WSJ: This electronic voting deal isn't working out so well

Reversing Course on Electronic Voting

Some Former Backers of Technology
Seek Return to Paper Ballots,
Citing Glitches, Fraud Fears
By JEANNE CUMMINGS
May 12, 2006; Page A4

WASHINGTON -- Some advocates of a 2002 law mandating upgrades of the nation's voting machinery now worry the overhaul is making things worse.

With the 2006 midterm elections approaching, proponents of the Help America Vote Act are filing lawsuits to block some state and election officials' efforts to comply with the act.

The Help America Vote Act called for upgrading election equipment to guard against another contested outcome such as the 2000 presidential vote. Among the flaws in balloting almost six years ago were antiquated hand-operated voting machines and punch-card ballots that were difficult to read. To redress that, members of Congress pushed for modernization, which could include touch-screen voting machines, on which ballots are cast and recorded solely electronically. At the time, the electronic voting machines were seen as a reliable contrast to the older technology.

The lawsuits -- nine so far -- coincide with a stampede by state and county officials to spend $3 billion allocated by Congress to help pay for upgrades. To comply with the Help America Vote Act, a number of states and dozens of counties purchased touch-screen voting machines. The deadline for spending the money is tied to each state's 2006 primary dates.

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB114739688261250925-q5rh2ocioxu6mgjmS6bZPCZL0HY_20060610.html?mod=tff_main_tff_top

So, now the Hinder American Voters Act is gerating lawsuits and making stocks wobble. Now, THAT'S a problem.

:evilgrin:

we've been kvetching about this for more than three years, and they're finally starting to notice. I hope I hope.

WhatEVER. Maybe these criminals will be their own undoing.

g-d forsaken ilk down fer sure. :)

And wasn't it just a little earlier this week that a hacker (looking for information on UFOs, no less!!!!) hacked into the Pentagon computer system and altered information there?

All the pretense that voting machines are impervious to fraud really get me.


"Despite common charges that the machines lack adequate security, no cases have emerged proving that a hacker or an insider has or could electronically manipulate the vote."

like "Bush was elected."

reporter covering the Florida beat was taking a siesta when that little Diebold hacking demonstration was going on in Leon County by a couple kids who completely reversed the vote.

Yup, no cases at all emerging. Unless you're actually interested.

I actually think it was a talking point in a WH fax because an otherwise thoughtful and concerned local reporter repeated it to me during an otherwise normal conversation.

Sheesh.

The legislation forced states to invest in expensive, Republican-owned, already-corrupt equipment. There was no intention of making balloting easier and more certain. There was every intention of thwarting the will of the voters to create a permanent Republican majority.

This is like pretending the CIA got it wrong about WMD.

(threats by the "Justice" Department).

The resulting mess has bubbled up even in the WSJ. I think that's encouraging -- even if their story is silly on its face.

Yee haa, it's too late. Bush ruined the economy, the foreign policy, our image, and any real chance to turn around global climate change. And take a look at Steward versus Blackwell, our supposed victory. It lays the foundation to throw out any election people want to challenge.

It's going to take people in the streets demanding their rights to turn this around. Baker-Carter :rofl: and the other "enlightened" ones are acting out of fear, covering their bases. Too bad it is too late for them and for us.

GREAT POST. RECOMMENDED.