The Voting News Daily: House committee questions future of EAC, MIT asks “How Long Before Hackers Steal Votes?”
CO: Gessler sues for access to Saguache ballots – The Denver Post
Secretary of State Scott Gessler filed a lawsuit Wednesday seeking access to voted ballots from the 2010 Saguache County general election, arguing the county clerk doesn’t have the power to stop him from “inspecting and reviewing all aspects of the election process.” The complaint, filed in the 12th Judicial District in Saguache, asks a judge for an injunction requiring Saguache County Clerk and Recorder Melinda Myers to “obey the secretary’s order” to make the ballots available. Gessler announced Tuesday that his staff would travel to Saguache this week to lead a hand review of three races, including Myers’ re-election bid. But Myers threw a wrench in Gessler’s plan late Tuesday, when she e-mailed a letter to his office indicating she wouldn’t unseal the ballots without a court order. Read More
ID: When to count absentee ballots subject of committee hearing « IdahoReporter.com
How many hours before an election should county clerks be able to open ballots? Should clerks be limited to open ballots only on Election Day? Those are the questions that came before the House State Affairs Committee Thursday and panel members couldn’t decide, so they moved to strip any time frame references from the legislation. The time frame provision was only one element of a mini-elections reform bill pitched by the secretary of state’s office. The bill also includes clarification for identification requirements for voting on Election Day. Read More
KS: Weaker voter ID bill passes in Kansas Senate – KansasCity.com
The Kansas Senate Ethics and Elections Committee on Thursday passed a weakened version of Secretary of State Kris Kobach’s bill to require a photo ID and proof of citizenship for voters. Senators stripped HB 2067 of provisions that would have given Kobach the authority to criminally prosecute allegations of voter fraud. The committee also voted to delay until 2013 the start date at which new voters will have to provide proof of citizenship when they register. Kobach said the action virtually ensured that photo ID will be required when voters go to the polls or send in absentee ballots in 2012. Read More
NM: Judge says AG cannot prosecute case against former secretary of state | KOB.com
A district court judge has ruled the New Mexico Attorney General’s office cannot prosecute a case against the former secretary of state and three other defendants. District Court Judge Pat Murdoch ruled a new prosecutor must be found. Former Secretary of State Rebecca Vigil-Giron and three others are accused of misusing taxpayer money in a 2006 ad campaign to educate voters. Read More
NC: Voter ID Bill Stirs Legislative Passion – WFAE 90.7 FM
A bill in the legislature that would require North Carolinians to show a photo ID at the polls has become a flashpoint of controversy among lawmakers. The measure’s Republican sponsors say the bill aims to fight voter fraud and ensure that every vote is counted. But Democrats believe the proposal is a regressive measure aimed at keeping many of their supporters away from the polls.