My County Goes Down, But We Are Not Out.

[demodonkey]

Well everyone, we tried. We really tried.

With a great group of people that included Dems, Greens, Independents, and yes, even Republicans, we spoke out to my Westmoreland County Commissioners today in Greensburg PA, warning them NOT to buy paperless ES & S iVotronics. I personally gave a speech detailing my involvement over the last year from the Green Party Recount in Ohio to the EAH, to Nashville, to NASS, to Atlanta, to Portland, to Capitol Hill in D.C. And in-state to the Department of State voting system exams, the Governor's Task Force on Election Reform, and many other counties.

I said that one of the main things I had learned in all those travels is that paperless electronic voting brings problems.

"I implore you," I said, "do not make this bad choice today."

We had local computer specialists and regular citizens testify too, even my 87 year-old mother who is a 21-year Judge of Elections and still going strong. Clint Curtis sent these Commissioners an e-mail last night (and Kathy Dopp spoke in my county earlier this year.) Everyone said the same thing -- don't buy paperless DREs.

"Don't buy the iVotronic," we said.

The Commissioners voted to do it anyway.

They also, in the same motion, voted to further employ Hugh Gallagher's Election Systems Acquisition & Management Services of Glen Allen VA to the "reduced rate" tune of $2000 per month of the taxpayer's money (to advise them about HAVA, I guess.)

Following the meeting, citizens held a Press Conference in the square in front of the Court House, announcing the formation of a 10-County Citizens' Coalition for Voter Verified Paper Ballots. If the Western PA election directors and county officials can have a secretive "10-County Coalition" to buy voting systems from ES & S, the citizens can have one for VVPB too -- and we have no secret deals with anybody.

I also handed the Chairman of the Commissioners and my County Election Directors FOIA requests for lots of stuff, in front of press people who were milling about after the meeting.

One county in PA went down today, and I am really sad that it is mine. But we are not out.

Thanks to everyone who helped us try to hold back the ES & S steamroller today, and please stay tuned to what is happening in the Keystone state.

Marybeth

[Oversea Visitor]

1. Maybe

kick them with court order.
Lots of info around
Look at California
Your right to ask from them due diligent.
That is their job
Have they fail in this case?

[kster]

2. Call the cops

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x406538

[kster]

3. We should make an example of this county

Lets DU em. Any Ideas and or suggestions?

[Yellow Horse]

4. Westmoreland Co. Officials' Contact Information is online:

Can be found on official county site here:

Westmoreland County Commissioners
http://www.co.westmoreland.pa.us/westmoreland/cwp/view.asp?a=1421&q=620602

Bureau of Elections & Voter Registration
http://www.co.westmoreland.pa.us/westmoreland/cwp/view.asp?a=1428&Q=576523

Westmoreland County Controller
http://www.co.westmoreland.pa.us/westmoreland/cwp/view.asp?a=1423&Q=576488

From site: "The Controller's Office administers the financial affairs of the County as prescribed by law and regulation, with the aim of promoting accountability and efficiency in our fiscal operations."

NOTE: The county controller appears to be a relative of the election director.