Verified Voting Blog: Oak Ridge, spear phishing, and i-voting

Oak Ridge National Labs (one of the US national energy labs, along with Sandia, Livermore, Los Alamos, etc) had a bunch of people fall for a spear phishing attack (see articles in Computerworld and many other descriptions). For those not familiar with the term, spear phishing is sending targeted emails at specific recipients, designed to have them do an action (e.g., click on a link) that will install some form of software (e.g., to allow stealing information from their computers). This is distinct from spam, where the goal is primarily to get you to purchase pharmaceuticals, or maybe install software, but in any case is widespread and not targeted at particular victims. Spear phishing is the same technique used in the Google Aurora (and related) cases last year, the RSA case earlier this year, Epsilon a few weeks ago, and doubtless many others that we haven’t heard about. Targets of spear phishing might be particular people within an organization (e.g., executives, or people on a particular project).

In this posting, I’m going to connect this attack to Internet voting (i-voting), by which I mean casting a ballot from the comfort of your home using your personal computer (i.e., not a dedicated machine in a precinct or government office). My contention is that in addition to all the other risks of i-voting, one of the problems is that people will click links targeted at them by political parties, and will try to cast their vote on fake web sites. The scenario is that operatives of the Orange party send messages to voters who belong to the Purple party claiming to be from the Purple party’s candidate for president and giving a link to a look-alike web site for i-voting, encouraging voters to cast their votes early. The goal of the Orange party is to either prevent Purple voters from voting at all, or to convince them that their vote has been cast and then use their credentials (i.e., username and password) to have software cast their vote for Orange candidates, without the voter ever knowing.

Verified Voting Blog: Flawed Wisconsin Race Proves Need for Transparency, Accountability in Election Procedures

When Wisconsin voters flocked to the polls on April 5, one of the factors driving the high turnout was the State Supreme Court contest between incumbent Justice David Prosser and challenger JoAnne Kloppenburg. Prosser, whose term ends July 31, often casts the deciding vote on the seven-member court. He is a conservative Republican former Speaker of the Assembly seen as closely allied to Wisconsin's controversial Gov. Scott Walker. Kloppenburg, a virtual unknown who was given little chance of success when she entered the race several months ago, was buoyed by the high passions stirred by Walker's actions to strip government employees of their collective bargaining rights. Though the race is officially nonpartisan, it was seen as both a referendum on Walker and a chance to affect the Supreme Court's ruling on Walker's actions, which are likely to be reviewed by the Court in its next term. Election night results were considered too close to call, but the next day when seemingly all the votes had been tallied, Kloppenburg claimed victory with a margin of 204 votes of the more than 1.4 million total votes cast. A recount seemed inevitable.

[pullquote align="left"][media url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldCVBB-ruKY" width="360" height="240" jwplayer="controlbar=bottom"][/pullquote]Then one day later, County Clerk Kathy Nickolaus of Republican stronghold Waukesha County suddenly announced in a dramatic press conference that she had forgotten to include the votes of the county’s second-largest city, Brookfield, in her tabulation. The more than 14,000 votes she added now gave Prosser a lead of almost 7,316 votes of the 1,498,880 votes cast, or 0.488%. Wisconsin picks up the tab for recounts where the margin of victory is less than 0.5%, so this falls just barely within the margin of a state-funded recount.

Verified Voting Blog: Losing Democracy in Cyberspace

It has been nothing short of astonishing that, within a few weeks, the brave people of Tunisia and Egypt toppled corrupt dictators who ruled for decades. One of the protesters' key demands was for democratic elections — the right to choose a government that is responsive to the people's needs. That is also what protesters in Bahrain, Yemen, Iran, Jordan and Libya are demanding as they call for the dissolution of their autocratic and oppressive governments. As the protesters know all too well, voting does not mean that one's vote will be counted. In Egypt's 2005 elections, Hosni Mubarak was reelected with 88.6 percent of the vote. In 2009, Tunisia's Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was reelected with an 89.6 percent landslide victory. In both cases allegations of fraud and corruption surrounded the elections.

What nobody is talking about is how votes will be cast in emerging democracies. For elections to be legitimate in such countries, it is critical to use voting technology that counts votes accurately. In the 21st century, chances are high that computers will be used in some form in the coming elections in Egypt and Tunisia. But voting computers, like heads of state, must be held accountable to the people they serve. It is a tenet of computer science that computers can be programmed to do anything, including play "Jeopardy!" and steal votes.

Verified Voting Blog: Disappointing Reversal on Transparency and Security for Washington Elections

A bill aimed at reducing restriction to voting for military and other overseas voters passed the Washington State Senate by a 47-1 vote on Friday.  Senate Bill 5171 contains many provisions that will certainly make voting easier for Washington citizens living overseas including moving the primary election date two weeks earlier and meeting requirements of the Federal MOVE Act for mailing of absentee ballots 45 days prior to the election. We strongly support those provisions.

However, the bill also will allow for the acceptance of absentee ballots returned by email and fax. In addition to requiring, by affidavit, that voters returning their ballots electronically forego the secrecy of their ballot, it also makes the state’s elections vulnerable to tampering and error.

It is deeply disappointing that Secretary of State Sam Reed has actively supported this legislation. No one experienced the 2004 Gregoire/Rossi gubernatorial recount process more directly than Secretary Reed. That race, ultimately decided by 133 votes, stretched the issue of voter confidence to its absolute limits, and Secretary Reed, to his credit, did what he could to be available through and transparent about every step of the recount process. But the involved parties could not review voters’ intent for over 113,000 ballots, because at that time, Washington State used paperless electronic voting machines in two of the larger counties. The only votes that could be truly recounted were the paper ballots.

The Voting News Daily: Oklahoma chooses Hart Intercivic, Kentucky SoS to depart, Connecticut panel advocates reforms

“In many cases, we see security devices or electronic voting machines where we really have to wonder, ‘Did anybody spend 60 seconds figuring out the security issues?” That question was posed by an Argonne National Laboratories security expert in an interview published today.

There is a good deal of news to share today: Oklahoma has chosen Hart Intercivic to supply its next generation of optical scan ballot tabulators (the state currently uses the IVS Vote by Phone system for accessibility); Washington State considers moving up the deadline for mail ballot receipt to Election Day; Kentucky’s Secretary of State Trey Grayson announced plans to leave office for a position at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government; and Connecticut considers state takeover of ballot procurement.

All this and more in today’s Voting News below. Enjoy your weekend!

AR: Ex-Globetrotter allowed to join Ark. House | TheCabin.net

Smith was one of two incoming House members who were cleared by fellow lawmakers to be sworn in next week. The House also voted to recommend seating an incoming Democratic representative who won after her Republican rival was declared ineligible to serve in the House because of a bribery conviction. Read More

CO: Saguache County election debacle still unresolved even as officials set to be sworn in | Colorado Independent

[Jan. 6] A disputed election in a sleepy county in south-central Colorado has erupted into a cacophony of bipartisan complaints that the clerk and recorder is improperly certifying its results for her own benefit.

So far, six citizens have filed grievances with both the 12th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and the Colorado Attorney General’s Office alleging official misconduct and multiple criminal offenses in sparsely populated Saguache County, where the census shows just two residents per square mile. Read More

CT: Recipe For Voting Reform Offered In Connecticut – Courant.com

Early voting, automatic registration, “no-excuse” absentee ballots, and better training for poll workers.

Connecticut should consider these and other measures to improve the voting process, according to a panel organized by Secretary of the State Denise Merrill. Read More

CT: Merrill: Changes needed to avoid another Election Day fiasco | The Connecticut Mirror

The state’s new chief elections officer says she plans to promote changes to ensure that the Election Day fiasco of 2010, when polling place in Bridgeport and a half dozen other communities ran out of ballots on Election Day, doesn’t happen again. Read More

CT: After Bridgeport fiasco, ballot fix proposed – Connecticut Post

Merrill, speaking after a two-and-a-half-hour hearing Friday on Election Day problems, said she will also submit legislation to the General Assembly requiring the state to take over the purchase of ballots, so towns and cities can take advantage of bulk-buying power and save money. Read More

FL: Secretary of State Browning is Scott’s first double-dipper hire – St. Petersburg Times

Retirement was going as former Secretary of State Kurt Browning figured it would: a lot of working in the yard, loving on his grandbaby, padding around the barn at his Dade City home.

The Voting News Daily: Montana’s vote by mail legislation expected to move, New Jersey election dispute rekindles

Montana’s Legislature will once again consider vote by mail legislation, Missouri’s will consider early voting, and unopened ballots may change a recount result in New Jersey.

