Can We Trust the Voting Results? (Columbus Dispatch)

[farmbo]

http://www.dispatch.com/?story=dispatch/2006/08/17/20060817-A1-00.html

Can we trust the voting results?
Diebold defends touch-screen machines, but a study fans debate over their reliability
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Mark Niquette
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH



Diebold and many elections officials yesterday downplayed an independent study that questions the accuracy of touch-screen machines used by more than half of Ohio voters, saying the units are sound. But critics and the study’s director say more review is needed to answer a fundamental question: Can Ohioans trust results from those Diebold machines, especially when there’s a close election or recount?"We need to further investigate, and only when we have the outcome of that investigation will we know," said Steven Hertzberg, founder of California-based Election Science Institute.

Hertzberg said such a review cannot be completed before Ohio’s nationally watched Nov. 7 general election, and it was unclear yesterday what additional investigation might be done in coming weeks.
Cuyahoga County commissioners hired the independent, nonpartisan consultant to review the results from the May gubernatorial primaries in the county; the ESI determined that the electronic vote totals from the Diebold touch screens did not always match the paper record.<snip>

Noting the controversy surrounding both Blackwell and Diebold from the 2004 presidential election in Ohio, some critics question whether Blackwell should oversee the fall election — especially if it’s close or there’s a recount — because he’s also a candidate for governor. "I’m not making accusations at this point, but I do think there’s a perception, a widespread concern … that our election oversight is such that any way that Mr. Blackwell can find to use his position to achieve some actual or perceived advantage will be taken," U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, said yesterday.<snip>

From the front page, right hand column, above the fold.

Maybe the Dispatch is finally getting religion on this issue.

[Eric J in MN]

1. Diebold attached the cheapest, worst printers it could....

From the article:

Of the 467 machines that ESI studied in Cuyahoga County, nearly 10 percent had receipts that were destroyed, illegible or otherwise compromised.

Matthew Damschroder, director of the Franklin County Board of Elections, has said the county chose the touch screens from Diebold rival Election Systems & Software in part because the printer unit was incorporated as part of the machine design.

He argued that the legislature needs to revisit the law requiring the paper receipt to be used in recounts or provide clear guidelines for how to conduct recounts if there are problems.

===================================================

So Diebold attaches printers which are unreliable, and then a Republican argues that the recount shouldn't use the paper ballots, since they're not printing welll.

[Vinca]

2. Blackwell is supposed to be in charge of his own election??

Wake up, Ohio!

[Kukesa]

3. Scary, isn't it?

And for a bit of irony this morning, our previous Ohio third district candidate, Stephanie Studebaker, started a website called "Wake Up, Ohio" way back in 2003.

Guess we're still asleep at the wheel.

[sinkingfeeling]

4. I thought the Columbus Dispatch was firmly stating there were no

irregularities nor vote suppression in Ohio in 2004? Thought they just loved the elections as they've been in Ohio the last decade.

[mod mom]

5. I am afraid that this will come out Okay for ES & S (which Franklin co

has and Damshroeder,
r-Director of FC BOE, supports) while hurting Diebold. I don't trust any electronic voting (we all remember how they were run by brothers) note the dissing is targeted toward Diebold.

Perhaps the rethugs realize that all the bad press has given Diebold a black eye, while ES & S has gone under the radar. I believe we must push for Hand counted parer ballots, counted at the precinct level with full public witness-even allowing videotaping!

[BeFree]

6. Well, aint that just dandy?

"We need to further investigate, and only when we have the outcome of that investigation will we know," said Steven Hertzberg, founder of California-based Election Science Institute.

Hertzberg said such a review cannot be completed before Ohio’s nationally watched Nov. 7 general election, and it was unclear yesterday what additional investigation might be done in coming weeks."

That means nothing has been done and more money must be poured into the black hole, further enriching the coffers of ESI.

What did ESI produce but a wishwashy report? What a scam.... I wish I could get in on a free ride like that.

[freedomfries]

7. k & r

:thumbsup: