Don't Vote Straight Party?

[Dover]

Friends, Snopes says this is true http://www.snopes.com/politics/ballot/straightticket.asp


Bev Harris of black box voting says straight party ticket voting can be hacked!!

http://www.bbvforums.org/cgi-bin/forums/board-auth.cgi?file=/1954/78367.html


You may have read about this, and Black Box Voting has sent an ELECTION ALERT about this. Here are the details and what to do about it:

*THE PROBLEM:* "Straight party voting" on voting machines is revealing a bad pattern of miscounting and omitting your vote, especially if you are a Democrat.

Most recently (Oct. 2008), a firm called* Automated Election Services* was found to have mis-coded the system in heavily Democratic Santa Fe County, New Mexico such that straight party voters would not have the presidential vote counted.

*Straight party voting* is allowed in 15 states. Basically, it means that you can take a shortcut to actually looking at who you are voting for and instead just select a party preference. Then the voting machine makes your candidate choices, supposedly for the party you requested.

Additional details follow, but first:* PROTECT THE COUNT*

*1) NEVER CHOOSE THE STRAIGHT PARTY VOTE OPTION*, because it alerts the computer as to your party preference and allows software code to trigger whatever function the programmer has designed.

*2) SEND THIS INFORMATION OUT TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN*, blog it, root n' toot it out there to get the word out.

*3) ESPECIALLY GET THE WORD OUT TO PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING STATES*, which have straight party voting options:

- Alabama
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Michigan
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Utah
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin

(Missouri and New Hampshire had straight party voting in earlier years, but have cancelled the straight party option for the Nov. 2008 election; however, the Straight Party software is still on Missouri and New Hampshire election management computers.)

*4) DEMAND COMPLETE AND CAREFUL TESTING OF THE STRAIGHT PARTY OPTION IN LOGIC & ACCURACY TESTS*. Bring copies of the citations in this article to buttress your case for why this is needed, if you have to. Witnesses for L&A tests in the straight party option states should specifically watch for and note whether (a) the tests were done and (b) the results were accurate.

*5) LOOK FOR UNDERVOTES* (high profile races with lower-than-average number of votes cast) and flag them, post them, bring them to the attention of others for additional scrutiny.

Undervotes may reveal straight-party programming fraud after the fact, but can never be reconstructed to know who the voter would have voted for. Such programming malfeasance, when found, disenfranchises voters.

*MORE DETAILS ON THE STRAIGHT PARTY TRAP*

*October 2008:* In Santa Fe, New Mexico the machines were NOT counting straight party ballots correctly, and now it turns out that voting machines have been caught giving straight party votes to the other party's candidates, omitting the counts for some straight party votes, and generally creating mischief.

Most recent news on this can be found here:
More on that here:
_http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/30557559.html?elr=KArksac8P3iUec7Pa P3iUqc8P3UU_
with archive copy and commentary on the claims made in the article here:
_http://www.bbvforums.org/forums/messages/159/78362.html_


California citizen Judy Alter discovered a high number of undervotes in the New Mexico presidential race in 2004. She traced these back to straight party votes that skipped counting the presidential race. Here is Alter's write-up on what she found:

_http://www.bbvdocs.org/US/avoid-straight-party-option.pdf_
(46 KB)

This is the short version of Alter's study of the 2004 Presidential Election of Santa Fe, New Mexico; It shows how Alter figured out that the straight party voting option did not contain a vote for president (or defaulted to Bush). She explains that the straight party option created the huge under-vote in NM and the other states with straight party voting.

According to Alter, most of the biggest exit poll shifts occurred in the straight party states.

Alter also has a long long version of the article, with charts and graphs as well as examples of the evidence she has from the hand filled out paper ballots counted on Sequoia scanners for early voting and absentee voting and the internal memory tapes of the Sequoia pushbutton DRE.

