"The core of our American democracy is the right to vote. Implicit in that right is the notion that that vote be private, that vote be secure, and that vote be counted as it was intended when it was cast by the voter. And I think what we're encountering is a pivotal moment in our democracy where all of that is being called into question." (more here)
Kevin Shelley, former California Sec. of State
Don't let the NY Board of Elections allow uncertified DREs in your polling place!
The New York State Board of Elections has proposed a dangerous plan that would allow uncertified DREs to be used in polling places around the state in 2008. The Board's proposal would allow DREs to be used without the undergoing the full certification testing required under New York State's regulations and that citizens fought so hard for.
The Board's proposal would allow a DRE to be used in each polling place as an accessible voting machine, using the VVPAT as the official ballot. But since a DRE's VVPAT cannot be read back or verified by the voter in any way other than direct visual observation, a DRE fails to satisfy even the basic requirement of allowing all voters to verify their ballots. The Board is considering allowing an inaccessible DRE to be used as an accessible voting device!
The Board's proposal would bypass a full and thorough testing and certification process that was guaranteed to New York State voters. In light of all we have learned from other states about the massive failures of DREs, we can't allow this to happen.
Within the next few days, the Board will finalize legal documents that would allow DREs to be used in very polling place in New York State in 2008 without undergoing full and rigorous testing. If this happens, it could condemn New York State voters to years of the same problems, high costs, and security risks that other states using DREs have experienced.
The State Board of Elections is opening the door to making New York a DRE state - we can't let that happen. Please act now. [Don't forget to click the "send fax" box below!]
