NYC Elections Board Hires Spin Doctors for $6.5 million

Why This Heavyweight Corporate Spin Doctor for NY Elections?

New Yorkers reasonably must question why a global PR firm tied to such disreputable companies has been hired for $6.5 million by a cash-strapped board of elections to "educate" voters about the new election system. 

Perhaps it's because 50+ scientific studies have proven that software driven voting systems can be hacked without detection.  (For 12 fully cited quotes on what computer security experts say about the new systems, see Debunking Pre Election Testing Myths. For top shelf, crème de la crème, most succinct, in-plain-English, best quotes by computer security experts, see Warning: This Product Is Hazardous To Your Freedom.)

Beyond the damning evidence against using software driven voting systems, perhaps B-M was also hired for its specialization in "Grassroots Outreach" where it boasts:

Our boutique, in-house Communications Center is built to manage larger scale data management and outreach activities directed at individuals and organizations relevant to a campaign.

We can narrowcast messages, or wide-cast them to thousands via strategic online outreach.  We deliver products ranging from online targeting and recruitment to managing data for future activations.

Complete Market Failure

As expert spin doctors, B-M no doubt has been set upon New York voters to hoodwink them, despite that software driven voting systems can be hacked without detection, despite their exorbitant price, and despite the widespread failures of these products. 

None of the vendors hawking computerized technology meet NY's guidelines for doing business only with responsible vendors.  Last year, attorney Andi Novick sent a 60-page, well-researched memo to NY officials, providing details of the shady connections, failed performance, and efforts of vendors to suppress damning evidence of their product.  She later supplemented that research with a 21-page memo.  Yet, as she points out, NY officials proceed with Eyes Wide Shut. 

Sequoia's ballot marking devices which allow special needs voters to prepare their own ballot unassisted (when they work) cost $12,000 each.  Nassau County reported an 85% failure rate of over 250 machines, while the statewide failure rate stands at 50%.  As Nassau County Commissioner William Biamonte said, "Can you imagine buying a $2,000 computer from Best Buy and it doesn't work right out of the box?"  The cost for BMDs is sixfold his example.

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