Her study in also posted on my website:_ http://www.protectcaliforniaballots.org_

*BOTH DRE AND OPTICAL SCAN SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN CAUGHT MISCOUNTING STRAIGHT PARTY VOTES*

Alter provides evidence from the absentee and early voting reports from Sequoia optical scan machines (paper ballots) that the straight party option for minor party candidates omitted votes. Two votes for straight Green party showed no votes for Cobb (the 2004 Green Party presidential candidate) next to his name.

According to articles archived on_ Voters Unite_, straight party votes have been caught miscounting straight party votes in Wisconsin and Alabama as well.

ES&S Optical scan system: In* Medford, Wisconsin*, ES&S ballot scanners failed to count straight-party votes at all. About 27 percent of all votes cast in Medford during the Nov. 2004 election were not counted by voting system computers. --_ http://www.votersunite.org/article.asp?id=5061_

ES&S optical scan system: In* Baldwin County, Alabama*, the ballot programming for straight ticket voting went awry in November 2006 by identifying one Republican as a Democrat._http://www.votersunite.org/article.asp?id=6868_

It's not just ES&S: The following overly cryptic Diebold Product Advisory does not reveal what the "issues" are that cause unexpected results from certain straight party voting programming methods:_ http://www.bbvdocs.org/diebold/Product-Advisory-Notice-straight-party-voting.pdf_
(17 KB)

Something happens. Something unexpected. Quietly now, "call Diebold" it says, for more information.

*BEWARE, THE STRAIGHT PARTY VOTE MAY NOT INCLUDE PRESIDENTIAL RACE AT ALL*

In North and South Carolina voters a straight party ticket does not include any vote for president. Yes, it's the law there. Voters need to also vote separately for president.

*EVEN IF YOUR STATE DOESN'T HAVE STRAIGHT PARTY VOTING, YOUR VOTING COMPUTERS DO HAVE IT*

Instead of creating two different systems, voting machine vendors put the straight party software into ALL voting computers, and just turn it "off" in states that don't allow straight party voting.

Both kinds of straight party voting -- with the presidential race included and with presidential votes omitted -- are actually on the election management computer that programs the ballots. It's up to the programmer to to choose whether to use straight party voting and, if so, whether it will register a vote for president or not. While it's true that systems like the Diebold GEMS Election Management system provide a drop-down menu where election programmers can choose their state system, they can also opt to choose some other state's system, or the generic "US" system (whatever that is), thereby enabling a giant OOPS excuse if caught.

*ENTER THE PRIVATE CONTRACTORS*

New Mexico's recent problem has been attributed to Automated Election Services, a firm that programs memory cards for New Mexico's ES&S M100 voting machines and also prints the ballots and provides election support services.

New Hampshire, which now prohibits use of the Straight Party function, uses LHS Associates to program their voting system. Therefore, whatever switches LHS flips on the election management system will be in effect, regardless of whether voters and New Hampshire election officials "see" a straight party option.

*PERSPECTIVE, FRAME OF REFERENCE*

The big "Oops" they dropped on this needs more perspective, a new frame of reference. For example:

You are counting the cash for a fund raiser. Somehow, it's discovered that $500 didn't make it into the count and someone put it in their pocket. They say "Oops" and tell you it was a mistake.

Really? Will you let them count the cash again? Probably not. Automated Election Services, and every other vendor that incorrectly programs voting systems such that they effectively steal people's votes should never be allowed to program the system again. Consequences! Where are they?

/*A LEHTOISM*/

From voting rights attorney Paul Lehto:

"One may breathe easier after November, if their favored candidate wins, but even if mine doesn't, I'll say it now: It will still be an illegitimate election, as a function of the secret vote counting ALONE, without the need for even an allegation of fraud, much less proof.

"The incumbents in office make all of our election law even those governing their own re-elections. Unless, of course, we uphold what I so often speak about, our own inalienable rights. Without those, we are all at the mercy of whoever is in power.

Being at the mercy of whoever's in power is not a definition of freedom, if I may seize on the power of understatement."

* * * * *

Now is a good time to consider keeping Black Box Voting in business:
Donate -_ http://www.blackboxvoting.org/donate.html_
Black Box Voting
330 SW 43rd St Suite K
PMB 547
Renton WA 98058




The repugnicans are already starting their usual last-minute shenanigans.