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

AR: Martin names top aids for secretary of state’s office

Martin announced his leadership team Thursday, including Family Council lawyer Martha Adcock as elections director and Alice Stewart as deputy director of public affairs. Read More

CO: Saguache County clerk complaint sent to AG – Colorado Springs Conservative | Examiner.com

In answer to objections that she should “butt out” of the election controversy in Saguache County, Marks pointed out that according to state statue, any person may file a complaint with the appropriate district attorney. The fact that she resides in Pitkin, not Saguache County, Marks said, has no effect on her strong conviction that elections must be fair and uniform throughout Colorado.

“As a Coloradan, I’m not only interested in competency and fairness in the Saguache clerk’s office for the conduct of future elections, but given the big questions on water, energy and the environment facing the BOCC, I know that decisions of Saguache BOCC impact the entire region,” she explained. “The election of those officials should truly reflect the will of the Saguache voters.” Read More

CT: Journal Inquirer Politics & Government Forum on ballot shortage

The forum, at 10 a.m. Friday in the Capitol Old Appropriations Room, will allow policy experts and members of the public to offer ideas on preventing such problems. Registrars of voters, town clerks, and voting rights advocates are expected to weigh in on the issue. Among those in attendance will be Manchester Town Clerk Joseph Camposeo, president of the Connecticut Town Clerks Association. Read More

FL: Browning Returns as Secretary of State

Kurt Browning, a former local official who was widely respected for his knowledge of running elections, will return to lead the Department of State, which oversees the Division of Elections, from which he recently retired, Gov. Rick Scott announced late Wednesday. Read More

IN: [SoS] White sworn in despite controversy

White is still answering the charges that his victory came despite listing his ex-wife’s address on voter registration forms for the May 2010 primary. Two special prosecutors are looking into the allegations that White acted intentionally to mislead voters but White said he hasn’t spoken to investigators.

“We’re just waiting on them and we’ll cooperate when it’s time,” White said. Read More

IN: Charlie White sworn in as Indiana secretary of state

Charlie White was sworn in today as Indiana’s newest secretary of state, but a cloud hung over the Statehouse ceremony as special prosecutors in Hamilton County continue to investigate whether White committed voter fraud. Read More

IN: Embattled White says investigation won’t affect Secretary of State’s office

The Republican said he believes the investigation “will work itself out” and won’t interfere with his ability to administer an office that regulates elections, business charters and the securities industry. Read More.

MA: Recount loser says he’ll stay in house until court fight ends – Sharon, MA – Sharon Advocate

Citing provisions in the state Constitution, Rep.

The Voting News Daily: International Observers Report on Mid-Terms, MN SoS Ritchie to Lead NASS

AK: Miller Will Not Appeal Federal Ruling; Concedes Alaska’s U.S. Senate Race to Murkowski – The BRAD BLOG (Dec. 31)

In a press conference held this afternoon in Juneau, Alaska’s GOP nominee for the U.S. Senate, Joe Miller, finally conceded the election to write-in candidate and incumbent Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski. He has decided not to appeal his federal case as dismissed by a U.S. circuit court judge on Tuesday. See AP’s coverage for more on today’s announcement. Read More

CA: Low-income voters struggled with ranked-choice voting | California Watch

Voters from low-income neighborhoods had a tougher time with the complexities of the ranked-choice voting system in November’s election.That’s the bottom line of a California Watch analysis of voting data from the electoral district that arguably faced the most complicated ballot in California: San Francisco’s Supervisorial District 10. Read More

IA: Activists to Branstad: Keep current voting rights rule | The Des Moines Register

A coalition of about 20 activist groups asked Gov.-elect Terry Branstad on Monday not to follow through on a pledge to rescind an executive order that automatically restores voting rights to ex-convicts. The groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa and the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, sent a letter to Branstad expressing support for a statewide policy adopted in 2005. That’s when Democratic Gov. Tom Vilsack issued a blanket order restoring voting rights to about 50,000 Iowa felons who had completed their criminal sentences. Read More

MO: St. Clair County Clerk explains military ballot snafu – STLToday.com

Bob Delaney said today he acted with diligence when he mailed 1,207 military ballots on Oct. 4, 16 days after a federal election law deadline and 31 days late by Illinois election standards. Testifying before an Illinois House Elections and Campaign Reform committee, Delaney said he was trying to avoid reprinting costs, in case pending litigation threw candidates off the ballot. Read More

MT: Vote-by-mail bill has bipartisan support

Montana lawmakers will be asked to approve a bill with bipartisan support that would set up vote-by-mail elections for all federal, state and local elections in Montana in 2012, Secretary of State Linda McCulloch said Wednesday. “Vote-by-mail elections increase voter participation, enhance voter protection and save taxpayer money,” said McCulloch, a Democrat and the state’s chief election officer. House Bill 130 is the product of a working group commissioned by McCulloch that represented a variety of organizations and county governments. Rep. Pat Ingraham, R-Thompson Falls, a former county clerk and election administrator, is sponsoring the bill. Read More

NY: Troy vote probe gambit rejected by judge – Times Union

An acting state Supreme Court justice has dismissed questions raised about the status of a Rensselaer County grand jury investigating ballot fraud and a judge overseeing it. Attorneys for City Councilman Michael LoPorto and county Democratic Elections Commissioner Edward McDonough attempted in December “to intervene regarding the proceedings” of the grand jury probing allegations of absentee ballot fraud in the 2009 Working Families Party primary in Troy, according to a court document.

The Voting News Daily: ES&S ‘Glitch’ in Champaign Co. IL Explained, NY State Assembly Contest May Go to Court, No voting Rights for Puerto Rico

CA: Secetrary of State Bowen unveils four-year strategic plan – Kim Alexander’s Weblog

http://kimalex.blogspot.com/2011/01/sos-bowen-unveils-four-year-strategic.html

At her inauguration ceremony today, Secretary of State Debra Bowen

 announced that her office was implementing a four-year strategic plan focused on three priorities: ensuring fair and secure elections, doing business, and protecting rights and state treasures. She also listed six values that will guide the work of the office of Secretary of State: service; integrity; teamwork; openness; innovation; and consistency. She concluded by saying that standing up for the workers in her office is the most important thing she can do to make sure they deliver excellent public service, so “let’s get back to work.”

CT: State senator resigns, pleads guilty to election violations | Local Politics | The State Column

http://www.thestatecolumn.com/local-politics/connecticut-state-senator-resigns-pleads-guilty-to-election-violations/

Sen. Tom Gaffey, D-13th, announced Monday he will not take the oath of office on Wednesday. Mr. Gaffey was re-elected to office in November. Mr. Gaffey is charged with double-billing his political action committee, a charge that amounts to larceny. He says he plans to plead guilty on Wednesday and that he has taken steps to repay the money. The state senator said in a press release that he apologizes to family and constituents, saying “I apologize to my family, friends, colleagues and the voters of my district for any embarrassment my mistakes may have caused.”

IL: our objections for St. Charles elections denied by board – Downers Grove, IL – MySuburbanLife.com

http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/news/x1599389713/Four-objections-for-St-Charles-elections-denied-by-board

While four candidates challenged their opponents’ petition for nomination early Monday evening, all four candidates were upheld in the end. The St. Charles election board, which consisted of Mayor Donald DeWitte, 4th Ward Alderman James Martin and Clerk Nancy Garrison, decided in all cases that even though certain points were valid, nothing made any of the challenged candidates ineligible for the election.

IL: ES&S Glitch Explained | Blog – Champaign County Clerk, IL – Mark Shelden

http://blog.champaigncountyclerk.com/2011/01/04/glitch-explained/

ES&S used a “Graphic Dump” on the M100 to show exactly what was being read in each oval on the ballot. What that graphic dump showed was that for the ballots in question, when placed in the machine top first, the M100 read not the area within the oval, but rather the area to the left. That area to the left corresponds to the place on the top of the ballot where the judge’s initials go within the area that contains the column timing bars. Essentially what appears to have happened is that when the judge’s initials cross into the timing area within a very limited range and at a very limited angle (that is, very horizontal), that extra line is being read as one of the column timing bars. No one at ES&S had seen this before, and it is odd enough that it is unlikely that its cropped up many times before. At the same time, I’d be surprised if we were the first people to witness this.

IA: Former Morningside student sentenced for voter fraud – KTIV NewsChannel 4 Sioux City IA

http://www.ktiv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13777266

The Voting News Daily: Oklahoma to replace its optical scanners, new SoSs take office, speedy results emphasized in latest India coverage

Happy New Year! The first few days of 2011 have been busy news days (despite apparent quiet regarding Internet voting). Tonight’s edition covers articles published since our December 31 edition, unless otherwise noted.

