U.S. panel probes voting machine firm
A federal panel is looking at a South Florida firm that owns an electronic voting machines provider after concerns surfaced that it could be a tool of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. The company denied the allegation.
BY ALFONSO CHARDY
achardy@MiamiHerald.com
A U.S. Treasury-led panel that investigates whether U.S. companies with ties to foreign investors compromise national security has contacted the Boca Raton parent company of a voting machine supplier whose top executives once had links to the Venezuelan government.
The company, Smartmatic, last year acquired Sequoia Voting Systems, a well-known supplier of electronic voting equipment in 16 states. Palm Beach and Hillsborough counties are among those that use Sequoia's electronic voting machines. Smartmatic was a partner in a consortium that supplied electronic voting machines used in the controversial referendum President Hugo Chávez won in 2004.
Sequoia has come under fire in Chicago, where glitches in voting tabulations in a recent election, coupled by the company's admission that its technology support staff is comprised of Venezuelan nationals, raised concern among some city council members who grilled the company's president, Jack Blaine.
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http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/15045146.htmBut, gosh, why would it matter who owns the company or what their political leanings are? How could it be a tool of anyone? After all, the machines have been tested and certified haven't they?
:sarcasm: