HR 811 Reported Out Of Committee and on its way to the full House for vote!

[demodonkey]

Markup in the House Administration Committee ended about 5:30.

A 4 1/2 hour hearing, but HR 811 is going to the House Floor!

The vote was 6-3 along party lines. The final marked up version will be available on the House Administration Committee website "shortly" according to staff.

[BlackHawk706867]

1. For those of us less informed, what is HR 811? Thanks. eom

[librechik]

2. amending the Help America Vote Act to mandate voter verifed paper ballots

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.00811:

yippee!

[demodonkey]

3. Federal Bill For Voter Verified Paper Ballots with Audits.

:-)

[dweller]

4. Rec #1

take it to the top.
dp

[IndyOp]

5. Go! Go! Please CALL YOUR REP and ask them to vote for HR811

This bill is my state's only chance to get paper ballots for 2008.

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[emlev]

6. NOT SO FAST! PLEASE READ!

Thank you DemoDonkey, for the update.
Note that I have not yet seen the amendments that were added to the bill today, so what I'm about to say regards the bill in its original form:

HR 811 is a DEEPLY FLAWED bill that aims to increase voter confidence by tricking voters into believing they've verified their votes.

As noted above, the bill calls for any electronic voting machines (DREs) used in elections to produce a voter-verified paper record, BUT THE PAPER WILL NOT BE COUNTED! In other words, if you vote on a computer, the screen tells you how you voted, the paper tells you how you voted, but neither of those things you've been able to verify is what is counted. Instead, what is counted is an electronic image inside the computer that you will never be able to verify matches your vote, and is often different from what the screen and the paper record say!

What's more, HR 811 calls these paper records "ballots," even though they will only be counted in rare cases.

There are good things in the bill, too, but this is NOT a slam dunk. Many election integrity organizations have been working to have the bill amended to mandate a paper ballot for every vote cast, with any DREs kept in use to be limited to serving as non-tabulating devices used ONLY to make paper ballots which would be the ballots of record. (This compromise allows DREs to continue to be used for the purposes of providing access to voters with disabilities and minority language voters.)

Please do not call your reps to support HR 811 until we know what the amendments say and until you thoroughly understand the issue! Some national groups such as People for the American Way, MoveOn and Common Cause have pushed hard for the passage of this bill, apparently without thorough understanding of the issues.

I'd like to note also that many election integrity advocates I truly respect, including DU's LandShark, are opposed to this bill entirely because it absolutely does not mandate hand counted paper ballots.

Again, this is NOT a slam dunk!

Ask questions. Learn. Then decide and call your Reps.

Thank you for listening.

[emlev]

7. Check out this graphic, which explains the problem with paper records/trails

Many more resources about the need to amend HR 811 can be found here.

[IndyOp]

8. I DO thoroughly understand the issue. I STRONGLY disagree with Landshark.

I --- REPEAT --- I ENCOURAGE ALL DU'ers to CALL THEIR REPS.

Of course the bill is not a slam dunk but it is a damned site better that what we have now and it is the ONLY chance my state has of avoiding damned VOTE-BY-FUCKING-MAIL.

:grr:

[emlev]

16. IndyOp, I know you understand the issues...

That comment was directed at the less-informed who you were asking to call their Reps. I'd like them to get more informed and make their own decisions.

[BradBlog]

25. Beware before asking your Congress Member to support this bill!

While I understand IndyOp's expressed hopes of improving the situation in his/her state, the rest of the country will be damned in many ways by this dangerous legislation which institutionalizes DRE touch-screen voting systems.

America needs a paper BALLOT -- one that is actually counted -- for every vote cast. HR811 is a deceptive bill that does NOT offer that, and will make things much much worse in many places because of it.

Eg. Had their been the "paper trails" required by Holt down in the Sarasota FL-13 case, it likely would have been thrown out by now.

"Paper trails" such as required by Holt are not the answer. Paper BALLOTS are the answer. "Paper TRAILS" are a HUGE problem.

[Cookie wookie]

29. The Capuano amendment to HR811 requires that states

provide paper ballots to anyone who asks for them. So for those voters who want paper ballots instead of DREs in states that already have them, it will be a done deal if the bill passes as amended. There you have it: paper ballots!!

It will be up to activists to: inform citizens to ask for paper instead of DREs and to get great audit bills passed in their states. If they want 100% hand counted paper ballots they can work on getting that statewide as well. Nothing in the amended Holt bill stands in anyone's way, rather it moves us all a giant leap forward.

