Monday, September 27, 2004
The Problems with E-Voting and the Diebold Phenomenon
You would think that, by now, people would realize that this "E-voting" craze that is seemingly sweeping the nation is at best a mistake and at worst a serious threat to our democracy. Alas, come November 2, at least one-third of ALL votes in America will be compiled by computerized voting machines. And, though it has been proven time and again that these methods of tallying votes are highly dubious, still they press onward.
Earlier this month I wrote a short essay on the possible future of voter fraud in Florida and it's connection to the conservative-group-run Election Systems & Software of Omaha. After a little more research, I have found some very inteesting facts about E-Voting in the upcoming election. By now, we've most likely all read about the disgusting voter fraud in Florida in the 2000 election, and how one county in Florida with only 600 registered voters managed to submit a computer file with an astounding 10,000 votes for the candidate for the Socialist party and managed to submit over 16,000 NEGATIVE votes for Gore before the computer card in question totally disappeared, never to be seen again. In fact, you can read more about the troubles and tribulations of Diebold in the infamous Diebold memos, if you can still find them anywhere. You see, somehow someway, months and months worth of emails and memos from Diebold have appeared on the Internet, and they are VERY informative indeed. Unfortunately, Diebold has been having these websites shut down one by one. Dennis Kucinich, however, is too smart for them, and has posted some of the more condemning memos on his House of Representatives website. Here's a little example of what was contained within those memos:
Quite informative, no? Know what else? These bastions of truth, justice and the American Way will be providing voting machines to the three most crucial swing states in the upcoming election: Pennsylvania, Ohio and Florida. Ought to be a lot of fun, voting and not having your vote necessarily count at all, right? Actually, if you were so inclined, you could follow this how-to guide to rigging the election. As far as hacking goes, this is fucking easy. But hey, it's only for President of the United States! It's not like it's for anything IMPORTANT.
So, Diebold and Election Systems & Software of Omaha voting machines will be present in 37 states for this election, both with hideously apparent software flaws and both companies run by neoconservative groups and individuals. ANything else? WHy, of course! I'm Evil fuckin' Brian! As much as I harp about Diebold, ES&S of Omaha is actually the largest provider of electronic touch-screen voting machines in the nation, with Diebold as it's primary competitor. However, how much of a competitor can you be when your family runs both companies? That's right folks, Diebold Election Systems' President, Bob Urosevich, has a brother, Todd Urosevich, who is....survey SAYS...Vice-President of Election Systems & Software of Omaha! Keep it in the family, guys! Bob and Todd actually co-founded the initial company American Information Systems together with thier buddy (and former AIS CEO) Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel, whose state uses ONLY ES&S machines to count election ballots. AIS then went on to merge with Business Records Corporation to found ES&S of Omaha, owned mostly by Omaha World-Herald Company.
With all this amazing corruption and zero-paper-trail-voting, this upcoming election should be the most interesting one in history. ANd, if the 2000 election was any indication, eventually all voting machines in America will be reduced to this, to ensure that everyone understands what the fuck is going on:
Happy Voting, everybody!
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You would think that, by now, people would realize that this "E-voting" craze that is seemingly sweeping the nation is at best a mistake and at worst a serious threat to our democracy. Alas, come November 2, at least one-third of ALL votes in America will be compiled by computerized voting machines. And, though it has been proven time and again that these methods of tallying votes are highly dubious, still they press onward.
Earlier this month I wrote a short essay on the possible future of voter fraud in Florida and it's connection to the conservative-group-run Election Systems & Software of Omaha. After a little more research, I have found some very inteesting facts about E-Voting in the upcoming election. By now, we've most likely all read about the disgusting voter fraud in Florida in the 2000 election, and how one county in Florida with only 600 registered voters managed to submit a computer file with an astounding 10,000 votes for the candidate for the Socialist party and managed to submit over 16,000 NEGATIVE votes for Gore before the computer card in question totally disappeared, never to be seen again. In fact, you can read more about the troubles and tribulations of Diebold in the infamous Diebold memos, if you can still find them anywhere. You see, somehow someway, months and months worth of emails and memos from Diebold have appeared on the Internet, and they are VERY informative indeed. Unfortunately, Diebold has been having these websites shut down one by one. Dennis Kucinich, however, is too smart for them, and has posted some of the more condemning memos on his House of Representatives website. Here's a little example of what was contained within those memos:
According to the Election Support Guide, voting recounts may yield different ballot totals instead of improved accuracy:
“Ideally, a recount yields exactly the same results as the initial count. However, in the case of AccuVote-OS ballots, this is qualified by the following considerations. These considerations become increasingly relevant over larger quantities of ballots.
