Guest Blogged by John Gideon of VotersUnite.org and VoteTrustUSA.Org
Today’s news emphasis has moved from California to New York, Pennsylvania, and Florida. The news about the DoJ suing New York was expected and now it’s here. The DoJ seems to want chaos in elections and they may get it. In Pennsylvania the state ‘supremes’ have decided that state law can be followed or ignored when it suits officials and they have allowed counties to go ahead and change voting systems. In Florida a bill has been introduced to require a voter verified paper ballot. And in Maryland it seems that the Governor is not convinced that the Diebold code question has been answered satisfactorily and he is concerned. Meanwhile there are protesters in California and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson signs the paper ballot bill into law….
CA: Critics Say State Rush On Touch Screens Risks Secure Voting LINK
CA: Orange County – Dozens of New O.C. Democrats Were Signed Up as Republicans LINK
CA: Flawed Voting Machines Get State OK LINK
CA: Critics sound voting alarm LINK
CA: Protesters rally against electronic voting machines LINK
CA: Where’s The Hearing On the Diebold Security Flaws Discovered By The Secretary of State? LINK
CA: Rules could force voters to mailbox for June 6 vote LINK
CO: County voting officials boxed in LINK
FL: Bill requires backup records of votes LINK
FL: Bill pairs paper record with electronic vote LINK
IL: Not many voting early so far LINK
IN: Greene County – Voting machines a hit with public LINK
MD: State Board of Elections Admits That Diebold Touchscreens Are Hackable LINK
MD: Ehrlich’s concerns about voting persist LINK
MI: Midland County – Voting machines will take some getting used to LINK
NC: Rockingham County – Polling places cut to save money LINK
NM: Gov signs bill authorizing paper ballot voting LINK
NY: Critics Say Voting Machines Suit May Cause Chaos at Fall Elections LINK
NY: Saratoga County – County concerned about new voting machines LINK
PA: Pa. justices say county can switch voting systems LINK
PA: Court: Pa. county can switch voter systems LINK
PA: Governor Rendell Commends State Supreme Court for Clarifying That Counties Can Buy New Electronic Voting Machines LINK
PA: State elections boss defends mandate for electronic voting machines LINK
PA: Opinion – ID whose time has come LINK
PA: Clarion County – County to demonstrate new voting machines LINK
PA: Greene County – Greene election official defends office’s actions LINK
PA: Monroe County – Electronic voting machines rented for May primary LINK
PA: Various Counties – A touchy voting dispute gets a look and a hearing LINK
PA: Venango County – Voting machine deal not quite done LINK
TN: Hawkins County – Trade-in cuts cost of new Hawkins voting machines LINK
WA: House agrees to bump primary to August LINK
**”Daily Voting News” is meant as a comprehensive listing of reports each day concerning issues related to election and voting news around the country regardless of quality or political slant. Therefore, items listed in “Daily Voting News” may not reflect the opinions of VotersUnite.Org or BradBlog.Com**
Today’s news emphasis has moved from California to New York, Pennsylvania, and Florida. The news about the DoJ suing New York was expected and now it’s here. The DoJ seems to want chaos in elections and they may get it. In Pennsylvania the state ‘supremes’ have decided that state law can be followed or ignored when it suits officials and they have allowed counties to go ahead and change voting systems. In Florida a bill has been introduced to require a voter verified paper ballot. And in Maryland it seems that the Governor is not convinced that the Diebold code question has been answered satisfactorily and he is concerned. Meanwhile there are protesters in California and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson signs the paper ballot bill into law….
Va. Mayor Indicted in Votes-Bribe Probe
By SUE LINDSEY
Associated Press Writer
http://www.newsday.com/news/nat...tion-headlines
March 2, 2006, 8:32 PM EST
WISE, Va. — An investigation that began with allegations of cigarettes, alcohol and pork rinds being offered for votes led to the indictment Thursday of a small town’s mayor and 13 others on charges of election fraud and corruption.
Prosecutors allege a May 2004 election was fixed in Appalachia, a coal town of about 2,000 in Virginia’s rugged southwest corner. Also named in the 269-count indictment were a town councilman, a police captain and a police officer.
Mayor Ben Cooper, who also is the town manager and runs the police department, faces about 240 charges and "more time than he could possibly serve," said special prosecutor Tim McAfee.
Others indicted included Councilman Owen "Andy" Sharrett, his father, mother, brother and several other members of their family.
The investigation began after residents of a government-subsidized housing complex said they were approached by a supporter of one of the candidates and offered cigarettes, liquor and in one case a bag of fried pork skins for their votes.
Such offers in themselves are not illegal, McAfee said, but state police found a web of voting misconduct.
The Wise County indictment alleges a conspiracy to elect a slate of three candidates to the five-member council. Once they took office, the police department engaged in drug trafficking and illegal seizure of money and personal possessions from residents, the indictment said.
On Election Day, McAfee said, an unspecified number of voters were allegedly escorted inside the polls and had votes cast for them. The indictment also alleges 55 instances of tampering with absentee ballots
Atwitsend #1
One voting machine hacked can blow away the votes of an entire city in a nano-second.
Voters are victims, not the problem.
The problem is hackable voting machines. You should spend some time here.
It is a non-partisan election integrity site. Enjoy.
Happy to see that people are getting savvy about the importance of paper ballots – finally! However, if paper ballots are counted by "opti-scan" machines, they are still problematic and can be hacked. Also, has anyone thought about the potential for NSA wiretapping to intercept those voting numbers which may be transmitted by computer lines or phone lines?
It’s great to get enthusiasm mustered for the next elections BUT IF THE VOTING SITUATION IS NOT CORRECTED, machines will be hacked and one’s vote will definitely NOT count – so why bother with all of the campaign money, time waiting on line, etc. if it’s an "inside deal" to begin with????
I believe the ultimate answer to all of this is returning to hand counted (and monitored) paper ballots and CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM. Remember candidate Al Gore?? This was one of his primary concerns and it’s now coming home to roost with the lobbyists and corporations spinning out of control with their greed and corruption. I suspect that he was absolutely right and no one would listen….
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