It took me 30 minutes to work my way through the ballot and make my selections. After that, I had quite a bit of trouble getting into the review mode, to get a full list of all my selections. When I did, it went on and on, for 23 minutes,
https://www.verifiedvotingfoundation.org/article.php?id=6717

GA. ACLU Files Lawsuit Against Georgia Restriction on Absentee Voting
September 29th, 2009
http://www.ballot-access.org/2009/09/29/aclu-files-lawsuit-against-georgia-restriction-on-absentee-voting/

GA. Georgia Supreme Court Rules that Unauditable Elections are A-OK
September 28, 2009 …In our current world order, U.S. electoral management bodies (EMBs) have consciously chosen to ignore the science and rely on the electronic tally, preserving the ballots only for some potential future recount.

The Voting News Daily: GA Court rules e-voting OK, Where’s the paper, EAC?, NY Levers, Internet voting in Halifax

Georgia’s State Supreme Court threw out the e-voting case because the voters could not prove fraud on the paperless voting machines. What a pity. After all, the whole point is that we voters should be able to prove that our election results are legitimate, but without a tangible record of the vote we cannot do so.

Where’s the paper in EAC’s new voting system guidelines? ACCURATE comments on the US EAC’s Voluntary Voting System Guidelines: “Most notably omitted is any requirement for software independence, which would require systems to be designed so that undetected flaws in the voting system software could not cause undetectable changes in the vote count.”~Joseph Lorenzo Hall ACCURATE.

Internet whack-a-mole in Canada: Halifax Nova Scotia’s recent municipal election was held over the internet.
E-voting push for London: Leo Boland, chief executive of London City Hall says city is seeking e-voting proposals whether the Electoral Commission gives go ahead or not.

WHY Citizens United Matters: If Citizens United v FEC unleashes corp money into elections, the outcome could stifle the voices of youth voters.
“While our political idealism and passion run deep, our pockets generally do not. We do give what and when we can, but we certainly cannot afford to match the kind of massive expenditures corporations and unions can make. “ ~ Nate Frentz

GA. GA High Court Rules Electronic Voting OK (audio available)
In 2006, a group of Georgian voters sued the state complaining that touch screens didn’t provide enough protection against voter fraud.
They argued without tangible records that could be recounted, it’d be too easy to manipulate election results.
Today, the state supreme court voted unanimously to throw out the lawsuit.
WABE legal analyst and Atlanta trial lawyer, Page Pate says it was a simple case because the group of voters had no real evidence of voter fraud.
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wabe/news.newsmain/article/1/0/
1559619/Atlanta/GA.High.Court.Rules.Electronic.Voting.OK
or use this smaller URL: http://tinyurl.com/ga-court

NJ. Will early voting change campaigns? (Has it done so already?)
A story in today’s NJ Courier-Post speculates about the change that will occur in NJ politics as a result of the new permanent absentee balloting law.
http://electionupdates.caltech.edu/?p=2889

NY. Martin favors lever machines
September 26, 2009 As part of a continuing campaign to keep lever voting machines in use in Columbia County and New York State, Democratic election commissioner Virginia Martin held her ground last week as a member of a panel concerning the machines and their use, speaking at the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC).
“Two of the counties said their budget had tripled because of this,” Martin said.
…“I actually love the technology of the optical scanners,” McGivney ( Doug McGivney, D-Kinderhook) said. “But their safety has not been proven, certified, or in any way assured. As expensive as they are, they are cheaply made and nowhere near the security of an ATM machine. And we need the same quality for voting as we do for handling our money.”
http://www.registerstar.com/articles/2009/09/26/news/doc4abda3ed27502588422063.txt

National.

ACCURATE Comment on VVSG v1.1
28 Sep 2009.
A Center for Correct, Usable, Reliable, Auditable and Transparent Elections (ACCURATE) submitted public comment today to the U.S.

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 adds more stringent testing for voting machines and ballots this year.

Unethical polling: Polling company Strategic Vision LLC failed to disclose methadology and basic polling data violates basic principles of scientific research.

Bo Lipari of NY Verified Voting fame has launched a new blog on how modern technology impacts elections, and what readers can do to…”Bo admonishes readers, “…it’s up to you to pay attention, and above all, to get involved.”

What is the solution? An overwhelming majority of military and overseas voters did not return ballots to the United States in 2006… 660,000 of 990,000 military ballots not returned.

CA. Diebold Return Our Money.
As A Result Of The California Secretary Of State’s Findings and Diebold/Premier’s Own Admissions That Its Voting Systems Do Not Meet Federal Standards, Velvet Revolution Calls on the Company to Return the Well Over $100 Million in Taxpayer Funds Spent by Californians on Failed, Faulty Voting System Hardware and Software
California officials recently revealed that ALL of Diebold/Premier’s voting systems violate federal certifications guidelines!…Send an email to Diebold/Premier, California Secretary of State Debra Bowen and California Attorney General Jerry Brown.
http://www.velvetrevolution.us/db_money/

CO. Boulder County tests voting equipment
Clerk and recorder adds new procedures to the test
09/24/2009 …Following last year’s Boulder County election — when it took election workers three days to get a final vote count — the clerk and recorder has added extra testing procedures to this year’s logic and accuracy tests, which will likely be completed this afternoon.
…This year, the ballots for the test have not only been folded, but they’ve also been run through the mail-processing machines at the post office.
There are 363 different combinations of ballots that will be voted in the county in November, and state law requires that at least one of each style be tested. Boulder County is testing 600.
But the biggest change to last year’s logic and accuracy testing is the addition of procedures that will make sure the optical scanners are properly calibrated. A properly calibrated scanner — one that has the correct device driver installed — would not count a speck of paper dust as a vote, for example.
http://www.dailycamera.com/ci_13415390

MA. Kirk Sworn In to Fill Kennedy’s Seat
September 25, 2009
Paul G. Kirk Jr. of Massachusetts was sworn in Friday to fill the Senate vacancy left by the death of Edward M. Kennedy, giving Democrats a crucial 60th vote heading toward a health care debate and becoming only the second person to hold that Senate seat in nearly half a century…Mr. Kirk is the sixth appointed senator to join the Senate this year, given deaths and resignations.
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/25/kirk-sworn-in-to-fill-kennedys-seat/?scp=1&sq=kirk&st=cse

NC. Election boards wonder if military ballots are too costly?

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 issue is much more basic. Should we even do business with these people?” ~ Lani Massey Brown in “ES&S for Dummies, 2009..”
Huge news: Tennessee SOS is issuing a request for proposal to vendors for paper ballot systems and in January 2010 the TN GOP speaker will seek to delay the Public Confidence (paper ballot) law through legislative remedy.

Aspen’s non secret ballot election: “..if we don’t defend our constitutional rights we will lose them. I respect the fact that there are those in the community who disagree with me, and who prefer non-secret ballot elections.”~ Millard Zimmet, an attorney in Aspen, Colorado.

Unique idea: “To fix democracy, start with the voters.”
I-Report from Alameda Co polling place – no one willing to vote on DRE/touch-screen.
Lessons and more from Minnesota Recount: “The bottom line is, as much as it pains me to say it, we probably did this as well as it could be done,” said Fritz Knaak, a Coleman attorney who fought the recount battle from the beginning until his man lost. “There’s no crying need, coming from all of this, for massive reform — unless (the reform) is a runoff.”

A disgusted New York voter comments about both the new and old voting machines malfunctioning: “We need to be a good example for the world, not a joke. Fix the voting system.”

Polling Data questioned: “There is a substantial possibility — far from a certainty — that much of Strategic Vision’s polling over the past several years has been forged.”~Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight.com

How does Germany vote, what do their ballots look like, WHY did their high court rule that the use of electronic voting machines like Nedap ESD1 and ESD2 is unconstitutional? “In a republic, elections are a matter for the entire people and a joint concern of all citizens. Consequently, the monitoring of the election procedure must also be a matter for and a task of the citizen. Each citizen must be able to comprehend and verify the central steps in the elections.”

CA. Some Local Access Voting Stories *
September 24th, 2009 Last night I got a call from a livid Alameda County voter who called me about 6:30 PM, after he was told that he couldn’t vote on the Sequoia DRE unless they could find four other people to vote on the system. Note, our Sec. of State requires that five or more must vote voluntarily on the conditionally certified DREs. Completely oblivious to my friend’s embarrassment, the pollworker actually went down the line of voters asking for volunteers to vote and saying something like, “so that blind guy can vote on the voting machine”. No one was willing to vote on the DRE!

