Does Unisys have any role in elections?

[kuozzman]

Or more specifically, have they played a role in rigging/hacking voting machines or counting the votes?

[NationalEnquirer]

1. Haven't heard of anything like that.

Why would Unisys be involved? Are they headed by some creep like that Diebold guy?

[kuozzman]

2. This request seemed unnecessarily urgent....thought there might be

more to it?
03/16/99
An independent review team recommends scrapping a $7-million computer system that is less than two years old and is central to the operation of the Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell's office.

The operations review team organized by Blackwell in January said in a report released yesterday that the office is "stuck with" hardware and software from seven different vendors and "even today, the lead vendor cannot certify that is year 2000 compliant."

The review team said the computer system, installed in 1997 when Gov. Bob Taft was secretary of state, did not operate properly from the beginning and "continues to frustrate users and customers alike." The system breaks down without notice, fails to capture data and loses information that has been recorded, according to the review.

"The team feels strongly that the existing system must be replaced," the report said. "Plans for that replacement should start at once and should contain a strong Internet component. It is paramount that these improvements take place as soon as possible."

Blackwell released the report on the day he sought a 28-percent budget increase for next fiscal year, the largest increase for any statewide elected official. Most of that money would come from a 50-50 share of fees the secretary of state's office charges for services. Currently, the office gets only 17 percent to 20 percent of the fees it charges, he said.

Meanwhile, no decision has been made to junk the computer system, Blackwell said, but discussions are under way with the main vendor, Unisys Corp.

[ChicanoPwr]

3. Unisys and elections

Unisys joins OASIS consortium to influence voting machine standards
http://www.unisysworld.com/monthly/2001/07/oasis.shtml

Unisys has developed end-to-end Unisys e-@ction Election Solutions to meet the needs and demand of the election marketplace. This flexible, component-based approach allows election organizations at the state and local levels to deploy modern and proven technologies aligned with their specific requirements. Unisys election solutions have encompassed all stages of the election life cycle, including voter identification, Unisys announced last January that it would draw on its successes around the world to provide end-to-end election solutions.

[ChicanoPwr]

4. Unisys Helps Drive the e-Election Process

8th April 2003 - Unisys and Election Systems and Software (ES&S) have joined forces to support the government’s electoral modernisation programme. This May over 800,000 UK voters will be able to choose from a variety of Unisys and ES&S voting methods, including the Internet, during the local elections.

South Tyneside, Chorley and Rushmoor are pioneering councils working with Unisys and ES&S to provide multi-channel voting systems to their citizens. The aim is to increase the voting turnout within these boroughs by offering a wider choice of modern, easy-to-use voting methods, which support the e-government strategy.

Rushmoor will combine voting at traditional polling stations with Internet voting. In addition to conventional paper-based voting methods and the Internet, citizens in Chorley will be able to vote via a touch-tone telephone. Citizens in South Tyneside will be able to vote via a touch-tone telephone, as well as via SMS text messaging and multi-lingual touch-screen kiosks.

http://www.unisys.co.uk/about__unisys/news_a_events/04080301uk.htm

[harmonyguy]

5. It looks like a business that they want into, if not already there.

see
http://www.unisys.com/public_sector/solutions/administration__and__finance/electronic__voting.htm

Apparently Unisys has also been a sub-contractor to ES&S
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/8653572.htm