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At this time when we are all frizzled out, getting tired and cranky, wondering what next wonderous fabrication the guys who don't want accountable voting will pull out, let's sit back and remember the big picture.
American Democracy is a stake. No one would argue that but when the goal becomes bleary and we get punchy and fire off at the least little slight, the other side gains a little. I'm preaching to the choir here, and I don't even mean to be preaching, just reminding us all that we've got to carry on a bit longer.
We all have such a huge stake in this. Everyone is involved but I had to laugh and cry when Bev revealed, somewhere, that there sure were a lot of 50'ish women involved in the fight. (And that is not meant to put down anyone not in that catagory!) As someone who fits in that group, I cry with worry about the country my child and everyone's children will inherit if we lose sight of the bigger picture. I have to laugh imagining all those- probably somewhere in menopause- women taking on the establishment. What a way to funnel that frustration- and heat! They won't know what hit them. We're cranky, angry, short tempered- nice of them to provide an outlet for all that frustration!
How to use that frustration? Well, what we need to do, as I'm often reminded from those who have worked the system longer than I have, is to get on the offensive.
You can write legislation to change the election laws in your state. I urge you to read up on them, then propose changes to those areas that are thwarting honest, accountable elections.
Require voting systems to produce a voter-verified paper ballot.
Ask that every polling place conduct a vote count before transmitting results, and that those polling place counts be audited against the count central counts.
Require all election officials to fill out conflict of interest or whatever forms, that make them accountable for anything and everything they receive that could be taken as any kind of "gift" or "assistance" in their job. Things like being taken to lunch by vendors or companies flying them to conferences, etc. You might be surprised to find that accountability stops at elected officials, when there is a plethora of individuals involved who could be compromised.
If your state puts out bid proposals, RFQ's or RFP's, make it mandatory that those proposals will include voter-verified paper ballots.
If your state has funky restrictions about applying for machine certification, get rid of them. In this erra, we literally have new tech (touch screens) getting a pass as not-new-tech, and verified paper ballots by printers as "new tech." Or other requirements meant in good faith like prior use, that is hobbling new equipment or being used by SOS to only make certain machines available.
And for sure, check out what election officials can and cannot do regarding updates, patches, any change to the system. Some states give way too much latitude in these areas. The Secretary of States office is an area where little attention is paid and where so much power resides, if you think about it. If it's not the Secretary of States office in your state, then whatever agency is applicable.
If you don't how to go about getting legislation in the loop, contact your state senators and representatives. For example, you may just have to supply a rough draft that they can then submit to code revisors or whatever, to check against current law and write up. However, I would recommend it's better to come up with the specific area in the law your change would address. You can read the laws online in many states, or call your state's records office or whatever agency handles this, and request a copy of the election laws sent to you.
At the same time, ask legislators to sponsor the legislation. Be prepared to bring them up to speed.
Also be prepared for intense lobbying by the company interests, both from DRE without verified paper, and Internet voting concerns. It's highly questionable if Internet voting will ever be really viable, it for sure isn't now. It was condemned in the new FEC standards on systems, but curiously, left to "pilot projects" and deemed acceptable for overseas and military voting. Funny how that worked.
And, oh yes, request Congress at the federal level to support Rush Holts bill, HR 2239, and help get it out of committee and moving.
Request Congressional investigation into this whole mess.
There's a lot we can do to make it harder for the other side to fight this battle. Time to change from becoming an irritation to a full blown, full scale, rash.
Please take the first part of this in the spirit it was intended. We're all a little tired and punchy, strained and worn out. Each of us has contributed as much as we can. The goal is in sight, let's stay out of the mud in the last yard.
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