The Voting News Daily: Sarasota FL: ES&S is baack!, Lucas Co OH forgotten ballots, ACORN good and bad

Sarasota County officials thought they saw the last of ES&S after booting them out 2 years ago. Now, unless the Justice Dept intervenes, Sarasota officials will once again have to deal with a vendor they ditched thanks to ES&S’ purchase of Diebold:
“I’m going to give them the benefit of the doubt as much as I can,” he said. “But I kind of feel like Charlie Brown with Lucy holding the football. How many times do you go to kick the ball and ‘Swoosh!’ through the air and end up on your derriere.” ~County Commissioner Jon Thaxton

Absentee ballots and audits: “…most absentee ballots are not subject to the Connecticut Post-Election Audit Law – an opening for errors to go undetected and an opportunity for fraud.” ~ Luther Weeks, CT Voters Count.
Meanwhile, Lucas Co Ohio forgot to count 166 absentee ballots.*
ACORN in North Carolina: “The negative costs so much aggravation, it almost takes away the good work [ACORN] did,”…”Because they registered a lot of people. But a few bad apples hurt the good work they did.” ~Mike Ashe, Election Director, Durham County NC.

“A day as a poll worker”: “After lending a helping hand within this election, I felt empowered as an African American and honored to continue the legacy which once was prohibited for Blacks in America.” ~ Aisha Brown.
Workshop Aims to Establish Standards for Voting Machine Data

CT. Absentee Ballots Can Be Decisive – yet Unaudited
September 24, 2009 Story in ConnPost, Primary loser declines to challenge absentees…As we and others have pointed out, there are many issues and risks with any type of mail-in voting, including absentee voting.
http://www.ctvoterscount.org/?p=2419

FL. Trial lawyers group admits role in racially charged election flier
September 24, 2009 TALLAHASSEE — In a highly embarrassing mea culpa, Florida’s powerful trial lawyer lobby admitted Wednesday that it was behind an ugly race-baiting flier in a recent North Florida Senate election.
http://tampabay.com/news/politics/legislature/trial-lawyers-group-admits-role-in-racially-charged-election-flier/1038739

FL. 3 years after vote furor, machine vendor is back (ES&S purchase of Diebold)
MERGER: ES&S, once again the provider in Sarasota, now dominates the field
September 24, 2009 Two years after being shown the door for its role in an election that local officials would just as soon forget, voting machine maker ES&S is once again overseeing the system Sarasota County residents will use to cast their votes.
…Opposition locally, though, is less legal and more emotional, stemming from the role of the ES&S iVotronic voting system in the disputed November 2006 election.
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20090924/ARTICLE/909241064/2055/NEWS?Title=3-years-after-vote-furor-machine-vendor-is-back

FL. Editorial: The votes are in the mail
September 24 Given the choice between a mail election and a special election that asks voters to go to the polls to decide on the proposed new Pensacola city charter, voting by mail is more likely to draw a higher turnout, which is needed on such a crucial decision…The City Council’s committee of the whole approval of a mail ballot makes sense…But there are drawbacks.
Voting by mail is vulnerable to fraud. No one can know for sure who is filling out a mail ballot.

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 paper issues a call for more robust auditing, more stringent protocols. The paper also urges that “undervote” reporting function on the voting machines be turned on, so that voters will be warned if they leave a contest unvoted.

Data, Modernization, and Reform…”the practical concerns of election officials seem to get minimal hearing as policy makers proceed.” Mark Shelden, Champaign County Clerk
Early voting promo: The Hammer and the Wild Thing.
Video: “Voting Machines Elect One Of Their Own As President”

News is light today. (No glitches reported). Got a great article? Send it to ncvoter (at) gmail.com

CA. Instant runoff voting debate leads to council meltdown
09/23/2009 http://www.presstelegram.com/breakingnews/ci_13401783

FL. Lawsuit Over Florida Green Party Mystery Candidates Enters New Phase
September 23rd, 2009
http://www.ballot-access.org/2009/09/23/lawsuit-over-florida-green-party-mystery-candidates-enters-new-phase/

MN. Mathematics expert: IRV not the answer
Minnesota Public Radio September 23, 2009
St. Paul, Minn. — A mathematician who’s spent years analyzing voting systems told a Minneapolis audience Tuesday that instant runoff voting is not the answer.
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/09/23/mathematician-criticizes-instant-runoff-voting/

NC. Reidsville has unique election cycle
September 22, 2009
WENTWORTH — The city of Reidsville is in a class all its own when it comes to elections. The city votes for its mayor and council in October rather than in November, and that usually means confusion for its residents, said Tina Cardwell, deputy director of the Rockingham County Board of Elections.
http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/09/21/article/heads_up_reidsville_your_election_will_be_in_october

NY. State and city unready for voting machine headaches
September 22nd 2009…the state Board of Elections has to listen to auditing experts now, and develop protocols that guarantee votes were counted properly. So far, the board’s proposals fall far short of that goal.
The state board should also be faulted for directing counties to turn off a feature that would alert voters if they missed or “undervoted” a ballot.
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/queens/2009/09/22/2009-09-22_state_and_city_unready_for_voting_machine_headaches.html#ixzz0RyYRShUk

OH. Ohio SOS Brunner rules State Sen. Husted is not a resident of his elected district
September 22,Ohio Secretary of State (SOS) Jennifer Brunner, broke a tie vote by the Montgomery County Board of Elections (MCBOE) by ruling that State Sen. Jon Husted of Kettering…is not a resident for purposes of voting of his district..According to Brunner’s research, Husted’s wife has been a registered voter in Franklin County and has voted there starting with the general election of 2002.
http://www.examiner.com/x-23537-Columbus-Government-Examiner~y2009m9d22-Ohio-SOS-Brunner-rules-State-Sen-Husted-is-not-a-resident-of-his-elected-district

SC. Voting fraud case ends
September 23, 2009
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2009/sep/23/voting-fraud-case-ends/

United States

“Voting Machines Elect One Of Their Own As President“
http://www.theonion.com/content/video/voting_machines_elect_one_of

Data, Modernization, and Reform
Champaign County Clerk
…At the same time, the practical concerns of election officials seem to get minimal hearing as policy makers proceed.
http://blog.champaigncountyclerk.com/2009/09/23/data-modernization-and-reform/

ACORN Shutting Down Tax Clinics, Vows to Continue Voter-Registration Efforts
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/09/23/acorn_shutting_down_tax_clinic.html?wprss=44

ACORN sues filmmakers
September 23rd
WASHINGTON (CNN) — ACORN filed suit Wednesday in Baltimore, Maryland, against two filmmakers who secretly recorded videos embarrassing to the agency, claiming the pair violated state law by recording their conversations without permission of the employees involved…O’Keefe and Giles also attempted to capture similar videos at ACORN offices in other cities but failed.

The Voting News Daily: ES&S-Diebold sale a symptom, Corporations aren’t people yet,TN Paper Ballot law threatened

The ES&S Diebold monopoly is a problem, but it is also a symptom of the way the US runs elections. “ES&S acted like a monopoly even before it decided to become a monopoly,”~Ion Sancho, Supervisor of Elections in Leon County Florida. “We need to deploy a system that our election administrators and voters can understand and trust, and we’re not there yet,” ~ Candice Hoke, election law professor at Cleveland State University.

Issues with Aspen’s May 5 election not resolved yet: “It’s time for the city leaders to be transparent and responsible by embracing a thorough review, a resolution of serious questions, and any reforms needed to protect future elections.” ~ Marilyn Marks, oped about Aspen May 5 election.

Obion County TN trying to enlist other counties to block paper ballot law implementation. A federal bill has been introduced in the US House that would restore voting rights to all felons not currently incarcerated: “If you’re paying taxes, you should be allowed to vote.” ~ Kenneth Harrigan, at The Fortune Society

The Brazilian Superior Electoral Court is challenging geeks to find flaws in security of electronic voting machines.

CO. Millard Zimet’s commentary about his complaint
Sept 22. I recently filed a complaint with the Aspen Election Commission, asking the Commission to determine whether Aspen’s May 2009 election was a secret ballot election as required under the Colorado Constitution…We’ve got to establish the precedent now that computerized voting data must be handled in a manner that preserves voters’ constitutional rights to a secret ballot.
http://aspenelectionreview.blogspot.com/2009/09/millard-zimets-commentary-about-his.html

CO. Big changes needed to election system
Sept 22…It is not just IRV. The most troublesome issues are not IRV-driven. Dumping IRV is not a panacea. We need fundamental improvements in simple procedures, from appropriate security for physical ballots to acceptable post-election audits, and accurate, timely reporting by the city.
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20090922/LETTER/909219992&parentprofile=search

CO. IRV worked, lets move on
9/22/09
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20090922/LETTER/909219993&parentprofile=search

IL. Detroit Voters Will Vote on Changing City Council from At-Large to Districts
September 22nd, 2009 For many years, Detroit has been the only large city in the United States that elects all its city council members at-large, instead of by district. An initiative petition to switch to districts was submitted this year
http://www.ballot-access.org/2009/09/22/detroit-voters-will-vote-on-changing-city-council-from-at-large-to-districts/

IN. After ruling, make voter ID law better
Indiana legislature should also mandate early voting periods, vote centers
If the Indiana Supreme Court acts quickly, as the state requests, to reverse a ruling last week by a three-judge appellate court striking down the state’s tough voter identification law, it could deny Hoosiers a needed opportunity to improve its law.
http://www.pal-item.com/article/20090921/NEWS0301/909200343

MA. Voter turnout soars past 61,000 in election *glitch optical scanner and automark used
September 22, 2009 ..one person who voted at Cathedral High school complained he was not given the proper ballot…She said voting scanners at three polling locations had to be turned off and turned off again because of a minor glitch. Cuddyer added the scanner issue did not delay voting at the three locations.
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/mayoral_race/view.bg?articleid=1199161
http://www.verifiedvoting.org/verifier/map.php?state=Massachusetts&county=Suffolk&ec=mixed&year=2008

MA. Massachusetts Legislature Passes Bill for Temporary Gubernatorial Appointments for Senate Vacancies
September 22nd, 2009
http://www.ballot-access.org/2009/09/22/massachusetts-legislature-passes-bill-for-temporary-gubernatorial-appointments-for-senate-vacancies/

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 blaming software problems for the slow count of the 2008 election. Al Kolwicz, a member of the CO. Voter Group said: “There were thousands of dollars spent to ensure that this kind of problem that was exhibited didn’t happen,” he said. “If it’s possible to circumvent that procedure (with an incompatible device driver), what could be happening with the counting software?” . This is an all too common story, elections as beta tests for overpriced electronic voting systems.

