Do the states log machine errors?

[Hamoth]

Is there an official record to be had, anywhere, of errors both technical and administrative that occurred in the election process? IF not, isn'this alone a huge problem that Conyers or someone needs to bring up today?

[StephanieMarie]

1. Colorado Rep Mark Udall

answered my Mom's letter regarding the voting irregularities there. She was a poll worker in Boulder County, and she said she'd never seen such chaos. Here's his response:

Dear...:

Thank you for contacting me regarding your concerns about possible election irregularities. I appreciate your taking time to get in touch and I apologize for the delay in my response.

In response to similar concerns, the Government Accountability Office
(GAO) has announced that it will investigate the security and accuracy of voting technologies, the distribution and allocation of voting machines, and the counting of provisional ballots. This investigation will hopefully pinpoint any inconsistencies that occurred in the last election and recommend ways to remedy them for future elections.

I have several concerns regarding the evolution of electronic voting in this country. I believe it opens many possibilities to expand the ease of voting and the counting process, however it is important that certain backup plans are put in place such as including a paper trail to ensure accuracy. For this reason I am a cosponsor of H.R. 2239, Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act, introduced by Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ). One provision of this bill will require new voting systems to produce a voter-verified paper record suitable for a manual audit equivalent or superior to that of a paper ballot box system.

I believe it is important that as new voting technologies are utilized that we continue to ensure that inconsistencies are not present and that we can ensure to voters that their votes are being counted.

Thank you again for contacting me. I always enjoy hearing from fellow
Coloradans.

[Carolab]

2. These people just DON'T GET IT

The problem is not "solvable" just with paper trails. The problem is that the damned machines can be hacked and they are unreliable ("static cling" and other transmissions breakdowns, power failures, etc.). It is a SECURITY issue. The paper trail is only worthwhile if a contest is brought for a recount. We need to abandon e-voting altogether and go to a mail-in hand-counted system like Oregon's.

[Hamoth]

3. Well this isnt' quite what I mean...

In order to find out if these malfunctions are evidence of tampering, each officially recorded machien malfunction must be examined. I need that data. I know there are people here who can tell me if it exists or how to find it.

If nobody is logging the malfunctions, that alone is a point that needs to be brought to people's attention. not tracking errors means all errors are acceptable...That of course is unacceptable.