*Misleading Voter Information *



* *There is a FALSE rumor going around by e-mail telling people

that if they vote Straight Democratic Party, they must also cast

a vote specifically for Barack Obama in order to have an Obama

vote registered. THIS IS FALSE INFORMATION.* *



*Josh Taylor, Obama Texas Communications Director, released the

following statement:*



* "This email is a fraud and not authorized by the Obama campaign.

Every election cycle, we see cynical attempts like this that aim

to drive up voter confusion. We strongly encourage voters to

freely exercise their right to vote for a straight Democratic

ticket to return common sense government to Texas working families

concerned about their future in this slowing economy."*





*

*



*Vote Early And Vote A Straight Democratic Ticket!*



/*

*/



*If you wish to vote for all candidates of a particular party:*



*When you mark "Straight Democratic" then cast your ballot,_ your

vote will count_ for Barack Obama and/ all/ the Democratic

candidates, including all congressional, state and local Democrats

on the general election ballot.*



*

*



/*BUT*/* A separate vote for an individual candidate is

required _only_ in a special election, such as Senate District 17

where Chris Bell is running to replace Republican Kyle Janek who

resigned last June. SD 17 is in the Houston-Galveston area.



/OR/*



*If you do not wish to vote a straight party vote, you must mark

each individual candidate for whom you wish to vote, and then cast

your ballot.*



/*BUT*/



*DO NOT SELECT "STRAIGHT DEMOCRATIC" AND THEN SELECT INDIVIDUAL

DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES. THIS COULD CANCEL OUT YOUR VOTE FOR THOSE

INDIVIDUAL CANDIDATES! *



*Then be sure to carefully read the review screen after marking

your selection and before casting your ballot. If you have any

questions at the polls, ask an election judge for assistance. *



* The address on your driver's license* does not* have to match

the address where you are registered in. In fact, you do not

need to have a driver's license to vote.This rumor is aimed at

causing confusion and suppressing the vote, especially among

students and other people who move often. A voter registration

certificate is enough on its own to allow you to vote.

* *Frequently Asked Questions *

*When Do I Vote? *



* *Early Voting:* October 20, 2008 - October 31, 2008 - call your

_*County Elections*_

<http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/county.shtml> office

for exact days and hours

* *Election Day:* November 4th - all poll locations are open from

7am to 7pm

* *Ballot by Mail:* applications accepted (received, not

postmarked) by September 5, 2008 - October 28, 2008



TIP: Peak Voting hours are 7-9am, 11am-1pm, and 5-7pm. To avoid long lines, try voting during off-peak times.

*

*

*Do I need my driver's license to vote?*



* A voter registration certificate is enough on its own to allow

you to vote. If you have lost or misplaced your certificate, you

must show another form of identification. Acceptable forms of

identification include:

* A driver's license or personal identification card issued by the

Texas Department of Public Safety



* A similar document issued to you by an agency of another

state, regardless of whether the license or card has expired

* A form of identification containing a photograph

* A birth certificate

* U.S. citizenship papers

* U.S. passport

* Official mail addressed to you from a government agency

* *A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement,

government check, paycheck, or other government document

that shows your name and address*

* Any other form of identification presented by the secretary

of state's office.



*Can I wear Obama gear when I go to vote?*



* No one is allowed to campaign within 100 feet of a polling

location, so anyone with any campaign shirts, buttons, hats, or

other campaign material will be asked to remove the item or

cover up the shirt. No one will be DENIED the right to vote, you

will simply be asked not to have campaign material inside the

100 feet boundary. You are allowed to bring candidate

literature, like push cards.

*Can I bring a sample ballot or notes to help me mark my official ballot?*



* Voters may bring written materials such as sample ballots,

notes, pamphlets, even campaign flyers to assist them in marking

their own ballot. Voters who bring in these types of materials

may not share them with other voters or leave them behind in the

voting booth after casting their ballot.



*Can I use my cell phone while at my polling location?*



* No. Voters may not use cell phone while in the polling location.