Without the bill passing as written, we're back to square 0.

Not sure what the Sarasota reference means. Suggest all who are interested sit down and read the amended bill before commenting. It's a hypothetical that doesn't fit if the bill passes. The undervotes would still be undervotes, wouldn't they? Adding paper to the DREs doesn't make undervotes disappear. The door will be open wide to holding vendors accountable for the software they put on the machines. No changes can be made to the software after a state certifies the voting system. It will be against federal law. The chain of custody of voting software has to be documented. A wealth of information will be available for investigation.

And all by 2008.

Would you please provide the language in the amended bill that "institutionalizes DRE touch-screen voting systems." I don't see it anywhere. Actually the opposite. If states have to provide paper, what state will want to spend megabucks for DREs? States with TSXs will have to dump them. States planning on getting TSXs or any technology with paper rolls will have to abandon that stupid idea. The bill pushes for optiscan technology and endorses ballot marking devices.

On top of that, the bill provides 1 billion dollars to states beginning in Jan 2008 that they can use to replace DREs.

[mod mom]

11. I agree with Emlev, HAND COUNTED PAPER BALLOTS, COUNTED AT THE PRECINCT

LEVEL WITH FULL PUBLIC WITNESS!

[kster]

14. Oh my goodness, I'm with you 100%?

HAND COUNTED PAPER BALLOTS, COUNTED AT THE PRECINCT LEVEL WITH FULL PUBLIC WITNESS.

So that would mean that you want EVERYONE IN THE USA to see the counting of our ballots.

Thats a brilliant idea, I'm with you a 100%, I just want to make clear what you want, Both Dem and Repub Voters in the contest are able to VIEW the ballots being counted?

Who would want anything less?


B-)

[emlev]

15. That's not what I said, actually...

I personally trust hand counts of paper ballots more than machine counts. I hope we'll get there in the not-too-distant future, at least in nearly all jurisdictions. I don't think we can get there right now with HR 811 or any other bill, so strategically right now I'm supporting some use of technology, specifically:

--allowing paper ballots to be counted by precinct-level optical scan machines with rigorous election night auditing procedures;
--continued use of non-tabulating DRE-type devices that produce paper ballots, combined with mandate that ONLY paper ballots be used for all tallies and audits. The purpose of allowing these machines is to provide access for minority language voters and voters with disabilities.

If we have a bill that mandates that all votes be on paper ballots, then local groups that are advocating for hand-counted paper ballots will have much less of a stretch to achieve that, since those ballots will already exist. Because of the history of fraud with hand-counting and its specific use to disenfranchise African American voters in the past, coupled with political realities in DC right now, I think this is the best we can hope for immediately. So that's what I'm working for.

This is a strategic decision and does not in any way imply any lack of respect for my colleagues who take a different strategy toward the same goal. I have loads of respect for you.

[mod mom]

22. Sorry Emlev, then we part in agreement, because unless you audit 100% of those

op-scans then we leave the public with a false sense of security in the electoral system. NOTE I SAID FULL PUBLIC WITNESS (meaning that procedures could be recorded) IF you count 100% why have the machines (high cost) in the first place. I don't trust either party having control over the outcomes of elections and think HCPB...are the way to go. (AND MUCH LESS EXPENSIVE ) (AND DOESN'T FUNNEL BIG BUCKS INTO PARTISAN CORPORATIONS)

[emlev]

23. I think there are other dependable ways to audit op-scans

Certainly if auditing 100% were required, using them at all would make no sense for the reasons you say. I absolutely agree that rigorous auditing of op-scans is essential if they're to be used; I understand that there are ways to do it that are feasible.

[mod mom]

24. As we say w Blackwell, a partisan (and any party can be suspect imho) SOS can

determine which precincts to audit thus negating the integrity of the election. I say have a system that can be trusted (and cheaper too!) As far as the cost of precinct level counting, I say use a system like jury duty, as well as HS students.

[emlev]

31. Yup. Can't do it that way. eom

[Cookie wookie]

35. However, the consequences of that folly may end up with some of

those Ohio election officials wearing orange jumpsuits.

We know all about problems with election officials here. See the GAVV complaint (http://www.gaforverifiedvoting.org/about.htm) that has been turned over to the Attorney General to investigate. Someday we may have accountability. It's up to all of us to fight for it.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

36. NC doesn't allow election officials to campaign or fund raise

we have bi-partisan county BOEs and SBOE.

But no politicking.