Among the news highlights: Oklahoma election officials are looking to replace their 18-year-old optical scanners with new precinct scanners for the 2012 elections; new Secretaries of State take office around the nation; and internationally, coverage of the first-time use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in Indian local elections emphasizes the desirability of speedy results.

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

AZ: State officers sworn in at capitol
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/arizona/article_7b92621e-179b-11e0-9d6a-001cc4c03286.html

AZ: Editorial: Election process should include basic review of nominating petitions
http://campverdebugleonline.com/main.asp?SectionID=36&SubSectionID=73&ArticleID=29091

CA: November election dispute lingers
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/jan/01/dispute-about-election-results-in-ojai-and/

CT: Bridgeport’s Response to a Potential Election Disaster
http://www.afampointofview.com/POV%20Archives/2011/January2011/Bridgeports%20Response.htm

CT: Why We Need Audits and Recounts: AccuVote Missed 0.4% of Ballots in Aspen Elections [Dec. 28]
http://www.ctvoterscount.org/why-we-need-audits-and-recounts-accuvote-missed-0-4-of-ballots-in-aspen-elections/

IN: Voting machine maintenance on county’s agenda
http://www.jconline.com/article/20110102/NEWS02/101020333/Voting-machine-maintenance-on-county-s-agenda
Tippecanoe County commissioners are set to choose a company to maintain the county’s voting machines. At the commissioners’ Monday meeting, they will choose between Nebraska-based ES&S and Ohio-based GBS, both of which are licensed to service voting machines in Indiana.

IN: Indiana secretary of state challenge to be filed in court
http://www.wndu.com/indiana/headlines/Indiana_secretary_of_state_challenge_filed_in_court_112728604.html

IA: Schultz sworn in as Secretary of State
http://www.kgan.com/template/inews_wire/wires.regional.ia/24da4822-www.kgan.com.shtml

IA: Four statewide elected officials, including rookie, sworn in today http://www.radioiowa.com/2011/01/03/four-statewide-elected-officials-including-rookie-sworn-in-today/


LA: Mock election to be held at Herod

http://www.abbevillenow.com/view/full_story/10855772/article-Mock-election-to-be-held-at-Herod-?instance=home_news_lead

MI: Republicans take the reins in Michigan
http://michiganmessenger.com/45296/republicans-take-the-reins-in-michigan

MN: With new ballots, curbing confusion, costs is challenging
http://www.twincities.com/ci_16996117?source=most_emailed&nclick_check=1

MN: Save money and improve election integrity
http://www.reviewmessenger.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8717:save-money-and-improve-election-integrity&catid=19:guest-opinion

MN: Another recount yields more evidence that Minnesota’s system is sound [Dec. 30]
http://www.twincities.com/opinion/ci_16967744?source=rss

MN: New Kansas secretary of state critical of Minnesota’s Mark Ritchie
http://www.minnpost.com/politicalagenda/2011/01/03/24512/new_kansas_secretary_of_state_critical_of_minnesotas_mark_ritchie

MN: Secretary of State Mark Ritchie will lead National Association of Secretaries of State
http://www.jordannews.com/node/15707

NM: Duran sworn in as first GOP Sec. of State in 80 years
http://newmexicoindependent.com/68469/other-state-officials-sworn-in-as-well

NJ: Reorganized township council takes power
http://www.northjersey.com/news/112749794_Bloomfield_council_sworn_in.html
The mood at the reorganization was especially upbeat for the Democrats, as Bloomfield Republicans only recently withdrew a challenge of the November election results. Republican mayoral candidate John Lazar previously alleged illegal electioneering tactics, equipment difficulty involving one voting machine and denial of voter access.

NY: Experts shouldn’t be needed to call outcome of election

http://www.timesunion.com/opinion/article/Experts-shouldn-t-be-needed-to-call-outcome-of-930928.php

NY: Albany Times-Union Asks Legislature to Fix Recall [sic] Statute
http://www.ballot-access.org/2011/01/02/albany-times-union-asks-legislature-to-fix-recall-statute/

NY: New York Voting Must Be Improved, Says League of Women Voters
http://nyconvergence.com/2011/01/new-york-voting-must-be-improved-says-league-of-women-voters.html

NY: Watching and Waiting For a Return to Innocence
http://e-voter.blogspot.com/2010/12/watching-and-waiting-for-return-to.html

NY: Your vote counts: The Help America Vote Act – Help or hindrance?
http://www.columbiapaper.com/index.php/component/content/article/35-letters/1731-by-virginia-martin

OK: Officials seek bids for voting machines
http://normantranscript.com/headlines/x879866766/Officials-seek-bids-for-voting-machines
State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax told The Oklahoman newspaper that the Optech-III Eagle optical-scanner machines in use since 1992 have lasted much longer than their 10-year life expectancy, but their age has become a problem.

Ziriax said bids are now being sought for a new system to be used statewide. He said officials have specified that they want a new system that’s similar to the one now being used, with optical scanners to read ballots marked by voters.

The Voting News Daily: Challenge ends in Alaska US Senate race, Georgia panel to study expansion of vote centers

Alaska’s US Senate race appears to have ended as 2010 winds down. Georgia’s Secretary of State says that a new appointed election reform advisory panel will look at vote centers and ways to achieve cost savings, and New York’s new voting system, and its implementation receive ongoing scrutiny.

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

AK: Miller ends challenge in US Senate race
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/12/31/1484529/miller-ends-challenge-in-senate.html

CA: When 0.45% of Total Voters Can Translate to Victory
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/31/us/31bcjames.html

CO: Fines against Colorado’s new elections chief reduced
http://www.kdvr.com/news/sns-ap-co–secretaryofstate-fines,0,466012.story

FL: Crist squandered potential to make a real difference
http://www.news-journalonline.com/opinion/editorials/n-j-editorials/2010/12/31/crist-squandered-potential-to-make-a-real-difference.html

GA: Getting some of the money of of (holding) elections
http://blogs.ajc.com/kyle-wingfield/2010/12/31/getting-some-of-the-money-out-of-holding-elections/?cxntfid=blogs_kyle_wingfield

IN: Democrats file appeal challenging Secretary of State race
http://www.fox59.com/news/politics/wxin-democrats-file-appeal-challeng-123110,0,6984964.story

IA: Iowa owes nothing on audit
http://www.omaha.com/article/20101230/NEWS01/712319911/0

IA: Michael Mauro to be named state labor chief
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20101231/NEWS09/12310357/-1/BUSINESS04/Insider-Michael-Mauro-to-be-named-state-labor-chief

KS: Debate likely to heat up [voter ID]
http://hutchnews.com/Todaystop/A1–Immigration-1st-Ld-Writethru–1

LA: Louisiana Voter Purge Eliminates 121, 840 People From State Rolls
http://politic365.com/2010/12/31/louisiana-voter-purge-eliminates-121840-people-from-state-rolls/

NY: New York’s new voting process is already being tweaked
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2010/12/new_yorks_new_voting_pr
ocess_i.html

NY: League of Women Voters Says Voting Improvements Needed
http://post-journal.com/page/content.detail/id/577272/League-of-Women-Voters-Says-Voting-Improvements-Needed.html?nav=5192

ND: Resident didn’t try to vote twice
http://www.jamestownsun.com/event/article/id/126486/

TN: 2010: A year of change in politics
http://www.herald-citizen.com/view/full_story/10834924/article-2010–A-year-of-change-in-politics?instance=homesecondleft

TX: Ready to go – again [Harris County]
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7360562.html

TX: ‘Oracle of Barton Springs was poet and activist
http://www.statesman.com/news/local/oracle-of-barton-springs-was-poet-and-activist-1155025.html

National

United States: NLRB Continues March Toward Administrative Implementation of Processes to Assist Union Organizing
http://www.mondaq.com/unitedstates/article.asp?articleid=119108
Recent General Counsel memoranda announcing enhanced enforcement efforts and greater penalties for violations of the National Labor Relations Act (the Act), implement, in principle, some of the “enhanced penalties” provisions of EFCA. The NLRB’s exploration of electronic voting and shortening of the campaigning period in a union election emulate some of the purposes of the “card check” provisions of EFCA. A recently proposed rule regarding mandatory posting of a notice of employees’ right to organize, combined with the creation of a new unfair labor practice charge for the failure to post, seems consistent with the goal of stimulating organizing activity.


