1343893
submission
Irvu writes
"On October 29th the Election Assistance Commission announced its intention to suspend SysTest labs' accreditation as a voting machine examiner. For those unfamiliar with the process the EAC along with the National Institute of Standards and Technology manages the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines, a set of federal standards for electronic voting machines. These guidelines are a necessary prerequisite for using machines in many states. The Independent Testing Authorities (ITAs) of which SysTest is one are then paid by manufacturers to certify their machines as meeting the standard. Under present rules they are paid after the tests come out and testing is only public if the machine passes.
SysTest was cited by NIST and the EAC for, among other things: 1) a lack of properly documented methods; 2) testing by unqualified personnel; and 3) improper assurances made to manufacturers regarding test outcomes. According to the EAC SysTest is currently examining systems for Premier (formerly Diebold), ES&S (makers of the iVotronic), Unisyn and Dominion Voting. SysTest has certified systems in the past notably the ES&S iVotronic system which was used in Sarasota Florida's 2006 election and has been discussed in the EVEREST study."
1228061
submission
Irvu writes
"As reported here a New Jersey Superior Court Judge has prohibited the release of an analysis conducted on the Sequoia AVC Advantage voting system. This report arose out of a lawsuit challenging the use of the systems on constitutional grounds. The study was conducted by Andrew Appel on behalf of the plaintiffs, after the Judge in the case ordered the company to permit it. That same judge has now held it indefinitely from the public record on a verbal order."
626212
submission
Irvu writes
"The U.S. House of Representatives is considering HR. 5036 the "Emergency Assistance for Secure Elections Act of 2008" as introduced by Representative Rush Holt. The bill is scheduled for a floor vote later today. This bill would provide for emergency paper ballots, money for the addition of voter verifiable paper ballots to existing systems, and post-election audits. Crucially the change to paper is opt-in making it possible or local jurisdictions to govern their own choices. The bill was reported out of committee with strong bi-partisan support. Summaries of the bill may be found here, here and here). As of this morning the White house has opposed the bill but not thretened a veto and some, previously supportive, Republicans have now changed their tune. This bill is one of the few bills to make it this far in Congress and to have this level of support.
Letters (or better calls) may be made to your house rep (see the "find your representative" link on the upper left hand side of the page). A sample support letter is available here."
290261
submission
Irvu writes
"The Penninsula Clarion is reporting that Alaska's Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell has asked the University of Alaska Anchorage to conduct a study of the State's voting equipment. The entire state uses Diebold optical scanners and DREs for accessibility. The same systems were decertified by California's Secretary of State Debra Bowen after their disastrous performance in the Top to Bottom Review. The request was made by Lt. Gov Parnell and the state's election director Whitney Brewster to UAA Chancellor and former Lt Governor Fran Ulmer."
256443
submission
Irvu writes
"Diebold has apparently failed in their bid to sell their tainted elections systems unit. Unable to find a buyer the CEO of Diebold promised that the system will be run more "openly and independently." To prove that they are serious, they renamed it. Diebold Election Systems is now Premiere Election Solutions. They still sell GEMS, AccuVote OS and the ever-unpopular AccuVote-TSX which performed so disastrously in California's Top-to-Bottom Review under the same names. Apparently their rebranding effort only goes so far."
168027
submission
Irvu writes
"HR 811 the Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2007 has been reported out of committee and sent to the floor of the U.S. House for (possible) amendments and a vote. An accurate FUD free summary of the bill's present form can be found here. If, after reading this you support it (and are a U.S. Citizen) then I would urge you to contact your congressional rep. If they are a cosponsor then thank them and urge them to show up to vote for it (unfortunately some do not). If not then urge them to become a cosponsor and show up to vote."
54274
submission
Irvu writes
"The Day after NIST rejected new voting standards requiring "Software-Independent" voting systems, they accepted new ones. These new standards differ from the rejected ones in only one crucial way. The current crop of software dependent systems (touchscreens, pushbuttons, and dial-a-vote) will be grandfathered in making them legal for the forseeable future. This shlters the counties that bought them, and the manufacturers that make them from costly and politically embarassing changes. See reports here, here, and here."
