NYT Op-Ed: Gambling Machines Software vs. Voting Machine Software

[flpoljunkie]

http://nytimes.com/2004/06/13/opinion/13SUN1.html

June 13, 2004

MAKING VOTES COUNT

Gambling on Voting

If election officials want to convince voters that electronic voting can be trusted, they should be willing to make it at least as secure as slot machines. To appreciate how poor the oversight on voting systems is, it's useful to look at the way Nevada systematically ensures that electronic gambling machines in Las Vegas operate honestly and accurately. Electronic voting, by comparison, is rife with lax procedures, security risks and conflicts of interest.

On a trip last week to the Nevada Gaming Control Board laboratory, in a state office building off the Las Vegas Strip, we found testing and enforcement mechanisms that go far beyond what is required for electronic voting. Among the ways gamblers are more protected than voters: (Six are listed.)

1. The state has access to all gambling software. The Gaming Control Board has copies on file of every piece of gambling device software currently being used, and an archive going back years. It is illegal for casinos to use software not on file. Electronic voting machine makers, by contrast, say their software is a trade secret, and have resisted sharing it with the states that buy their machines.

<>Election officials say their electronic voting systems are the very best. But the truth is, gamblers are getting the best technology, and voters are being given systems that are cheap and untrustworthy by comparison. There are many questions yet to be resolved about electronic voting, but one thing is clear: a vote for president should be at least as secure as a 25-cent bet in Las Vegas.

[rwheeler31]

1. But but but we always protect our money more than our people

nt

[Rebellious Republican]

2. Wouldn't do much good here in Florida, turn over all the software

Jeb! Lotta good that would do, I think Jeb already has all of the "Devious software Plans".

[CharlesGroce]

3. My God...

a good point, from the New York Times, mouthpiece of imperialism hell-bent on illegal wars, I'm truly suprised!

[Eric J in MN]

4. NY Times articles and op-eds implied we should attack Iraq, but

NY Times articles and op-eds implied we should attack Iraq,
but New York Times editorials by the editors said we should let the inspectors continue the inspections.

[Awsi Dooger]

5. What a joke!!! Nevada slot machines are flawed as hell

If voting machines are even less reliable, perhaps I need to rethink my skepticism of Diebold conspiracies or generally pathetic electronic voting devices.

I have lived in Las Vegas since the '80s. The stories regarding incompetent slot/poker machines would overflow this user board. I have known inept sports bettors who go broke one day and turn up the next day with a $500 wager, compliments of finding an overpaying machine. Cash out 300 quarters and watch the generous machine pay you 378. Currently, I've heard Williams machines are the most vulnerable to spitting out extra.

And get this, last year casinos here started emphasizing ticket-only machines, not coin out, partially to stop the problem of flawed coin drop machines. Almost immediately, a dollar machine at Treasure Island spit out a ticket for $5,250,000 instead of the actual $525. The casino is trying to keep this secret but the story is legit. The gambler was smart enough to take the ticket to a lawyer who is negotiating with the casino. They want to pay the top single pull jackpot on the machine, I believe $12,500, but the lawyer is demanding much more.