Bender, Queens Borough Coordinator for JPAC
"Simple low-tech voting equipment is essential if we are to be sure that
our new equipment is accessible to all, to ensure that older adults,
individuals with disabilities and those with language barriers can make
use of their opportunity to vote. We applaud the City Council for
Resolution 131 because with paper ballots and optical scanners, we can
maintain public confidence that our votes will be securely cast and
counted."
(9) Election Reform Task Force of the Atlantic Chapter of the Sierra
Club, Linda A. DeStefano, Chair
"The Atlantic Chapter of the Sierra Club was one of the first
organizations to engage in a statewide campaign for a paper ballot
voting system for New York State. We applaud Resolution 131 put forth by
Council Member Charles Barron and the New York City Council to support
this vital campaign to be sure that each vote is counted as cast."
(10) VerifiedVoting.org, Pamela Smith, President
(VerifiedVoting.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan national organization
promoting fair, transparent and accurate elections.)
"Paper ballot/optical scan systems, with ballot-markers for
accessibility, represent trusted and true technology that is reliable,
cost-effective and practical. It is good to see the New York City
Council take leadership in promoting the best available choice for New
York's voters."
(11) Citizen Action of New York, Pam Bennett, NYC Regional Director
"We applaud the New York City Council for standing up for voters and
taxpayers, and urging the adoption of paper ballots and optical
scanners. We ask county legislators and all elected officials across New
York State to follow the City Council's example and tell the Election
Commissioners of your county to protect the integrity of the election
process and the pocketbook of local taxpayers by rejecting electronic
voting machines which are costly and proven to be untrustworthy."
Chair, City Issues Committee
"Paper ballots, optical scanners, and accessible ballot marking devices
represent the only way, at this time, to provide both accessibility and
transparency in voting, consistent with the Help America Vote Act
(HAVA). Paper ballots do not rely on blind faith, as electronic voting
machines do. Paper ballots ensure that there is a physical vote and,
therefore, the ability to audit, count and recount with both accuracy
and honesty."
(13) Bronx-Westchester Nation Discussion Group, Florence Gold, Chairperson
"Observable, easily-verified public elections are the foundation of our
democracy. That's why paper ballots and optical scanners are the right
choice. We are very pleased with the New York City Council for showing
leadership and passing this resolution."
(14) Center for the Women of New York, Jeanette Evans, Executive Vice
President
"As citizens and taxpayers, we do not want our city's resources spent on
insecure electronic voting systems when a less expensive, time-tested,
and more reliable alternative is available -- paper ballots and optical
scanners. As women, we are aware that equality in society begins with
the right to vote, and we do not want to risk our votes by casting them
on electronic voting machines. For these reasons, we commend the City
Council for passing Resolution 131."
(15) Brooklyn Parents for Peace, Dr. Charlotte Phillips, MD, Chairperson
"We commend the City Council for passing Resolution 131, because the use
of paper ballots and optical scanners will keep our elections in local
bipartisan hands. We do not want to vote on electronic voting systems
with secret software. We reject vendors' claims that their proprietary
trade secret rights override the public's right to know how our election
equipment is working. With paper ballots, we can all understand and
witness the handling of our votes."
(16) Brooklyn-Queens Chapter, National Organization for Women, Sherry
Rogers, Vice President
"Women fought for many years to get the vote. We don't want to turn our
votes over to companies who make electronic voting systems, whose
loyalty is to profit-making rather than to our democracy. We applaud the
New York City Council for urging our Board of Elections to choose
equipment that is manageable for staff, voters, poll workers and
election observers."
(17) North Manhattan Neighbors for Peace and Justice, Steve Brodner, Member
"We oppose the use of computers in voting. As voters, we prefer paper
ballots which we can mark ourselves. The New York City Council is doing
the right thing to pass Resolution 131 to urge the use of real,
voter-marked paper ballots, rather than invisible electronic ballots."
(18) Warbasse Social Action Group (A JPAC Unit), Deanna Roth and Walter
Lasky, Co-Facilitators
"Public confidence in elections and our government requires elections
that are open, observable, and easily-verified. Our voting system must
not conceal vote handling by conducting it within a computer. We are
pleased with the New York City Council for speaking on this issue at the
heart of our democracy."
(19) New York StateWide Senior Action Council, Inc. New York City
Chapter, Lani Sanjek
"We are confident that our New York City Board of Elections can
safeguard paper ballots easily and without causing public doubts about
the honesty and propriety of our elections, but electronic voting has
caused doubts as well as many lawsuits. Resolution 131 speaks for all
New Yorkers, and we commend the New York City Council for passing it."
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