This works, we have each party watching the other,
and no one cammpaigning or fund raising.

IN NC, our SOS doesn't oversee elections, we have an election administrator
who does. He seems to be interested in the voters' best interests.
In our state, a new gov could get rid of our election administrator,
but so far, they have chosen not to.

Our SBOE appointed board has 3 members from Gov's party, and 2 members from
minority party. A 3-2 vote can win.


In Maryland, they have Election administrator, but she can get rid of their
BOE appointees, and it takes a super majority of 4-1 to win a vote, so
they can't fire Linda Lamone.
Lamone decides the pay scale of election directors, yet its the counties who
have to pay it.

Its crazy.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

18. HR 811 doesn't prevent you from getting HCPB in your city/state

Federal legislation is alot harder to introduce and pass than state legislation.

Does your state's law mandate HCPB?

Do you want to continue enabling paperless voting?


Less than 1% of the country hand counts paper ballots.

It would be a wild hallucination to think that Congress is going to enact
any legislation that mandates all hand counted elections.

HCPB activists can't even convince their own municipalities to do HCPB,
and HCPB is losing ground.

If you can't convince your own city/county/state to HCPB, and if less than 1% of
the country uses HCPB, it aint going to happen.

The only hope for HCPB IS if HR 811 passes so that paperless voting IS illegal.

That gives you room to work, to try to get a referendum on the ballot or otherwise change
what your city/county or state does.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

19. Do you want to keep paperless voting legal?

HR 811 is all that there is to make paperless voting illegal.

The election officials who hate paper are also actively working against
HR 811. I have seen the emails... They think paper is crazy and they
will fight to get rid of it or to keep it out.

Right now, its legal to have paperless voting.

HR 811 makes paperless voting illegal.

Without HR 811, nothing is going to be counted in many states, nothing
at all except for some 0's and 1's.

Without HR 811, the vendors continue to run freely in the world of private source
code and privatized elections.

Without HR 811, Georgia, Indiana, SC,Tennessee and other states have NO hope at all.

HR 811 is a giant step in the right direction.

[kster]

21. Anything but "paperless voting legal" DRES and HR811 both,

EXCLUDE my group from Hand Counting the Paper Ballots. WHY? Paperless voting explains, it by itself,(there is nothing top hand count) The "G" gets a SUPER FAST VOTE COUNT, by using their machines to count the ballots, The audit people are able to get an audit if they want, but they EXCLUDE my group, The Hand Count group? WHY?

[BradBlog]

26. Holt Already KEEPS Paperless Voting Legal!!!

With all due respect to WillYourVoteBeCounted, the Holt bill allows for paperless voting. All votes cast on DRE touch-screen systems are paperless votes.

Yes, Holt's bill will require a "paper trail" but not that that "paper trail" actually be counted. Ever.

It is your paperless electronic ballot that is counted when you use the DRE touch-screen voting machines as allowed by Holt.

As to adding "paper trails" to DREs as Holt requires, they are deceptive and misleading since they aren't actually counted, and can be gamed as well so they actually HURT the chances of an election challenge being successful (eg. the FL-13 JEnnings/Buchanan race would probably have been dismissed by now if those touch-screen machines had had "paper trails" which most likely would have said the same thing that the machines did).

I understand WillYourVoteBeCounted's opinion that Holt's bill is better than nothing. But I cannot agree with her at this time. I look forward to finishing reading the final version of the bill that passed out of committee yesterday to see what changes (positive and/or negative) have actually been effected. But I do know that DRE systems will still be allowed and that's a huge threat to democracy.

[truckin]

32. Brad, I agree with you that all DRE's should be banned but this

bill is a good first step. To expand on Cookie Wookie's point think about the state of Maryland that currently only uses paperless DRE's. They will have to retrofit each DRE with a printer to provide a paper receipt. It may be less expensive for Maryland to replace the DRE's with opscan than to retro fit the DRE's with printers. Maryland is already seriously considering replacing their DRE's with opscan and this bill will give them a lot more incentive to do so. It will also give cover to the politicians who originally made the mistake of purchasing the DRE's.

Again, I agree with you that it would be best to ban all DRE's but I don't believe that is going to happen in the near future. I would also support a bill that required hand counted paper ballots but I don't see any chance of that happening any time soon.

BTW, love the Bradblog. DU Election Reform and the Bradblog are the two site that I check every day to keep up on election issues. Keep up the good work.

