WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2007. From Democracy for Westchester. November 20, 2006: On December 7, 2006, Democracy for Westchester will present a program on the new voting technology which New York is considering adopting. A 45 minute film “Bought and Sold”, examining the evidence on the risks to democracy that come with equipment under consideration, will be followed by a discussion with County Legislator Mike Kaplowitz and other legislators on the status of these new systems being considered for Westchester and elsewhere in New York.
Reports from around the country have indicated that some electronic voting systems had failed, or produced dubious results. In one Florida Congressional District this year, the new system apparently “lost” 18,000 votes in a single race, leading to litigation over whether a new election will be required. Independent experts have reported that leading electronic systems are insecure and easily “hackable”.
Governor-elect Eliot Spitzer has already voiced concern for the reliability of electronic voting, and its potential for election fraud. In a statement released in September, Attorney General Spitzer asked the state to implement "a vigorous testing regime" (which it has not yet done) before adopting any electronic system, and to consider instead a proven, less expensive and more secure alternative to electronic machines called 'Paper Ballot with Precinct Based Optical Scan', also known as PB/OS.
Democracy for Westchester Chairman Alan Goldston said, “Our democracy requires fair and honest elections, with results that are trusted by the public. Like it or not, election officials are going to purchase new voting systems to replace our familiar lever machines. The least we can expect is that they not waste our money on any system that is either unreasonably expensive or unreasonably prone to fraud and error. This program will help demystify the choices available, so that residents of Westchester can knowledgeably participate in public debate, and hold their public officials accountable.”
The program will be held on December 7, 2006, at 7 pm at the Memorial United Methodist Church, 250 Bryant Avenue, White Plains, New York. Admission is free, but attendees are requested to RSVP on-line at http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=15383.
