Daily Voting News For February 28, 2007

In an excellent, must-read, article in “The Free Press” authors Victoria Parks and Paddy Shaffer relate, “The Squire v. Geer case is more than just a mere election challenge lawsuit; the reliability of electronic voting was on trial last week in a small courtroom in Franklin County, Ohio. Voting rights activists see the issues before the court as going to the heart of democracy itself and whether or not election results obtained through the computerized voting machines can be trusted.” And they sum-up their article thusly, “Electronic voting seems more questionable than ever as vendors pass on the substantial costs of software service contracts to taxpayers in already financially cash-strapped counties. Electronic voting also appears more vulnerable than ever at this time of slumping voter confidence. In the final analysis, the integrity of electronic voting continues to dog this industry — a private industry that holds so much power over a democratic process meant to be fully transparent and accountable to the public. The trial reconvenes Wednesday, February 28, to hear final arguments. Afterwards, Sacco's findings go before a three judge Appeals Court panel which will decide to accept or reject his recommendations. All Franklin County judges have been removed from the case to avoid the appearance of impropriety.”...

• NAtional: False Choices in the Debate on Voting Technology LINK
• National: Election Assistance Commissioner's Qualifications Questioned LINK
• National: Holt bill would demand paper record of votes Once defeated, proposal getting a second look with new Democratic majority LINK
• National: David Becker informs ISU students about voting rights LINK
• National: Chairman Feinstein Calls for Full Funding of Help America Vote Act in FY08 Budget LINK
• Arkansas: Ark. bill would require voters to show photo ID LINK
• California: Orange County - OC supervisors delay seating Vietnamese candidate LINK
• California: Riverside County - Test of Riverside County voting machines called limited LINK
• Colorado: Montrose County - Coffman blasts Montrose official over election failures LINK
• Connecticut: By Voting Officials Paper Ballots Chosen LINK
• Florida: Opinion - Ease touch-screen doubt LINK
• Florida: Duval County - Is it just a glitch in the system? LINK
• Florida: Sarasota County – Opinion - Sarasota: Could a Bug Have Lost Votes? LINK
• Florida: Sarasota County - New vote machines may be delayed LINK
• Illinois: Chicago - Election 2007: Low Turnout, Reports Of Violence LINK
• Illinois: Chicago - Smooth sailing at polls, this time LINK
• Illinois: Kane County - Kane clerk scolded for buying voting machines County panel unhappy $201,880 was spent when it wasn’t in the budget LINK
• Illinois: Kane County - Clerk, County Board make uneasy peace LINK
• Illinois: Kane County - Spending under scrutiny LINK
• Kansas: Shawnee County - Some voters were given wrong ballots Problem could be more widespread than what was discovered LINK
• Missouri: Missouri Activists Say “Show Me The Vote” LINK
• Ohio: Franklin County - E-voting on trial in Columbus, Ohio: The Squire Case LINK
• Pennsylvania: Union County - County board to leave elections post unfilled LINK
• Utah: Senate sets aside funds for statewide primary LINK

**"Daily Voting News" is meant as a comprehensive listing of reports each day concerning issues related to election and voting news around the country regardless of quality or political slant. Therefore, items listed in "Daily Voting News" may not reflect the opinions of VotersUnite.Org or Scoop.**

John Gideon
Executive Director www.votersunite.org and
Member www.votetrustusa.org

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