Shelby Co TN has been “aggressively” paring its voter rolls, but officials say they are acting in accordance with federal law.

New York voting activists oppose replacing lever machines ” until paper ballot security and proper auditing is mandated by state law or regulations.” Teresa Hommel of http://www.wheresthepaper.org/ worries that “”Once we give up the lever machines, we will never get the law to require better security or audits,”. More transparency measures are needed with computerized voting. Hommel says “When the levers are broken, everyone can see it. When computers are programmed incorrectly, no one can see it.”

The Wisconsin DOJ defends code that prevents judges from joining political parties: “I believe that justice is blind. When someone walks into a courtroom they shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not the judge sitting there has an ‘R’ or a ‘D ‘behind their name,” ~ Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen. Does the First Amendment Apply to Corporations?
Congratulations! New Zealand women have been voting for 116 years.

CA. The Future of Voting Systems in Los Angeles County
September 19th, 2009
http://la.metblogs.com/2009/09/19/future-voting-systems/

CA & FL. Residual votes in LA and Palm Beach Counties *
…In 2008, the residual vote rate for Florida was 0.7%, compared to 1.3% in California. If California could reduce that rate to Florida’s, over 82,000 additional votes would be recovered among Golden State residents in presidential years. The number for LA County alone is over 20,000.
http://electionupdates.caltech.edu/?p=2846

CA. Newsweek’s Jonathan Alter Writes in Support of “Top-Two”
September 19th, 2009 Newsweek’s latest issue carries this column by its columnist Jonathan Alter, in favor of “top-two” election systems. Here is his column, which is titled, “The Jackass-Reduction Plan.” Here is the text of a letter Ballot Access News has just sent to Jonathan Alter, outlining six reasons why he should change his mind:
http://www.ballot-access.org/2009/09/19/newsweeks-jonathan-alter-writes-in-support-of-top-two/

CO. More to the story
Dear Editor: I was surprised to read that Aspen’s City Council is still denying access to the digital images of ballots
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20090918/LETTER/909179976/1020

CO. Slow Boulder vote count blamed on software glitch *Hart Intercivic ballot scanners. 9/19/2009 (AP) — BOULDER, Colo. – Boulder County election officials say a software problem led to the delay in counting votes last November, when the county processed 172,531 ballots.

The Voting News Daily: Correction:Florida Voters Alert: Rule 1S-2.041 would make caging easie

Our apologies. A representative of the Florida Voters Coalition advised me that I had incorrectly referred to the Florida Voters Coalition in the first paragraph of this blog, when I should have referred to the Florida Fair Elections Coalition. The only change is within the first paragraph, and typed in bold:

Concerned citizens: Florida is set to adopt a dangerous rule that that could make voter caging easier. The Florida Department of state has issued new notice regarding the proposed rule 1S-2.041 “to address and eligibility records maintenance.” The Florida Fair Elections Coalition warns that “If Florida passes proposed Rule 1S-2.041, it will permit officially sanctioned caging (vote suppression) to occur.”

Warning Florida Voters – Voter Caging may become easier thanks to new rule 1S 2.041 Sept 10, 2009. The Florida Fair Elections Coalition warns that rules proposed by the Florida Dept of Elections would make voter caging easier. Rule 1S-2.041 is intended to address maintenance of voter registration rolls.

TAKE ACTION NOW: Concerned voters should contact Maria Matthews, Assistant General Counsel Florida Dept of State to request a workshop on be held on rule 1S-2.041 (email mimatthews@dos.state.fl.us ) .Only if you request it will there be a workshop to discuss the rules and allow comments. If there is no workshop, then voter caging may yet become easier in the state of Florida.

Here is the email notice about opportunity to request a workshop:

From: mimatthews@dos.state.fl.us

· Rule 1S-2.041: A Notice of Rule Development Workshop was published today in Volume 35, NO. 37 of the Florida Administrative Weekly on proposed rule 1S-2.041 relating to address and eligibility records maintenance. If this workshop is requested, it will be held on October 5, 2009 at 2 pm in Room 307, R.A. Gray Building here in the Florida Department of State.

The latest draft is not yet available. The Division of Elections’ website will include the latest draft on Monday or Tuesday of next week. · Rule 1S-2.033, relating to Standards for Nonpartisan Voter Education, was filed for adoption and became effective on September 13, 2009. The rule is available at:
http://election.dos.state.fl.us/rules/adopted-rules/index.shtml

Remember, if you have not already signed up for electronic notice of rulemaking, please subscribe www.flrules.org

Have a good day!

Respectfully,

Maria Matthews
Assistant General Counsel
Florida Department of State

R.A.Gray Building
500 S. Bronough Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399

850.245.6536
850.245.6127 (fax)

Please note: Florida has a very broad public records law. Written communications (including e-mail content and addresses) to or from state officials regarding state business constitute public records and are available to the public and media upon request unless the information is subject to a specific statutory exemption. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public-records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.

Voting News by Joyce McCloy.
Archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/
Subscribe to receive the Voting News by email by visiting this link:
http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=VotingNews&loc=en_US
email comments, questions us at ncvoter (at) gmail.com

The Voting News Daily: Florida Voters Alert: Rule 1S-2.041 would make caging easier, speak up now

Concerned citizens: Florida is set to adopt a dangerous rule that that could make voter caging easier. The Florida Department of state has issued new notice regarding the proposed rule 1S-2.041 “to address and eligibility records maintenance.” The Florida Fair Elections Coalition warns that “If Florida passes proposed Rule 1S-2.041, it will permit officially sanctioned caging (vote suppression) to occur.”

Warning Florida Voters – Voter Caging may become easier thanks to new rule 1S 2.041 Sept 10, 2009. The Florida Fair Elections Coalition warns that rules proposed by the Florida Dept of Elections would make voter caging easier. Rule 1S-2.041 is intended to address maintenance of voter registration rolls.

TAKE ACTION NOW: Concerned voters should contact Maria Matthews, Assistant General Counsel Florida Dept of State to request a workshop on be held on rule 1S-2.041 (email mimatthews@dos.state.fl.us ) .Only if you request it will there be a workshop to discuss the rules and allow comments. If there is no workshop, then voter caging may yet become easier in the state of Florida.

Here is the email notice about opportunity to request a workshop:

From: mimatthews@dos.state.fl.us

· Rule 1S-2.041: A Notice of Rule Development Workshop was published today in Volume 35, NO. 37 of the Florida Administrative Weekly on proposed rule 1S-2.041 relating to address and eligibility records maintenance. If this workshop is requested, it will be held on October 5, 2009 at 2 pm in Room 307, R.A. Gray Building here in the Florida Department of State.

The latest draft is not yet available. The Division of Elections’ website will include the latest draft on Monday or Tuesday of next week. · Rule 1S-2.033, relating to Standards for Nonpartisan Voter Education, was filed for adoption and became effective on September 13, 2009. The rule is available at:
http://election.dos.state.fl.us/rules/adopted-rules/index.shtml

Remember, if you have not already signed up for electronic notice of rulemaking, please subscribe www.flrules.org

Have a good day!

Respectfully,

Maria Matthews
Assistant General Counsel
Florida Department of State

R.A.Gray Building
500 S. Bronough Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399

850.245.6536
850.245.6127 (fax)

Please note: Florida has a very broad public records law. Written communications (including e-mail content and addresses) to or from state officials regarding state business constitute public records and are available to the public and media upon request unless the information is subject to a specific statutory exemption. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public-records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.

Voting News by Joyce McCloy.
Archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/
Subscribe to receive the Voting News by email by visiting this link:
http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=VotingNews&loc=en_US
email comments, questions us at ncvoter (at) gmail.com

******************************************************
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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 denial of service and other attacks.”~ Candice Hoke, Cleveland State University, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law

The Diebold Deal – Common Cause calls on Justice Dept to investigate.

