URGENT CALL TO ACTION: CALIFORNIA

[garybeck]

BROADCAST WIDELY

URGENT CALL TO ACTION

November 20,2005
Sheri Myers, CitizensAct

MY FRIENDS,

Believe me, I really don't want to ruin your day. But you need to hear this. This is an URGENT ACTION ALERT. The rally/protest is this Monday in Sacramento, we have ONLY next week to voice our concerns so they go on the record.

If you don't read this and take action, you are allowing your vote to be stolen. California will turn red.

If you read this and do nothing, you are giving up your rights as a citizen. Do it for your country. Your children. Our future.

All Californians who care about the sanctity of their vote must let Secretary of State McPherson know that they WILL NOT ALLOW him to certify Diebold machines, that they are OUTRAGED that he is undermining our democracy.

McPherson was appointed by Schwarzenegger to replace Democrat Kevin Shelley.Folks, if they can't win legally, they WILL steal the votes they need. THAT'S YOUR VOTE.

This is a Republican coup, and they are counting on YOU, and ME to do NOTHING. Is it worth FIVE MINUTES OF YOUR TIME to send a FAX, an email or make a call? PLEASE TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY.

Onward, furiously!
Sheri Myers

Call or write:
Secretary Bruce A. McPherson
1500 11th Street 5th floor
Sacramento, CA95814
[e-mail]
916-653-6814 (main menu, press 6, then 3 - starting at 8:00 am Monday)
916-653-3214 (the FAX is on tis weekend)

Tell McPherson we demand an extension of the HAVA Deadlines. The California Election Law says:

19205. The Secretary of State shall establish the specifications for and the regulations governing voting machines, voting devices, vote tabulating devices, and any software used for each, including the programs and procedures for vote tabulating and testing. The criteria for establishing the specifications and regulations shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(a) The machine or device and its software shall be suitable for the purpose for which it is intended.
(b) The system shall preserve the secrecy of the ballot.
(c) The system shall be safe from fraud or manipulation.

Please contact your CA congressperson: www.congress.org

Here's the info the Rally on Monday:

Monday Nov. 21, 10 a.m. May be your last chance to block Diebold
Secretary of State's Office, 1500 11th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

more info: http://www.califelectprotect.net/DieboldNov21Hearing.ht...

Please show up to speak your mind about Diebold. You have two minutes. The vendor has had hours, days, months. Shut up, you're just a taxpayer. Even if you feel a bit intimidated by the prospect of speaking at a podium, it will feel great to muster the courage to speak your mind and make a difference. You just put your name on a card before the hearing. Speak your mind. Show up a few minutes early. However we recommend for best results, show up by 9:00 a.m. on the west steps of the Capitol building. Just a heads up, something may happen.

Full article with the latest appalling info on Diebold: http://www.blackboxvoting.org
California Election Protection Web site: http://www.califelectprotect.net/home.html

BACK STORY - HOW McPherson is Sticking it to California.

California Sec. of State Disbands Voting Panel, Leans Toward Reversal of Previous Stance Against Diebold! Recertification Hearing on E-Voting Machines Changed at Last Minute, Participants Not Notified

JUST IN: Something very rotten suddenly seems to be occurring in the state of California! RAW STORY has the story, we explain it quickly...

URL:http://www.bradblog.com/archives/00002038.htm

----------

URL FOR THIS ACTION ALERT:
http://www.solarbus.org/election/articles/051120-myers....

[lady lib]

1. Kick.

[Spiffarino]

2. Bastards

The Republican Party has declared war on all of us.

[Vektor]

3. K&R - I just sent an email.

I have to be in school the day of the rally, but I did write a letter.

[kster]

4. Kick and Recommended.nt

[Suich]

5. Post this in the California forum.

Good luck!

[EFerrari]

23. I cross posted it, good call. Let's rate up the thread.

[garybeck]

73. this affects everyone

point #1: if california actually "goes red" we are all screwed.

point #2: if the folks in california can get diebold kicked out of the state, it would set a great precedent that we can use in all the other states as an argument to kick them out.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. Sent this gem

damm them

Dear Sir,

As a citizen of this states I am outraged that you are even attempting to do this. The Diebold Machines were decertified for a reason, the problems with the GEMS database. They are not reliable, and they should not be used. We need a paper trail, end of discussion or the system cannot be trusted. How hard can this be to comprehend? I know I am going to be cynical this is what you want. You NEED those machines, don't you? Well we as citizens don't and we will do all in our power to speak against this COUP, for this is exactly what it is.

