I just got an email from MoveOn. SB 1438, requiring verifiable paper ballots, is on Schwarzenegger's desk, for his signature or veto before September 30.
We need to get as many calls in as possible to let him know that this is important, and we are watching him. So California Kosians, read on . . .
Here's the text of the email, with all the contact info:
Dear MoveOn member in California,
Governor Schwarzenegger will decide by September 30th whether to sign or veto a California bill requiring Voter-Verified Paper Ballots.
Please phone Governor Schwarzenegger now, and ask him to sign bill number SB 1438 right away. For an effective call:
Call (916) 445-2841
Press 7 to speak with a staff member
Tell the staff member your name, where you're from, and that you are urging the governor to sign SB 1438 to require Voter-Verified Paper Ballots.
If you don't get through, please keep trying. Personal phone calls will have the most impact.
If you still can't get through, you can send the governor an email
through his online web form:
http://www.govmail.ca.gov
A handwritten letter can be very powerful too -- and reinforces our point about the importance of a paper trail. You can send the governor a letter via U.S. mail to:
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
As we have described earlier, there's overwhelming evidence that electronic voting terminals are susceptible to manipulation and error, before and after voting. If they malfunction, votes may be lost irretrievably. That's why we should be able to verify our votes on secure paper ballots that can be counted and re-counted.
The California bill SB 1438, co-authored by Senators Ross Johnson (R-Orange) and Don Perata (D-Alameda), would require that all electronic voting systems provide a Voter-Verified Paper Ballot in time for the primary election of 2006. It will not impact this year's election. The bill also requires that no new paperless electronic voting systems may be certified by the Secretary of State after this year.
Just last week California officials announced they will sue Diebold Inc., a leading supplier of e-voting machines, for defrauding the state by supplying shoddy equipment that wasn't tested or approved. Californians deserve the most reliable and trustworthy voting systems available anywhere. Please call Governor Schwarzenegger today.
Thank you, for all you do.
- Peter Schurman
MoveOn.org
Wednesday, September 15th, 2004
I just called, and got through after waiting a few minutes. The staffer was polite, but only just. The more calls they get, the less inclined the Governator will be to think he can veto this without repercussions.
So fire up your phones and let him have it!