We hinted about this during our SDEC coverage, and now it's come to fruition. The TDP has taken legal action against the Texas SoS over electronic voting. The entire press release is beneath the fold.
Senate Hearings will be held this Feb. 7th (Not Feb 8th as I first incorrectly noted) to address Hazards of Electronic Voting. Among other issues addressed will be Rep. Holt's newly revised bill (formerly titled H.R.550 which in its earlier form, created a means to allow the Executive Branch to have full control over Federal and State elections--a very bad plan). The new bill was just released on Monday. A PDF of the bill is at BBV. Analysis is ongoing.
From EDA:
The number that will be assigned this bill is H.R. 811
Black Box, you know that site that some folks we love over at Orange have poo-pooed some? Well the Black Box folks sent me some chilling stuff in this morning's inbox. Really, really chilling.
Voting machines are crooked as hell and many moderates and independents agree with this position. Our local voting officials sing as one choir when they tell us the machines offer ample security and fraud is not a threat. When we hit them over the head with fraud facts they respond with cost factors. I have heard numerous stories that the voting machine paper costs a small fortune and must be replaced frequently.
Most of us draw money from a cash machine and conduct other transactions on the same machines. I have looked at the makers of said machines and many are Diebolds. I find it quite interesting that these ATMs' easily spit out paper receipts-instantly. Cost does not seem to be a factor I have never seen one run out of paper.
Why can't we vote on an ATM?
"A federal agency is set to recommend significant changes to specifications for electronic-voting machines next week" Feds to Toughen E-Voting Standards?
By Michael Hickins
November 29, 2006
I find it hard to consider the Texas election went smoothly for the Republicans. They continue to slime their way to "victory" through fraud and strident propaganda, as they did after election since the 1980s. The only way to stop it is to face it, and then shout so long and loud until the people finally perceive that their suspicions are perfectly just - and ultimately say BASTA!
Ever since Bush family carpetbagged their way to Texas and the rise of the Texas GOP things have never been the same. The problem here in Texas, Democrats and the media continues to claim endlessly, that there is no problem, or that the problem is not partisan malfeasance but "human error."
Here is a list of problems that has been reported in the media that occurred during the elections.
Now before you go screaming Fraud or think that I'm screaming it, hold on. We don't know what happened but for whatever reason District 13 had 18,382 fewer votes for the race than other races.
That's a 13% undercount which to give you a comparison, was SIX times the undercount in neighboring Manatee.
In other words, That's IMPOSSIBLE.
Voter Fraud is a term that's been a bit abused because there's voter fraud and then there are mistakes and inadequacies of the system. In this case, it could be just a poorly designed system.
That still doesn't excuse it because whether it's Election Fraud or a bad ballot (butterfly ballot) or poor programming, the People's Voice was not heard.
Typical of what happens when problems occur, those responsible are making excuses and hoping people just go away. Democrats are sending a team of lawyers but short of finding evidence of foul play, this race was decided not by the People - but by "Voting Irregularities" again.
"The Tarrant County Democratic Party and four local voters have filed a federal lawsuit against the Texas secretary of state declaring that the electronic voting machines used in Tarrant County are unconstitutional and in violation of federal law."
I didn't vote in the early election because my only choice was to vote on electronic voting machines, and I don't trust them. I'm waiting for the general election, and I'm going to use a paper ballot.
LINK KFDM reported about people who had cast straight Democratic ticket ballots, but the touch-screen machines indicated they had voted a straight Republican ticket.
Some of those voters including Lamar University professor, Dr. Bruce Drury, believe the problem is a programming error.
Saturday, KFDM spoke to another voter who says it's not just happening with straight ticket voting, he says it's happening on individual races as well, Jerry Stopher told us when he voted for a Democrat, the Republican's name was highlighted.
Moral: 1. CHECK AND DOUBLE CHECK BEFORE YOU PUSH THE VOTE BUTTON 2. SOMETIMES THE PARANOID ARE RIGHT!! THIS IS ONE OF THOSE TIMES!! 3. WE MUST CHANGE THE VOTING SYSTEM, I WANT A VERIFIABLE BALLOT.
(More ammo for election reform. - promoted by krazypuppy)
The Star-Telegram is reporting that the Hart Intercivics voting machines used in nearly 100 Texas counties have a glitch that cuts off the names of candidates during the last screen of the electronic voting process.
We are in the last days of the 2006 election cycle and we need to work as hard as we can to get good candidates elected. The Bush Regime has made a mockery of America & everything this country should stand for. Music Row Democrats has put together a group of 20 songs for 20 dollars to help get good Democrats elected. The songs are fabulous and you can hear some of them on my podcast.
This is my first diary and it is in response to a previous diary about Democrats receiving more money than Republicans. While I respect the diarist, I must say the following:
All the money is great - all the turnout is great, and I certainly want MORE of both in November. But, as we are now seeing the details of Ohio 2004 come to light, we are faced with the realization that we forsaw back then - if they fix the vote, they will still win. The tide of public opinion has shifted, people are fed up - the economy is starting to tank again (and this time they can't say anything about the tax cuts except for the fact that they only made things worse). But unless we can guarantee that every vote is counted, that there is no tampering, that there is no phone jamming funny business, then we will not make any gains.
People have lost faith in their leaders - and while some in my neighborhood still proudly display their W04 stickers on their car, they mutter to themselves in private. They hang their heads at Coulter's stupid comments, they are leaving the ranks of O'Reilly viewers and they are understanding that global warming is a reality, despite George Will's assertions and the 'Gore = Goebells' reference. It is high time for us to take our country back and we have the popular support to do it. But we must guarantee that the polls are not fixed this November! Getting out the vote is not enough - Get out and Guarantee the vote is more important!
