Voting Machines Can be Hacked by Remote Control ...Salon

[RoccoR5955]

35. Even though these machines and the programs on them can be hacked.

If we get out and vote, then after election day, PAY ATTENTION to our LOCAL VOTING PRECINCT'S results, we can protest the count if it looks like there's funny business.

I do know that in NY State, the machines that they chose, use a Microsoft SQL database for the elections. The machines come back from the polls, and their results are fed into one computer, which compiles all the results. The problem is that these databases and other applications are not secure, and they can be manipulated. Because the code is proprietary, it cannot be examined legally. This leaves them open to anyone who could construct a simple algorithm to flip a certain percentage of votes, provided they have access to the machines. One should also take note that the main computer runs Windows XP. This version of windows is known to have bugs in doing simple math problems.

At least in NY, the code is not secure, but the machines are fairly secure. There are seals on any place where one could tamper with them. This includes the place where the memory card is installed, and removed for compilation on the main election computer. The chain of custody is well documented, so should something arise, at least one could tell who had custody of the machine, and when they had it.

NY was the last state that went to these computerized voting machines, because we didn't like them, and raised a big stink to the State Board of Elections about it. Some of us explained that we already had our Tammany Hall, and had fixed it with the mechanical machines that we all used since the 1930s and 40s. I have worked on these machines as well, and they are impossible to hack, due to the interlocking mechanical elements of the machines, and the counters within them. I had insisted that NY not use proprietary software to count votes. That we needed to be able to examine the code to make sure that it was counting correctly, and compiling results correctly.

The machines in NY are not the type mentioned, so as far as being able to be hacked by remote control, I do not see how this can be done. The machines that count the ballots read into them are stand alone, with no connection, either wired or wireless. Each ballot counting machine has a self-contained PC inside of it with an oversized UPS, in case of a power outage. This could be different if there is a wireless connection, or if votes are sent to the main computer over public telephone or data lines. Perhaps the Diebold machines have this capability. I just don't know.

I do know that if we turn out in large numbers, it will be harder for them to change the results. Especially if people pay attention to their local precinct's counts. These counts are generally available from county boards of elections within a few days of an election. If the counts are way off, one could bring this to the attention of these boards, as well as the press, and perhaps something can be done with it before the election is certified.