International

India: Man steals EVM; 5 officials suspended
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Man-steals-EVM-5-officials-suspended/articleshow/7197965.cms

India: EVM thrown into a well in Hassan
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/125329/evm-thrown-well-hassan.html

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The Voting News Daily: Swiss government expresses caution on Internet voting, India looking to modify EVMs, MI county acts to improve chain of custody

The Swiss federal government expresses caution about Internet voting and limits its scope, while some local officials push for expanded Internet voting. India’s political parties reportedly agree to use electronic voting machines (EVMs) going forward and the Election Commission has appointed a technical committee to study voter-verifiable paper records. On a more local but important note, Huron County, Michigan orders new ballot containers following a recount stymied by improperly sealed ballots.

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

AK: Murkowski Certified Winner of Alaska Senate Election
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/12/30/murkowski-certified-winner-of-alaska-senate-election/

CA: Warren Slocum aimed to break the mold
http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/bay-area/2010/12/warren-slocum-aimed-break-mold

FL: Stuart Canvassing Board OK’s voting equipment
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2010/dec/30/stuart-canvassing-board-oks-voting-equipment/

FL: Charlie Crist’s legacy – an unfinished agenda
http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/charlie-crists-legacy-8212-an-unfinished-agenda/1142655
Crist’s insistence on switching from touchscreen to optical-scan voting in 2007 largely ended the mockery of “Flori-duh” as a place with unreliable ballot counting systems.

IA: Iowa misspent vote act money, but doesn’t owe, U.S. audit says
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20101230/NEWS10/12300349/Iowa-misspent-vote-act-money-but-doesn-t-owe-U.S.-audit-says

IA: Gov. Culver: Statement on EAC final management decision
http://www.iowapolitics.com/index.iml?Article=221797

IA: Iowa to owe nothing in election spending audit
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-ia-electionspending-,0,3533416.story

LA: Be transparent in voter registration
http://www.dailyworld.com/article/20101230/OPINION/12300302

MO: Royster v. Rizzo Missouri House seat dispute heats up
http://www.examiner.com/conservative-in-kansas-city/royster-v-rizzo-missouri-house-seat-dispute-heats-up

MI: New ballot bags a go
http://www.michigansthumb.com/articles/2010/12/29/news/local_news/doc4d1b26d88fcda708961934.txt
During a meeting of the whole last week, Huron County Clerk Peggy Koehler requested the board purchase ballot containers for all the jurisdictions in Huron County.

“I’m not going to let this happen again,” she said in regard to the large number of precincts in Huron County that were unable to be recounted in the 84th District State Representative recount because of improperly sealed ballot containers.

NJ: Frederick and McNamara remain in office after recount
http://www.shorenewstoday.com/index.php/wildwood-mainmenu/wildwood-leader/7071-frederick-and-mcnamara-remain-in-office-after-recount-.html

NY: NY’s new voting process already questioned
http://www.newsday.com/news/new-york/ny-s-new-voting-process-already-questioned-1.2577061
and
http://online.wsj.com/article/APf4596c06bcc14038b177f4dc3712c265.html

NY: AP brief: Voting Machines
http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/16909/ap-briefs-governor-s-address-voting-machines-nyc-schools-chancellor-bp-lawsuit-ny-senate-staff

NY: Wayne County election commissioners retire
http://www.waynepost.com/latestnews/x2135335919/Wayne-County-election-commissioners-retire

OH: Richland County elections board No. 2 retires
http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20101230/NEWS01/12300325/1002/Richland-County-elections-board-No.-2-retires

PA: Washo, O’Brien to seek re-election
http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/washo-o-brien-to-seek-re-election-1.1083886#axzz19e2Gw4Yf
Mr. Washo said that while he and Mr. O’Brien took heat for their selection of the county’s optical scan voting system, which some critics saw as a step back technologically, it is now regarded as a “wise choice” because it provides verifiable election results.

WI: Senate recount costs counties nearly $16,000
http://www.jacksoncountychronicle.com/articles/2010/12/29/news/00lead.txt

Internet Voting Watch

Switzerland: Swiss abroad question half [sic] of e-voting
http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/internal_affairs/E-voting_to_advance_slowly_in_2011.html?cid=29138944
Contacted by swissinfo.ch, the federal chancellery issued a statement. “Electronic voting carries risks. In addition to irregularities, serious consideration should be given to rumours of abuses committed abroad that could undermine confidence in electronic voting.”


International

Canada: Partial recount ordered in Kitchener’s ward nine
http://swo.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20101230/kitchener-ward-nine-recount-101230/20101230/?hub=SWOHome

India: Expert committee to decide on EVMs, says Quraishi
http://www.sify.com/news/expert-committee-to-decide-on-evms-says-quraishi-news-national-km4s4cigfgd.html

India: II Phase ZP/TP polls in 17 districts of Karnataka tomorrow
http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=214183
The repoll became necessary due to snag in Electronic Voting Machines and rigging during the first phase elections.

Ireland: retiring Sinn Fein TD urges radical reform of procedures
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/1230/1224286488278.html

Meanwhile, in Rop-land
http://www.wired.com/beyond_the_beyond/2010/12/meanwhile-in-rop-land/

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

Please send suggestions for the Voting News to sean at verifiedvoting dot org.

The Voting News Daily: Stuxnet variants may reach voting systems, Albany paper calls for automatic recounts in NYS, books to close on IA HAVA audit

Iowa election officials reach an agreement to close the books on the EAC audit of Iowa’s HAVA funds, the Albany Times-Union calls for an automatic recount law for New York State, and security experts predict Stuxnet-like viruses to infect electronic voting systems in the near future. [Editor’s Note: If you have suggestions for articles to include in the Voting News, please e-mail sean at verifiedvoting dot org.]

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

AK: Federal Judge Dismisses Miller’s Election Suit in Alaska US Senate Contest
http://www.truth-out.org/federal-judge-dismisses-millers-election-suit-alaska-us-senate-contest66367

IA: Agreement closes book on misspent federal election funds
http://www.radioiowa.com/2010/12/29/agreement-closes-books-on-misspent-federal-election-funds/
Iowa Secretary of State Michael Mauro says his office has reached an agreement to close the books on federal money that was misspent by his predecessor. Federal officials said Governor Chet Culver misspent over two-million dollars in funds from the 2002 Help America Vote Act when Culver was Secretary of State.

IA: U.S. audit concludes misspent voting money, but owes nothing
http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2010/12/29/u-s-audit-concludes-iowa-misspent-voting-money-but-owes-nothing/

LA: Polling sites lead agenda
http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20101229/NEWS01/12290317

NY: Time to fix this election law
http://blog.timesunion.com/opinion/time-to-fix-this-election-law/8371/
New York chose a process that involved paper ballots when it modernized its election system for cases just like this — elections that are close enough to raise doubts about who really won. That there were errors even with these new, modern machines only underscores the need for a law that mandates recounts when the margin is so narrow.

NY: Your vote counts: This county knows who won [Dec. 17]
http://www.columbiapaper.com/index.php/editor/1698-by-virginia-martin

PA: Operation Homefront: Military moms unite under blue stars (with video)
http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2010/12/29/news/doc4d1ab2f94bd6b489269504.txt
The group also lobbies on a variety of issues, like electronic voting for military members and affordable airfare for soldiers on leave.


National, International

Stuxnet-like viruses to be released more broadly in 2011
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/301881Known to successfully slow down the Iranian nuclear program, the Stuxnet cyber worm is now expected to spawn variations that are predicted to disrupt non-traditional IT targets, from power grids to electronic voting stations.
Stuxnet Variants Will Wreak Havoc on More Information Systems in 2011

http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Security/Stuxnet-Variants-Will-Wreak-Havoc-on-More-Information-Systems-in-2011-373179/


Internet Voting Watch

IL: Nearly 200 laws to take effect here Jan. 1
http://www.carmitimes.com/highlight/x1808786924/Nearly-200-new-laws-take-effect-here-Jan-1[Other bills that will become law Jan. 1 include]
Military Voting (HB 6077/PA 96-1004): Permits members of the armed forces to vote by fax or email. [Editor’s Note: This legislation, which can be read here, does not specifically mention the electronic transmission of voted ballots but does give broad discretion to the Governor or the Executive Director of the State Board of Elections to modify military voting procedures in the event of an Armed Forces deployment or emergency declared by the President or the Governor.]

International

Philippines: Smartmatic offers deal on PCOS machines
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20101230-311649/Smartmatic-offers-deal-on-PCOS-machines

Voting News archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/Also at Twitter http://twitter.com/VotingNewsSubscribe to Voting News at this link: http://tinyurl.com/votingnews =============================================The Voting News is a free service made possible by the Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018. Be sure to note “for Voting News” in the memo line of your check!