Citizens United v FEC: About Corporations -“Why should they have the political ‘free speech’ rights guaranteed for ‘we the people,’ rather than more narrow ‘commercial speech’ rights developed through centuries of litigation?” ~Bob Hall, executive director of Democracy North Carolina.
“There could be an argument made that that was the court’s error to start with… imbuing] a creature of state law with human characteristics.” ~Justice Sonia Sotomayor. “Let Freedom K-Ching” ~fake news man Stephen Colbert. “Perhaps this will be proof that contributors get the best government they can buy, and we can stop fooling ourselves about democracy.” Rep. Charles F. Weed, Keene NH.
US voter registration woes: “the system is problematic for all, but impacts young voters, military members, lower income voters, those who move, and voters of color more often than most.” ~ Jonah Goldman of the Voter Registration Modernization Committee.

AK. FEC Unanimously Dismisses Action Against Alaska Group, Citing as One Reason the Pending Citizens United Case
http://electionlawblog.org/archives/014464.html

HI. EDITORIAL Fix elections office
Sep 17, 2009 Hawaii’s next statewide elections are a year away, but serious questions have arisen about whether the agency assigned to facilitate the vote is up to the task. The state Elections Commission must determine if new leadership is needed to assure a smooth process that meets legal requirements.
http://www.starbulletin.com/editorials/20090917_fix_elections_office.html

MT. Gazette Opinion: Voters stamp approval on mail ballots
Sept 17. This year’s all-mail ballot, the first held for a Billings city primary, resulted in a turnout of 38 percent of registered voters. The 20,966 ballots voted in Tuesday’s election represents an 87 percent increase over the 11,161 ballots voted four years ago in the last primary with a mayoral election.
http://billingsgazette.com/news/opinion/editorial/gazette-opinion/article_510d1b4e-a332-11de-b30d-001cc4c002e0.html

NC. N.C. ACORN proud of record, state director says
September 18, 2009 RALEIGH — Embattled community organizing group ACORN has four offices in North Carolina, but none is known to have the kinds of problems that have drawn bipartisan criticism in Congress this week.
http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/09/17/article/nc_acorn_has_a_spotless_record_state_director_says

NY. District Attorney primary totals updated after voting machine malfunction*(uses Sequoia Imagecast) September 16, 2009 Washington County District Attorney Kevin Kortright picked up 97 additional votes after a malfunctioning voting machine in Whitehall was fixed Tuesday night, but that did little to close the gap against his opponent, Robert Winn. Winn, a former district attorney, received 76 votes after the machine was fixed.Election officials blamed a paper jam for the voting machine malfunction. The breakdown delayed the posting of results for District 5 in Whitehall until late Tuesday night.

The Voting News Daily: Indiana Strikes Down Voter ID, NY voting machine malfunctions, How about pilot for paper ballots?

An Indiana appellate court threw out the law on voter ID that the US Supreme Court had said was constitutional, saying that it violated Indiana’s constitution.
A federal lawsuit Demands More Equal Population for U.S. House Districts
The United States is one of few democratic nations that place the entire burden of registering to vote on individual citizens, and registration numbers reflect that.
Connecticut voting activist Luther Weeks gives first hand account of election recanvass.
Nebraska lawmakers to consider use of grocery stores and other non traditional locations as polling places.
NY Primary problems with both new voting machines being piloted and levers machines.
Speaking of election pilots, how about a pilot for hand counted paper ballots in LA county? ~ Brad Friedman asks. (Why not?)
No ballots,no barristers for Aspen Colorado with concerns r/e May election at this time. Aspen awaiting decision by state bar on whether they need independent council.

AK. Victory for Merit Selection in Alaska
09/17/09 On Friday, a federal judge threw out a lawsuit mounted by Indiana attorney James Bopp Jr. that challenged how Alaska chooses its judges… Alaska has a merit-based system for the selection of judges. As such, it empowers the Alaska Judicial Council to screen applicants and come up with a list of possible nominees for judicial openings; the list is forwarded to the governor, who then appoints the nominee of his or her choice.
http://www.brennancenter.org/blog/archives/victory_for_merit_selection_in_alaska/#When:21:47:01Z

CA. Technology, Diversity, Democracy: The Future of Voting Systems in Los Angeles County (symposium)
http://electionupdates.caltech.edu/?p=2838

CA. L.A. County Puts ‘Technology’ Before ‘Democracy’ (all-day symposium)
Brad Friedman suggests a pilot of hand counted paper ballots for LA.
While others in my particular break-out session seemed to treat the notion of hand-counting paper ballots at the polling place — which, as I’ve recently pointed out, is “Democracy’s Gold Standard” — like an idea that just landed from the planet Mars, the conversation has begun… “We need to think about transparency and auditability as the key components to accuracy and security,” ~ LA County’s Election Tally Systems Manager Ken Bennett
http://www.bradblog.com/?p=7419

CO. Election commission questions will linger
September 17, 2009 The ethics committee of the Colorado Bar Association will take at least a few months to weigh in on the question of whether Aspen City Attorney John Worcester would have a conflict of interest in advising the city’s election commission on its powers and jurisdiction, according to a Colorado Bar Association staffer.
The election commission, a three-member panel called for in the city charter and state statute to oversee elections, has asked for a legal opinion on what it can and can’t do before it wades into any issues surrounding the May municipal election.
http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/home/136626

CO. Council denies election commission’s request
Aspen’s elected officials on Monday night voted to deny the city election commission’s request to hire an outside attorney to determine its authority before it addresses a citizen’s claim that his voting rights were violated in the May election. Officials also denied another resident’s request to release all of the election’s ballot images so they can be reviewed independently.

The Voting News Daily: Acorn, Citizens United on Comedy Central, Bogus election maps in Maurin Co OH, DREs cost overruns

Comedy Central in the voting news: When Jon Stewart makes fun of you, you’re in trouble and last night he made fun of the Acorn video scandal. Stephen Colbert comments on “Citizens United v FEC”. Videos of both.
DRES and cost overruns: The Kane County Illinois elections Clerk requests additional $1million to run elections but says county will “save about $1 million over 10 years” in paper costs thanks to switching to electronic voting machines (Hart Intercivic DREs).

Mapquest: Officials in Maurin County Ohio are asking who re-drew the maps prior to the 2007 municipal election causing confusion during the 2007 election?
In New York, a panel discussed the pros and cons of computerized vote counting, paper ballots, and lever machines and the Village Dems endorsed resolution in favor of keeping levers. (video)

“Centralization is no panacea for expanding best practices or for resolving funding problems.”~Mark Sheldon,Champaign County Clerk IL.
The Aspen Colorado Election Commission has asked the State Bar to advise what the commission’s authority is in handling issues arising from the May 5 IRV election.

To Elect or not to Elect, that is the question: Sandra Day O’Connor: End judge elections in state of Washington. *Would this same argument apply to congress or other elected offices?
Hello: has anyone noticed the pending ES&S monopoly of voting systems in US?

Voter turnout: The DOJ ordered Kinston NC to hold partisan elections..then only 1,745voters turned out for the Democratic primary at cost of $20K. Meanwhile, Washington Co Arkansas had record turnout due to property tax increase proposal on the ballot. Voters were offered paper ballots as an option in order to speed up voting.

AL. Ex-councilwoman convicted in Greensboro voter fraud, had forged affidavit of absentee voter
September 14, 2009 MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A former Greensboro City councilwoman has pleaded guilty to voter fraud and will serve two years of probation.
http://www.whnt.com/news/sns-ap-al–fraudconviction,0,7549485.story

AR. Record Early Voting Numbers
September 14, 2009 Early voting ended Monday at 4:30 p.m. During the last week, more than 1,820 arrived at the Washington County Court house to vote. Out of those voters, more than 1,730 voted on the 4.9-mill increase in property tax…In order to make things easier and faster for the voters, the County Clerk’s office offered both electronic and paper ballots. “A lot of people are just dead set against electronic, others want to save paper, so we offer both,” said Pritchard
http://www.kfsm.com/news/kfsm-news-nwa-early-voting-election-day,0,4440839.story

CA. Whitman gives GOP $250,000 for voter registration
09/15/2009…Californians registered as Republicans has fallen from 39 percent in 1990 to 31 percent.
http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_13341537

CA. Bill to Lower Voter Registration Age Heads to Governor
The legislation would allow any 17-year-old to pre-register
09.14.2009 The California legislature on Thursday approved Assembly Bill 30, a bill lowering the voter registration age to 17…AB 30 would create an option for young people who are 17 years or older to pre-register to vote (sometimes known as “advance” registration). When they turn 18, their registration will automatically become active.
http://www.noozhawk.com/local_news/article/091409_bill_to_lower_voter_
registration_age_heads_to_governor/
or use this smaller url: http://tinyurl.com/voter-reg-17

The Voting News Daily: Hawaii judge formally bans e-voting, ES&S-Diebold issues, TN officials still obstruct paper ballot law

A Hawaii Judge issues order blocking the use of direct record electronic (DRE)voting machines.

