From
Slashdot (!) we learn this evening that the California Secretary of State
has invited Black Box Voting to hack away at Diebold voting machines. Apparently, however, BBV and Diebold are still at odds as to some aspects of how the test will be conducted:
Though the opportunity was welcomed by Black Box Voting, negotiations remain on the procedures. Black Box Voting contends that the proposed testing violates California Election Code §19202, which governs the request for voting machine testing formally submitted to the state of California by Black Box Voting on June 16, 2005. Also, Black Box Voting identified areas of bias in the proposed procedures, which would violate normal scientific protocol and cause voters to lack confidence in the results.
At issue is Diebold's insistence on being involved in setting up the testing procedures, and Diebold's provision of hand-picked machines, using new voting systems not currently in use in California.