The Voting News Daily: Alaska US Senate challenge loses in Federal court, state legislative races in Missouri, Texas still contentious

A lighter news day for electronic voting issues. Close state legislative elections in Texas and Missouri remain contentious, a Federal Court rules on the challenge to the U.S. Senate election in Alaska.

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

AK: ‘Election Integrity is Vital’: Joe Miller Makes a Federal Case Out of it in AK’s U.S. Senate Contest
http://www.bradblog.com/?p=8270

AK: Judge Tosses Candidate Miller’s Lawsuit
http://www.adn.com/2010/12/28/1622554/federal-judge-overturns-miller.html

GA: Secretary of State Kemp Announces Formation of Elections Advisory Council [Dec. 14]
http://www.sos.ga.gov/pressrel/2010_releases/December/20101214Secretary%20of%20State%20Kemp%20Announces%20Formation%20of%20Elections%20Advisory%20Council%20.htm

MD: Uncertainty Remains for Funding Optical Scan Voting System
http://conduitstreet.mdcounties.org/2010/12/28/uncertainty-remains-for-funding-optical-scan-voting-system/

MO: Royster [MO HD-40] to contest primary election
http://www.connectmidmissouri.com/news/story.aspx?id=560081

MO: Rizzo-Royster mudfest moves to Jefferson City [HD-40]
http://voices.kansascity.com/entries/rizzo-royster-mudfest-moves-jefferson-city/

NY: No 5. Story of the Year: Election Day turns into an election month
http://northshoresun.timesreview.com/2010/12/4725/no-5-story-of-the-year-election-day-turns-into-an-election-month/

NY: Paper ballots were not without fault
http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Paper-ballots-were-not-without-fault-923342.php

NY: Vote Count Not a Factor in NY Election Outcome
http://my.firedoglake.com/jmlagain/2010/12/28/vote-count-not-a-factor-in-ny-election-outcome/

TN: Election commission needs workers for 2011
http://bartlett.wmctv.com/content/election-commission-needs-workers-2011

TX: Rep. Donna Howard makes formal response to challenge [TX HD-48]
http://impactnews.com/lake-travis-westlake/453-recent-news/11021-rep-donna-howard-makes-formal-response-to-challenge

TX: What’s a Master of Discovery [HD-48]
http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/News/Blogs/index.html/objID1129796/blogID/

TX: In defense of military voters [HD-48, Dec. 21]
http://www.empowertexans.com/Issues/in_defense_of_military_voters

WI: WI Disability Community: Voter ID Bill Needs Work
http://www.publicnewsservice.org/index.php?/content/article/17588-1

National

Q&A on the News: How many elections have been overturned because of a recount?
http://www.ajc.com/news/q-a-on-the-789474.html

Internet Voting Watch

Voting set to begin Wednesday for SAG Awards
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118029473?refCatId=13
The official election teller, Integrity Voting Systems, announced Monday that Internet eBalloting is encouraged. Paper ballots will be made available only upon request, which must be made by Jan. 14.

International

My keynote at 27C3
http://rop.gonggri.jp/?p%3D438

Voting News archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/Also at Twitter http://twitter.com/VotingNewsSubscribe to Voting News at this link: http://tinyurl.com/votingnews =============================================The Voting News is a free service made possible by the Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018. Be sure to note “for Voting News” in the memo line of your check! Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.Donate online at this link: http://tinyurl.com/donate-vnDisclaimer: Articles and commentary included in “Voting News” do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors of Voting News,or its allied organizations. Articles are selected for inclusion to inform subscribers’ability to draw their own conclusions based on noteworthy and credible news,research, legislation, and debate bearing on the integrity of elections.

The Voting News Daily: MD report shows paper ballots cost less than DREs, IA Justices deny separate ballot for judge retention

We’re back from a short holiday break! Tonight’s edition covers news published since our last full edition on Monday December 20. State news is organized by state and then by date. State news is followed by sections for national, Internet voting, and international news. Internationally, online voting in Ahmedabad, India is provoking discussion. At home the EAC has released data on HAVA appropriations, and as we reported in our holiday note, an independent cost study ordered by the Maryland General Assembly has found that the state could save $10 million by replacing its electronic voting machines with optical scanners and paper ballots. (Note: we have included one among a great many news articles published on the Alaska US Senate race.)

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

AK: Miller won’t back Murkowski Senate certification [Dec. 27]
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101227/ap_on_re_us/us_alaska_senate

CA: 2011 Ushers In Boosts to Transparency in Election Security and Campaign Finance [Media Release, Dec. 21]
http://www.sos.ca.gov/admin/press-releases/2010/db10-120.pdf

CO: Premier AccuVote Machines Missed 0.4% of Votes in Aspen Elections [Dec. 27]
http://www.fairvote.org/premier-accuvote-machines-missed-0-4-of-ballots-in-aspen-elections

CO: SOS sends mixed signals on certification [Dec. 26]
http://www.examiner.com/conservative-in-colorado-springs/sos-sends-mixed-signals-on-certification

IA: Justices say no to quest to block removal [Dec. 21]
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20101221/NEWS/12210357/-1/caucus/Justices-say-no-to-quest-to-block-removal
University of Iowa computer science professor Doug Jones, who studies voting technology and practices, said a separate ballot for the justices runs contrary to state history.

“You create a bureaucratic monster when you double the amount of paper involved in an election,” Jones said. “If each judicial retention race is a separate piece of paper, which is the most extreme reading I can imagine, that’s an awful snow flurry of paper. County election offices are already strapped for money.”

IN: Recount commission did its job fairly and honestly [Opinion, Dec. 24]
http://www.southbendtribune.com/article/20101224/Opinion/101229802/-1/googleNews
“The recount commission was greatly served in its duty by current county Clerk Rita Glenn, several county voting machine technicians and Keith McGinnis from Illinois-based service contractor RBM Consulting to make the process run efficiently and smoothly. All of these individuals have my profound gratitude for their dedication to our work.”

KY: Trimble to buy new voting machines [Dec. 21]
http://madisoncourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=178&SubSectionID=270&ArticleID=60332

MD: Report: Scanners cost less than touch-screen machines [Dec. 24]
http://www.gazette.net/stories/12242010/polinew172811_32537.php
The independent analysis, conducted by a North Carolina research firm for the Department of Legislative Services, appears to confirm what supporters of a voter-verified paper trail system have long argued: It costs more money to maintain the current equipment than to purchase new
machines that allow voters to print out paper receipts of their selections.

MN: St. Paul preps for voting via ranked choice [Dec. 25]
http://www.startribune.com/politics/local/112459654.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DUoaK7D_V_eDc87DUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUoD3aPc:_27EQU

MS:Hinds rejects used voting machines [Dec. 21]
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20101221/NEWS/12210320/Hinds+rejects+used+voting+machines
Hinds County supervisors say they want to discard the county’s 8-year-old, $1.5 million voting system and start anew.

The Board of Supervisors denied a request Monday by some election commissioners to purchase 300 used voting machines. Instead, the board wants the commission to shop for a new system, such as an optical scanning system that would allow for better auditing of records.

MO: KC legislator may be denied seat over fraud allegations [Dec.

The Voting News Daily: Happy Holidays from the Team at Voting News

We wish you all safe and happy holidays, and for those who celebrate, a Merry Christmas. The Voting News will resume regular postings on Monday December 27 after a short holiday break. (News from this week will be archived.)

Today, though, we’d like to pass on several news stories that are a gift to those working hard for accurate elections. In Mississippi, one of the largest counties – currently using paperless voting machines – is considering switching to paper ballots. Kentucky’s movement away from unverifiable DREs continues, with election officials who previously used DREs reportedly more pleased with new paper ballot scanners. And from Maryland, perhaps the most exciting news: an independent cost study commissioned by the General Assembly shows that Maryland would save nearly $10 million by switching to paper ballot optical scan voting systems – and get recountable elections in the bargain.

We know our readers, like us, can’t help saving a small space for concern about elections even on a holiday, and we hope this news adds to your enjoyment of the day. We’ll be back in touch next week, and we look forward to serving you in the new year.

KY: Trimble to buy new voting machines
http://madisoncourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=178&SubSectionID=270&ArticleID=60332
The county currently uses ES&S for equipment and will switch to Harp Enterprises. The switch will mean new equipment and a new way of reading votes. Harp uses paper ballots that will be scanned into a computer to tally the numbers.

“I have talked to several counties that have switched to the paper ballot system and they all like the paper ballots over the machines,” Powell said in the letter. Paper ballots are expected to reduce
confusion by voters and be easier to tally.

MD: Report: Scanners cost less than touch-screen machines
http://www.gazette.net/stories/12242010/polinew172811_32537.php
The independent analysis, conducted by a North Carolina research firm for the Department of Legislative Services, appears to confirm what supporters of a voter-verified paper trail system have long argued: It costs more money to maintain the current equipment than to purchase new
machines that allow voters to print out paper receipts of their selections.

