Vote system test results perfect, with a few bumps (Florida)

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Sun, Aug. 15, 2004

2004 ELECTION


Vote system test results perfect, with a few bumps

Miami-Dade's election equipment test produced a perfect vote count, but a computer program froze and a few managerial problems were revealed.

BY JOE MOZINGO
[e-mail]


Miami-Dade County election officials wrapped up their extensive, somewhat chaotic test of the electronic voting system at 2:30 a.m. Saturday, announcing they had perfect results but ran into some unexpected problems along the way.

A computer program designed to detect fraud froze up some results from the mock election because more ballots were cast than there were active registered voters in the precincts. It took at least an hour for election officials and representatives of the machines' manufacturer, Election Systems & Software (ES&S), to override the program.

''ES&S is aware that the county was a little miffed at how complicated this all was,'' said Douglas Jones, a University of Iowa computer science professor and consultant for the county.
(snip/...)

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/9404491.htm
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[ParanoidPat]

1. Define the word 'perfect'.......

.....and show me the definition that allows for 'a few bumps'! :evilgrin:

God I hate what the press has become. :(

D5E

[Devils Advocate NZ]

2. So now we know how long it will take to steal the election...

ONE HOUR!

A computer program designed to detect fraud froze up some results from the mock election because more ballots were cast than there were active registered voters in the precincts. It took at least an hour for election officials and representatives of the machines' manufacturer, Election Systems & Software (ES&S), to override the program.

So that's it. The fraud detection software can be over-ridden and thus fraudulent results can be passed as valid.

[Nimrod]

3. That's exactly how I read it

There isn't any such thing as an uncrackable piece of software. There always exists someone who can override a program's operation, it's just that in this particular case the likliest hackers sit at the top of the government.

[struggle4progress]

4. Bingo! eom