BBV Plea --- Would a flood of e-mail to Elliot Spitzer stop the "e-vote"?

[cthrumatrix]

I have been reading the incredible efforts by EVERYONE involved in bring "transparency" the to the potential e-vote problmes.

I can't read another story how local state officals "cover their ass". ...run from facts...and the media shuns this issue on a National issue with 5 weeks to go.


This is a "time bomb" issue the evening of November 2nd and later....and we ALL know that.

Why can't we flood somebody like Elliot Spitzer to legally take some action?

What are your thoughts?

[Boredtodeath]

1. One on one, rational discussion with your representatives is better

Take two ballots and call us Nov. 3: A Barnes aide comes down with an expensive case of buyer's remorse

Howard Mead was strolling through the state Capitol the other day. He had an appointment with a photographer — part of his revived campaign for a seat on the state Court of Appeals. We still don't know when the new election ordered up by the state Supreme Court will be held.

When he's not campaigning or earning a paycheck, Mead often spends time passing on news articles that question the wisdom of electronic voting.

It is strange, because Mead was legal adviser to Gov. Roy Barnes, who in 2002 approved and budgeted the $54 million needed to buy the touch-screen machines, at the request of Secretary of State Cathy Cox.

Mead has a darn simple explanation for the contradiction. "We were wrong," he said. Mead now thinks the state should have held out for a system with a paper-ballot back-up. We're sure Cox will be glad to hear the news.

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/insider/index.html

[cthrumatrix]

3. we don't have enough time to sit down...30% of votes will be e-vote in '04

I applaud the folks who have sat down and changed the purchase of e-voting equipment

[Bushfire]

14. Google cache of Howard Mead quote

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:k0PCIH767MIJ:www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/insider/+Howard+Mead,+buyer%27s+remorse&hl=en

Here's a photo of S.O.S. Cathy Cox who's aspiring to be the next Gov of Georgia, using the machines that have been proven to be unsecure yet she still stands by them like paid-off trooper. She's a DINO btw.

[Beetwasher]

2. Spitzer Is Only AG for NY

So, he can do nothing about voting in other states. I don't think we have the electronic machines in NY.

[cthrumatrix]

4. he leads criminal charges where the feds don't go.... I'm not sure

about NY juridiction in federal matters.

[Stephanie]

5. We don't have them yet but we are getting them

I started emailing Spitzer about this two years ago. I do know they were reading the info because I started getting personal replies. I'm not sure if he has taken any action though.

Remember, Spitzer had to sit out a recount before he won his office, the race as so tight. And he is most likely going to run against Pataki. So he should be all over this issue.

[cthrumatrix]

6. can they do anything now? or are they?

[Stephanie]

7. I'm not sure what the status is

We won't get them in time for this election.

[annabanana]

10. We don't.. we still pull levers....................n/t

[Stephanie]

8. You can contact him here:

http://www.oag.state.ny.us/online_forms/email_ag.jsp

[cthrumatrix]

9. people .... it's worth an effort....write a letter...share your concern

IF somebody know a more effective use of time...please share.

[RedEagle]

11. With other actions...

Get involved in your county council or whoever controls the purse strings at the local level and develop an election/voting advisory committee.

People on the committee should be from political parties, disabled representation, voting acitivists, an accountant, etc.

The committee does not oversee the day to day operations but it should have input on voting registration, voting systems, and how they are implemented.

For example, due to HAVA, many states are overhauling voter registration. Some of those systems are meant to eliminate the poll book and make it all digital. You can figure out how dangerous that can be. At the county level, mandate that the paper poll book you sign never goes away. It's part of the auditing system for elections.

You can influence equipment purchases or get equipment retrofitted to met audit standards.

A lot of the problems we face must be addressed from the bottom up if we are to see lasting change.

Let county officials know that it's your voting system, you paid for it, and you darn well should have a say in how it is utilized. County voting officials are only there to administrate it for you.

These same county officials are wined and dined by the vendors at venues like IACREOT. Meanwhile, vendors wine and dine state officials at NASS and NASED. Of course, that is all in addition to intense lobbying at the state and national level.

Here's a developement that's worth watching out for:

A state voting systems board, overseen by the Secretary of Statem, to make recommendations and chose systems.

All this amounts to is an easily "stacked" board and concentration of people for vendors to influence. Actually makes the vendors job easier, less lobbying.

Any change in a voting system belongs in the state legislatures where the people, via their representatives, can have some control on issues like ever omitting paper from the process.

Dan Spillane pointed out in the beginning that one of the offices at state level with the least oversight and tremendous power is the Secretary of State's office. They oversee voting for most states and that is why the vendors have concentrated their efforts on them. Via The Election Center, vendors weild tremendous influence, influence that is ethically questionable, to say the least. The Election Center is involved in all of these organizations, NASS, NASED, and IACREOT.

Decisions about voting systems must not rest with one individual or department. That belongs in the legislative body and every state needs to work to get it there.

[cthrumatrix]

12. with 40 days left is that possible from your experience?

[RedEagle]

13. The target is not just this election

But you do have to start making yourself heard now.

Not all areas of the country have purchased DRE's yet, so there is substantial influence to be had.

If the election goes to Kerry, the work is still to be done. We won't be out of the woods at all until we control our voting process.

And the goal may not be to keep Kerry out of office, but to keep control of the Senate and House, at this point.