GET-OUT-THE-VOTE DEPARTMENT:

March 02, 2006]
The Baltimore Sun Mike Himowitz column

GET-OUT-THE-VOTE DEPARTMENT: Last week's column about the pitfalls of all-electronic voting generated more response than anything I've written in years. The astonishing thing: most of my readers agreed with me.

At least none of them started a message with, "You liberal idiot!" or "I'm canceling my subscription, you pinko dolt!" That's what I usually get when I venture into matters of public policy.

Anyway, I made it clear that I don't like Maryland's current Diebold AccuVote TS system. It's the very worst example of "black box" voting -- based on secret, proprietary software that leaves no paper trail and is impossible to verify.

But several readers wondered whether there's any system I do like. And indeed, there is. It's not on the shelves at CompUSA in a shrink-wrapped version, but you'll find a good description on the Web site the Open Voting Consortium.

http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/-baltimore-sun-mike-himowitz-column-/2006/03/02/1422791.htm

Last weeks article: We can't see as votes get counted in a black box.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x414309

Robert Fitrakis, Phd., Columbus State Community College

Bob Fitrakis is a Political Science Professor in the Social and Behavioral Sciences department at Columbus State Community College, where he won the Distinguished Teaching Award in 1991. He is also widely published, haivng written five books and dozens of articles for magazines and newspapers. He is the editor and a frequent contributer to the Free Press on line. Fitrakis was an Election Protection attorney on November 2, 2004 in Franklin County. He called the first public hearings on voter suppression and election irregularities and was one of four attorneys to file a challenge to Ohio's presidential elections results.



Maxine Waters has served eight terms as the Congressional Reperesentative of the 35th Congessional District, which covers South Central Los Angeles and surrounding areas. She is a champion of election reform and was appointed as chair the Democratic Caucus Special Committee on Election Reform. Maxine favors the Open Voting Consortium approach because it provides a paper trail and accountability.

Yes I am pursuing hand counted paper ballots as the best option now but I also advocate funding for development of OVC. If you aren't yet familiar enough to know why OVC is promising, check out the compelling Ballot Reconciliation Procedure Guide.

K&R

when he says

"Last week's column about the pitfalls of all-electronic voting generated more response than anything I've written in years. The astonishing thing: most of my readers agreed with me".

Thats some good news within the article.