HAVA
The 2000 elections made it very evident that there are serious problems with our election system. Consequently, legislation was passed to address these problems. The bill was called HAVA (Help America Vote Act). This legislation appeared to address legitimate concerns within our election system. Modern voting machines, better access for disabled voters, paper records, & security to name a few.
In its wake, HAVA has left many concerns. The first snafu was the presidential appointment of a 4-person commission (EAC, Election Assistance Commission) which was delayed by a year. This in turn delayed everything that followed slowing the process even more. A majority of the issues are still unresolved, as there are still sub committees and rules to create. Were likely in worse shape than we were pre 2000.
Many states have purchased machines that are not certified, because there are no official HAVA standards due to the delays. There is no consensus on independent auditability of voting machines. Non existent security or encryption. Secret proprietary formulas used to tabulate votes with no disclosure, and the lack of reprintable recorded votes. Also you have dubious connections between these companies that manufacture the voting systems and different political organizations.
Walden O’Dell is the man behind Ohio-based Diebold, one of the largest companies supplying voting systems. On August 14 2003, O'Dell sent a fund-raising letter to fellow Republicans saying he's "committed to helping Ohio deliver its electoral votes to the president." O’Dell and his company donated more than $100,000 to the Republican National Committee.
And this Quote in an article by In These Times Mark Lewellen-Biddle, "more troubling, the backers of the act and the manufactures of e-voting machines are a rat's nest of conflicts that includes Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Electronic Data Systems (EDS) and Accenture Ltd.. Why are major defense contractors like Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin mucking about in the American electoral system? And who are Accenture and EDS?"
Locally we are in better shape than most of the nation. Minnesota has decided on optically scanned ballots, which have been used previously and are better than most other systems.
I have not even touched on many other issues that affect our voting system. Most notable is how the corporate media influences the system, but that is volumes on its own.
Our democracy is not infallible. We are obligated to maintain the election system. Demand fair and equitable elections.
Informative sites about Voting and HAVA.
BlackBoxVoting.org
SourceWatch-Center for media and Democracy
R. Mercuri at NotableSoftware.com
WishTV
Also
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the 2004 Elections.
In its wake, HAVA has left many concerns. The first snafu was the presidential appointment of a 4-person commission (EAC, Election Assistance Commission) which was delayed by a year. This in turn delayed everything that followed slowing the process even more. A majority of the issues are still unresolved, as there are still sub committees and rules to create. Were likely in worse shape than we were pre 2000.
Many states have purchased machines that are not certified, because there are no official HAVA standards due to the delays. There is no consensus on independent auditability of voting machines. Non existent security or encryption. Secret proprietary formulas used to tabulate votes with no disclosure, and the lack of reprintable recorded votes. Also you have dubious connections between these companies that manufacture the voting systems and different political organizations.
Walden O’Dell is the man behind Ohio-based Diebold, one of the largest companies supplying voting systems. On August 14 2003, O'Dell sent a fund-raising letter to fellow Republicans saying he's "committed to helping Ohio deliver its electoral votes to the president." O’Dell and his company donated more than $100,000 to the Republican National Committee.
And this Quote in an article by In These Times Mark Lewellen-Biddle, "more troubling, the backers of the act and the manufactures of e-voting machines are a rat's nest of conflicts that includes Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Electronic Data Systems (EDS) and Accenture Ltd.. Why are major defense contractors like Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin mucking about in the American electoral system? And who are Accenture and EDS?"
Locally we are in better shape than most of the nation. Minnesota has decided on optically scanned ballots, which have been used previously and are better than most other systems.
I have not even touched on many other issues that affect our voting system. Most notable is how the corporate media influences the system, but that is volumes on its own.
Our democracy is not infallible. We are obligated to maintain the election system. Demand fair and equitable elections.
Informative sites about Voting and HAVA.
BlackBoxVoting.org
SourceWatch-Center for media and Democracy
R. Mercuri at NotableSoftware.com
WishTV
Also
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the 2004 Elections.
posted by M. Williams at 3:40 PM
1 Comments:
We have been struggling with the negative impact of HAVA in our voter engagement activities.
The issue is framed as "Helping", while the correct word should be "Hindering".
The Hinder America Voting Act has created a cumbersome layer of making the prospective voter prove they are whom they are and this is done in an effort to prevent voter fraud. The real truth is the ID and residency requirements make it harder for low-income people, people of color and young voters to actually vote.
The voting machine issues are the most embarrassing issue for this country, just most people are unaware of what has been shown and proven about the real voter fraud presented by these machines.
Even HBO is doing a special on this issue. Once buried in the progressive press, the attention towards the vote being "fixed" appearing in mainstream press should make even the most apathetic voter disturbed.
We will continue to encourage people to vote, but most important to question our policy makers and be sure we have true representation of our voice.
Duke
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