She saw them coming: Putnam Co Tennessee Election official argues that no qualified voting machines will be federally certified in time for the 2010 election and that by the 2010 census, new requirements would likely be issued and those machines would be obsolete.
In Dunkerton Iowa, a school board race is up in the air due to tallying problems, shortage of ballots and discrepancy in number of photocopied ballots. (Yes – they used photo copied ballots).
NY will still have some levers in use during the primary.
Some South Dakota counties get federal money to help in upkeep of touchscreen voting machines. The Champaign Co Ill clerk warns that modernization of registration may disenfranchise college students. Thankfully, there is now a website monitoring the developments of Citizens United V FEC.

CO. Council denies election commission’s request
Sept 15. ASPEN — Aspen’s elected officials on Monday night voted to deny the city election commission’s request to hire an outside attorney to determine its authority before it addresses a citizen’s claim that his voting rights were violated in the May election. Officials also denied another resident’s request to release all of the election’s ballot images so they can be reviewed independently.
…Aspen voters will be asked this November an advisory question whether IRV should be retained or another method should be pursued, including systems used in the past.
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20090915/NEWS/909159998/1077&ParentProfile=1058

HI. Maui judge formalizes ruling that bans electronic voting
A Maui judge has made permanent an oral ruling that bars the state
Office of Elections from using electronic voting machines or
transmitting election results over the Internet or telephone lines.
Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza, whose written ruling on the matter was
filed Thursday, sided with five Maui plaintiffs who argued the
electronic voting methods should have been subject to public hearings
through the administrative rule-making process.
Cardoza had issued an oral ruling in May.
How the ruling might affect the 2010 elections was not immediately
known.
http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20090915_Maui_judge_formalizes_ruling_that_bans_electronic_voting.html

HI. Judge Cardoza issues written order enjoining use of electronic voting machines in Hawaii (video also)
Judge Joseph E. Cardoza has issued a written order dated September 10, 2009 following his May oral injunction against Hawaii’s use of electronic voting machines. His order also prohibits the illegal transmission of vote results over telephone lines or over the Internet… Although not mentioned explicitly in the order, the adoption of the HART mark-sense readers might also be called into question if they are not covered by the administrative rules… http://disappearednews.com/2009/09/judge-cardoza-issues-written-order.html

An unofficial copy of Cardoza’s order in Babson v. Cronin, made searchable, is posted on Disappeared News here. “Plaintiffs are arguing that rulemaking is required for the adoption of DRE voting systems…….As to the second element,since the next election is over a year away, there is little or harm in requiring Defendants to undergo proper rulemaking procedures when adopting new DRE voting systems.”
http://disappearednews.com/docs/Babson_v_Cronin_Final_Order.pdf

HI. Procurement appeals (ES&S v. Cronin, Civil No. 08-101657-08, Hart (still pending)
InterCivic v.

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 freedom of speech are two different things. When we speak our minds, we are expressing our opinions on the issues at hand. But when we give money to a politician, we are attempting to buy influence…” ~ Dave Hornstein, Detroit Natl Examiner.

Voters in Dauphin Co PA will have to jump through hoops to cast write in votes on Electec DREs. The State of New York just passed a bill requiring polling places to have the information needed to direct voters to their proper voting places:
“Far too many people have not had their vote count because they simply didn’t know the proper location of their polling place,” stated Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins
Some early voters in Maury County TN may have voted at the wrong place because of “a change in the software at the election commission offices…”

Democrats and Republicans in Tarrant Co TX are divided over what to do about the polling place at Maplewood Baptist Fellowship. The church is known for its controversial marquee questioning the citizenship of the President of the United States.
The Wisconsin Gen Assembly to consider restoration of voting rights this Thursday.

More on push for internet voting in Canada, “Don’t do it.” says Hovav Shacham, the University of California professor. In Ireland, the minister responsible for the €60m e-voting debacle defended the botched electronic voting system and bizarrely suggested a similar system might be used in the future.

HI. Lawmakers To Examine State Elections Office Budget
9/13/09. HONOLULU — The Senate Committee on Ways and Means on Tuesday will examine the plight of the Hawaii Office of Elections, which is straining under a tight budget a year before the 2010 statewide elections. Because of cuts in funding that were made by Gov. Linda Lingle’s office, the agency cannot fill the vacant positions of four major posts, including the supervisor that oversees the preparation and transportation of ballots.
http://www.kitv.com/news/20890251/detail.html

KY. Supreme Court campaign finance case may affect Kentucky
September 14, 2009 U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell ended his August recess Wednesday sitting in on U.S. Supreme Court arguments that could roll back some 30 years of Kentucky election law…McConnell’s interest in the case is based on his belief that laws limiting contributions to political candidates violate the First Amendment, which guarantees the right to free speech. And corporations under U.S. law have traditionally been afforded the same First Amendment rights as individuals.
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090914/COLUMNISTS21/909140318/Supreme+Court
+campaign+finance+case+may+affect+Kentucky
or use this url: http://tinyurl.com/lbk2o9

MA. Bill to link local, special elections. Polito seeks less confusion, lower costs
State Rep. Karyn E. Polito filed a bill yesterday that would allow communities to put local questions and candidates on the Jan. 19 election ballot to replace the late Sen.

The Voting News Daily: Senator Schumer seeks DOJ probe of Diebold’s sale of voting-machine business

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 14, 2009

SCHUMER URGES JUSTICE DEPT. TO PROBE DIEBOLD’S PROPOSED SALE OF ELECTION MACHINE BUSINESS TO ITS BIGGEST COMPETITOR; SAYS DEAL COULD HAVE ‘ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES’ FOR HOW AMERICA VOTES

Schumer, As Senate Rules Chairman, Raises Flags Over Proposed Merger On Antitrust Grounds

Says Deal Could Give One Company Control Over 75 Percent of Election Machine Market
Senator: Competition Is Needed To Reduce Chances of Widespread Election Fraud

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), the Chairman of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee and a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, raised alarm bells Monday over Diebold’s proposed sale of its voting machine business to its biggest competitor and urged a full Justice Department review of the deal, saying it could have “adverse implications on how our country votes.”

Earlier this month, Diebold announced it was selling its Texas-based subsidiary, Premier Election Solutions, to the country’s largest voting-machine manufacturer, Election Systems & Software Inc. of Omaha, Neb. The deal immediately sparked concern from election law experts since it would join Premier, which has a 33 percent share of the voting-machine market, with ES&S, whose systems were used in counting approximately 50 percent of all ballots cast in the last four major U.S. elections. Candice Hoke, an election law professor at Cleveland State University, told the Associated Press on Sept. 3 that the proposed deal represented “a massive consolidation of voting-system vendors.”

In a letter sent to Attorney General Eric Holder today, Schumer requested that the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division probe the deal based on anti-competitiveness concerns.

“If this acquisition proceeds, one company could control over three-quarters of the U.S. market for voting systems. Given other factors, including high barriers to entering the market, I am deeply concerned that local governments and taxpayers will not be getting a fair deal because too much market power will be held in too few hands,” Schumer wrote.

“It is in the public interest to maintain a range of choices in voting systems,” Schumer added, noting that increased consolidation in the election-machine market could make elections more susceptible to fraud.

A copy of Schumer’s letter appears below.

September 14, 2009

The Honorable Eric Holder
Attorney General
United States Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington D.C. 20530

Dear General Holder,

I am writing today to express my concern with the proposed acquisition of the second largest voting system company by the largest voting system company. Last week, Election Systems & Software Inc. (ES&S) announced that it plans to purchase Premier Election Solutions, Inc., a subsidiary of Diebold Inc. This acquisition may have serious adverse implications for how our country votes. Since this industry provides a product vital to American governance, I am asking that the Antitrust Division examine this acquisition carefully to make sure there is no anticompetitive impact on election officials, states, or voters.

There is a history of concern over lack of competition in this industry. In 1997, American Information Systems purchased Business Records Corporation and became the company now known as ES&S.

The Voting News Daily: $100 a vote in KY fraud case, Jeers to ES&S, Pushing e-voting in Ireland

ES&S charged Vanderburg Co IN $120 for carboard boxes containing tape, forms, rubber bands and pens – Election workers could make this same “kit” for $1.00 each. Kinston City Council NC candidate offers hotdogs and handshakes to lure early voters.
A Illinois elections clerk writes: “A Dangerous Proposal for Voter Registration.” In Kentucky, a guilty plea coming for old fashioned vote-buying case using 75 counter checks written out for $100.00 each. Will Justice Roberts “legislate” from the bench in Citizens United vs FEC? ACORN dropped by Census bureau.

Time to read between the lines? Ireland is still paying €800,000 a year to store e-voting machines deemed insecure, having spent €54.5m on the machines already. It would cost €28 million more to make the machines usable. So here comes a flurry of op/eds in Irish media supporting promoting e-voting and condemning Ireland’s current system of hand counting ballots.
“Automated elections in the Philippines next year could fail due to potential threats from hackers and other technical vulnerabilities” according to officials and IT experts.

