BBV: Maryland: New voting machines to be reviewed

[creativelcro]

This seems like a good step forward... Comments ? -C

New voting machines to be reviewed
General Assembly asks for its own analysis of possible vulnerability
----------------------------------------------------------------------

By David Nitkin
Sun Staff
Originally published October 21, 2003



The Maryland General Assembly yesterday asked for its own analysis of the state's planned purchase of electronic touch-screen voting machines, including a review to determine whether an earlier study ordered by Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. was "free of outside influence."

http://www.sunspot.net/news/local/bal-md.election21oct21,0,5783347.story?coll=bal-local-headlines

[Junkdrawer]

1. If nothing else, it shows widespread skepticism of the SAIC report...

crossing my fingers we get a decent report for a change.

[creativelcro]

2. I bet that...

major conflicts of interest regarding the SAIC report and the follow-up decision will be uncovered... -C

[Bushfire]

3. Washington Post picks up story too

Md. Democrats Want Outside Voting Machine Audit

By Nelson Hernandez and Lori Montgomery
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, October 21, 2003; Page B01

Democratic legislative leaders called yesterday for independent auditors to study problems with Maryland's voting machines, saying they do not trust Republican Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. to resolve the matter on his own.

In a letter to the director of the Maryland Department of Legislative Services, Sen. Paula C. Hollinger (D-Baltimore County) and Del. Sheila Ellis Hixson (D-Montgomery) asked that the agency examine a report issued in September by Science Application International Corp. on security weaknesses in a new computerized voting system the state is prepared to purchase for $55.6 million.

snip

"Elections are for everybody, 'D's and 'R's and 'I's and everybody else on the ballot. In the next election, everybody ought to feel it's not influenced by partisanship."

snip

In recent weeks, some Democrats have expressed concerns that the problems with the voting machines would be used to drive out State Board of Elections Administrator Linda H. Lamone, a Democrat appointed by Ehrlich's predecessor, Parris N. Glendening (D), and replace her with a Republican. Lamone was at a conference yesterday and could not be reached.

more...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55918-2003Oct20.html

If Democrats are concerned about the problems with the machines, drive out the governor for pete's sake. He's the one going thru with the purchase knowing about the 300+ security faults.

[creativelcro]

4. can anybody

who's not a maryland resident do anything about this ? -C

[RedEagle]

11. Lamone is part of the problem

Lamone is kind of like Cathy Cox. She's been on the wrong side of this issue, that I've seen from all that I have read.

[althecat]

5. The balt sun story is fascinating...

It's just like reading a bunch of old DU threads....

[John_H]

6. Here's your chance if you're serious about hacking these machines

sounds like we need to get someone on this panel of experts.

[gristy]

7. Regarding the Maryland Assembly's plan for review

here's what was reported:

Henry Fawell, a spokesman for Ehrlich, said yesterday that the governor "welcomes any additional efforts to validate the maximum integrity of Maryland's voting system." Ehrlich is "satisfied" with the quality of the consultant's report, he said.

That's some spin. Ehrlich supports efforts that "validate the integrity" of their voting system. Apparently, he would not support efforts that dispute it. :mad:

[grasswire]

8. any Bev postings today?

I haven't seen any.

[JohnGideon]

9. I Haven't Seen Any Either - n/t

[creativelcro]

10. looks like Bev

is working hard on Chapter 10! Good sign! :)
-C

[Andromeda]

12. I don't think any recent elections have been free...

of outside influences. California needs to have an analysis of the votes in the recall election, and soon. Republicans were crowing about how Governor Groper won in a "landslide" when it was no such thing.

Forty-five percent of Californians voted against the recall and Steriod Man supposedly won with 55% of the votes. That's only 10 points. Many absentee votes haven't been counted yet and there is such apathy here about this whole recall travesty I'm wondering if the people here in California are asleep.

We need to get the ball rolling because we don't have much time. The Presidential election is just around the corner and I think our candidates need to make a BIG issue about this.

[RedEagle]

13. Because Questioning Questionable Reviews...

...is important.

Kick!

[loudsue]

14. Where *** IS *** BevHarris???? Is she ok???

:tinfoilhat:



:wtf:


Helllloooooo ....BEV??????

[creativelcro]

15. She is writing

Chapter 10.. leave her alone!! :)

[loudsue]

16. Shhhhhh! (Sorry!)

I'll be real quiet!!


:*

[RedEagle]

17. Because This Made My Day Yesterday

Kick!

[JohnGideon]

18. I Sent The Link To This Article and a Brief Note To My Local Reps. n/t

kick

[RedEagle]

19. Because the Crack in the Wall is Getting Bigger

Kick!