[Cookie wookie]

34. Both Maryland and Georgia both use the TS-R6 voting stations

statewide. We've been told by election officials in GA for years that the R6 can't be retrofitted with printing technology. Part of the problem may be the way the voting stations are built. The so-called "privacy" screens (not), are so close to the sides of the touchscreen that there isn't room for an attached printer without adding some type of table, which the way they are set up has never looked feasible although we tried to get printers put on them anyway, since our other option was paperless. Some activists in GA recommended that the internal printer (used for zero tapes, etc.) could be used. I've never thought that was viable because the bay door for them is on the right side of the voting station, with no way for voters to verify the tape. Plus, there is no space for a lock box for the ballot to scroll into. With HR811's passage, it would mean bye-bye TS-R6s.
Election officials here have been hankering to move from the R6 to the Diebold TSX, even did a pilot study in the 2006 election. They want to pacify citizens but hang on to DREs (they do love them)

But HR811 doesn't allow for the continuous paper roll because of the way it compromises anonymity. As recently as this last legislative session (Jan-Mar 07), a bill was dropped that would have brought in TSXs. It didn't move, but I feel sure that was not because the new Republican SOS didn't want to go there (after all, right after she took office in Jan 07 she immediately hired Robert Simms, a partner in the lobbying firm for Diebold in GA, Massey & Bowers, as her Deputy SOS), but because everyone was waiting to see what happens with HR811.

The passage of HR 811 will certainly give activists in GA a huge boost in getting opscan before the election in 2008. We will have probably one hell of a fight to get the audits we need to ensure accurate and secure elections, but we will have paper (please god!!)

We've had to vote in 3 major elections on paperless DREs. It's reached the point where it's just unbearable to think we might have to do it again in 08.

I've always had this dream that one day I'd see the desert piled up with DRES at Burning Man like a visual poem to the folly of privitizing OUR elections.

[kiteinthewind]

41. Thank you, emlev, for this critical point! nt

:kick:

[kster]

9. This bill excludes a group of people

that would like to Hand Count All The optiscanned Paper Ballots, immediately following an election, The Hand Count group would not be putting anyone OUT by doing a complete hand count of all the ballots, but yet this bill, HR811 excludes our group, WHY?

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

10. if that group of people wants to get their state to mandate that - goody

Even with HR 811, some folks will have to work for the extras that they want.

HR 811 does alot of good things, but it can't do it all.

It doesn't end the war in Iraq, it doesn't stop global warming.

HR 811 mandates paper and ends the hopes of the anti paper crowd that they can take it away.

HR 811 does not stop states from hand counting the ballots if those states want that.

Those who complain about HR 811 not mandating full hand counts of all ballots are also those who have not passed state laws to mandate what they want HR 811 to do.

Federal law can't do it all, states have to do some work too.

You can't deny all 50 states verified voting because you didn't get everything you wanted.

[flyarm]

38. do it yourself!! go to your state and get off the computer and get it done

in your own state!!

but for those of us who have had no paper and have been fucked since 2000 or longer..this is our only option!

just try having "bubba" at your voting place hand counting and see how you like it!!

i can tell you as a poll watcher..i had "repub bubba"..and he wouldn't even let me as a poll watcher into the room where the machines were..and the 2 Kerry NY lawyers all but got in a fist fight with 6'6" Bubba at the court house where i was poll watching..

get real..i don't want "BUBBA " hand counting anything..or intimidating anyone hand counting in my county and state..i want ballots..and i want strict federal and state laws to keep bubba from being able to touch a damn ballots or any machines and i want no more damn DRE's with no paper

and I and others have worked our asses off to get that..on the ground and with our purses!!

fly.. in a florida DRE county.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

12. I predict that Diebold will have a major meltdown over this

Diebold doesn't want ANYONE to look at their crappy spaghetti
source code.

THey will get out of the business.

[kster]

13. The crappy spaghetti source code that our govement allows

Diebold to keep in play with HR811.

:yourock: No you don't.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

17. No, Diebold wont show its source code

Diebold won't show their source code.

It might incriminate them.

[kster]

20. And OUR Government allows this?.........

What, our Government, sits there, and says, hmmmmm how can we make it illegal for THESE companies to continually count our votes in secret.

GIVE ME A BREAK!! YOU ARE SOUNDING ST...D



I

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

27. No, Diebold will flee rather than show its pathetic source code

I must not have gotten that part across.

Do-over:

Diebold doesn't want its source code reviewed.

