It’s Ion Sancho Day on DU

County Supervisor of Elections

He unceremoniously dumped Diebold for its lousy security.

See the first story. THANK YOU IO SANCHO!!!

It’s also Harri Hursti Day too! He’s the Finnish security expert who hacked Diebold’s lousy machine in a demonstration for Sancho.

Thank you Harri Hursti!!!

Never forget the pursuit of Truth.

Only the deluded & complicit accept election
results on blind faith.

Election Reform, Fraud, & Related News TUESDAY, 12/20/05

All members welcome and encouraged to participate.

Please post Election Reform, Fraud, & Related News on this thread.

If you can:

1. Post stories and announcements you find on the web.

2. Post stories using the "Election Fraud and Reform News Sources" listed here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x371233

3. Re-post stories and announcements you find on DU, providing a link to the original thread with thanks to the Original Poster, too.

4. Start a discussion thread by re-posting a story you see on this thread.

If you want to know how post "News Banners" or other images, go here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=203&topic_id=371233#371391



All previous daily threads are available here:
http://www.independentmediasource.com/DU_archives/du_2004erd_el_ref_fr_thr_calenders.htm

Please

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for the Greatest Page (it's the link just below).

What more can we say. This is the original comment from Mr. Sancho last year after the first hack. Then another occurred and the deed was done, Diebold was dead in the water. This is an historic event. More tomorrow. The system works when the system pays attention. Sancho is clearly committed to democracy and election integrity. What a guy!!!

http://www.leonfl.org/elect/SpecialReport.htm
Public Document, No Copyright Restrictions

Special Report: Black Box Voting Attempts to Penetrate The Leon County Florida Optical Scan Voting System.

In January of this year Leon County Supervisor of Elections Ion Sancho was contacted by representatives of Black Box Voting .org, a non-partisan elections advocacy group, to see if their computer experts could successfully circumvent the security of the Leon County voting system. Supervisor Sancho agreed to this proposal and in three separate attempts over a four month period, computer experts Dr. Herbert Thompson and Harri Hursti visited the Leon County Elections Office in their efforts to penetrate the county voting tabulation equipment and alter election data.

The tests focused on two areas: outside or external hacks, specifically examining the modem and any lines going to the vote tabulation computer, and simulated inside or internal penetrations. The results were clear. No outside hack was accomplished. This was not the case however when the hacker was physically present at the vote tabulation computer terminal.

Granted the same access as an employee of our office, it was possible to enter the computer, alter election results, and exit the system without leaving any physical record of this action. It was also demonstrated that false information or instructions could be placed on a memory card (the device used to program the individual voting machines and record the voter’s votes) and create false results or election reports.

What conclusions can be drawn from this exercise? First, the optical scan voting system was resistant to external penetration, including using the modems which transmit election results from the precincts to the central vote accumulator. Outside hacking is seen as one of the greatest potential threats to undermining citizen confidence in the election process. The Leon County Supervisor of Elections is tremendously relieved that such penetration was not accomplished.

Secondly, the potential for internal sabotage does exist. It is imperative that security protocols be developed which limit access to the central voting computer and memory cards in election offices. Limited access, video surveillance, and tight controls on the use and distribution of memory cards, all practices currently in place in the Leon County Election Office, are vital to ensure unauthorized actions do not compromise the integrity of the elections process.

Finally, the ultimate insurance that Leon County’s votes are counted correctly resides in the paper ballots of the voters themselves. If the public or election official has any question over the results of an election, a hand count of the optical paper ballot provides the truth. No internal manipulation of any computer or memory card can alter the votes on these paper ballots.

Based upon the data developed out of this exercise it is the opinion of the Leon County Supervisor of Elections that any effort to limit or remove the manual examination of paper ballots to confirm the correctness of election results is not in the public interest.

Here’s the class action suit against Diebold related to general corporate procedures likelack of “internal controls” and so forth. It’s going to be a rough few months for Diebold until they finally go belly up.
LACK OF INTERNAL CONTROLS, CONCEALMENT OF THIS AND OTHER PROBLEMS, AND INSIDER TRADING—DIEBOLD HIT’S THE TRIFECTA IN A NEW LAW SUIT!!! COME ON DOWN DIEBOLD.
Press Release Source: Scott+Scott, LLC

Scott+Scott, LLC Files Securities Fraud Class Action Against Diebold Inc

.
Tuesday December 13, 6:19 pm ET
Complaint Alleges Insider Trading Violations

COLCHESTER, Conn., Dec. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Scott+Scott, LLC (http://www.scott-scott.com), at the direction of clients, has filed a securities fraud class action in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio against Diebold Inc. ("Diebold" or the "Company") (NYSE: DBD - News) and individual defendants. Presently, the class is defined in the complaint drafted by Scott+Scott as those who purchased Diebold securities between October 22, 2003, and September 21, 2005, inclusive (the "Class Period"). However, any purchaser of Diebold securities can contact the firm as the Class Period may change as information is revealed. Diebold engages in the development, manufacture, sale, and service of systems, software, and various products used to equip bank facilities such as automatic teller machines.