Sincerely,

[EFerrari]

24. Hey, that's "voter verified PAPER BALLOT"

[Rainscents]

7. Baster! They won't stop at nothing!

Send this out to everyone!!!

[datadiva]

8. My email

I am strongly apposed to Diebold machines being used in California. I do not believe that Diebold meets the following criteria.

19205. The Secretary of State shall establish the specifications for and the regulations governing voting machines, voting devices, vote tabulating devices, and any software used for each, including the programs and procedures for vote tabulating and testing. The criteria for establishing the specifications and regulations shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(a) The machine or device and its software shall be suitable for the purpose for which it is intended.
(b) The system shall preserve the secrecy of the ballot.
(c) The system shall be safe from fraud or manipulation.

A state as progressive as California, a leader among states, should not be turned into Ohio.

I urge you to consider the outrage of citizens should this happen.

[emlev]

9. Things you can do if you can't be there

I addition to calling, faxing, writing, you can:
Tell everyone you know. Not just the people in California, but people who might know people in California.
Make calls/emails/faxes to media. Tell them how important it is that they cover this story.
Check in at the DU Election Reform forum on Monday and see if there are particular things needed.
Blog about this situation, ow rrite comments on blogs and forums you visit. In general, get the word out.

If you're in California, consider making a quick sign or flyer (flyers that are quarter-page size are really cheap, and people usually read them) and passing it out somewhere a lot of people will be on Sunday--grocery stores, health food stores, flea markets, etc. Be sure to include the email/fax/phone numbers you want them to use, and a website ot two if they need more info.

Contribute to California Election Protection Network to cover the costs of travel to Sacramento, publicity, etc.

Post other ideas here about what people can do!

[EFerrari]

15. IF YOU ARE NOT IN CA, WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP NOW

Tell the Sockpuppet of State that you will support CA Election Reform with time and money and doggedness.

MAKE HIM FEEL THE WEIGHT OF OUR COMBINED EFFORT.

[Carolab]

10. I wrote to McPherson.

I live in Minnesota.

But as California goes, so goes the country.

In this matter, we are ALL Californians.

[fooj]

45. Thanks Carolab!

[radio4progressives]

11. Thank You... I'll get out the word tomorrow... n/t

[padia]

12. Done

sent e-mail to above address and got a message that it failed to deliver hopefully the inbox is full will try later. Also sent out to others.

[EFerrari]

19. Thank you, padia and welcome to DU.

[EFerrari]

13. CA is the new OH. We've been saying it for months.

Please help us deprive them of California!

[Einsteinia]

14. The press will be there--WE'VE got to be there

Without public pressure--this will be a slam dunk!

[EFerrari]

16. Do you think they chose this week on purpose? Everyone is

getting ready for Thursday.

These BASTARDS.

[awoke_in_2003]

21. Sure...

probably got the idea from US HoR and US Senate

[EFerrari]

22. Well, it's not gonna work. We just handed Ahnowd his hat.

They're trying to pull this cR@p too close to that event.

It will backfire if we can get our peeps moving.

[EFerrari]

17. This thread needs to stay on top somehow, by kicks or pinned. nt

[Wilms]

18. Einsteinia posted some specific issues related to this.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[EFerrari]

20. We need all those people who said no to El Gran Grope

to say no, again.

Because THIS is what they were after, in the first place.

This is why they wanted our statehouse.

[xchrom]

25. kick for california.

[Hekate]

26. Will be passing this along -- thanks for posting

Hekate

[Peace Patriot]

27. Many thanks for this info, garybeck! I've been away. I figured they...

would pull something like this but wasn't sure when. I will get on it right away with letters and alerts.

Their devious maneuvering tells us just how important it is to the rightwing and to our corporate rulers and their running dogs in the government to achieve total and secret control of vote tabulation--if we needed any more proof.

[EFerrari]

28. L.A. Greens got it out to their network. See if I can get it out

up here tomorrow.

