I mentioned earlier on how the North Carolina Board of Elections told Diebold to shove off because they didn't meet the new standards set forth by the Board. The Board wanted Diebold to make availabe all the code [including third-party vendors like Micro$oft] that went into the machines in the event of a close election or a voting mishap like, say we may have seen in the past two election cycles? I jumped for joy. Now, I clutch my head in disgust.
Just read on Corrente that the Board broke it's own laws and is now certifying the Diebold machines after all. From the EFF:
"The Board of Elections has simply flouted the law," said EFF Staff Attorney Matt Zimmerman. "In August, the state passed tough new rules designed to ensure transparency in the election process, and the Board simply decided to take it upon itself to overrule the legislature. The Board's job is to protect voters, not corporations who want to obtain multi-million dollar contracts with the state."Wonderful.
Looks like someone came away with some greasy palms. Where's John Edwards in his own home state?
I haven't seen anything on three North Carolina blogs I read, but I suspect that there will be a flurry of action soon on Brian Russell's Audio Activism, Ruby Sinreich's Lotus Media and the Orange County progressive blog Orange Politics.
New Jersey Congressman Rush Holt is asking people to sign his petition for HR 550: The Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act.
Chuck Pennacchio wants ballot integrity and supports Congressman Holt's HR 550. More about Dr. Pennacchio on the issues.
***UPDATE*** 11.13a [thanks to Ruby!]
More from Blue NC, dKos and three stories from The News & Observer here, here and here under cover stories on the lottery commission.
Comments