MS:Hinds rejects used voting machines
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20101221/NEWS/12210320/Hinds+rejects+used+voting+machines
Hinds County supervisors say they want to discard the county’s 8-year-old, $1.5 million voting system and start anew.

The Board of Supervisors denied a request Monday by some election commissioners to purchase 300 used voting machines. Instead, the board wants the commission to shop for a new system, such as an optical scanning system that would allow for better auditing of records.

Voting News archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/Also at Twitter http://twitter.com/VotingNewsSubscribe to Voting News at this link: http://tinyurl.com/votingnews =============================================The Voting News is a free service made possible by the Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018. Be sure to note “for Voting News” in the memo line of your check! Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.Donate online at this link: http://tinyurl.com/donate-vn

Disclaimer: Articles and commentary included in “Voting News” do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors of Voting News,or its allied organizations.

Verified Voting Blog: Paper Ballots – New York Courts Don’t Get It

New York State’s highest Court has upheld lower Court decisions to stop any further counting of ballots and declare a winner in the 7th Senate District race. The decision is unfortunate on many levels, not the least of which is that it sets legal precedent in the State for how we verify election results by auditing and recounting paper ballots. New York’s Courts have now ruled, in essence, “We do not use paper ballots to verify elections.” The Court, displaying a lever-machine mindset, believed it’s okay to trust the machine. It never was of course, but New York has never had a way to verify election results before. The Court didn’t understand why we need to compare machine reported results with a manual inspection of ballots in the audit, failing to grasp that the way we get to the real result is counting the paper, not avoiding it at all costs.

The Voting News Daily: Recount denied by court in NY Senate race, top vote-getter gains in NC’s recount, Russia looks at India’s voting system

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


National

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

Internet Voting Watch

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

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


International

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

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

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

Voting News archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/Also at Twitter http://twitter.com/VotingNewsSubscribe to Voting News at this link: http://tinyurl.com/votingnews =============================================The Voting News is a free service made possible by the Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018.

The Voting News Daily: NY’s Senate District 7 case moves on, Voting Rights Act challenge rejected, FEC elects new chair

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


National

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

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

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

=============================================The Voting News is a free service made possible by the Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018. Be sure to note “for Voting News” in the memo line of your check! Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.Donate online at this link: http://tinyurl.com/donate-vnDisclaimer: Articles and commentary included in “Voting News” do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors of Voting News,or its allied organizations. Articles are selected for inclusion to inform subscribers’ability to draw their own conclusions based on noteworthy and credible news,research, legislation, and debate bearing on the integrity of elections.

Verified Voting Blog: New York SD 7: Count the Paper

In the first test case of how we verify election results using New York’s new paper ballots, the State Judiciary is in the process of setting an egregious precedent – Judges are free to nullify audits and recounts in the interests of having a quick decision. In Nassau County’s contested 7th Senate District (SD7) race, two State Courts that have heard the case to date have made very bad decisions. Ruling that even if New York’s audit laws require a further hand count of paper ballots, accepting the machine results and declaring a winner outweigh the public’s right to know who really won the election. [ See news reports here and here.]

The Johnson and Martins dispute demonstrates the typical dynamic in close political contests when paper ballots are available to inspect – regardless of party affiliation, the candidate in the lead wants to stop further ballot counting, the candidate behind wants to continue. And the Courts almost always become involved in one way or another. In the SD7 case, Johnson asks the Court to order a full manual recount, since several machines failed the initial 3% audit. Martin’s legal team on the other hand argues that “At the end of the day we must balance accuracy with finality”. The meaning here is hardly disguised – stop counting ballots, we’re more interested in winning than getting an accurate result.

The Voting News Daily: More news from India, Indiana to review voter registration complaints, North Carolina’s IRV recount continues

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

International

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


Archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/Also on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/VotingNews and at Twitter http://twitter.com/VotingNewsSubscribe to Voting News at this link:http://tinyurl.com/votingnews To assist with Daily Voting News, please send links to news articles to us at votingnews@earthlink.net

=============================================”The Voting News is a free service made possible in part by support from Verified Voting Foundation. You can help support the Voting News by sending a check to Verified Voting Foundation, PO Box 4104, Carlsbad, CA 92018. Be sure to note “for Voting News” in the memo line of your check! Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.”Donate online at this link: http://tinyurl.com/donate-vnDisclaimer: Articles and commentary included in “Voting News” do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors of Voting News,or its allied organizations. Articles are selected for inclusion to inform subscribers’ability to draw their own conclusions based on noteworthy and credible news,research, legislation, and debate bearing on the integrity of elections.

The Voting News Daily: Officials say e-voting researchers issued visas by mistake, recounts wind down, California turnout exceeds projections

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

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

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

CA: Registrars defend against David Harmer accusations

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

International

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

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

Archives here at http://votingnews.blogspot.com/

The Voting News Daily: Wikileaks, Estonia’s internet election and ‘Lessons Learned’. Editor’s Note

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

All this and more in today’s voting news below…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

National

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

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

Verified Voting Blog: Maryland Report – Scanners Cost Less than DREs

A new study commissioned by the state of Maryland has just taken a close look at the relative cost of optical-scan paper-ballot voting systems compared with electronic touch-screen systems, and found that optical-scan paper-ballot systems are less expensive . These findings are timely and important not only for Maryland, but for other states as well. With Maryland's direct-recording electronic voting machines (DREs) approaching the end of their useful lifespan, the report by the Department of Legislative Services notes that using the systems becomes increasingly risky as the machines age. The report recommends that the State should move to implement optical scan systems for "long-term cost-effectiveness and cost control." and that "Maryland would spend $9.5 million less on an optical scan system than it would on a DRE system. Both [Operations and Maintenance]and capital costs are expected to be lower over the long term under an optical scan system."

Using current costs of service contracts and cost proposals submitted to the State, the study concludes that "Overall, the cost of continuing to use the state’s current voting system will be higher than transitioning to an optical scanning system." The study compared price quotes submitted to Maryland with five other states and ascertained that "the proposed purchase of the optical scan devices and related equipment appears to be in line with what other jurisdictions have paid for identical equipment. In all cases where direct comparisons can be made of ES&S pricing on software and hardware from past contracts, the price quotes in the Maryland response are comparable or better."

The Voting News Daily: India deports US voting machine expert. Bridgeport recount finds errors. Editor Note!

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

All this and more in today’s voting news below…

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

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

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

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

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

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

IN: Clerk wants to keep HAVA funds for 2012 election
http://timessentinel.com/county/x1199049350/Clerk-wants-to-keep-HAVA-funds-for-2012-election

The Voting News Daily: New York 7th SD recount quest about precedent. Alaska judge rules for state

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

All this and more in today’s voting news below…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Voting News Daily: Creating elections we can trust – Columbia Co New York, Humboldt & Yolo CA

Kudos to Humboldt County CA Registrar Carolyn Crnich, Yolo County. CA Registrar Freddy Oakley, for adopting innovative methods to increase transparency & public involvement in elections..Big applause to Columbia Co New York Election Commish Virginia Martin for hand counting the votes, leaving no doubt about the results….Credibility of Minnesota’s election process vindicated.. Nassau SD 07 audit to expand..This headline make my hair explode-Tom Green Co TX: “1,545 local ballots found. Votes would not have changed election results”..

All this and more in today’s voting news below…

AK: Judge hears arguments in Miller’s Senate battle; decision won’t come before Friday http://www.alaskadispatch.com/dispatches/politics/7770-judge-hears-arguments-in-millers-senate-battle-decision-wont-come-before-friday

AK: Alaska elections director disputes Miller voting claims
http://newsminer.com/view/full_story/10606088/article-Alaska-elections-director-disputes-Miller-voting-claims-?instance=home_news_window_left_top_1
… disputed Republican Joe Miller’s allegations that perhaps hundreds of felons were wrongfully allowed to vote in last month’s U.S. Senate race.

Gail Fenumiai said the state Division of Elections compares its voter rolls weekly with data from the Department of Corrections and removes those who have lost their right to vote. Asked if she had any concerns that felons were wrongfully allowed to vote, she answered emphatically: “Absolutely not.