*Why are Republican candidates listed first in each race on the ballot?*



* Statewide, the order of candidates by party affiliation is

determined by the number of votes received by each party's

candidate for governor on the most recent gubernatorial general

election.

[Lex]

1. If Bev Harris says it, then I doubt it's true.

nt

[Dover]

2. Very helpful.........

NOT! :eyes:

[Lex]

4. Thanks . . .

NOT!

[Fridays Child]

6. Read the information at the OP's Snopes link. Apparently, it is a problem but...

...I'm not sure it's as widespread as the OP suggests.

[Lex]

10. I did. But the Bev Harris name-drop kills the rest of the post

or almost anyway.

[GregD]

13. Not only Bev is saying this. Read VotersUnite!

http://www.votersunite.org/

[Dover]

21. THANKS!

Now that was helpful. Gracias.

[EFerrari]

23. That's a great, credible source.

:thumbsup:

[EFerrari]

17. And there is a good reason for that.

That grifter uses information to reel people in.

There are plenty of good sources that have nothing to do with her.

[GregD]

12. Please don't make that assumption. Please read...

Regardless of what you feel about Bev, the concerns about straight party voting are legitimate.

I've been a programmer for decades, I helped start VerifiedVoting.org, my former team mates are VotersUnite.org, and Ellen has been doing a lot of work around this issue.

Besides all the known problems with these shit voting systems and the entire lack of integrity by the owners and employees, there apparently exists a very wide range of rules that define what is legal with respect to "straight party voting". So many differences that many elections offices can't even accurately state the rules. As such, it's apparently no surprise that these county folks cannot accurately instruct the programmers at the voting machine companies.

So you have voting machine companies who for the purposes of this discussion (at least from my perspective) don't give a rats ass if their systems work correctly, being led by county personnel who cannot accurately instruct them, and the whole thing is apparently a nightmare.

So again, please put aside Bev Harris. If you feel you need to personalize the information, and decide if it is accurate based on who reported it, Ellen Theisen has done nothing but work on a volunteer basis to resolve this issue since 2003. And if she says "don't vote straight ticket", and instead "just vote for all of your preferred party candidates", I really encourage you to do that. Her word, to me, is golden... But OTOH, I don't discount much that Bev says either, so you decide.

[EFerrari]

22. What people "feel" about that grifter isn't as important

as this forum's objective experience with her.

There are plenty of good sources that deal with this problem without bringing her banned self and her pleas for donations here.

[GregD]

25. ok, but you do see my point about the OP, right?

The information concerning the voting machine "straight party vote" feature is corroborated by VotersUnite, Brad, and others who have only earned respect.

[EFerrari]

26. I think VotersUnite is an unimpeachable source.

:)

[GregD]

27. thanks

:)

[EFerrari]

3. The only problem I know of is if you vote on a touchscreen.

And why are you quoting that grifter? She'd tell you to hand over your mother's bones with a sad story and a high pressure pitch.

Eta: Dover, I'm sorry. That woman makes my blood boil.

[Dover]

8. I understand the issues re:Bev, but I think we need to be clear on this, don't you?

Personalities are not important.

[EFerrari]

9. That grifter aside, there have been problems when people vote a straight ticket

on touchscreens.

I haven't heard of any on OpScan -- but, that just means I haven't heard of them.

[teknomanzer]

15. I must have missed something...

What is the problem with Bev Harris?

[EFerrari]

16. She ripped off donors on this site, threatened to sue Skinner

ripped off and slandered Kelvin Mace, and tried to block Andy Stephenson's medical care, lied on her tax return and has serially abused activists. Other than that, nothing at all. Search "Bev Harris for beginners".

[Dover]

18. Do you have several hours to kill?

I think the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy might come in handy in this case.
Of course if someone actually wants to take the time to sum up a long story, then fine.

[EFerrari]

20. Kelvin Mace already has. Link:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=203&topic_id=340188

[bdamomma]

5. oh crap, my state is listed.

I voted by absentee ballot and I checked or filled the space with my choice of candidate individually.

