Sends Letters to all 9 Companies Urging them to Take VR Recommendations!
Threatens Legislation to Withhold HAVA Money!
By Brad Friedman on 3/2/2005, 11:03am PT  

We couldn't be more honored. A stunning and ringing endorsement from the U.S. House Judiciary Committee's ranking minority member!

Read the good congressman's full statement of support on ConyersBlog! But here's a quick quote...[emphasis added]

Do we have to settle for another questionable election where many of us doubt that the official results reflect the true will of the voters?

No. Not if the political movement that brought about the challenge to Ohio's electors has anything to say about it. The activists over at VelvetRevolution want action now in their "Divestiture for Democracy" campaign. Today, I am formally endorsing this campaign and have sent letters to every single voting machine company asking for their support of this effort.

Conyers also sends a very clear message in his letter to the Voting Machine Companies, even threatening to introduce legislation to deny the companies HAVA funds (federal money from the Help America Vote Act which was earmarked to purchase E-Voting machines from these vendors), if they don't follow the recommendations made by VR: [emphasis added]

To avoid another election cycle where there is not widespread confidence in the outcome, they have initiated a “Divestiture for Democracy” campaign which specifically asks your company to take many of the above steps voluntarily because the American people should not have to wait for legislation to feel confident that their vote is counted. I agree with that position and urge you to implement the recommendations that they have recently made to your company. They are essential to our democracy.

Your company has an obligation to take these actions now. Congress has funded the(“HAVA”) with taxpayer money to buy vote counting machines from companies such as yours. Moreover, your company is performing a purely governmental function by counting the vote. Therefore, you have a duty to all Americans to act in a fully transparent way just as would any government entity. It is time for your company to demonstrate good corporate leadership in this area by announcing that you will take these vital steps. It is my position that only companies that take these actions deserve to be funded under HAVA and I will urge my colleagues to support legislation to that effect

Conyers' Letter to the 9 Voting Machine Companies here.
Conyers' Letter to Brad here.

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