IL. A Dangerous Proposal for Voter Registration
Published by Champaign County Clerk under Elections
…Accurate voter registration rolls that reduce the burden for voters on election day are worth the efforts made by election officials.
Spend a week in our office and see how registrations are processed. You’ll see hundreds of forms that require decisions from trained staff in order to get the registration done correctly. Quite simply, no computer program can be created that can substitute for the sound and experienced judgement of election administration staff…To the third, I’d say that the Committee is attacking a symptom of a greater problem. There is no lack of registration opportunities for people…A system that reduces voter control, which this proposal clearly does, is a system that will reduce confidence and increase cynicism.
http://blog.champaigncountyclerk.com/2009/09/11/a-dangerous-proposal-for-voter-registration/

IN. Cheers, Jeers and Tears
September 12, 2009
jeers go this week to an old and extremely bothersome issue with Election Systems & Software, the company that manufactured and serviced the county’s electronic voting system. The county is contesting some $112,000 it says the company owes it. One of the items on that list is $38,019 for precinct kits. The company charged Vanderburgh County about $120 each for these kits, supposedly designed to meet workers’ needs at voting precincts. The kits consisted of cardboard boxes containing Scotch tape, paper election forms, rubber bands and pens. Local election workers found they could make their own for about $1 each.
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2009/sep/12/cheers-jeers-and-tears-early-voting-is-on/

KY. Guilty plea coming in vote-buying case
The former judge-executive of Perry County plans to plead guilty in a federal vote-buying case
Neace, 68, and Chester Jones, 65, another longtime county official, are charged with using $7,500 from the state Democratic Party to buy votes for themselves last November.
..According to the indictment, the state Democratic Party sent the local Democratic Party Executive Committee $7,500 to use in promoting voting. Jones was chairman of the local party executive committee.
Jones allegedly went to the bank where the party had its account and got 75 blank counter checks and filled them out for $100 apiece, leaving the payee line blank, the indictment said.

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 Federal Election Commission: “…at stake in this case are the voices of millions and millions of Americans that could be drowned out by large corporations if the decades-old restrictions on corporate electioneering are called into question.”
Feingold, McCain ask: Is Roberts a man of his word?
Vote Center controversy in Collin Co Texas:
“We are of the strong view that a majority of the Collin County Commissioners’ Court is more interested in having the possibility of cutting up to 50% of the polling locations in November 2010 than they are in actually making voting more convenient for all citizens that wish to vote.”
Warning to Florida Voters – check your registration status.
NY City Mayor Bloomberg Unveils Plan For Automatic Voter Registration & Weekend Voting.
The fate of Connecticut’s system of using taxpayer dollars to pay for political campaigns is about to be decided by a federal appeals court.
Shoup DREs for sale at Govdeals.com
The Phillipine justices who voted against automating the 2010 polls fear that control of the electoral exercise would be handed over to a foreign firm.

CA. Yamada bill would test-run all-mail elections
09/10/2009 Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada’s AB 1228 gives California the opportunity to gather information on all-mail elections by establishing an all-mail pilot project in Yolo and Santa Clara counties.
Whether it will be ratified by the governor, however, is another matter.
“The administration and cost of traditional poll voting has become increasingly burdensome to local governments. At the same time more and more voters are choosing permanent Vote by Mail status,” stated Yamada. “Voting by mail is emerging as a more efficient way to conduct an election in California.”
http://www.dailydemocrat.com/news/ci_13306163The

CT. Waiting for a Solution
Scrapping the state’s public financing for campaigns could trigger a range of other problems
September 08, 2009. The fate of Connecticut’s system of using taxpayer dollars to pay for political campaigns is about to be decided by a federal appeals court. And, if part of this public-financing scheme is ultimately declared unconstitutional (as seems likely), it could trigger one bad-ass mother of a legislative brawl.
…Lawmakers are already sweating over U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill’s findings that two key sections of the law violate the constitution. One concerns the ban on state political contributions by state lobbyists and contractors; and the other decrees how minor party candidates are treated. The state is now appealing those rulings.
http://www.ctvoterscount.org/CTVCdata/09/09/Advocate20090908.mht

CT. Hartford Advocate: Public Financing: Waiting For A Solution
September 10, 2009 Luther Weeks of CTVoter poses questions
http://www.ctvoterscount.org/?p=2363

FL. Winter Haven Vote: Election? What Election?
A total of 1,060 voters – not even double the number of members in Congress – put Jamie Beckett in office as a Winter Haven city commissioner.

The Voting News Daily: Warning Florida Voters – Voter Caging may become easier thanks to new rule 1S-2.041

The Florida Fair Elections Coalition warns that rules proposed by the Florida Dept of Elections would make voter caging easier. Rule 1S-2.041 is intended to address maintenance of voter registration rolls. The new rules make it easier for persons to maliciously, frivolously or fraudulently send in false or inaccurate claims of voter address changes. Any third party can report “address changes” without being held accountable. These actions result in valid voters being put on the “inactive” list. This could cause disenfranchisement, open voters up to challenges at the polls, and kicks voters names off of petitions.

Warning: All Florida voters, especially any who have been away or out of town- should contact their County Supervisor of Elections ASAP to make sure they are on the active voters list. This warning especially includes “snow-birds”, college and military but could apply to anyone. They can get back on the active voters list by confirming their address with the county voters list.
If you have signed any petitions recently and are listed as “inactive”, your signature may be considered invalid.

From the Florida Fair Elections Coalition website:

OFFICIALLY SANCTIONED “CAGING:

“If Florida passes proposed Rule 1S-2.041, it will permit officially sanctioned caging (vote suppression) to occur. Click here to read our comments on this proposed Rule.

Here are some excerpts from FFEC’s letter:

Problem #1
Several requirements in the proposed rule absolutely and unequivocally violate both state and federal law. If approved in its current form, this rule will permit officially sanctioned caging (vote suppression) with no accountability. The rule permits voters to be placed on the inactive list without proper procedures being followed, and the signatures of inactive voters, by law, will not be counted on any petition…
The rule allows any third party to inform a Supervisor of Elections that a voter might have moved, apparently without verification or restrictions…

Problem #2
A third party could get away with falsely reporting an address change for one voter or address changes for multiple voters.

Problem #3
There is never a reason to send nonforwardable address notices. Nonforwardable address notices violate federal law and set up the possibility of caging…

Problem #4
The proposed rule never mentions the prohibition in federal and state law against conducting voter list maintenance activities within 90 days of a federal election…

Summary
It is critical that proposed rule 1S-2.041 FVRS Address and Records Maintenance Activities,meticulously follow the mandates of state and federal law in its instructions to supervisors of elections. The mailings of notices are the steps towards placing a voter on the inactive list, which prevents that voter’s signature from counting on any petition. List maintenance notices are also the steps for eventually removing a voter completely from the voting rolls. The proposed rule fails to provide proper instruction in several critical ways, by omission and by commission.

link to the letter http://www.ffec.org/documents/CommentsListMaintenanceRule.pdf

You may read the rule at this link.
http://election.dos.state.fl.us/rules/proposed-rules/pdf/R1S2041DraftFVRSRecords08_09.pdf

Here are the accompanying forms to be completed by supervisors of elections at
http://election.dos.state.fl.us/rules/proposed-rules/index.shtml

The Voting News Daily: Court may loosen campaign spending, Afghanistan to have recounts, audits. ACORN turns in Fl workers.

Arguments on Citizens United vs FEC were heard by US Supreme Court today:
“The Supreme Court signaled Wednesday it may let businesses and unions spend freely to help their favored candidates in time for next year’s elections.” ~ AP.
ACORN turns in Fla. workers on voter fraud charges. (Remember, ACORN & other agencies – do not register voters, they work to get voter registration applications, these are then turned over to election officials who run checks on these forms before any voters are registered.)
The economy vs elections: “Our office has been underfunded and we can no longer afford to run the elections office like it’s going out of business,” ~Flagler Co FL Elections Supervisor Kimberle Weeks.
A federal judge has ruled that a lawsuit can continue against Volusia County over the lack of a Spanish-language ballot during the 2008 election. Many New York voters will vote with optical scanners for the first time. Trumbull County BoE will not close 65-80 of the county’s 250 voting precincts for the Nov election after all but will consider consolidation at a later date. The Massachusetts State Auditor estimates $7.2 million for spec election to fill Sen Kennedy’s seat. Lots of “voter fraud” stories in the news.
Bedford Co TN to consider res. asking state to delay implementing the Voter Confidence Act. Attention Utah Voters: bring id to the polls when voting.
Song: They lost my vote.
Smartmatic and NEC Argentina to develop biometric voter reg for Bolivia.
An idea that might catch on? Recounts and audits ordered for Afghanistan election.