[Peace Patriot]

29. P.S. I would suggest that all letters, emails and phone calls begin with

a general point about the outrageousness of "trade secret," proprietary vote tabulation software in all of these new electronic voting systems, whether they are touchscreens (the worst of the election theft machines), optiscans, or central tabulators (which can even change or 'disappear' absentee ballots and other paper ballots, due to the computerization of all results and wholly inadequate auditing). "Trade secret," proprietary programming creates a fraudulent, non-transparent election system, which is furthermore controlled by rightwing Bushite corporations--mostly Diebold, ES&S and Sequoia. (And don't be fooled by victories like the recent drubbing that voters gave Schwarzenegger's initiatives. The Bushites may have their reasons for harming Schwarzenegger, and also desperately need to head off the election reform movement by throwing occasional sops to the majority.)

My motto: Throw these election theft machines into 'Boston Harbor' NOW!

[EFerrari]

31. They're blowing it. The illusion of consensus was too recently

debunked. This small mistake of timing could make a big difference if we stay on it.

[Susan43]

30. Good Luck Californians - go kick butt n/t

[fed-up]

32. Kicked and recommended, plus a dozen emails sent out to Sacto & Friends nt

[Land Shark]

33. kick

[skipos]

34. kick

[EFerrari]

35. kick

[proud patriot]

36. The bastards

[kimchi]

37. Letter sent. n/t

[rumpel]

38. kicking hard.

[sojourner]

39. sent my email to State Senator...McPherson next!

Thanks for posting all this info!!

[Wilms]

40. kick n/t

[AuntPatsy]

41. Kick, for it being more than urgent, it's necessary

[freedomfries]

42. kick

[SammyWinstonJack]

43. ...

[sakabatou]

44. Unfortunately... I'm still in school so... can't really do much...

[fooj]

46. Kick!

Rat Bastards must be stopped!!!!!!!!

Grrrrrrrrr...

[mod mom]

47. kick for Sheri and the CA election reform activists!

[Ladyhawk]

48. Oh sweet Jesus...as in TOMORROW????

I can contact my reps tomorrow, for all the good it will do, but I don't think I can manage a trip to Sac. My health still isn't that great.

[Arugula Latte]

49. Kick.

[Peace Patriot]

50. KICK! KICK! KICK! Ladyhawk, do what you can! That's all any of us can

do. It's the COLLECTIVE effort to raise consciousness, to restore our right to vote, and to re-assert the power of the majority that will win the day.

People, don't be fooled by the bad news for Schwarzenegger in the recent Special Election in Calif. The Bushites who control Diebold and ES&S (and Sequoia) may have their reasons for harming Schwarzenegger, and also they have to throw sops to us from time to time, so as to ward off suspicion of this non-transparent and fraudulent election system.

[Ladyhawk]

51. OK, I sent the info to people in my local peace group.

I will make calls, write e-mails, etc.

[goforit]

52. OMG!!!.....I'm not from Ca.....but hope you rally all CA-DUrs!!!

GOODLUCK!!!!

24/7!!!

[Ladyhawk]

54. This seriously sucks. My entire plan for the next two days needs revision

Oy!!!

[Ladyhawk]

53. Who here is going? If I feel well enough, I might make the drive,

but I would need someone on the other end to take care of me in case I crash and burn.

This is very tentative. At this point, I doubt I'll go, but if you're going to be there, send me a PM and let me know you'll help me get settled in a motel somewhere if I feel too awful to drive back home.

LH

[EFerrari]

55. Go if you can. I can't, and will be mounting a phone/fax action

in the morning.

These bastards can have CA when they pry it out of - well, they just can't have it!

[Ladyhawk]

67. Looks like I'll be faxing and phoning, too.

I just can't handle a trip to Sac. It took me days to recover from a trip to see my neurosurgeon a couple of weeks ago.

To anyone reading this: Go if you can. I will be phoning and faxing my representatives. I'm not sure why I'm bothering because all the local ones are Republicans. At least they'll hear how I feel.

I may contact our local paper, but the local radio station is a lost cause: Rush, Hannity, etc. ALL DAY LONG! Ugh.

Has anyone contacted KTVU and KCRA?

[EFerrari]

70. I'll pm you in the morning. Don't worry. We can take them.

(((((((((((((Lady Hawk))))))))))))))))))

[NV Whino]

56. Here's another action page

ACTION PAGE: http://www.usalone.com/diebold2.htm

The Secretary of State has scheduled a hearing for November 21, 2005 on the question of whether certain Diebold voting systems will should be certified before the end of the year. But "The Secretary of State has disbanded the Voting Systems Panel that's supposed to conduct these hearings and has replaced it with one person, a stenographer, and a tape recorder," said Sherry Healy, a steering committee member of the California Election Protection Network (CEPN), a non-partisan organization of over 25 groups across California who have come together to try and ensure the integrity of California's election systems.