[snot]

7. Whatever you may think of the source, I believe this is accurate.

[EFerrari]

11. If she said it was raining, I'd need a second opinion.

The source matters. So does the breathless tone of the advisory.

[eyesroll]

14. It actually works pretty decently in WI.

We've got paper ballots (optically scanned).

The scanners (as well as hand counts) are required by law to count a straight-party vote as a default, then note any exceptions. If, say, someone checked "Democratic" but then voted individually for the Green party candidate for state assembly, the Green vote would count in that race only. If someone checked "Democratic" and then voted individually for Obama, "just to be sure," it would count a single vote for Obama, plus a vote for the rest of the Democrats.


That said, I generally recommend against voting straight ticket, because you tend to forget about the nonpartisan races and referenda on the ballot.

[Dover]

19. Good point re: voting for individual candidates and referendums

That's the easiest way to resolve it (although e-voting will ALWAYS be very vulnerable to
fraud).

[EFerrari]

24. If it didn't work, how would you know?

We have OpScan here, too. And not a big enough audit to really verify our vote.

[Dover]

28. Oh bloody hell! Just received this from the Obama campaign and my county.

From Obama Campaign:

Dirty tricks designed to mislead Texas voters have been spreading across the state, and many Obama supporters are getting incorrect information about the voting process.

Bogus claims about voting machines are spreading via email chains -- and in one reported case, even broadcast on a Houston radio station -- that could have a huge impact on voter turn out on Election Day.

Here is the truth that every Texan should know: If you vote a straight Democratic Ticket you will cast your ballot for Barack.

But Texans are not alone -- voters in key neighboring battleground states like New Mexico, Colorado, and Missouri are receiving deceitful automated phone messages and mailers from the McCain campaign spreading vile lies about Barack Obama.

We can't let dirty tricks and bad information sway this election. We need Texans to step up and spread the truth to other voters -- not just here at home, but also in our neighboring states.

Will you stand up for the truth and make a short weekend trip to a key battleground state?

No one is certain who's behind this latest attempt to influence the election and scare Obama supporters away from the polls on November 4th. But the intent is clear: to steal votes away from Barack and other great Democratic candidates up and down the ticket.

We can be sure that shameless tactics like these will intensify over the next 16 days.

That's why your help is crucial to making sure that every voter knows the truth about Barack Obama and the change we need in this country.

Forward this email to your friends and family in Texas, then sign up to spread the truth to other voters:

http://tx.barackobama.com/DriveForChange

There is so much at stake in this election. Together, we can make sure that everyone casts their vote for change on November 4th.

Thanks,

Juan

Juan Sepulveda
Texas State Director
Obama for America

P.S. -- If you've received an email with misinformation about the voting process, report it so that we can make sure that voters across America get the truth about Barack:

http://www.fightthesmears.com/report

Visit: TX.BarackObama.com | Email: [email protected]

Paid for by Obama for America

-----

The County

Today is the first day that you can vote. Tens of thousands of new voters in Travis County are expected to cast a ballot, and with your help, we can make sure they know how and where to vote.

The other side is already playing dirty tricks. They are trying to deceive voters and spread misinformation about the voting process.

A false rumor is going around by e-mail telling people that if they vote Straight Democratic Party, they must also cast a vote specifically for Barack Obama in order to have an Obama vote registered. THAT IS FALSE! If you vote straight ticket, you are voting for every Democrat from the courthouse to the White House. If you have questions, visit the Texas Democratic Party website or call 472-8683.

This e-mail shows how far the other side is willing to go to keep you from voting for whom you want. You can empower others and ensure Democrats win.

Vote Early- Record numbers of voters in Travis County are expected. You can avoid lines by voting early. Please vote early during the early voting period as line will be come longer as time goes on. We have even put together a map listing all of the early vote locationsso you can find the one closest to you!

Volunteer- Over 30,000 people registered to vote in Austin between May and October. That means there are 30,000 new people we need to talk to and let them know about our great judicial candidates, state representatives, county commissioners and more. Your help is needed, so please sign up to volunteer online or come by 1107 N. I-35 and make a difference today.

