Daily Voting News For June 12, 2008
Guest Blogged by John Gideon of VotersUnite.org
Voting systems are tested for federal certification by a “Voting Systems Test Lab” (VSTL) against the voting systems
standards. So, one would expect, that if a voting system fails to meet the standards it fails testing and cannot be
certified. One would expect. However, the voting systems standards give the vendors and the VSTLs an out. B.5 of
Appendix B of Volume II of the 2002 VSS and the 2005 VVSG says, “….any uncorrected deficiency that does not involve the
loss or corruption of voting data shall not necessarily be cause for rejection”. A Premier voting system was recently
recommended for certification by Systest, one of the VSTLs. In the test report Systest reported 79 discrepancies. 77 of
those discrepancies were serious but fell within the B.5 “get out of jail free card”. Two of the 79 were serious
discrepancies that report loss of data and are not covered by the “get out of jail free card”. Yet, the system was
recommended for certification and the EAC is considering following that recommendation. (See article immediately
below)...
NAtional: Voting System Standards: All Form and No Substance LINK
Arkansas: CabinWindow: Elections
They have to be right LINK
Arkansas: White County – Opinion - In search of devotion LINK
Arizona: Voters' advocates blast plan to cut sample ballots LINK
Florida: Duval County - Possible record turnout means lots of preparation LINK
Georgia: Georgia preparing for busy elections
Officials expect a high voter turnout and are reviewing their systems. LINK
North Dakota: Voters scarce in ND primary: 20.6 percent turnout LINK
Ohio: More volleys over Project Everest LINK
Ohio: Secretary of State Brunner says she'll keep pushing legislature on voting issues LINK
Pennsylvania: Centre County - Cost concerns top debate
Voting machine opponents say change would save money LINK
Pennsylvania: Schuylkill County - Schuylkill officials trade accusations LINK
Tennessee: Editorial - Tennessee going back to paper ballots, and that's a good thing LINK
**"Daily Voting News" is meant as a comprehensive listing of reports each day concerning issues related to election and
voting news around the country regardless of quality or political slant. Therefore, items listed in "Daily Voting News"
may not reflect the opinions of VotersUnite.Org or Scoop.**
*************
John Gideon
Co-Executive Director
VotersUnite.Org
"To encourage citizen ownership of transparent, participatory
democracy." The Creekside Declaration March 22, 2008