The rally/protest is this Monday in Sacramento, we have ONLY next week to voice our concerns so they go on the record.

Monday Nov. 21, 10 a.m. - May be your last chance to block Diebold
Secretary of State's Office, 1500 11th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
(Downtown Sacramento - 11th and "O" Streets)
CONTACT: Dagmar Zakim [phone] (there will be carpools)

McPherson was appointed by Schwarzenegger to replace Democrat Kevin Shelley. Folks, if they can't win legally, they WILL steal the votes they need. THAT'S YOUR VOTE.

This is a Republican coup, and they are counting on YOU, and ME to do NOTHING. Is it worth FIVE MINUTES OF YOUR TIME to send a FAX, an email or make a call? PLEASE TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY.

Please take action NOW, so we can win all victories that are supposed to be ours, and forward this message to everyone else you know.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

57. K & R.

[Vektor]

58. Kicking again for my California compatriots.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

59. KIcked and recommended...nt

[rocktivity]

60. PUNT!

You won the battle of the Boobengroper, California--don't lose the war!


rocknation

[freedomfries]

61. kick & rec

[lonestarnot]

62. Damn! Heads up on this Cali!

We don't want you becoming the next OHILO!

[Raster]

63. one of the prime purposes of the age of ahnuld was to capture control

over the Secretary of State's office, effectively seizing the election infrastructure of that state. First was Florida, then came Ohio, now comes California. It doesn't matter if everyone is voting against you if you count the votes. And California is the prize.

If the good citizens of the great State of California don't want to end up as another member of electorally screwed club, you'd better make it count now. BTW, ol' Grey Davis don't look so bad now, eh? At least you wouldn't have to be fighting off Diebold.

Speaking of ahnuld and strange company, wasn't he realllly friendly with ken lay and the enron bunch. You know, the ones that manufactured for profit and political gain the CA energy crisis. The energy crisis that pretty much put the final nail in Davis' coffin and allow another Hollywood creation seize Sacramento.

[JunkYardDogg]

64. Here is a Letter which you can sign and FAX in !!!!

ACTION ALERT
STOP THE CERTIFICATION OF DIEBOLD
E-VOTING MACHINES IN CALIFORNIA
In his pursuit of getting the Diebold Systems certified, Secretary of State McPherson has disbanded the VSPP and purged the Department of any experts who have exposed the Diebold System as not meeting the certification standards
McPherson had the Diebold System retested and had a hand picked 2 person team write a deficient review endorsing the certification
You can see the test reports at: http://ss.ca.gov/elections/elections_vs.htm Pending Certifications
Hearing Agenda • Initial Volume Test - July 20, 2005- VSTAAB Report
• Staff Report Proposed CA System Use Procedures for Review and Comment
• State Consultant's Report
We stopped Diebold’s certification in June, we have to do it again now
Deadline to submit your comments is Friday Nov. 28
Please FAX your comments to the SoS at : 916-653-3214
They ignore and delete E-Mails-Fax is the most effective
You can write your name to the letter below and send it or send your own comments
---------------------------------------------------------------------
BRUCE McPHERSON
Secretary of State
1500 11 th Street
Sacramento, Calif. 95814
DENY CERTIFICATION TO ALL DIEBOLD SYSTEMS
As a California Citizen, I must hereby request that Certification Status be denied to Diebold based on the following criteria. Certification of Diebold will inevitably lead to the erosion of the Sanctity of the Vote.
The Diebold Systems are non-compliant and do not qualify for Certification and use in California.
1. SoS is in violation of Section 505 of the Systems Procedures-as the VSPP no longer exists, a system cannot be approved by a non-existent VSPP.
2. Failure of the Diebold AVVPAT to be compliant with the State Jan. 21, 2005 AVVPAT Standards, in violation of SB1438, and not suitable for use as an AVVPAT-The Diebold AVVPAT fails all readability standards,
cannot be read by people with less than perfect eyesight, is thermal paper, and has no guarantee as being able to maintain its integrity as a valid recount paper ballot of record over the Federally mandated 22 month retention period. Further, the configuration of the excess paper roll exceeding the storage capacity of the storage canister is a blueprint for polling site and storage problems.
3. Internet Connectivity and compliance to AB1636- The Remote Access feature of the GEMS is not adequately controlled.
4. Fails to comply with the April 30, 2004 Decertification orders and cannot permit a meaningful recount.
The Proprietary Closed Source Code complexity, secrecy and protection status of the software of the Diebold system precludes and prevents any meaningful legal thorough forensic analysis and recount of any election run on Diebold equipment. There have been many numerous litigation filings against Diebold, and the Discovery process for forensic examination of Diebold software is nothing but an extension of the basic recount procedure. Examination of the Diebold software has been prevented by the Proprietary Closed Source Code shroud of secrecy. The Proprietary Closed Source Code status has been used to prevent this detailed examination, and thus prevents a meaningful recount. Such denial of the Public’s Right to have a clear and transparent voting process is antithetical to the very foundation of American Democracy.
5. Failure of the SoS to address and acknowledge the documented accounts of detailed and extensive examination of malicious software programs and problems and massive security vulnerabilities in Diebold equipment, such as the Compuware report, the GAO report, and the Black Box Voting accounts.
6. Application of Election Code 19214.5 barring Diebold from doing business in California, do to their sale of uncertified software and equipment.
From: sign
your name here:

