DIEBOLD and ways to stop voter fraud

[WhereThereIsFire]

In my local (Florida) newspaper today there was a very important letter to the editor from Senator Debra Bowen of the California State Senate Elections Committee. She compliments our election supervisor, Ion Sancho, in striking a blow for democracy for the many things he has done to help minimize voter fraud. In our county, voter's (me included) really believe our votes counted.

Senator Bowen's words are important for all Americans as we enter election year 2006 and 2008. I've talked about the importance of changing the way we handle voter means and methods, to eliminate fraud. Her letter is right on point:

"Here in California, a number of counties bought Diebold touch-screen voting machines only to have them decertified after the March 2004 election. The machines prevent thousands from casting their ballots and Diebold violated state law by installing uncertified software before the election.

Diebold's first attempt to recertify its machines in California failed when 30 percent of the machines crashed, froze or couldn't print the required paper trail. Now the company is back for another bite at the apple, though California's secretary of state has yet to schedule a 'hack test' similar to the one Ion Sancho conducted.

If Florida, California and the 48 other states don't ensure the voting machines from Diebold and every other company are accurate and secure, they'll have wasted millions of taxpayer dollars and pulled the rug out from under our democracy in the process."

The full text of Senator Bowen's letter can be found at www.tallahassee.com, for today you can get there by clicking on "Opinion" and it is in the list. If you look at it in later days, you'll need to go to the "last 7 days" or other options to retrieve it. Searching under "Debra Bowen" should also retrieve it in later days.

This is a crucial matter. If you want to see Democratic candidates elected, you have to be part of the process that brings down booosh-buddies like the owners of Diebold. If you find other important articles on Diebold and how states, counties, etc. are dealing with them, it would be great to share them here.

[GuvWurld]

1. Welcome to DU, WhereThereIsFire

Thanks for posting this. Bowen has been a beacon in CA. There aren't that many other elected heroes in our state but We The People work as hard as anyone. I think we've done a good job in this immense state at networking and connecting actions across various groups and locations. The most recent example would be this campaign to unite California election reformers. It is going after the buddies you mention and aims to hold accountable those in our local communities who are allowing this to happen.

Thanks for your post and welcome to DU :hi:

[Kurovski]

2. Is this it? Fifth down, titled "California senator salutes Sancho"?

And welcome to DU!

http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051223/OPINION02/512230318/1006/OPINION

[WhereThereIsFire]

3. That is it!!!

With people from Florida (where I am) to California (where the Senator is) on top of this wretched Diebold and voting situation, perhaps there is at least a small chance of finding a solution. Ion Sancho is a great guy ... would that ALL counties had an eagle eye on them like Ion's in Leon County.

[FogerRox]

4. WhereThereIsFire- welcome to DU- welsom to the Election reform forum:

"the trenches"