Democracy for New York and Eliot Spitzer agree on PB/OS

Renee generouosly asked me if I would blog every once in awhile to keep folks updated on what's going on in my neck o' the woods. Haven't had much time for bloggin' as life gets busy when you're trying to do your part to save the world.

With Keith Olberman laying into Runsfeld, Cheney, and Bush last night (was that awesome or what) about creeping fascism in America it is my pleasure to be able to blog the press release below regarding another threat to our democracy. This release is going out across New York State today.

Several representatives of various local groups within the Democracy for New York coalition have been educating and negotiating with Eliot Spitzer and his campaign staff for several months now on the subject of voting machine technology for HAVA compliance in New York State.

Senate Minority Leader David Paterson has been on board with us on the subject of Paper Ballot, Precinct Based, Optical Scan Systems with ballot marking devices (also know as PB/OS) from the beginning.

In April Attorney General Eliot Spitzer spoke at the Second Annual Democracy for New York State Conference. At that time he had not had the opportunity to research the issue fully but expressed confidence that he would agree with our position once he completed his research.

Research Complete.

Democracy for New York


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
8/31/06
Contact: Andrew White
518-733-6187
acwhite@taconic.net

PRESS RELEASE

Spitzer Circulates Statement Calling Paper Ballot Optical Scan Voting "Proven Technology"

Democracy For New York and NYS Gubernatorial Candidate voice concerns about electronic voting

Gubernatorial candidate Eliot Spitzer produced a statement voicing concerns about the reliability and even the potential for election fraud with electronic voting after speaking with local activist groups around New York state. In the statement Spitzer asks the state to implement "a vigorous testing regime" or consider an alternative to electronic machines called 'Paper Ballot with Precinct Based Optical Scan', also known as PBOS.

"Albany's implementation of the Help America Vote Act has been a well-publicized disaster," Spitzer said in the statement, "State government's failure of leadership is especially disconcerting in light of widespread reports of the unreliability and potential for fraud of electronic voting machines."

The statement is a direct result of conversations with activists from Democracy For New York (DFNY). The group is actively engaged in efforts to protect the voting rights of the people of the State of New York. DFNY points out that a Paper Ballot and Optical Scan voting system provides many advantages over electronic "touch screen" technology, or "DREs". Optical Scan systems are popular in a number of other states. Within the past year, the states of New Mexico and Connecticut have decided to use statewide optical scan systems to comply with the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). The complete Optical scan system includes ballot marking technology which allows a paper ballot based system to provide accessible, private and independent voting for voters with disabilities. HAVA requires new voting machines for New York by 2007. DFNY, along with other groups, including New Yorkers for Verified Voting and the League of Women Voters of New York, have endorsed Paper Ballot Optical Scan voting technology over touch screen machines.

"Eliot Spitzer has recognized that both public funds and the integrity of the election process are better served by Precinct Based Optical Scanning of Paper Ballots", said Alan Goldston of Democracy for Westchester, a local DFNY group. "Any election officials in New York who ignore his sober advice had better be prepared to explain why they would choose to both waste public money and jeopardize the election process."

Election integrity issues have been a major issue for activists in the group. Andrew C. White of Democracy for the Hudson-Mohawk Region said that his group had long urged Mr. Spitzer to take a hard look at the issue, "Electronic touch screen machines are a fundamentally flawed technology. They are inherently unverifiable and therefore present a threat to democracy." He added that the issue is of utmost importance to the Democracy for New York Coalition and that Eliot Spitzer's recognition of the issue may well clinch a DFNY endorsement for the Spitzer/Paterson ticket.

The full text of Eliot Spitzer's statement follows:

"Albany's implementation of the Help America Vote Act has been a well-publicized disaster. It was a mistake from the start for the State Legislature to pass the buck to our counties rather than craft legislation that would have specified a single technology for adoption statewide. As a result, we're looking at the very real possibility of a patchwork of different voting machines with different levels of accuracy and accessibility throughout the State.

State government's failure of leadership is especially disconcerting in light of widespread reports of the unreliability and potential for fraud of electronic voting machines. The State must address these concerns through a vigorous testing regime or should consider certifying the proven and less expensive Paper Ballot with Precinct Based Optical Scan technology."

Democracy for New York is a coalition of over 40 groups across New York State. The working group involved in the conversations with the Spitzer campaign included: Alan Goldston of Democracy for Westchester, John McBride and Andrew White of Democracy for the Hudson-Mohawk Region, Cynthia Kouril of Democracy for Long Island and David Kogelman of Democracy for New York City.
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