Volusia County election records just got put on lockdown

Dueling lawyers, election officials gnashing teeth, Votergate.tv film crew catching it all.

Here's what happened so far:

Friday Black Box Voting investigators Andy Stephenson and Kathleen Wynne popped in to ask for some records. They were rebuffed by an elections official named Denise. Bev Harris called on the cell phone from investigations in downstate Florida, and told Volusia County Elections Supervisor Deanie Lowe that Black Box Voting would be in to pick up our Nov. 2 Freedom of Information request, or would file for a hand recount. "No, Bev, please don't do that!" she exclaimed. But this is the way it has to be, folks. We didn't back down.

Monday Bev, Andy and Kathleen came in with a film crew and asked for the FOIA request. Deanie Lowe gave it to us with a smile, but I noticed that one item, the polling place tapes, were not copies of the real ones, but instead were new printouts, done on Nov. 15, and not signed by anyone.

I asked to see the real ones, and they told us for "privacy" reasons we can't have copies of the signed ones. I insisted on at least viewing them (although refusing to give us copies of the signatures is not legally defensible, according to our attorney). They said the real ones were in the County Elections warehouse. It was quittin' time and we arranged to come back this morning to review them.

Lana Hires, an employee who gained some notoriety in a Diebold memo, where she asked for an explanation of minus 16,022 votes for Gore, so she wouldn't have to stand there "looking dumb" when the auditor came in, was particularly unhappy about seeing us in the office. She vigorously shook her head when Deanie Lowe suggested we go to the warehouse.

Kathleen Wynne and I showed up at the warehouse at 8:15 this morning. There was Lana Hires looking especially gruff, yet surprised. She ordered us out. Well, we couldn't see why because there she was, with a couple other people, handling the original poll tapes. You know, the ones with the signatures on them. We stepped out and they promptly shut the door behind us.

There was a trash bag on the porch outside the door. I looked into it and what do you know, but there were poll tapes in there. They came out and glared at us. We drove away a small bit, and then videotaped the license plates of the two vehicles marked 'City Council' member. Others came out to glare and soon all doors were slammed.

So, we went and parked behind a bus to see what they would do next. They pulled out some large pylons, which blocked the door. I decided to go look at the garbage some more. Kathleen videotaped this. A man came out and I immediately wrote a public records request for the contents of the garbage bag, which also contained ballots -- real ones, but not filled out.

A brief tug of war occurred, tearing the garbage bag open. We then looked through it, as Pete looked on. He was quite friendly.

We collected various poll tapes and other information and asked if they could copy it for us, for our public records request. "You won't be going anywhere," said Pete. "The deputy is on his way."

Yes, not one but two police cars came up and then two county elections officials, and we all stood around discussing the merits of my public records request.

They finally let us go, about the time our film crew arrived, and we all trooped off to the elections office. There, the plot thickened.

We began to compare the special printouts given to us with the signed polling tapes from election night. Lo and behold, some were missing. We also found some that didn't match. In fact, in one location, precinct 215, an African-American precinct, the votes were off by hundreds, in favor of George W. Bush and other Republicans.

Hmm. Which was right? Our polling tape, specially printed on Nov. 15, without signatures, or theirs, printed on Nov. 2, with up to 8 signatures per tape?

Well, then it became even more interesting. Lana Hires took it upon herself to box up some items from an office, which appeared to contain -- you guessed it -- polling place tapes. She took them to the back of the building and disappeared.

Then, voting integrity advocates from Volusia and Broward, decided now would be a good time to go through the trash at the elections office. Lo and behold, they found all kinds of memos and some polling place tapes, fresh from Volusia elections office.

So, we compared these with the Nov. 2 signed ones and the "special' ones from Nov. 15 given to us, unsigned, and we found several of the MISSING poll tapes. There they were: In the garbage.

So, Kathleen went to the car and got the polling place tapes we had pulled from the warehouse garbage. My my my. There were not only discrepancies, but a polling place tape that was signed by six officials.

