Eighth question: Why did the State, after hearing from the Diebold representative in September 2007 that more secure firmware was available, not insist on having that firmware tested and installed in time for our Primary?
Ninth question: Did the State have any prior knowledge that an executive in the firm programming our elections is a convicted drug trafficker, and does the State think this is appropriate for a firm handling such sensitive state data as our votes?
Once those questions are asked, the very last question must be: What changes will the State implement for November's election so voters can believe in the results?
The days of the status quo are over. The New Hampshire recount, a valuable check and balance for free and open elections, is useless in the face of possible high stakes election tampering. Using the recount to justify secret vote counting is just part of the status quo.
We need an honest and open first count on Election Night, and that will happen only with structural change, not a recount.
Ninth question: Did the State have any prior knowledge that an executive in the firm programming our elections is a convicted drug trafficker, and does the State think this is appropriate for a firm handling such sensitive state data as our votes?
Once those questions are asked, the very last question must be: What changes will the State implement for November's election so voters can believe in the results?
The days of the status quo are over. The New Hampshire recount, a valuable check and balance for free and open elections, is useless in the face of possible high stakes election tampering. Using the recount to justify secret vote counting is just part of the status quo.
We need an honest and open first count on Election Night, and that will happen only with structural change, not a recount.
originally posted at: http://www.democracyfornewhampshire.com/node/view/5324