[shanti]

65. kick

[nicknameless]

66. K & R

[drfresh]

68. kicked, recommended, forwarded to my friend at Berkeley -nt

[davidlynch]

69. Done (See Text Inside)

Dear Sirs:

Please read the story below. If it is true, please understand that as a California citizen, I object strongly to the underhanded course of action taken by Secretary McPherson. It is not an overstatement to say that our democracy is at stake here. I demand that the Secretary extend the HAVA deadlines and certify Diebold machines only if they qualify under California Election Law:

19205. The Secretary of State shall establish the specifications for and the regulations governing voting machines, voting devices, vote tabulating devices, and any software used for each, including the programs and procedures for vote tabulating and testing. The criteria for establishing the specifications and regulations shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(a) The machine or device and its software shall be suitable for the purpose for which it is intended.
(b) The system shall preserve the secrecy of the ballot.
(c) The system shall be safe from fraud or manipulation.

If you have any questions or feedback, please send to me. Thanks in advance for your consideration.

Sincerely,
David Lynch (Ojai, California)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Recertification hearing draws protest from activists over last-minute changes in procedures

On Monday, November 21st, California’s Voting System Panel (VSP) was slated to hold public hearings on whether to recertify Diebold TSX touchscreen machines. The California Election Protection Network (CEPN) issued a press release inviting concerned citizens to speak at the 10 a.m. hearing and attend a rally at Secretary of State Bruce McPherson’s office to encourage state officials to “send Diebold packing before Turkey Day.”

But when CEPN spokesperson Sherry Healy called to verify the hearing date and time, she received startling news.

“I asked Bruce McDannold in the Secretary of State’s office if the hearing is still on for Monday,” she told Raw Story. “He said, 'You’re half right. The VSP has been disbanded.' I asked why. He said, 'I can’t speak for the Secretary of State.’”

According to Healy, McDannold stated that a stenographer and recording device would be on hand to record any public comments.

CEPN issued a blistering press release criticizing the Republican Secretary of State, for the last-minute change in procedures. The release questioned the sincerity of those in government to publicly discuss issues with their constituents. “Is this the new government trend for public hearings – just give the people a room and a tape recorder?” the release asked.

Activists also contend that McPherson’s office failed to provide the 30-day notice required by law for a public hearing.

“We had to be full time detectives to find out when this hearing would be held,” Healy stated, adding that CEPN discovered the hearing announcement posted on an obscure portion of the Secretary of State’s website, not the usual location for public meeting notices.

Election reform experts who had filled out cards at prior meetings asking to be notified of future events received no notification, she added.

Machines Need Public Scrutiny

Healy expressed concern over a “secret” test done recently on Diebold TSX systems, without the public present. That test found only a 2% error rate, Healy said.

According to an analysis done in July of this year by Dr. David Jefferson of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory at the University of California, however, the error rates were much higher.

Jefferson, who is also a member of California’s VSP, found that software crashes and printer jams totally ten times higher than permitted by federal standards.