CA: Election Integrity Awards in Marin Co., California on 12/16
http://democracyandelectionintegrity.org/ MEET two brave and innovative registrars of voters and their associates who introduced the TEVS open source method to create safer, more transparent elections in their counties and engaged citizens in the process. MEET AND TALK TO THE AWARD WINNERS
From Humboldt County Carolyn Crnich, Mitch Trachtenberg and Kevin Collins
From Yolo County, Tom Stanionis and Freddie Oakley (Freddie is unable to attend)

CA: Board asks elections chief to make changes(Ventura County)
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2010/dec/08/board-asks-elections-chief-to-make-changes/

CO: Canvass Board submits vote abstract, files complaint* (Saguache County)
http://www.centerpostdispatch.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&story_id=1406&page=72 (machines not secured, logic & accuracy not according to rule, ballots altered with sticky tabs, audit not correctly performed, every time ballots scanned machine gave different result, various discrepancies…)

CO: Clerk misrepresents returns (Saguache County)
http://www.centerpostdispatch.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&page=72&story_id=1407 Contrary to Myers press release, the official canvass board statement found discrepancies in machine vote counts for all races and did not “sign off” on the final “audit” but instead submitted only a vote abstract..

MN: Credibility of Minnesota’s election process vindicated. http://ceimn.org/Minnesota_recount_Dayton_Emmer_Governor_Ritchie_elections_voting_SCTimes
The state’s elections system works in a credible and accurate way.

NC: Close call: Recount for statewide instant-runoff, judicial election
http://www.mountainx.com/news/2010/ballots_must_be_counted_again_in_statewide_instant-runoff_election

NC: Polston submits new protest of general election
http://www2.journalnow.com/news/2010/dec/09/polston-submits-new-protest-of-general-election-ar-602441/
He wants all results from East Winston center tossed out
Polston is asking the Forsyth County Board of Elections to toss out all the results from the East Winston Heritage Center precinct because blank ballots were found in the box when elections officials conducted a recount.

NY: Your vote counts. By VIRGINIA MARTIN Dem. election commissioner of Columbia Co. http://www.columbiapaper.com/index.php/opinions/1675-by-virginia-martin–
Why county is hand-counting all its ballots
…We’re using this as an opportunity to boost civic participation in our elections. In a hands-on, see-it-with-their-own-eyes way, we’re having individuals count the votes that were cast by their neighbors. No one in our county will speculate that the results were skewed because the machines didn’t work right.

The Voting News Daily: Michigan recount uncovers ballot probs. Internet voting in age of Cyber War

Michigan recount mess: 1000s of ballots in Huron & Tuscola Cnty weren’t secured properly so cant be recounted…NC Statewide IRV contest faces recount..MY City, How Do You Lose Nearly 200,000 Votes? “This calls into question the whole validity of the process.” — Sam Roberts..India missing 4,000 electronic voting machines..Dr. Barbara Simons on internet voting…All out Cyber War over Wikileaks shows risk of using internet for elections..

All this and more in today’s voting news below…

AK: Miller disputes Senate vote count at Juneau hearing
http://www.ktuu.com/news/ktuu-miller-senate-suit-hearing-120810,0,3656395.story
Miller argues that write-in votes must name “Lisa Murkowski,” exactly as her name appears on her declaration of candidacy, to be counted.

AK: Alaska judge to decide Senate challenge by Friday
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/08/AR2010120800930.html
A decision in Miller’s favor could result in thousands of challenged write-in ballots for incumbent Sen. Lisa Murkowski being tossed and lead to a recount

AR: Losing candidates file lawsuit over missing absentee ballots in Arkansas’ Phillips county http://www.kspr.com/sns-ap-ar–newsnow,0,7936274.story
Phillips County election officials say 65 absentee ballots from the Nov. 2 general election are missing and now several candidates who lost close races are filing a lawsuit.
…
The list showed 608 absentee votes were cast, but only 543 were turned over to commissioners for certification on Nov. 15.

CA: After losing, politician rethinks ranked-choice voting
http://californiawatch.org/dailyreport/after-losing-politician-rethinks-ranked-choice-voting-7291
San Leandro Mayor Tony Santos was a big booster of ranked-choice voting, the controversial new system for conducting local elections in California

FL: December 12th is the 10th Anniversary of Supreme Court Decision to Halt Florida Recount in 2000 Presidential Election http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/december-12th-is-the-10th-anniversary-of-supreme-court-decision-to-halt-florida-recount-in-2000-presidential-election-111481979.html

IL: Judge to Naperville: Return candidates to ballot
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20101207/news/712089915/
A DuPage County judge on Tuesday ordered the city of Naperville to allow two city council candidates back on the April 5 ballot.
They were among four kicked off the ballot due to what they called misleading paperwork issued by the city. In the wake of that ruling, two other candidates, forced off for the same reason, also were reinstated.

IN: Secretary of State-Elect Tries Again to Halt Election Challenge
http://www.wibc.com/news/Story.aspx?id=1322622 Parker claims White is ineligible to take office because he registered to vote at the wrong address. Brooks says that’s a misstatement of the law, which requires only that candidates be registered in the district they intend to serve — in White’s case, the entire state.

MA: Plymouth County election results official despite missing names
http://www.wickedlocal.com/norwell/news/x1921990420/Plymouth-County-election-results-official-despite-missing-names “The mantra is supposed to be ‘count every vote,’ ” Markham said, “but though the commonwealth must have known there was a problem with several towns when they didn’t report the names of their top write-ins, they did nothing.”

MI: Election recount uncovers ballot problems
http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=news/local&id=7831069 Trouble first showed up in Huron County, where about 25 percent of the ballots could not be recounted….
A state election official says at least 10 of the 32 precincts in Tuscola County cannot be recounted because of these and other mistakes made by precinct officials.
(Huron & Tuscola Cnty,ballots not properly secured can’t be recounted)

MI: Cost costs $250,000 and rising for Saugatuck Township in legal battle with developer Aubrey McClendon http://www.hollandsentinel.com/topstories/x1757248538/Cost-costs-250-000-and-rising-for-Saugatuck-Township-in-legal-battle-with-developer-Aubrey-McClendon

The Voting News Daily: NY SD 7 recount battle rages on. NC instant runoff wipes candidate’s 100K lead

Saturday a judge ruled against manual count of NY’s Sen Dist 7 contest. Prof. Philip Stark (Dept of Statistics, UC Berkeley)expert witness for Nassau Cnty DEMS was not allowed to testify but some remarks were read into the record: “The potential for error in this contest is large: In total, the 242 unaudited machines could hold enough error to account for the apparent margin 186 times over. Sixty-six of the 242 unaudited machines could individually hold enough error to account for the apparent margin.” hat tip to Lonna Atkeson at Election Updates blog. Johnson filed appeal ..

All this and more in today’s voting news below…

AK: Judge allows Murkowski to participate in election challenge
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/120310/loc_745154655.shtml

AR: Man Linked To Explosive Device Found At Polling Place Arrested
http://www.4029tv.com/r/26020238/detail.html …members of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force arrested Mark Krause, a 40-year-old Arkansas man, in connection with an explosive device found at a polling place in Osage, Ark., in Carroll County in June 2010.

CT: Registrars’ busy Monday: mayoral panel, recount nearing finish
http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Registrars-busy-Monday-mayoral-panel-recount-864481.php The Connecticut Post and the Connecticut Citizen Election Audit Coalition, which were granted access to the election materials by the city, will finish compiling the recount data over the next day or two. Meanwhile, the registrars are inspecting the figures — which were broken up by voting district and ballot type — and raising any concerns they have before the numbers are made public.

CT: Just who are the people counting the ballots? (in Bridgeport)
http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Just-who-are-the-people-counting-the-ballots-860614.php Most of them are members of the Connecticut Citizen Election Audit Coalition, which joins the League of Women Voters in Connecticut, Common Cause, CTVoters.org and Connecticut Citizen Action Group.

CT: End in sight as Bridgeport recount breaks for the weekend
http://www.ctpost.com/default/article/End-in-sight-as-Bridgeport-recount-breaks-for-the-859431.php While finalizing the recount numbers from one district, Weeks compared his team’s numbers for photocopied ballots with the city’s figures. He showed the comparison to Santa Ayala, Bridgeport’s Democratic registrar of voters. The numbers weren’t in alignment, so the two agreed to check for a recounting fault.

Guam: 1st Court Hearing Set for Election Fraud Lawsuit
http://guamnewswatch.com/201012063772/Local-News/1st-Court-Hearing-Set-for-Election-Fraud-Lawsuit.html

KS: Coalition says proposed voter ID law is costly, unneeded
http://www.kansas.com/2010/12/06/1620624/coalition-says-proposed-law-is.html

MN: Emmer Zooms in on Voter Database in Minn. Gov Race
http://kstp.com/news/stories/S1869158.shtml?cat=1 But routine post-election updates to the system won’t be completed anytime soon. And officials caution that the system can’t be used the way Emmer wants – to pair the number of votes and eligible voters.

