I have a quandary concerning my future and Diebold voting machines...

[wyldwolf]

I know several people involved in the Democratic party in Georgia - one of them sits on the elections board and was paramount in getting Diebold systems in Georgia. She is also working to get me a trainer/manager's position over poll workers in upcoming elections. This is something I want to do because I feel I can bring changes better from the inside. And experience like this will definitely put me further in the inside.

Here is my problem: I'm a firm believer in the flaws that have been reported with the Diebold system. I feel that If I am present as the machines are being used, perhaps I can spot any monkey business if, indeed, such manipulation can be done from the machines themselves by voters.

I'm worried, however, that my firm (and outspoken) belief that there are flaws in the Diebold system could jeapodize my chances at this position.

Should I keep my mouth shut and cease all e-mails to those in charge on the subject?

[Brucey]

1. Speak carefully and softly.

Make concerns known without causing trouble, but in the spirit of democracy and fair play. Let good intentions be known. When possible, make it seem like their idea to check machines carefully.

[fla nocount]

2. Say, "I just read the most incredible thing"

Then share your sources. DU probably wouldn't be the best to share though.

[Bushfire]

3. Seems there are already whistleblowers with Diebold

that have leaked the damaging training manual, plus other goodies. Congress has the damaging evidence now, and activists need to keep the pressure up on them & the media. Working in stealth mode as a poll worker to spot any funny business could be useful to the cause, but causing a ruckus could only have them dismiss you. Just my $0.02.

[Eloriel]

4. Your goal is worthy but

I'm far less worried about what the Hopkins team revealed as external threats from outside than I am about what is or even could be inside. There's plenty of that too, and there's not much you could do to detect or foil malicious code in the software that tampers with the votes.

Whew, how clever these people were to get so many Democrats lined up on their side. It's astonishing.

I can't really weigh in on your actual question, but what I would like to see is for you to start educating your friend. There's a lot of information out there, but those internal Diebold memos that have been released are pretty damning:

Diebold Internal Mail Confirms U.S. Vote Count Vulnerabilities
http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0309/S00106.htm

San Luis Obispo "phoned home" with votes at 3:31 on election day
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/JimMarch.htm

Here's an early article about how people in the polling places can mess with machines:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/access-diebold.htm

Then, of course, there's the Diebold STAFF Manual, which makes very interesting reading:
http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0309/S00157.htm

And really, she ought to read all of the BBV.org site and check it daily:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/

Edit: And of course, there's the quite wonderful Pima Co. Report
Report on Pima County Electronic Vote Counting Procedures and Safeguards
http://www.pimademocrats.org/votingreport/votingintegrity.htm

Eloriel

[dofus]

5. Actually, this gives you a wonderful

opportunity to get the elections people there to run a test on the machines. Set up a "vote" and see if the results tabulated actually match what is put in. And if it doesn't, point that out.

[RedEagle]

6. Good Listing of Sites Here

Kick!