BBV just uploaded the biggest stash of documents yet! We have
also created resources to help you prepare for and monitor the
2006 Election.
During Election 2004, we did not have the infrastructure to handle
the huge influx of tips and leads coming in from citizens. This time,
we have more resources and we are preparing already! The following
resources will help you get started NOW to watchdog Election 2006:
1. New online members-only research and investigation area. You
can upload your documents, ask for help from other citizens to look
at them, get personalized coaching on how to investigate the integrity
of your local election, and see thousands of pages of documents that
have not been released to the public, and thousands more that have.
http://www.bbvforums.org/cgi-bin/forums/discus.cgi
This is your workspace area. Log in (or register if you are a first-timer).
When you register, you will be able to see and use the
"Work Area: Citizen Investigations & Research " (members only)
The direct link to it is here:
http://www.bbvforums.org/cgi-bin/forums/board-auth.cgi?file=/17141/17141.html
The direct link to register is here:
http://www.bbvforums.org/cgi-bin/forums/board-profile.cgi?action=register
2. Online coaching and mentoring for election activists: The truth is,
the amount of knowledge expected of voting activists is intimidating.
We decided to make being an activist much easier: You can just log on
and ask for the information YOU need. For example, a recent question
we had was "I'm meeting with my secretary of state, how can I prepare
and what should I say?"
Here's the guidance he received. His secretary of state decided to
delay purchasing voting machines, for now.
http://www.bbvforums.org/forums/messages/73/15514.html
Here is the direct link to the 1-on-1 consultation area:
http://www.bbvforums.org/forums/messages/73/73.html
This way, you don't have to learn it all at once. Just ask for what
you need, and we'll try to help you. If you have expertise, come
here and help others.
3. We have launched a triple protection program for Election 2006.
As you know, Black Box Voting focuses on empowering YOU, the
voter, to take action. It isn't always easy to know what to do, and
the truth is, writing letters or passing legislation won't help Election
2006 very much -- it's already late for that. So what can you do?
First, Black Box Voting will not organize you, control you, monitor
you or take credit for your achievements. We will not tell you
what to do, but we will mentor and provide resources and
expertise to help you take charge.
There are three things you can do that will make a real difference.
In fact, if even a handful of people take these strategies to heart
it will make a tremendous difference. The emphasis must be on
gathering evidence. Evidence consists of documents, public records,
videotapes, and tape recordings. Collecting evidence needs to start
NOW, not two days before the election.
Each month, Black Box Voting is providing specific ideas for how
to gather evidence with documents and videotape.
This month, we are asking you to do a public records request to
get the expenditures of your local elections division. After you
receive this document, we are asking you to make a list of every
entity that received a payment. This information is important evidence,
and provides clues about what to watch out for in your area.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).