"They’re trying to slam dunk this hearing, the certification. They’re just going to ram it through,” Healy fretted. “The prize is 2006. We don’t trust this manufacturer. They are the worst in class. They are the Enron of voting systems."

Was the public properly notified?

Nghia Nguyen, McPherson’s press secretary, insisted that notification had been up on the website for “quite some time in compliance with the law,” in the usual location. “This clearly states that Monday’s hearing will be a public hearing,” said Nguyen, adding that public comment will also be accepted for one week following the hearing.

But Healy contends the hearing notice was moved. “We can’t find it today. They are updating it. It’s like hide and seek.”

Asked why the VSP was disbanded, Nguyen explained that a new Office of Voting System Technology Assessment has been established by McPherson. That office is headed by McDannon, a civil servant. “We will also have Steve Freeman, the professional consultant for us on evaluating voting systems, and our attorney, Michael Kanotz,” Nguyen added.

But some have raised doubts about Freeman’s impartiality. “Is there not an inherent conflict of interest in the fact that the sole consultant the SOS uses is also on the NASED qualification board… that credentials Independent Testing Authorities, et cetera?” asked CEPN member Judy Holder, noting that Freeman helped persuade the panel to issue conditional certification for the TSX systems based on assurances that approvals from NASED and the ITAs would shortly be issued. The TSX systems were later d-ecertified by California Secretary of State Kevin Shelley, a Democrat.

Tests thought not to meet state law

Freeman also traveled to Texas for a one-day test of TSX systems, Healy added. “Diebold installed the software and setup the machines for testing in McKinney, Texas prior to his arrival. The Procedures specified that all that installation and preparation was to be done by the technical consultant, and on a working model, here in California.”

Dan Ashby of the Voting Rights Force in Alameda County cites serious security breeches with Diebold GEMS tabulator software used to count votes, including the, “GEMS defect which allows VBA (visual basic script) to rewrite the access database containing the vote count without a trace… Dr. Hugh Thompson of Black Box Voting brought it to the attention of the VSPP in July 2003. Nothing has been done… The Secretary of State’s office has been made fully aware of the unsecured GEMS vote database and has refused to acknowledge they know.”

Ashby called for an injunction to enforce election codes. “At the state level, we need to enjoin the Secretary of State from certifying an election system that is clearly unsuitable,” he said.

A call by RAWSTORY to the office of California’s Attorney General was not immediately returned.

Motives questioned

Nguyen insists that activists’ concerns are overblown. “This Secretary of State really takes the time to read every public comment,” she said. “He does want to read everybody’s viewpoint.”

Healy, noting that some election officials in other states have taken money from election equipment vendors, questioned McPherson’s motivations for making last-minute procedural changes that she feels are aimed at minimizing public input. “Why is the Secretary of State’s office--that’s the election integrity clean room--doing this? Who are they working for? Are they working for the people, or are they working for the vendor?”

Asked whether McPherson has accepted any money from Diebold for his campaign or in any other capacity, however, Nguyen flatly denied the allegation. “That’s absolutely not true,” she said. “I verified it with our undersecretary and I can vouch for that, too. He is not accepting money from Diebold.”

'A foregone conclusion'

Healy also questioned the Secretary of State’s authority to “arbitrarily and without notice discard those procedures and panels” that were developed via public hearings. Such actions may violate due process, she suggested.

Meanwhile, election reform activists are gearing up for events on what they’ve dubbed "Early Turkey Monday."

“There will be a protest. We’re going to have people at the hearing as well as sidewalk demonstrations,” pledged Ashby, who expresses fear that the hearing’s outcome is a “foregone conclusion.”

He cites a quote from Thomas Paine: “The right of voting for representatives is the primary right by which all other rights are protected. To take away this right is to reduce a man to slavery.”

[Ellipsis]

71. Good Luck California!!!

[huskerlaw]

72. Email sent!

[Pushed To The Left]

74. Here is a good link:

http://www.usalone.com/diebold2.htm

[Nikki Stone 1]

75. kick and sending

...

[tiptoe]

76. kick!