This was a bit disturbing, since the employees there told us that bag was destined for the shredder.

By now, a county lawyer had appeared on the scene, suddenly threatening to charge us extra for the time we took looking at the real stuff they had withheld from us in our FOIA. Other lawyers appeared, phoned, people had meetings, Lana glowered at everyone, and someone shut the door in the office holding the GEMS server.

Andy then went to get the GEMS server locked down. He also got the memory cards locked down and secured, much to the dismay of Lana. They were scattered around unsecured in any way before that.

We then all agreed to convene tomorrow morning, to further audit, discuss the hand count that Black Box Voting will require of Volusia County, and of course, it is time to talk about contesting the election in Volusia.

Bev Harris
Executive Director
Black Box Voting

Together with Andy, and Kathleen.

xxxooo

I'll bet there is lots of interesting trash.

But that's just for starters!!!

I have seen several reports where on election night Karen Hughes was telling Bush at 8:00 P.M. that he lost Ohio and to get ready to give his concession speech, yet Bush did not seem perplexed by this - like he knew something different. Has anyone else seen this?

Yes, I read it at < http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1106-30.htm >. In discussing Bush's then anticipated loss to a Kerry landslide, the article quotes an AP report which stated that "Bush took the news stoically." I remember thinking when I read it how curious it struck me that Bush might be stoic in this situation. Actually, I can't quite imagine him being stoic in any situation. Stoicism implies some degree of introspection and therefore intellect. Well, I guess I might have known. It's easy to put on a good act if you know the fix is in.

Headed for the shredder even.

I can't wait to hear the final results of this.

Your efforts to protect democracy are TRUE PATRIOTISM.

email this to Olbermann.

Damn, email to Jon Stewart. Maybe he'll send someone down to do a "report".

Sending it to Jon Stewart is a phenomenal idea!
Also to Keith Olbermann

Too bad.

Although, I would imagine BBV people already did.

Did you Bev?

He probably has lots of copies, but that's what delete is for.

the gentle hum of shredders will reverberate across the "Sunshine" state.

Congratulations, rock on; we're behind you.

OH.......................MY...........................GOD!!!!!

FRAUD AND THEFT ALL THE WAY. Florida and Ohio.

This woman needs to be awarded some kind of medal. Maybe we should come up with one.

it's fraud, and it's treason.

See Bev kick Lana's ass, martial arts style. BAM! KAPOW!

--IMM

Something eight by ten for about five years.

anybody on the board of the MacArthur Foundation?

We need you out there.

But probably won't

can you even imagine a more significant story?
Bev, you are amazing -- if only more people heard the truth.

Kick!!!!

do I hear a second?

The Florida shit is really hitting the fan!

Bev Harris is a true patriot. Years from now schoolchildren will study her works as an example of true democracy.

so she can get it on the air coast to coast. Should help to expedite Ohio too, if these things are out in the open.

Randi didn't want to let this out on the air yesterday. Perhaps she doesn't want to alert the Republicans as to what is really going on???

You are an inspiration. I would have loved to have been there to see them squirm.

the Michael Moore documentary that will be made on votergate.

Go to: www.votergate.tv

Donate, if you can. These guys are doing the job of the media.

I hate people trying to hide their own incompetence.

So secretive. With a lock down and such (and this after the certification). We all know they had something big to hide.

and yes they have something to hide...that was apparent.

I bet it might not be a bad idea, for each of us to check the trash in our own counties. You never know what you might find?

You would think they would have been smart enough to use a shredder. Thank god for stupid people, I suppose?

you never know what your going to get.

Andy

What you did last night can burn your ass today!

what comes out of a cash register??

What kind of hardware "produces" them? And what do they 'look' like?
Something akin to a receipt from a grocery store? Sorry to be so dumb on this..

Only more important!

You can't return the Administration without a receipt!