AL. Calera City Council calls for a new municipal election
September 09, 2009 The Calera City Council passed a resolution Tuesday night calling for a new municipal election on Nov. 10.
The move is contingent on approval from U.S. Justice Department officials, who declared the results of the 2008 municipal election invalid. The Justice Department did not approve the city’s new voting lines used in the 2008 election because Calera’s only district made up mainly of minorities was eliminated.
http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/metro.ssf?/base/news/1252484220208220.xml&coll=2

CA. City councilor pushes for ranked-choice voting in ’10
09/08/2009 …In March 2008, Santa Fe voters passed two election-related amendments to the city charter. One mandates that the Santa Fe City Council put in place public campaign financing, and the other requires that the city implement ranked-choice voting as soon as municipally possible…. Although the charter amendment specifies that March 2010 should be the goal for a ranked-choice election, technological shortcomings are proving the greatest hurdle. While the voting machines available to the city can accept information from ranked-choice ballots, the machines can’t tally the results without major and costly software, if not hardware, upgrades.
http://sfreporter.com/stories/chooser_illusion/5009/

FL. ACORN turns in Fla. workers on voter fraud charges
9/9/2009. MIAMI — Armed with a tip from the grassroots group ACORN about its own workers, authorities on Wednesday began arresting 11 people suspected of falsifying hundreds of voter applications during a registration drive last year…Miami-Dade prosecutors gave credit to the group for coming forward and ACORN officials said they felt vindicated…ACORN officials said the group regularly reports suspected fraud to authorities nationwide but the Miami prosecution marks one of the few times the complaints were taken seriously.

The Voting News Daily: ES&S sues ex employees, AZ’s SOS under investigation? Citizens United big decision coming

Tomorrow, on 9/9/09, the Supreme Court begins hearing re-arguments in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission at 10 a.m. “A bad decision in this case could open the floodgates of corporate money in our elections.” ~ Public Citizen. “We are moving toward a deregulated federal campaign finance system, where money flows freely and perhaps only disclosure laws remain.” ~ Richard Hasen, Prof of Law at Loyola Law School.
Shocking: ES&S has sued two former employees for copyright infringement and misappropriation of trade secrets.
Is someone investigating how states have handled all of the HAVA $millions? AZ’s SoS Jan Brewer may be under investigation for hadling of HAVA funds. (This comes on the heals of federal charges against NM’s former SOS for abusing HAVA funds.) The State of TX “volunteered”
Collin,Lubbock, Galveston and Erath Counties to be in Vote Center Pilot – Collin Co Democrats may ask DOJ to stop the plan.
Here’s a new one: Mohave Co AZ officials say voters should avoid the H1N1 virus by mailing ballots instead of going to the polls. Economy vs Elections: Towns in MA worried about special election costs – election for Sen. Edward Kennedy’s successor will cost cities and towns more than $5 million. Economy A MN city can’t get support for its old voting machines so is consolidating precincts.
“Voting Matters” has a video in honor of Diebold fire sale, “The Diebold Song” (youtube).

AZ. Sources say Brewer subject of state investigation
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer could be subject to a state investigation for dealings with other state government agencies and political players as well as the handling of federal money coming into the state for voting machines when she was secretary of state…Another source pointed to possible questions about how Brewer are her aides managed $57 million that came into Arizona under the Help America Votes Act,
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2009/08/31/daily93.html

AZ. Early voting touted (to avoid swine flu)
Friday, September 4, 2009 KINGMAN – Mohave County election officials are taking note of the looming dangers of the swine flu virus.
Elections Director Allen Tempert recommends that because of the H1N1 virus, voters who are going to the polls for several November elections should vote early instead. Ballots can be mailed to a home or downloaded from the county’s voter registration Web site and mailed back instead of going to the polling sites in Topock, Oatman and Yucca and risking exposure to the virus.
http://www.mohavedailynews.com/articles/2009/09/04/news/local/local4.txt

GA. Sandy Springs wants out of Voting Rights Act
Sandy Springs is considering using its history — or lack of it — to try to become the first Georgia city to bail out of the Voting Rights Act.
…Attorneys are trying to parse comments by Chief Justice John Roberts, who wrote in the majority opinion that “all jurisdictions” were eligible to file suit to be exempted.
Many believe that cities will earn the exemptions, though Sandy Springs appears to be the first city to hire attorneys to try,
http://www.ajc.com/news/north-fulton/sandy-springs-wants-out-133256.html

MA. Towns bemoan cost of special Senate election
The election to determine Sen.

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 Maryland political blogger posts a 3 part series about MD’s top election officials, “Linda Lamone, Administrator for Life”. Attorney for New Mexico’s former SOS Vigil-Giron asks judge to dismiss charges until impartial prosecutor can be found. Vigil-Giron faces charges of fraud, tax fraud and money laundering related to misuse of HAVA funds. Threat of flooding may force King Co WA election office to move to a temporary location, the move would cost $1 million.

Afghan Results Raise Suspicions. Northern Ireland implements Individual Voter Registration, moving away from “household” registration. Why was $10 million spent on a biometric voter id system for Somaliland, a country with GDP per head of $226 and 72% of country doesn’t even have fresh water? *Many jurisdictions in the US are holding elections right now – have you voted or are you going to?

FL. HOW FLORIDA CAN AVERT LOPSIDED VOTING DISTRICTS
September 6, 2009 It should be a neutral process. In five states, it is. Independent redistricting commissions draw up boundaries based on population and geography. In a few states, commissions and state legislatures collaborate. In most states, Florida
among them, the process is mostly political.
http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Opinion/Editorials/opnOPN65090609.htm

MD. Political blog series on Linda Lamone, Maryland’s top election official.
A local political blogger in MD did a 3 part series on Linda Lamone.

Maryland’s Administrator for Life, Part One
Suppose a local bill (a bill affecting only one county) gets the unanimous support of its local government, the unanimous support of its county delegation in Annapolis and is passed by the House of Delegates by 135-0. You would think it would be headed for the Governor’s desk, right?
http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2009/08/marylands-administrator-for-life-part.html

Maryland’s Administrator for Life, Part Two
Perhaps the one thing for which Maryland State Board of Elections (SBE) Administrator Linda Lamone will always be remembered is her stauch support of Diebold voting machines, which the state began using in 2001.
http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2009/09/marylands-administrator-for-life-part.html

Maryland’s Administrator for Life, Part Three
State Board of Elections (SBE) Administrator Linda Lamone has earned a legion of enemies in her 12-year tenure at the agency…
http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2009/09/marylands-administrator-for-life-part_02.html

MN. Grants available to improve polling access
September 3, 2009 Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie is seeking grant proposals from Minnesota cities, townships and counties for federal money to improve disability access to polling locations.
http://legal-ledger.com/item.cfm?recID=12203

NC. Craven elections board, judges gather as voting time nears (getting ready for city elections)
Under state law, when the North Carolina State Board of Elections began conducting elections for cities in the 1960s, four ways were provided, depending on the individual municipal charter…Cities have the option of using one elections method, including a nonpartisan election with a runoff, a partisan election, a partisan primary with an election, or simple plurality.

The Voting News Daily: Why ES&S-Diebold sale is wrong, Easier to cage voters in Florida? Feds to monitor Cleveland election

Voting machine monopoly cont’d: “ES&S Acquires Premier Election Solutions. This is just wrong on so many levels….All this (problems with ES&S) and we keep buying their machines and now ES&S is rewarded with a bigger market share.” Diebold stock surges as voting co sold at $45 million loss. “The sale represents the end of an embarrassing era for Diebold. “ Meanwhile, another reason to worry about an ES&S/Diebold consolidation: Vanderburgh Co is ditching ES&S service, says ES&S has been overcharging since 2003. “They made some money, yes, but they made a little too much money as far as I’m concerned. I think they took advantage.” Vanderburgh County Clerk Susan Kirk.
Florida’s election dept’s new voter roll rules may disenfranchise voters.
Madison CO KY switching to paper for 2010. Federal officials will monitor Cleveland Ohio’s election on Tuesday. Atlantic City NJ Mayoral candidate Marty Small and 13 of his campaign workers were indicted for several absentee ballot fraud schemes. In Pierce Co WA an Op/Ed “If poll voting dies, RCV could be partly responsible.” (precinct count scanners were decertified).
Corporate cash in campaigns? The oral arguments for the case of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission are set for Wednesday, September 9. Check out the website for “The Committee to Modernize Voter Registration” In Afghanistan the election results from nearly 450 polling places were set aside pending an investigation and Pres Karzai is moving closer to the 50% threshold. India sees more opposition to electronic voting.

AL. “Large chunks of Birmingham city council campaign cash untraceable”
The Birmingham News reports: Large chunks of campaign cash contributed to Birmingham City Council candidates are untraceable because the contributing political action committees haven’t filed either campaign disclosure forms or organizational papers, an apparent violation of Alabama’s Fair Campaign Practices Act.
In other cases, the source of the money that fueled city races can’t be determined because the cash was transferred among PACs before being given to candidates, a Birmingham News review of financial disclosure forms shows.
http://www.votelaw.com/blog/archives/006307.html

CA. Some Theorists Withhold Best-Voting-System Award
September 2, 2009 The Oscars is shaking up its voting system, though not in a way that most voting theorists applaud…The new system for best-picture voting is just like the procedure for selecting nominees. It’s called single transferable vote and is similar to an instant-runoff election. Voters will rank the 10 nominees from 1 to 10…“Some voters, by raising an alternative from last to first place, [could] cause it to lose — just the opposite effect of what one would want a voting system to induce,” Brams said. Also possible is the scenario in which “some voters, by actually voting as opposed to not showing up at the polls, hurt the alternatives they rank highest.” http://blogs.wsj.com/numbersguy/some-theorists-withhold-best-voting-system-award-794/

FL. The Florida Department of Elections proposes new rules that may make voter caging easier. The new rules address maintenance of voter registration rolls. If these rules are approved, it may be easier to wrongly purge legal voters from the rolls.You may read the rule at this link.

