Diebold is trying to help us feel secure.

[MelissaB]

Diebold to market paper-trail e-voting system

by Grant Gross, IDG News Service
US Company designs new machines with printers for voter-verified paper trail


Diebold Election Systems, a target of many electronic-voting critics during the 2004 US election, announced yesterday it has completed the design for a printer that would give its e-voting machines a paper trail.

Diebold's printer, submitted for federal government approval several weeks ago, would create a so-called voter-verified paper trail, a function that many critics have demanded of e-voting machine manufacturers.

>>>snip

Information Technology Association of America officials have questioned if voter-verified paper trails will provide a significant benefit while adding costs to e-voting machines. Though the ITAA maintains that widespread attacks on e-voting machines are unlikely, officials there suggest that programmers smart enough to change ballots inside e-voting machines could also manipulate the printouts.

"Our point all along is that paper-based solutions are one alternative," says Bob Cohen, executive vice president of the ITAA. "It gets to be as much an issue of peace of mind for the voters as anything else."


Link: http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/index.cfm?go=news.view&news=4498

[Andy_Stephenson]

1. You know I was threatened by Diebold right?

I could never feel secure with any product they make.

edit: and the language "voter verified paper trail" F^@( THAT...if it does not say paper ballot...it is not a paper ballot.

Nice try Diebold.

:hi: Mr Radke

[MelissaB]

2. No! I didn't.

Can you tell us what happened?

I don't trust anything they make, either. That's why I posted this.

[Andy_Stephenson]

3. When I was working with Bev...

she called me and wanted me to call Bob Urosevitch. There was a nasty rumor floating about that Bob had been fired as President of the elections systems division. SO I called his house and his wife answered the phone. I asked her if Bob was home she said no and said he "was on a plane". I gave her my name and number when she asked "what is this about?" I said perhaps you could help me...I understand Bob is no longer the President of Diebold is this true? Well she got reall huff and retorted back "Bob will call you back later". With that she slammed down the phone.

Well literally 5 minutes my phone rang. I said hello and a voice said "Is this Andy?" I said yes...he said "This is Bob Urosevitch" I sad "Hi Bob" he said "You need to back off or your going to get a visit" I said "From who Bob? Santa or the easter bunny?". He said "I am serious" to which I retorted "So am I Bob" :)

Turns out Diebold has a habit of letting execs go but paying them to hang around as "consultants." I found that out much later though.

[MelissaB]

4. Thanks

for the story, Andy. You are braver than I am, and evidently think fast on your feet. :)

I have a question. This is from a Diebold press release here: http://press.arrivenet.com/bus/article.php/572113.html

The AccuView Printer(TM) Module can be used as an optional component to any new or existing Diebold AccuVote TSx touch screen voting station and can also be designed for retrofit on existing AccuVote-TS machines. The AccuView displays printed selections under a transparent surface, enabling the voter to privately view and verify selections against those simultaneously displayed on the touch screen system's summary screen. The critical ability to compare the paper-based AccuView printout with the summary screen provides the voter with an easy, thorough method of confirming selections.

Voters have the ability to view each of their selections, but will not be able to remove the audit printout from the unit. The enclosure of the AccuView Printer Module is lockable to provide additional security for cast ballot selections. Once the voter's selections are reviewed and confirmed, the voter can cast their ballot using the touch screen voting station. Upon casting a ballot, the voter's printed selections are drawn into a secure enclosure that is stored and protected with a numbered security tag.

"The AccuView adds yet another means of verifying the intent of each voter using Diebold's touch screen voting solutions," said Thomas W. Swidarski, president, Diebold Election Systems. "Each touch screen unit can already provide paper-based election reports, listing the results from individual races. In addition, an anonymous paper printout of each voter's selections can be generated from the GEMS election management software for hand recount purposes."

----------------------------------------------------------------

Does this mean the voter gets to see the actual paper that is printed or what Diebold says will be printed?

[Andy_Stephenson]

6. Yes you will see it...however...

in this "paper trail" scheme the trails are taken up onto a roll as they are printed. Leaving open the possibility of someone finding out how you voted. This is a PR move by Diebold to continue making crappy equipment.

More smoke and mirrors from them

Oh look

"Thomas W. Swidarski, president, Diebold Election Systems"

Bob is no longer President. :nuke:

Settle for nothing less

Voter Verified Paper Ballots

[MelissaB]

8. Thanks! n/t

[JAbuchan08]

5. But a recount on the reciepts will only be triggered

if the candidates totals are within x number of votes.

[Andy_Stephenson]

7. Mandatory random audits.

Random, as in, give the candidates their choice of precincts to recount. Take it out of the hands of election officials.

[tommcintyre]

9. Could this be seen as "progress" for us?

Is this an indicator that they see the "handwriting on the wall", and that verified voting is inevitable? I realize that this is most likely intended as a diversionary tactic, but the fact that they are even acknowledging the "need" probabably means things are moving in the right direction.

Also, once again, free publicity is being given to the "problem". The very announcement of this "improvement" implies there is an existing problem.

[Andy_Stephenson]

11. "The very announcement of this "improvement"

implies there is an existing problem"...I'll say!

[tommcintyre]

10. Another thread on this here:

In LBN:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1191221

[MelissaB]

12. Excellent discussion. Thanks!

I didn't see it there first. I rarely get out of this forum. :crazy: Gotta get out more!