They will either flee the business, or

submit their code and suffer the consequences.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

28. Voter-Verified Paper Ballots One Step Closer

Of course, all the anti paper forces are ramping up their opposition, but I think this is a go:

Voter-Verified Paper Ballots One Step Closer

"This legislation reflects the will of the voters and of the nation," said VerifiedVoting.org President Pamela Smith. "Already three-fourths of the states have taken action to require voter-verified paper ballots, but for Americans to have confidence in our elections we need to ensure all voters can check that their votes are accurately recorded. This bill will improve the security, reliability and accessibility of our voting systems."

"...H.R. 811's passage will prevent the use of paperless electronic voting machines, and will require audits to check the accuracy of the vote counts for federal elections. It includes security provisions that ban Internet connections for voting machines, as well as for systems that tabulate the votes on election night. It also makes the paper ballot the official record in audits and recounts, and requires election officials to post a notice explaining to voters the need to verify their vote....
http://www.infozine.com/news/stories/op/storiesView/sid/22747/

[kster]

30. Why does a person that understands source code

want to look at the source code of the voting machine?

And why should I trust that person to tell me "every thing's cool" with the vote counting machine?

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

40. OVERTHROWING OF DEMOCRACY -From Within - "Pseudo Activism"

WHY OPPOSE LEGISLATION THAT HELPS ALL 50 STATES?
Theories and countertheories abound:

OVERTHROWING OF DEMOCRACY -From Within - "Pseudo Activism"

Overthrowing Successful Activism 101 - Or Maintaining the status quo of failing election systems. Since 2003, Congressman Rush Holt has worked to get legislation to protect the elections of all 50 states. National groups and activists have been key to this effort. Now that HR 811 gets closer to passing, has a "pseudo activism" or counter-effort emerged?

http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_joyce_mc_070409_overthrowing_of_demo.htm

[kiteinthewind]

42. Precisely, kpete! I shouldn't have to 'know computer code' to verify MY vote is registered and

counted accurately. This bill is just a Trojan horse, IMO! NO MACHINES, damnit!
:mad:

[Cookie wookie]

43. So how do we get rid of them?

If you don't want federal law that stops paperless voting because you want no DREs then how do you propose we get rid of them? If the law requires states to change from paperless by 2008 and there are no DREs that meet the requirements in the law, then those states can't buy DREs. Other states that already have paper on their DREs will be required to have hand counted random audits of the paper in certain circumstances, if they don't already have law that does that. What's wrong with that?

Is there a bill you are supporting that you think is a model for states or for federal law?

[kiteinthewind]

44. Hand counted paper ballots, counted at precinct level, no machines-not DRE's, not OptiScan counting.

Period. I think the BOE's should return the crap to the manufacturers for a refund. They are not fit to base our vote on. Our democracy depends on it.
:think:

[Cookie wookie]

45. I know that. I'm asking how you've made it happen or plan to.

What is the plan? Where is it being done? Who got it done? How were you successful in getting HCPB counted at the precinct?

What was the legislation -- have a link to post to it?

I might add that I worked with a group who wrote a bill calling for HCPB at the precinct on election night, The Vote Count Protection Act, in GA. After two years of work, we got bipartisan support and got it introduced in the 2006 legislative session. It went nowhere.

So I want to hear how you are achieving your goal or have achieved it.

Saying and doing are two different things. Talk's cheap.

[kiteinthewind]

46. Good God, are you with the Inquisition?

I will tell you we are working on a ballot initiative here. BTW, what happened to your profile? You're right, talk is cheap, and it sounds like you have 'done' some things. Good for you, but I certainly don't have to 'prove' myself to you. Thanks anyway, tho! It will be public knowledge soon.
:)

[Cookie wookie]

47. I apologize. I realized after that post that I've become so

defensive with all the misinformation about HR811 and efforts to destroy it, along with our dreams of getting legislation so we could vote, really vote, in GA 2008, that I've gone off the deep end. The thought of paperless DRE voting again in 2008 is frankly unbearable. I would love it if HR811 had been able to legislate no DREs or had made all the paper the ballot of record, the ideal IMO, but changes seem to have to come incrementally. All the terrible things said about Rush Holt, who has been fighting on our side, all the terrible things said about the bill (before it was amended), like it was a "Ponzi scheme" and on and on, even by activists who are legitimate, sincere, and honest, and not cointelpro operatives, all this trashing of efforts of activists to get paper in our voting systems, has hurt big time.

Anyway, sorry and good luck on your efforts -- I won't work to undermine them, like others have done to our efforts to get federal legislation because it wasn't perfect.

