((Hey Bev)) Libertarian's lawsuit targets electronic voting machines

[Room101]

http://www.lp.org/lpnews/0308/votingmachines.html

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A California Libertarian who filed a potentially groundbreaking lawsuit against "touchscreen" voting systems is now waiting to learn whether an appeals court will hear oral arguments in the case.

Susan Marie Weber, a resident of Palm Desert, California, said she hopes to get word any day from the Ninth Circuit Federal Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

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At stake in the case is whether the government can use Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) touchscreen voting machines in Riverside County, California. The machines use an electronic voting system that produces no paper ballots.

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"All Libertarians should be incensed that there is absolutely no way to verify any election that is on an electronic voting system. For a recount, the election officers merely put the cartridges into the counting machine and push the buttons. That is their 'proof' that the count was correct. Anybody who knows a smidgen of programming knows how manipulatable this system is."

A ruling against DRE voting systems could halt their distribution in California, said Weber, and create a legal precedent that could slow their acceptance around the USA.

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The lawsuit argues that touchscreen voting systems are illegal under California law and violate the Fourteenth Amendment's "equal protection" clause. According to California Elections Code §19205, all voting machines must be "safe from fraud or manipulation."

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However, Weber lost the first round when Judge Stephen V. Wilson ruled against her on September 3, 2002.

In his decision, Wilson said "the state's interest in easy, attractive voting machines which might increase voter turnout outweighed the voters' interest in verifiable results," said Weber. WTF WTF WTF

For more information on Weber's lawsuit, visit: www.electionguardians.org.

[Eloriel]

1. outweighed the voters' interest in verifiable results ??

GOTTA be kidding me. Either check that judge's bank accounts or his sanity!

Eloriel

[Sophree]

3. WTF, indeed

Shouldn't verifiable results be the primary concern in election law???

[ParanoidPat]

2. Thanks, one more place that needs a little extra attention!

In his decision, Wilson said "the state's interest in easy, attractive voting machines which might increase voter turnout outweighed the voters' interest in verifiable results," said Weber.

The State's interest outweigh the voters interest????? :shrug:
Apparently! :(

Time to act folks! :evilgrin:

[Devlzown]

4. Gee, I was taught in high school civics that

the people ARE the state in our republic. This decision stands that concept on its head!

[harrison]

5. Well, ole Joe Stalin always said that it didn't matter about the

voting, it was all about who counted the votes.

[RedEagle]

6. Remember the push to stack the courts

Ever since Bush/Reagan, the push has been on to stack the justice system with those favorable to their agneda.

OK, every party does that, but look at how successful they have been.

There is a long history of corruption in our courts according to some.

I was also appalled, early on, that this judge made a decision totally unconnected to the case. It was like he didn't ever hear the complaint.

Weber also tried to represent herself, I'm told. I sincerely hope she can get some expert legal help this time around.

And yes, follow the money trail on the judge.

[peacetalksforall]

7. The Judge was only doing his job for the cabal and probably thought

no one would notice if in fact the coot has enough brains or civic education to understand what his children are being taught about the uniqueness of this country.

Yeah, we're unique all right, but someone changed the principles.

Yes, the right wing and their cabal leaders have been grooming judges, lawyers, civic employees, editors, journalists, exper guest experts, politicos, think tankers and they have been going to extremes to get these people into position. Folks, they've been very very busy and consider that they may have had Enron and Enron like companies laundering the money to fund it all in addition to the money that goes to their foundations. This is a quiet revolution. They are purposeful and full of surprises. Learning about them hurts. We are gullible and blind.

[ParanoidPat]

8. If anyone would like to contact the Honorable Judge Stephen V. Wilson....

....you can reach him here! :evilgrin:

JUDGE STEPHEN V. WILSON
Court Clerk: Paul Cruz
Court Reporter: Lena Villegas

Courtroom No.: 6
Telephone No.: 213-894-2881
Telephone No.: 213-680-1265

Direct link to the Opinion from the Election Guardians.org site! :hi:

Ruling keeps touch-screen vote system
Federal judge dismisses Palm Desert woman’s suit
The Desert Sun.com

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"This is a decision that erases any questions as to the accuracy, validity and accountability of touch-screen voting in California," he said.

<MORE>

While you're there, check out this in the forums section! :)

On Edit: Added link to the Opinion. Thanks ElectionGuardians.org!

[Room101]

9. Kick, thanks for the info. Bev what do you make of this?

Yes I know your plate is more than full, so I'm not expecting a quick answer. I will get in toughg with this so-called judge.