[EFerrari]

77. Kick

[tiptoe]

78. kick

[lady lib]

79. Hubby and my e-mail:

Secretary McPherson,

We are writing to express our deep concern over the Diebold election equipment that you are planning to purchase. California Election Law states:
19205. The Secretary of State shall establish the specifications for and the regulations governing voting machines, voting devices, vote tabulating devices, and any software used for each, including the programs and procedures for vote tabulating and testing. The criteria for establishing the specifications and regulations shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(a) The machine or device and its software shall be suitable for the purpose for which it is intended.
(b) The system shall preserve the secrecy of the ballot.
(c) The system shall be safe from fraud or manipulation.

Please note (c) The system shall be safe from fraud or manipulation.

The recent GAO report on election fraud clearly finds the Diebold machines to be easily hacked and their software a proprietary secret. Whenever these machines are used there are numerous “irregularities” in the results. The president of Diebold has made his partisan feelings known and during the last presidential election vowed to deliver Ohio to Bush – which he did. You wouldn’t have the same intent in turning California into a red state, would you?

The process of selecting, purchasing, and operating these machines needs to be an open and honest one. The machines that are purchased need to be “safe from fraud or manipulation.” California law demands this and will hold you personally liable if you fail to perform your duties according to the law. The selection of this equipment needs to be done with the best interests of ALL of California’s citizens in mind. Please. We must have honest elections!

[lady lib]

83. Here is the automatic reply that I received:

Thank you for your recent email.
Pursuant to Section 19204 of the California Election Code, a public hearing will be held, today, November 21, 2005 at 10:00 am, at the Secretary of State's Office, 1500 11th Street, Sacramento, to hear public comment regarding the proposed certification of a Diebold voting system for use in California.

Secretary of State Bruce McPherson believes that there is no right more fundamental and vital than the right to vote. Democracy depends on it.

He is committed to making certain that only the most reliable, secure, and accessible voting systems are sold for use in California. He is also committed to maintaining voter confidence in the voting systems used in California.

As Secretary of State he is the only official given the responsibility by law of approving or rejecting voting systems for use in California.

All voting systems seeking approval will be required to meet current standards and procedures and the new more rigorous standards announced in August 2005. These standards will be put into regulation in 2006, which includes public comment.

All voting systems seeking approval will do so through a public hearing conducted by staff from the Secretary of State’s Office. The public hearing will be like all other public hearings required for voting system approval and will, additionally, permit one week of public comment following the hearing. The purpose of the public hearing is to present staff reports regarding the voting system application and to take comments from the public that will be reviewed before preparing the final recommendations about approval or denial of the applications that are submitted to the Secretary of State.

The public hearings will be chaired by the Acting Director of the new Office of Voting System Technology Assessment. A member of the legal staff of the Secretary of State’s Elections Division will be present along with the consultant on voting systems employed by the Secretary of State.

Sincerely,
Elections Web Mail Representative

[lady lib]

80. Kick.

[Ladyhawk]

81. Kicking again as I write e-mails and FAXES.

This pisses me off so dang much. I hate talking on the phone, so that will come last.

[Ladyhawk]

82. I got a busy signal at McPherson's office.

Is anyone getting through? I'm hoping this is a good sign.

[lucca]

84. Done!

Sent e-mails.
Thank you.

[Ladyhawk]

85. Great!!!! n/t

[Ladyhawk]

86. Sweet Jesus, I don't know why I hate phones so much.

But they freak me out. Odd, but I can do public speaking and singing when I need to, but phones scare me to death.

OK, so I'm done e-mailing, faxing (with help from sfexpat2000 ) and *shiver* calling.

The lady who answered the phone at the elections office said she'd been getting a steady stream of calls concerning the issue, so that's good. Keep it up Kah-lee-foh-nee-ah!

[LaPera]

87. They are still accepting calls- received a simple, are you for or against?

[e-mail]
916-653-6814 (main menu, press 6, then 3 - starting at 8:00 am Monday)

http://nightweed.com/usavotefacts.html

[druidity33]

88. how did the hearing go?

Did anyone videotape it? Was there coverage of the rally? Sent an email that generated the same autoreply as above, but couldn't call as i was at work all day... update us all when you can.

Hoping...

[sepia_steel]

89. Done last night. Thanks!

Kick for other CA voters...

[catchnrelease]

90. Just called

Got a living human and she took my comments....."AGAINST certifying the machines and FOR VVPB's" Hope it helps us!!!

[xxqqqzme]

91. called and the woman was pleasant

n/t

[bridgit]

92. kick...

[freedomfries]

93. kick