By Luther Weeks on September 30, 2008
Most of us would agree that Central Connecticut needs more than one daily newspaper. If there was any doubt it certainly was erased this week. On Monday the “New” Hartford Courant came out with its latest and most drastic downsizing. On Tuesday an editorial suggesting among other things that we should have a single elected […]
Posted in Costs, CT Law, National, Other Editorials
By Luther Weeks on September 26, 2008
The Brennan Center and others are reporting that the Social Security Administration is shutting down its system for maintenance for three days, just when it is required for voter registration verification. <read> A recent alert by the Social Security Administration announces that the agency plans to shut down its databases for maintenance from October 11 […]
Posted in National, Skulduggery and Errors
By Luther Weeks on September 22, 2008
One of the prime objectives our Petition To Enhance Confidence In Connecticut Elections is “Requiring the Independent Audit Review Board”. Here is an example of the questions that can surround an investigation by an elections entity attempting to investigate itself, in Washington, D. C., from the Washington Post, Primary Vote Still Doesn’t Add Up: <read> […]
Posted in CT Law, National, Post-Election Audits, Recounts/Recanvasses, Skulduggery and Errors
By Luther Weeks on September 21, 2008
Connecticut’s post-election audit law exempts referendums and questions from audit. Often we hear that nobody would steal a referendum, that local control of elections in Connecticut would preclude that. We object: Two motivations and opportunities: The Town has the budget referendum turned down frequently at $20,000+ per referendum for a turnout of a small % […]
Posted in CT Law, FAQ, Post-Election Audits
By Luther Weeks on September 18, 2008
When Connecticut voters go to the polls in November, they will vote on calling a Constitutional Convention. Large groups are aligned for and against the bill with those in charge of the election opposed. Our personal stand for or against the bill is irrelevant. Integrity and confidence in elections is our concern. Our points are […]
Posted in CT, CT Law, Post-Election Audits
By Luther Weeks on September 17, 2008
Things have not been looking good in Puma Arizona. But, some good news is that the Election Integrity Commission is acting to audit ballot security. This is what is supposed to happen with an independent board — when problems are found they are investigated and not ignored or explained away: <read> A Pima County Elections […]
Posted in Chain of Custody, National, Skulduggery and Errors
By Luther Weeks on September 15, 2008
(Full disclosure: I contributed to, participated in reviewing, and editing this document) Released today at a press conference in Alexandria, VA, after many months of work: http://www.electionaudits.org/files/best%20practices%20final_0.pdf These principles were written to guide the design of high-quality post- election audits. They were developed by an ad hoc group comprising many stakeholders, including election officials, public […]
Posted in Chain of Custody, CT Law, National, Post-Election Audits, Reports
By Luther Weeks on September 14, 2008
Can we audit or recount by machine, rather than hand-counting? My conditional answer remains a strong NO. However, as we have discussed before it is quite possible in theory to develop voting machines or auxiliary scanners with capabilities that can greatly reduce the cost, while increasing the integrity of audits, and increasing the confidence in […]
Posted in Costs, National, Post-Election Audits
By Luther Weeks on September 12, 2008
Verified Voting Founder, Professor David Dill, and computer experts from around the country released the: Computer Technologists’ Statement on Internet Voting. I fully endorse the statement and thank David Dill for producing and gaining support for the statement. The concluding paragraph: The internet has the potential to transform democracy in many ways, but permitting it […]
Posted in FAQ, Internet Security Issues, Internet Voting
By Luther Weeks on September 9, 2008
We have been distributing our document, Ten Myths About Electronic Voting In Connecticut, since early February to citizens, election officials, and legislators. To date, exactly no (ZERO) errors or inaccuracies have been brought to our attention. But in reviewing the Myths we find that things have changed – for the worse:
Posted in National