1. Poorly cut ballots may not necessarily give identical results upon repeat counts.
2. AccuVote-OS units with slightly skewed sensors may not necessarily give identical results upon
repeat counts.
3. Refeeding AccuVote-OS ballots may smear voting marks across the ballot, as well as leave traces of the AccuVote-OS roller on the ballot, which may not necessarily give identical results upon repeat counts.
Irrespectively, we must always promote the consistency and accuracy of our voting systems.” (page 34).
The Election Support Guide instructs employees to deceive Customs Agents about the fact they will be working on an election for Diebold when they cross into the U.S
“2.1. Border crossing: Indicate that you are attending an election when questioned by US customs. Provide a terse explanation of what your job is as well as the business the company you work for is in. Under no circumstances should you indicate that you intend on working in the US.”
Diebold employees are instructed to provide as little communication as possible.
“3.2. Communication: You will generally be considered to be a high-ranking election specialist and a paragon of knowledge and solutions, which may be disconcerting when things go wrong. Do not promote your ignorance - in case of doubt, call a designated contact who may be more knowledgeable than you.”
“Do not to offer damaging opinions of our systems, even when their failings become obvious.” (pg. 10)
Diebold’s ballot processing components are not completely accurate, but employees are instructed to say that they are, or blame ballot printing or workers for problem.
“Do not promote the fact that the AccuVote-OS is anything but absolutely accurate in this case - in case you encounter numerous undefined marks, indicate that ballot printing is at fault.” (pg. 13)
“The following two cases are the worst-case scenarios when using the AccuVote-OS. Be very diplomatic in both cases, offering the minimal amount of information necessary to officials:
• Counter did not increment when ballot was processed: Possibly workers were not observant when using the AccuVote-OS. Otherwise, indicate that you are not able to provide an appropriate explanation, but will contact your superiors in this matter.”
Quite informative, no? Know what else? These bastions of truth, justice and the American Way will be providing voting machines to the three most crucial swing states in the upcoming election: Pennsylvania, Ohio and Florida. Ought to be a lot of fun, voting and not having your vote necessarily count at all, right? Actually, if you were so inclined, you could follow this how-to guide to rigging the election. As far as hacking goes, this is fucking easy. But hey, it's only for President of the United States! It's not like it's for anything IMPORTANT.
So, Diebold and Election Systems & Software of Omaha voting machines will be present in 37 states for this election, both with hideously apparent software flaws and both companies run by neoconservative groups and individuals. ANything else? WHy, of course! I'm Evil fuckin' Brian! As much as I harp about Diebold, ES&S of Omaha is actually the largest provider of electronic touch-screen voting machines in the nation, with Diebold as it's primary competitor. However, how much of a competitor can you be when your family runs both companies? That's right folks, Diebold Election Systems' President, Bob Urosevich, has a brother, Todd Urosevich, who is....survey SAYS...Vice-President of Election Systems & Software of Omaha! Keep it in the family, guys! Bob and Todd actually co-founded the initial company American Information Systems together with thier buddy (and former AIS CEO) Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel, whose state uses ONLY ES&S machines to count election ballots. AIS then went on to merge with Business Records Corporation to found ES&S of Omaha, owned mostly by Omaha World-Herald Company.
With all this amazing corruption and zero-paper-trail-voting, this upcoming election should be the most interesting one in history. ANd, if the 2000 election was any indication, eventually all voting machines in America will be reduced to this, to ensure that everyone understands what the fuck is going on:
Happy Voting, everybody!