Love it!

on my president order. The one I received is damaged. Can I send him back and get a new one?
Oh, only if I have a receipt?
Well, I'll look around for it.

So what if other people are destroying similar evidence now to make this look isolated?

I kinda wish Kerry and the Dem party would show up pretty soon as reinforcements for you guys! You'd think they might find this a fairly important endeavor you guys have embarked upon here - SAVING DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA!!

shhhhhhhh.... don't tell anybody... it might get the pukes little knickers in a twist.....

Democratic Parties. Conyers and his group. Anybody else?

God, would someone please get all of this stuff secure so they can't destroy anything else. We needed to do this on Nov 3rd.

I kinda wish Kerry and the Dem party would show up pretty soon as reinforcements for you guys! You'd think they might find this a fairly important endeavor you guys have embarked upon here - SAVING DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA!!

.......when we really needed him?

When Bev Harris 'talks trash' about someone, people listen!

Looks like we need more fences and security cameras.

are nasty. you guys rock!! hang in there & thanks for all your hard work. aim for the turkies and fire away. if you need more dough, i'm up to giving some more at the end of the month. we are with you guys all the way!!

I know they know but I'm bouncing here.

May God and all good strong things protect Bev and Andy and all who help them.

Kicking this for everyone to see.

*shredded* before an investigation in all Florida counties??

I am shocked they are allowed to "shred" anything. Banks are required to keep docs for 7 years! Why isn't the integrity of our votes as critical?

GRR!

Your a true patriot Bev! Thanks again

It's not only WAY illegal, but the way they went about it, why good golly, mzmolly, that sounds like a criminal CONSPIRACY! But of course, that's just my THEORY about what they were up to!

Olberman and David Shuster ASAP.

DAMN this democracy is dying

This is good.

I can only imagine (with horror) the Kerry/Edwards votes that are already in shredders and fireplaces.

I look forward to your reports, Bev. You are an inspiration.

we are very grateful for the work you do

for every battle you win Bev, sadly I suspect dozens more go without even being fought.

That is AWESOME. What SCUMBAGS!! I hope my $25 helped. I'll contribute again ASAP. You folks are true American patriots. Strike them down with furious vengence, guardian angels of democracy.

I wonder how many polling place tapes could have been destroyed before you, Andy, & Kathleen showed up.

It gripes me that the police showed up with election officials & they automatically assumed you were doing something wrong. They should have brought the paddy wagon & arrested those who refused to give you the information you requested.

as they come in.
I hope others are doing the same with the DNC, DLC, and the media. They need to know that we are not going to let go of this.
Let's not let Bev do all of the heavy lifting.
Des

Sent to the DNC and now sending to Olbermann and anyone else I can think of.

Thank you Bev & crew for DOING something about Shrub Inc.

had the same scrutiny that you have imposed on those Florida ones, I believe this is not limited to only Ohio and Florida, you are definately worthy of the praise you have recieved on this thread and I myself and many other's should be taken note to offer the same action in daring to fight for a democracy that so many of us seem to take for granted...

Thank you...

Bev - You're the greatest, and we are all tremendously excited by your progress.

What worries me is that you will find that hundreds, maybe thousands, of votes were stolen for Bush in Volusia - but not nearly enough to change the state results, of course. I suspect that this crap went on all over Florida, skimming a few hundred votes here, a few thousand there, and turning a Kerry victory into a Bush rout. Based on what you have already found in Volusia, what can be done to prevent a quick cover-up of the fraud that likely took place in the rest of Florida? Anything?

I'd be very happy if you proved that there was fraud and we get a cleaner voting system for next time. I'd be happier still if we could overturn this election, and get Kerry the Electoral Votes that I believe he rightly won and will make him President.

Again, thanks for everything you're doing. You are our best hope, and we're all behind you!

next time, they're going to be much slicker about covering their trail! That's why we've absolutely got to blow the lid of this NOW!

You're wonderful!

Thank you for all you do!