The Voting News Daily: ES&S to buy Premier Election Solutions from Diebold, Inc

Monopoly anyone? This just in. ES&S buys Premier Election and Data Information Management Systems Inc aka Diebold . Here’s an article in the Ohio Plain Dealer and also an email from Aldo Tesi, President and CEO of Election Systems and Software, Inc. ES&S is buying up the stock and the assets. This has huge implications. This would make ES&S a virtual monopoly. Stay tuned as we find out more about how this will affect you. I am writing from North Carolina, a state where Diebold chose not to sell machines saying they could not meet our existing laws.

Diebold Inc. sells most of its electronic voting machine business
by Janet H. Cho/Plain Dealer Reporter Thursday September 03, 2009

GREEN, Ohio — Diebold Inc., the Summit County-based maker of automatic teller machines and bank security systems, has sold its electronic voting subsidiaries in the United States and Canda to Elections Systems & Software Inc.

ES&S, of Omaha, Neb., is buying all the outstanding capital stock of Premier Election and Data Information Management Systems Inc. and substantially all of the assets of Premier Canada in a deal announced this morning.

In return, Diebold gets $5 million cash, plus 70 percent of the cash payments collected through the fifth anniversary of the closing date on any accounts receivable existing as of Aug. 31 …

Here’s an email from Aldo Tesi to an election official

From: AldoTesiES&S
Sent: Thursday, September 03, 2009 10:15 AM
To: XXXX (name redacted) Subject: Election Systems & Software, Inc Announces the acquisition of Premier Election Solutions from Diebold, Inc.

September 3, 2009

Dear XXXXX (name redacted)

Election Systems & Software, Inc. (ES&S) is pleased to announce the acquisition of Premier Election Solutions, Inc. (PES). Both companies are excited about the opportunity to unite our experienced management teams and associates to meet the needs of our customers more effectively. Together we will continue to focus on our core mission of “Maintaining Voter Confidence and Enhancing the Voting experience.”

We will combine the strengths of both organizations to benefit our customers, and are confident the result will be a better, more efficient and effective operating model. This model will serve our customers well and provide a sustainable delivery platform for the election industry.

Because of the important role we play in supporting elections, we recognize the responsibility we have to provide timely assistance to all of our customers. You have placed your trust and confidence in us and our products and services. Rest assured, we will demonstrate the same level of commitment to delivering high quality services and voting solutions you have come to expect. We understand it is more important than ever that we meet and exceed our customer expectations during the upcoming elections.

Attached is a document which addresses key questions you may have regarding the acquisition. You will receive more information in the coming weeks. Should you have any additional questions or immediate needs, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We appreciate your business and your ongoing support of the work we do for you.

The Voting News Daily: ES&S: “All Your Votes R Belong to US”- NOW, Tenn voter purge? Procrastinate by mail voting

The big news is that ES&S bought Diebold’s election division, creating a virtual monopoly for ES&S. “It’s a massive consolidation of voting-system vendors,” – Candice Hoke, election law prof. at Cleveland State U. “The move, if allowed to go forward, is sure to raise further concerns among the U.S. Election Integrity community who have, for years, been alarmed by the private take-over of public elections by unaccountable corporations, and the increasing use of secret software used to both cast and tally votes.” -Brad Friedman of Bradblog. Anti trust complaints expected to be filed. Wired news has a Diebold map up.

The rest of the news: Fire fighters in LA area get extra time to vote.
In Yuma Co CA,procrastinate-by-mail voters delay results. Aspen Co wants independent attorney to address challenges related to ballot secrecy and transparency in the May IRV election. Shelby Co TN Election Commission purges 60,000 voters. **Just a reminder to readers – its municipal election time, don’t forget to vote.

CA. Station fire delays ballot counting
Emergency workers get extra time to vote in L.A.-area Assembly race and Bay Area congressional contest.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-assembly2-2009sep02,0,1915505.story

CA. Inconsiderate to delay count of mail ballots
September 02, 2009 Less than 8,000 voters chose to participate in the primary election for Yuma City Council and mayor,.many ballots – more than 1,600 of them – remained to be counted Wednesday…There is no reason this needed to happen. It is the fault of inconsiderate voters.
They received their mail ballots weeks ago but failed to turn them in early enough so they could be verified and counted in time to release the results Tuesday night
http://www.yumasun.com/opinion/ballots-52546-voters-mail.html

CO. Aspen’s May election faces more challenges
City commission wants outside attorney to deal with myriad issues
ASPEN — Aspen’s election commission plans to ask for an outside attorney to determine its authority on whether it can rule on a citizen’s claim that his voting rights were violated in the May election, as well as another resident’s request to release all the ballots so they can be reviewed independently.
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20090903/NEWS/909029971/1001/NONE&parentprofile=1058

CO. Election commission unsure of powers
September 3, 2009 The city of Aspen Election Commission, a body that the City Charter calls for to weigh in “when election procedures are in doubt,” met for the first time in decades Thursday and promptly called for an independent attorney to be appointed to advise it on its jurisdiction.
http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/home/136399

NC. OpEd. Voter registration reforms can aid turnout, lower costs
New bipartisan panel’s work could be a win for all of us.
Thursday, Sep. 03, 2009 …You can register and vote on the same day in this state on early voting days, and many residents did so during last year’s elections.

But voting on Election Day still requires registration in advance. And nationwide, voter registration remains tedious and costly, and is often plagued by inefficiencies and inaccuracies….the N.C. Coalition for Verified Voting has pointed to continuing weaknesses, particularly in voter registration lists. Officials say lack of standards for voter databases, problems in moving voter registration and lack of voter education were among the problems.

The Voting News Daily: Voting software makes dagdag-bawas easy, WA SOS certifies R71, Why Citizens United matters pt 2

OpenSecrets.org to have live web chat on landmark campaign finance case “Citizens United vs FEC” on Thurs. Public Citizen youtubes the issue in “Don’t get rolled.”
Wired News finds 2 members of Fed committee (TGDC) that sets standards for voting vendors have conflicts of interests. Statewide voter rolls vs local voter rolls: an Alabama city may appeal judges ruling that says city must use SOS voter list not the local voter list. CT Registrars say optical scanners provide opportunity for savings. Minneapolis voters will not have a primary but instead have IRV and make choices in one election. Washington’s SOS Reed certifies R-71 to fall ballot and King Co Judge Julie Spector will not overturn that. Warning to Philippines Election Commission: voting software makes dagdag–bawas (wholesale cheating)easy…Germany’s constitution prohibits e-voting and we have the document in English to prove it.

AL. Evergreen city attorney advises appeal of judge’s ruling in mayoral election challenge September 02, 2009 EVERGREEN — City attorney Terry Davis recommended the city appeal part of a judge’s decision in the ongoing challenge of last October’s mayoral vote, a move one councilman called “bull crap.”…”It said that instead of using the voting list we have used and the process we have used for a number of years, we should have been using the secretary of state’s voter list,”
http://www.al.com/news/press-register/metro.ssf?/base/news/1251882946175260.xml&coll=3

AR. Pope County upgrades early-voting system ahead of school board elections
Sept. 2, 2009 County clerk says new system ‘will be faster and more efficient’
With school board elections on the horizon, the Pope County Election Commission is anticipating a test run of a new system intended to expedite the early-voting process. Through the iPower Profile program provided by Election Systems & Software…
http://www.couriernews.com/story.php?ID=22455

CA. Voting extended for CA elections, delaying results
… The governor issued an executive order that will allow emergency workers to cast votes from their command centers until 10 p.m. Tuesday, two hours after the close of polls. ..Of the 125,000 vote-by-mail ballots sent by Contra Costa voting officials, a little more than 56,000 have been returned, Weir said. Of those mailed in, about 3,000 ballots were turned in Tuesday morning.
http://www.sfexaminer.com/politics/ap/56681882.html

CA. Special election will decide California House seat
09/02/09 http://www.sfexaminer.com/politics/ap/56578492.html

CT. Registrars Say, Optical Scanners Provide Opportunity for Savings
September 2, 2009 Glastonbury, CT will save by consolidating polling places
http://www.ctvoterscount.org/?p=2339

IN. Funds Compromise for Early Voting Centers
Wednesday, Sep 2, 2009 … early voting centers in Vanderburgh County are safe for the 2010 election, or at least most of them are…Early voting centers will either be eliminated or scaled back for the primary but there should be five centers at libraries for the general election
http://tristatehomepage.com/content/fulltext/?cid=92771

MN. No primary in Minneapolis as Ranked Choice Voting debuts
September 01. In this year’s municipal elections in Minneapolis, nobody is working to turn out voters for a September primary election: there will be no primary election.
Instead, voters will go to the polls just once this fall — Election Day, Tuesday, November 3 — and that day they will be asked to vote not just for the candidate of their choice, but to rank their first choice, second choice and third choice.