[kiteinthewind]

48. No problem, CK. My concern is that if we allow the machines to become 'precedent', there will be no

turning back. I respect that we have differing opinions. Because of the manuevers that occured to our plan a couple years ago, information is being kept 'close to the vest', as my good friend says. I pretty much have gotten to the point that I trust no one. Sort of sad, but true nonetheless.
:hi:

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

33. Outlaws paperless voting and paper ballots on demand

and The Election Center is already ramping up their
opposition machine.

Its time to make paperless voting illegal.

No DREs meet requirements, DRE proponents are upset because
their machines dont meet the requirements.

Big step forward.

[kster]

37. The sad thing about this, YOU KNOW BETTER!!!

I know that YOU KNOW BETTER, but you keep up with the same old silliness?????

[Cookie wookie]

39. What bill have you worked on getting passed?

Statewide, federal....?? Have you physically lobbied in Washington or in your state legislature? Have you helped to write legislation, find sponsors and get it introduced? Have you worked with legislators personally to get them to sign on to what you're asking for? If not, you've missed out on some revelations about how things actually get done in the US, and the news isn't all good. It's like trying to walk through a brick wall most of the time. I'll admit it can be fun too, so if you haven't done these things to get what you and so many of us want, then join in, roll up your sleeves, and get to it. Sure, complaining has some value, but if that's all we did, nothing would happen.

Take a look at the quotes below and see if Georgia would have a hope in hell of getting any paper by 08 without HR811. Handel is not alone. SOS's/election officials across the country have the same mindset. They will do anything to keep their DRES and without federal legislation another election will pass us by. Do I want all the paper to be the ballot of record period, not just for audits and recounts. I sure as hell do. But how exactly is the government to enact laws that tell citizens (which surprisingly election officials are) what they can or can not buy without using the kind of law that that HR811 does?

GT: Would you talk about electronic voting – what’s working and what needs to be changed?

KH: Citizens seem to very much like the current machines from a user-friendly standpoint. Do we need to move to the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail or VVPAT – that’s a question of when, not if, in my mind. But it needs to be a practical transition. Currently, there’s just simply not a good machine on the market that does the things that we would need it to do from a VVPAT standpoint – as well as the audit and recount standpoint. I do think that we will move in that direction.

GT: When?

KH: The timeline for that I’m not so sure about, because it’s an expensive proposition. It’s an $80- to $100-million initiative, if we were to completely move from the current machines to some new type of machine, because our machines cannot be easily retrofitted with a printer unit. We would need to get the manufacturer to do an R&D initiative to develop something unique for us. That’s not the best way to go, generally. With that said, in the interim what I’ve asked in the budget – and I feel reasonably confident that the legislature will sign off on it – is money so we can have an independent audit of our machines. This audit would look at the hardware, software and all of our security, audit and recount procedures so we can have a gap plan, if you will, or a transition plan while we determine frankly, as a nation, what is going to be the next iteration of voting equipment.

GT: How do you feel about the machines?

KH: I remain open-minded around whether or not there’s anything inherently wrong with the machines. In Georgia we have simply not had any problem with the machines. The issues that have occurred have been human error type issues – things like a poll worker tripping over the cord – all people issues. That brings me to what I think is the far more serious issue within our election process – and that is poll workers. The average age of a poll worker in the United States is 72. We need to really revamp how we are recruiting and training our poll workers. We need to look at partnerships with colleges, partnerships with the business community. A couple of states have put in a process similar to jury duty for poll workers. This is not such an issue this year, as an off year. Next year for the presidential cycle we are going to need tens of thousands of good poll workers. Even if we could have a really technologically savvy individual – one – in each precinct, that would help a great deal. That’s very heavy on my mind.

GT: Any other voting machine concerns?

KH: The other thing that we need is to understand where our citizens truly are about these machines. We did a pilot project of VVPAT machines in three precincts last November. There was exit polling done, if you will, about voter confidence. The number was 84 or 86 percent that said they were confident that their vote had been counted on the electronic machine without VVPAT. That number went to 89 percent with VVPAT. Again, this is anecdotal – but that’s not a huge jump for a price tag of $80- to $100-million. So we really need to drill down with our citizens. We need to broadly – from a nationwide standpoint – have a better understanding of where the citizens are on this issue because confidence in an election is twofold. It is how citizens perceive it and the raw facts of how it was conducted.

http://www.georgiatrend.com/features-people/05_07_handel.shtml