I attended the
California Democratic Convention this weekend (my first ever, as a proxy), and it just wrapped up today. While the topic of voting systems was not on the agenda per se, it did come up in various ways, and I did my best to bring it up wherever possible.
AWARENESS: To raise awareness and solicit support for a voter-verified paper ballot in 2004, I and other delegates from my area spoke to as many people as we could about the issue, distributed some flyers etc.
SoS SHELLEY: Secretary of State Kevin Shelley was there and spoke to the whole convention as well as hosting a hospitality room on the theme of "My Vote Counts!" (with sample electronic voting equipment--no paper in sight). He was
pressured about paper ballots and not just by us--there were quite a few people from elsewhere around the state who are just as concerned. In his speech, he did say he gives us his word that he would "de-certify any company that violates
California law" and he said it loudly. He also gave the impression that his own concern is increasing, and he doesn't take kindly to the suggestions that such companies might leave and not do business in California if pressured to provide VVPB... he said "My answer? Go ahead! I don't want any companies here who are not willing to comply..." I told him and his staffers that we would do what we can to help him reach the tipping point.
SEN. BOXER: Barbara Boxer was there and wowed the audience with her speeches, but we couldn't quite get close enough to ask about the bill she intends to introduce shortly regarding VVPB. She didn't mention it when she spoke.
PFAW: People for the American Way (PFAW) were there, and showed their video "Unprecedented" about the theft of the 2000 election in Florida. It is powerful and deserves to be shown widely, especially now as we are in an important
election year. I spoke with Ralph Neas, PFAW's president, thanked him for the work they are doing, and asked where they were on the voter-verified paper ballot issue--he said they are working closely with Senator Boxer and
Congressman (Rush) Holt (D-NJ, author of HR2239 for a voter-verified paper ballot in 2004). I asked him to let us know how we could help. I also had spoken to an assistant who is working on that issue, and I think we can make some headway. With the size of their membership, and their activism, they can be key to this effort.
PLATFORM: Last but not least-- following is language adopted for the CA Dem Party Platform, which represents the Party's stance on this issue and is strongly supportive. I like their use of the terminology "voter-verified paper RECORD" which not only shows the paper is the ballot but it is the official RECORD of the vote. It covers the concept of "ballot" and "audit trail" combined into one, I think, and leaves no doubt as to which should be considered 'official' in the event of discrepancy between electronic and paper. Here it is:
BALLOT SECURITY. We believe the right to vote is sacrosanct to our democracy. All electronic voting systems must produce a voter-verified paper record (VVPR) for use in manual audits and recounts. The VVPR feature must be fully accessible and allow every voter including individuals with disabilities and
those who benefit from having alternative language access and alternative formats to vote privately and independently. All components and procedures of any voting system must be open source, non-proprietary, must be secure from
malicious tampering, and no voting system may use undisclosed software and wireless communications devices. All certifications of such systems shall likewise be open to public review.
I maintain devoutly that a VVPB (or VVPR) should not be a partisan issue. Nonetheless, I am pleased to hear this kind of clarity from the California Democratic Party, and I hope Secretary Shelley is listening.