If you purchased Diebold securities during the Class Period and wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in the action, you must move the court no later than 60 days from today. Any member of the purported class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. If you wish to discuss this action or have questions concerning this notice or your rights, please contact Scott+Scott for more information. Scott+Scott will provide class members with case materials, answer all questions regarding participation and rights and assist with other services the firm provides. There is no cost or fee to you. Contact Scott+Scott partner Neil Rothstein (nrothstein@scott-scott.com, 800/332-2259, ext. 22 or cell 619/251-0887). Diebold investors may also contact the firm at DieboldSecuritiesLitigation@scott-scott.com.

The complaint alleges that defendants violated provisions of the United States securities laws causing artificial inflation of the Company's stock price. According to the complaint, during the Class Period, the Company lacked a credible state of internal controls and corporate compliance and remained unable to assure the quality and working order of its voting machine products. It is further alleged that the Company's false and misleading statements served to conceal the dimensions and scope of internal problems at the Company, impacting product quality, strategic planning, forecasting and guidance and culminating in false representations of astonishingly low and incredibly inaccurate restructuring charges for the 2005 fiscal year, which grossly understated the true costs and problems defendants faced to restructure the Company. The complaint also alleges over $2.7 million of insider trading proceeds obtained by individual defendants during the Class Period.

Wow, the press there covers it, there is a reasoned debate, and the challengers not only speak up, they are heard. This must not be a “zone of influence” for * and company. Maybe we can do that here.

http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200511200124.html

Election Fraud' Hearing Reconvening Today
FrontPageAfrica (Monrovia)

November 19, 2005
Posted to the web November 20, 2005
Monrovia

An investigation into alleged vote rigging and ballot stuffing in the run-off elections in Liberia is reconvening today in the Monrovia, Capitol Liberia, after a similar hearing ended without conclusion on Friday, a source close to the proceedings informed Front Page Africa today. Weah can appeal to the Supreme Court if he is not satisfied with the outcome of the probe.

On Friday, George Weah and his Congress for Democratic Change appeared before the hearing with some supporting documents to back up their case, although it was not revealed what had been presented. But a source told FrontPageAfrica that Weah and his team have been pushing for the National Elections Commission Chief, Frances Johnson-Morris to excuse herself from the investigation. Johnson-Morris reportedly skipped the proceedings on Friday.

As the investigation continues, Weah's rival, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf continues to garnered legitimacy as the winner of the Liberian presidency. The Unity Party standard bearer picked up a major endorsement from West African leaders on Friday (Sirleaf won 60-40% according to election results.).

AZ: Editorial Blasts Voting Rights Stand Down at DOJ
Tom Teepen o f AZ nails it right on the head…the US Department of Justice is sitting on its behind or doing nothing by design, you might say “intelligent design,” in an effort to advance the long standing Republican agenda of narrowing the options of citizens to vote.

http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/107470

My opinion Tom Teepen: On hobbling protection of voting rights

Tucson, Arizona | Published: 12.19.2005

<snip>

States with long and often violent histories of suppressing minority voting are required by the Voting Rights Act to have changes in their election laws or procedures vetted by the federal government as a hedge against backsliding.

In cases from Texas and Georgia, panels of Justice Department lawyers and analysts found that pending changes would unlawfully dilute minority voting power. In both cases, the administration's political operatives approved the changes even so.

In Texas, the recent and regrettable House majority leader, and current indictee, Tom DeLay, R-Texas, engineered and helped to bankroll an extraordinary redistricting that almost instantly boosted the state's GOP congressional delegation from 15 to 21 and secured DeLay's Republican majority in Congress.

I spent time in Santa Cruz and know all the jokes about how utterly leftist they are. How leftist are they, you ask? It's so left wing their version of asubsidized lunch is Granola and Soy Milk from the bargain aisle. Well apparently, not enough because they got suckered into buying voting machines. There are not enough “clear eyed” people in town to constitute a real Virginia precinct yet they need machines. Now they can’t get them.

http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/news/politics/13442209.htm

Santa Cruz CA can’t buy voting machines it wants.
Not certified by state.

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) - Santa Cruz County won't meet a federal deadline requiring voting systems for the disabled at polling sites, officials said.

The 2002 Help America Vote Act says the disabled must be able to vote without assistance by Jan. 1. But Santa Cruz County officials said they can't meet the deadline because there are only a few manufacturers of the needed voting machines.

The county negotiated with Sequoia Voting Systems Inc. on developing a voting system. But the approximately $2 million contract is on hold because the Secretary of State's office did not fully certify Sequoia's machines.

As long as there's no air, you must keep gasping.

As long as there's no water, you must continue thirsting.

As long as the truth remains hidden, you must keep speaking.

:toast: to you!!!

Democratic Party questions 2004 elections results

Monday, December 19, 2005 - by Jason Moore

Anchorage, Alaska – It’s been more than a year since the 2004 election and the Alaska Democratic Party is questioning the state’s official vote count. Democratic Party communications director Kay Brown says the official results do not accurately reflect the district-by-district totals posted on the Division of Elections Web site. Some districts show more than 200 percent voter turnout.