NC: McCullough overtakes Thigpen in NC court race
http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/12/06/1854375/mccullough-overtakes-thigpen-in.html
Nearly complete results from the instant runoff race for the North Carolina Court of Appeals show the second-place candidate overtaking the leading candidate from the first round of voting. (goes from 100,000 votes ahead to 6,700 votes behind)

NC: N. Carolina GOP to push for voter photo IDs
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/12/06/1959602/nc-gop-to-push-for-voter-photo.html Republicans who take control of the General Assembly in January want to make North Carolina the 10th state requiring voters to show a driver’s license or other photo ID. House leaders hope to pass a bill in their first 100 days

NJ: Jurors in voter fraud trial involving Atlantic City Councilman Marty Small caught in legal marathon http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/press/atlantic_city/article_9eebd822-00d4-11e0-95de-001cc4c03286.html

The Voting News Daily: Travis Texas recount ‘shines light on election problems’. Minn recount slammed

Seriously? Politico piece slams Minnesota recounts, says they should be harder to get…Meanwhile judge rules against Dems quest for Nassau recount in Johnson-Martins NY 7th Senate race. Johnson to appeal..Value of recounts learned in Texas House Dist 48: “That recount has become like turning over a big rock to see all the unpleasant things that live in the darkness beneath it, and what it has revealed about voting in Travis County is not pretty.”..6 India EVMs recovered from scrap dealers..We bank online, why not vote online? Consider “Millions cashless in bank glitch”…

All this and more in today’s voting news below…

AK: Joe Miller gambles with Alaska Senate challenge
http://dailycaller.com/2010/12/04/joe-miller-gambles-with-alaska-senate-challenge/

CA: Three Compton residents sue city, allege voting rights violations
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/12/three-compton-residents-sue-city-allege-voting-rights-violations.html The complaint filed Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleges that the at-large elections for City Council seats have the effect of diluting the Latino vote.

GUAM: Gutierrez Election Lawsuit Gets 1st Hearing in Superior Court December 15th
http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9821:gutierrez-election-lawsuit-gets-1st-hearing-december-15th&catid=45:guam-news&Itemid=156
The lawsuit filed by former Governor Carl Gutierrez which seeks to over-turn the Guam Election Commission’s certification of Calvo-Tenorio as the winners of the 2010 Gubernatorial election will gets its first hearing in Superior Court next week Wednesday.

MA: Plymouth County Commission write-in winners written off?
Results don’t include top vote getters from Carver, Abington
http://www.wickedlocal.com/rochester/town_info/government/x556844365/Write-in-winners-written-off Governor’s Council to reconsider election results..

MN: Emmer drops nearly all Hennepin challenges
http://www.startribune.com/politics/recount/111328179.html?page=1&c=y
For Republican Tom Emmer, behind by nearly 9,000 votes, the path to the governor’s office has only gotten steeper since Election Day.

MN: (Editorial)States can avoid Minnesota’s recount mess
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1210/45913.html
Criticizes MN recount trigger, recounts are expensive, etc.

MN: Minnesota recount ends, but Emmer seeks answers
http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/185626/ When Hennepin County election officials ended their work Friday night, the five-day recount of all 2.1 million ballots cast on Nov. 2 wrapped up with Democrat Mark Dayton leading by about the same as when it started: roughly 9,000 votes. But work continues today as Emmer and Dayton’s campaigns begin examining ballots Emmer representatives challenged.

MN: State allows disputed ballots to be examined again
http://www.startribune.com/politics/recount/111303764.html A Supreme Court justice also scolded his former colleague who is now one of Tom Emmer’s attorneys in the recount.

MN: Ballot example 9 (one of the challenged ballots)
http://www.startribune.com/politics/recount/111147224.html A ballot challenged by volunteers for GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer that Hennepin County elections officials have deemed to be frivolous. (The ballot is clearly & correctly marked)

MN: Minn. prosecutor finds no evidence of voter fraud
http://plainsdaily.com/story/8367
A prosecutor in north-central Minnesota says he won’t file charges in a complaint that two disabled voters had their ballots filled out by a group home worker.

NY: Republicans Lay Claim to New York State Senate
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/05/nyregion/05elect.html?_r=1
Republicans claimed they had retaken the New York State Senate on Saturday after a State Supreme Court justice rejected a hand recount of a pivotal race in Nassau County. But Democrats said they planned to appeal the decision this week,

NY: 17% Of NYC Votes Not Counted In Midterm Election
http://gothamist.com/2010/12/03/17_of_nyc_votes_not_counted_in_midt.php
And if you voted in Queens, there was a 1 in 3 chance the the ballot wasn’t counted, with a whopping 80,000 uncounted ballots found in the borough alone.

The Voting News Daily: Election hangover,Bush V Gore legacy. N.Carolina still counting IRV contest

Champaign Ill Cnty Clerk compares return rate of emailed vs snail-mailed blank overseas military ballots….MN GOP candidate Emmer to withdraw some ballot challenges..MN counties await payment for election docs political parties demanded..Steven Schlesinger,atty for Johnson(D) count..said New York’s new optical scanning machines “suck,” and estimated 40 percent failed a required audit..Report: Barriers to Voting Access at 3 out of 4 NY Polling Sites..Election Hangover – The real legacy of Bush v. Gore…

All this and more in today’s voting news below…

AL: Jefferson CO, AL: Nell Hunter has retired after servicing 47 years as voter registrar http://www.votelaw.com/blog/archives/006485.html

AL: Illegally placed campaign signs may get the “death penalty” in Huntsville
http://blog.al.com/breaking/2010/12/illegally_placed_campaign_sign.html

CA: RIVERSIDE COUNTY: Glitch cited for Measure M recount (reporting error)
http://www.pe.com/localnews/stories/PE_News_Local_D_pension03.4207f6a.html
On election night, a computer problem led to early results not properly showing the number of precincts reporting. Officials have insisted the vote totals were accurate. The problem, along with late-arriving voters, led to delays in posting of results

CO: Fort Collins to consider instant-runoff voting
http://www.ncbr.com/article.asp?id=54882

CT: Democratic Registrar of Voters Talks Ballots, Cross-Endorsement
http://newtown.patch.com/articles/democratic-registrar-of-voters-talks-ballots-cross-endorsement LeReine Frampton wants to clarify how cross-endorsement works.

IL: FPCA Ballot Return Rates (ballots requested by overseas military voters)
http://blog.champaigncountyclerk.com/2010/12/03/fpca-ballot-return-rates/
For this election, we had 213 voters who requested a ballot through email and 583 who requested it through regular mail. We had a 27% return rate for the email ballots and a 40% return rate for mail ballots. For military voters, who seemed to be the primary focus of the law, we had 16 out of 41 email ballots returned (28%) against 93 out of 155 mail ballots returned (38%).

MA: Easton asked to close schools for statewide elections
http://www.enterprisenews.com/topstories/x652139263/Easton-School-Committee-asked-to-close-school-for-statewide-elections

MN: A Note on Reconcilation in Minnesota
http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/electionlaw/comments/index.php?ID=7977
It looks as is if, going forward, “reconciliation” will be the main issue in the still-unresolved gubernatorial election in Minnesota.

MN: Dayton withdraws ‘frivolous’ challenges
http://www.startribune.com/politics/recount/111236354.html

MN: Emmer to withdraw some ballot challenges
http://www.startribune.com/politics/blogs/111267109.html But in saying so, he also laid heavy stress on one of the arguments that would likely be used in a court challenge if DFLer Mark Dayton is declared the winner after the recount, a standard known as “reconciliation.”

MN: Counties Await Payment For Requested Election Documents
http://www.keyc.com/node/44637 Two weeks ago the County sent letters to both parties requiring a 1,000 dollar down payment.They say the DFL Party has paid…but the Republican Party has not…Kennedy says, “To date we haven’t received anything yet.”And other counties say they’re facing the same problem.
…
Both Nicollet County and Waseca County were threatened with litigation by the Republican Party if documents were not completed in a timely manner.Kennedy says, “Then we were notified that with threatened litigation that if we didn’t have that available that they would pursue another means of obtaining that information and or suing the city basically.”And now much of the work ready, neither party has arranged to pick up the completed documents in Nicollet County.

MN: Emmer, Minn. GOP weigh risks of election lawsuit
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/nation/emmer-minn-gop-weigh-risks-of-election-lawsuit-1097287.html As a recount in the Minnesota governor’s race nears completion with no evidence that it will change the outcome, the Republican candidate and his party face a critical decision: whether to contest the result in court or step aside and let Democrat Mark Dayton take office.