That is crazy. Good luck in trying to find the truth.

at the elections office were probably rigging the election doesn't mean they should go to jail! They have mortgages ,just like our brave media, and someone has to pay for little Joeys tutoring. I'm sure they would just like to be at home tonight watching "Fearfactor". Rather than living it out!

(except the getting caught part)

Thanks Bev !!!!!

Keep fighting for our democracy, PLEASE!

WTF is going on? Can you explain, please, the legal ramifications of throwing away and/or destroying those tapes, please? And of forging the copies that were wrong?

This is mind blowing.

Think of the establishment media missing this INCREDIBLE story.

Bev and friends, you are heroes of democracy.

Not only will the media miss this story because they are under Georgie's thumb, but because they are just plain lazy. It seems to me they don't report stories unless it is handed to them on a silver platter.

Whatever happened to "real" journalism? This story is incredible!


Bev -- you are an amazing person!! Thanks to you and your friends...this country owes you big time!!!!!

Then we are long way (all the way?) toward showing that the results were wrong--seriously off. And if discrepancy between original and new tapes and reported totals, then fraud by a preponderance of the evidence and almost surely reasonable doubt.

Something that they do not want to admit. NO paper trail, no way to verfy anything. What is certified, is what is certifed

I call it "Fill in your own scores and forget about it."

everywhere in the friggin country.

Enough of the low profile already! It's time to fight for justice - and the SURVIVAL OF OUR DEMOCRACY, for Godsakes! That's a just a tad more important than any individual's future political career!! C'mon Dems - Bev & Co. are opening up the nasty pearl for you! The truth is fraud was rampant in this election - and still is! Make sure every vote counts indeed! LEADERSHIP!!

Just alerted the 'votemaster' who runs www.electoral-vote.com (in the Netherlands?) to Bev Harris latest report on blackboxvoting--asked him to help spread this news to European media

I just will not abide this. they may come and shoot me but I cannot take this.

To: gary.bartlett@ncmail.net
Subject: Why was a Diebold employee allowed to operate Gaston voting equipment?
Cc: hammondmv@netzero.com,Trena.Parker@buncombecounty.org,don.wright@ncmail.net,cbothwell@mountainx.com,Sue_book@link.freedom.com, KINGSPINNACLE@aol.com,pfloyd@co.gaston.nc.us,tckcom@aol.com,dloftis@co.gaston.nc.us,ice@co.gaston.nc.us,jtorbett@co.gaston.nc.us,mjordan@co.gaston.nc.us,BAPPELBAUM@CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Marsha V. Hammond, PhD

It seems I just cannot shut-up, Mr. Bartlett. I am sorry to be such a plague but these voting problems have been building for years and now is the year to address the matter with great vigor.

The voting irregularities across NC are completely unacceptable. Please see: there are over 400 instances of voting irregularities in NC to date:
https://voteprotect.org/index.php?display=EIRMapState&c... .

Moreover, it now appears that a Diebold employee was allowed to maintain the voting machines in Gaston county on a voting day(s). Is this true?

Please do include all of this information along with what I have already submitted for my ';Election Protest' on November 29th. I am waiting for the letter in the mail from Buncombe county.

Can you possibly be allowing a DRE employee----with the history that Diebold has re: vote manipulation in GA; the lawsuit in CA just a week ago (2.6 million) ---to work with the voting machinery in a NC county? Relatedly, here is an excerpt from the memo below:

"For now Metamor accepts the requirement to restrict the server password to authorized staff in the jurisdiction, and that it should be the responsibility of the jurisdiction to restrict knowledge of this password. So no action is necessary in this matter, at this time..."

Moreover, re: the Diebolds and all their problems, there is the below memo. The Diebold machines are very accessible. Your voting count in Gaston county is untrustworthy, therefore.