Brown says in the presidential race, the state’s district-by-district breakdown appears to give President Bush 101,000 more votes than he actually received. State elections officials say the numbers are skewed because early voting for statewide races was based on regional returns rather than by district and they say a municipal election held in Anchorage on the same day also added to the confusion.

snip

The Democratic Party has filed a public records request to get access to the state’s computer file to more closely examine the returns. State officials say they hope to have a better system in place for the 2006 elections.

snip

http://www.ktuu.com/cms/templates/master.asp?articleid=2662&zoneid=1

Discussion:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x405991

December 18, 2005

Bucks voting coalition grows in numbers, influence

Municipalities, Dems join call for machines with paper record.
By Hal Marcovitz
Of The Morning Call

Six months ago, the Bucks County Coalition for Voting Integrity amounted to little more than a few names and phone numbers scribbled on a note pad kept by Mary Ann Gould, the Richboro woman who founded the group.

Today, the coalition has a mailing list of more than 1,000, an attorney, a legal defense fund and a major political party backing its mission, which is to persuade the county commissioners to buy voting machines that preserve paper records of each vote cast in an election.

County commissioners have been flooded with phone calls and e-mails from coalition members.

snip

Four municipalities in Bucks have passed resolutions calling for ''voter-verified paper ballots.'' And, the Bucks County Democratic Committee has weighed in, passing a resolution this month calling on commissioners to adopt the coalition's stance and buy machines that create paper records.

snip

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/quakertown/all-2votedec18,0,7042551.story?coll=all-newslocalquakertown-hed

Discussion:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x405947

State's proposed election changes criticized

Rules favor ATM-style voting machines, which some say can't be trusted

Nick Reisman
Albany bureau

(December 17, 2005) — ALBANY — Voter-rights advocates sharply criticized proposed changes in elections regulations on Friday, saying that they cater to private companies and ignore the public's needs.

Most who testified at a state hearing said New York should choose an "optical scan" system in which voters pencil in ovals to select choices, much like a standardized school test, and then feed the ballot into a scanner. It's cheaper and more reliable than ATM-style machines, the witnesses said. Also, critics charged that electronic voting machines don't provide a "paper trail" to verify votes and could be tampered with.

snip

Aimee Allaud of the League of Women Voters said the new regulations, published by the state Board of Elections last month, had a distinct bias in favor of computerized machines. She said that the rules place more scrutiny on paper-based ballots and too much trust in a computer, since the program's source code isn't made public.

snip

The board has refused to mandate that companies offer optical-scan machines. Activists fear that means manufacturers will put forward only a more expensive electronic option.
snip

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051217/NEWS01/512170318/1002/NEWS

December 19. 2005
NYT slaps Diebold and paperless voting

The Business of Voting
New York Times

Diebold, the controversial electronic voting machine manufacturer, is coming off a tumultuous week. Its chief executive, Walden O'Dell, resigned. It was hit with a pair of class-action lawsuits charging insider trading and misrepresentation, and a county in Florida concluded that Diebold's voting machines could be hacked. The company should use Mr. O'Dell's departure to reassess its flawed approach to its business. The counting of votes is a public trust. Diebold, whose machines count many votes, has never acted as if it understood this.

Diebold's voting machines have a troubled history. The company was accused of installing improperly certified software, which is illegal, in a 2002 governor's race in Georgia. Across the country, it reached a multimillion-dollar settlement with the California attorney general last year of a lawsuit alleging that it made false claims about the security of its machines. Last week, the top elections officer in Leon County, Fla., which includes Tallahassee, concluded after a test that Diebold machines can be hacked to change vote totals.

Diebold has always insisted that its electronic voting machines are so reliable that there is no need for paper records of votes that can be independently verified. Fortunately, the American people feel otherwise. Nearly half the states - including large ones like California, New York, Illinois and Ohio - now require so-called paper trails.

Paper trails are important, but they are no substitute for voting machine manufacturers of unquestioned integrity. As Diebold enters the post-O'Dell era, it should work to make itself worthy of the important role it now plays in American democracy.

http://blackboxvoting.com/s9/index.php?/archives/49-NYT-slaps-Diebold-and-paperless-voting.html

December 20, 2005

Some new voting machines need repair

New voting machines delivered to four Wyoming counties, including Campbell County, will need to be repaired or replaced after a keypad malfunction was discovered by workers testing the equipment last week.

Wyoming becomes the second state in as many weeks to have problems with the AutoMARK voting machine, marketed by Omaha, Neb.-based Election Systems and Software as a handicap-accessible voting system.

Deputy Secretary of State Pat Arp said her office is working with the company to right the problem and that ES&S has already sent four technicians to Uinta County in the southwest corner of the state.

Testers from ES&S found 22 of the 35 machines delivered to Campbell County had malfunctioning keypads, said Campbell County election clerk Cyndi Silbaugh.

snip

http://www.gillettenewsrecord.com/articles/2005/12/20/news/news6.txt