See also (re: Diebolds):

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... 203&topic_id=45003&mesg_id=46004&page

http://www.votersunite.org/electionproblems.asp?offset=...

http://cnn.aimtoday.cnn.com/news/story.jsp?&idq=/ff/sto...

http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20041112-112037...

http://www.mountainx.com/news/2004/0519evote.php

http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,60563-2,00.ht...



It's hard to believe that even after this internal Diebold memo became public, Diebold is allowed to operate the machines on election day in 2004. Were the Gaston officials unaware of this?

Also interesting is the reply from Finberg. He says that Metamor (Ciber), who certifies the machines, restricts the server password to authorized staff in the jurisdiction. Diebold people are not in the jurisdiction (by this I assume Metamor restricted access to only government officials of a particular jurisdiction). I wonder if this is still the case.


http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0309/S00150.htm

__________

Reply from Ken Clark, principal engineer for Diebold Election Systems

RE: alteration of Audit Log in Access

To:
Subject: RE: alteration of Audit Log in Access
From: "Ken Clark"
Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2001 09:55:02 -0700
Importance: Normal
In-reply-to:

Its a tough question, and it has a lot to do with perception. Of course everyone knows perception is reality.

Right now you can open GEMS' .mdb file with MS-Access, and alter its contents. That includes the audit log. This isn't anything new. In VTS, you can open the database with progress and do the same. The same would go for anyone else's system using whatever database they are using. Hard drives are read-write entities. You can change their contents.

Now, where the perception comes in is that its right now very *easy* to change the contents. Double click the .mdb file. Even technical wizards at Metamor (or Ciber, or whatever) can figure that one out.

It is possible to put a secret password on the .mdb file to prevent Metamor from opening it with Access. I've threatened to put a password on the .mdb before when dealers/customers/support have done stupid things with the GEMS database structure using Access. Being able to end-run the database has admittedly got people out of a bind though. Jane (I think it was Jane) did some fancy footwork on the .mdb file in Gaston recently. I know our dealers do it. King County is famous for it. That's why we've never put a password on the file before.

Note however that even if we put a password on the file, it doesn't really prove much. Someone has to know the password, else how would GEMS open it. So this technically brings us back to square one: the audit log is modifiable by that person at least (read, me). Back to perception though, if you don't bring this up you might skate through Metamor.

There might be some clever crypto techniques to make it even harder to change the log (for me, they guy with the password that is). We're talking big changes here though, and at the moment largely theoretical ones. I'd doubt that any of our competitors are that clever.

By the way, all of this is why Texas gets its sh*t in a knot over the log printer. Log printers are not read-write, so you don't have the problem. Of course if I were Texas I would be more worried about modifications to our electronic ballots than to our electron logs, but that is another story I guess.

Bottom line on Metamor is to find out what it is going to take to make them happy. You can try the old standard of the NT password gains access to the operating system, and that after that point all bets are off. You have to trust the person with the NT password at least. This is all about Florida, and we have had VTS certified in Florida under the status quo for nearly ten years.

I sense a loosing battle here though. The changes to put a password on the .mdb file are not trivial and probably not even backward compatible, but we'll do it if that is what it is going to take.

Ken

__________

Reply by Nel Finberg

from: *****NC Transfer Error Misses 12,000 Votes
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph ...

Fiasco in North Carolina
(text of an AP article, no link)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph ...



RE: alteration of Audit Log in Access

To:
Subject: RE: alteration of Audit Log in Access
From: "Nel Finberg"
Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2001 14:48:16 -0700
Importance: Normal

Thanks for the response, Ken. For now Metamor accepts the requirement to restrict the server password to authorized staff in the jurisdiction, and that it should be the responsibility of the jurisdiction to restrict knowledge of this password. So no action is necessary in this matter, at this time. Nel

You have our support 1000%

If there's anything we can do, let us know...

Well done!

trust me on this.

That's critical - if they're on tape with this stuff...where's Greg Palast?

And right in my backyard - this sucks!

I really love the part where the election worker takes out the trash. That ia what you would call a KODAK moment.