Donate - Your financial support is vital. Every dollar we raise goes directly to talking to voters on the phone, online, through mail, and at their doors. Every dollar helps and it's never too late to donate to the Travis County Democratic Party.

Talk to Your Friends - Tell your friends to vote early and help out. Tell your friends they can vote straight ticket. Tell them why it is important to vote. Talk to the people you care about, about what's at stake. You are the most powerful advocate that your friends and family members know.

Curb the Deceptive E-mails - In order to curb this deceptive e-mail circulating around Texas, please tell all your friends to look at the following visit this special website.

Help on Election Day- The Travis County Elections Division is expecting an 80% turnout in Travis County. We need your help on Election Day. Vote early, and consider spending part or all of Election Day with the Travis County Democratic Party.


Early Vote starts today and ends on October 31. You can vote at any early voting location in Travis County. Make sure you vote early and then please assist us on Election Day or before. With your help, we will Turn Texas Blue!

[LeftyMom]

29. In the future, please stick to credible sources

and above all don't post a link to donate to a known scam artist like Bev Harris. :eyes:

[Dover]

30. Well, perhaps this post helped others who received the same email

and don't know anything about Bev or Black Box Voting. Obviously the emails from various "unreliable" sources are abundant enough to be confusing many voters, hence the need for the announcement from the Obama/Democratic sites.


And what about the www.votersunite.org/ website posted here that seems to back up Bev's email? What's their story?

[LeftyMom]

31. I don't know enough to say.

But here's the deal- your citation should always support your argument. That's the whole point of citing expert sources. If your citation comes from a source that's unreliable or which your target audience is disinclined to trust for any reason, you need to find a different source. That's just basic argumentation.

[Kip Humphrey]

32. Hart InterCivic voting inTexas: an IT professional's user test in 2004

First, bona fides: I have a BS & MS in Information Systems specializing in Systems Integration.

In 2004 I voted in Houston Texas on a Hart InterCivic DRE voting machine. During the voting process I took the opportunity to test the veracity of the "Vote Democratic Slate" option. I selected "Vote Democratic Slate. I then made my selections for the various ballot initiatives and cast my ballot. The review screen opened at the very bottom of a 7-page equivalent screen (27 full rotations of the scroll disc to reach the top of the ballot). Using the scroll disc, I scrolled to the top of the ballot to review my presidential choice and discovered that George Bush was selected for president while all the remaining choices were for Democrats. I corrected the presidential vote to reflect my choice for John Kerry and re-cast my ballot. The review screen again opened at the bottom of the ballot. I scrolled back to the top of the ballot only to discover that there now was no vote for president marked. I corrected the missing presidential vote by selecting Kerry again and recast my ballot. Again, the ballot opened at the very bottom. I scrolled up the ballot and confirmed that my vote for Kerry was recorded. Success! (3 time a charm!).

Later, from Hart Industries press releases and investigative reporting via BradBlog, Verified Voting, and, yes, Blackbox Voting, I was able to piece together what happened when I voted:

1. Voting by party slate did not mark a vote for president, at least when democratic slate was selected.

2. Some machines (mine included) were "incorrectly" set to default to George Bush where no presidential candidate was selected. Apparently, this default option was set to accommodate machine testing and was not "intended" to be active during voting.

3. Changing a vote for a race from the review screen, while it appears to set a vote choice, only resets that race to no selection regardless of which candidate is selected. Vote selections are only recorded from the ballot selection screen (which looked the same as the review screen, BTW), requiring reselecting the corrected choice after the reset cycle from the ballot selection screen.

4. The review screen opens at the bottom of the ballot to encourage voters to review all of their vote selections, according to Hart. Of course, perseverance is mandatory if the voter wants to verify their presidential selection as that race resides at the very top of the ballot. In Texas, we vote for judges making our ballots very long.

Please note, due primarily to scrolling time, it took me 9 minutes to select, cast, review, correct, cast, review, correct, cast, review, and vote. While in line and voting, only 1 person spent comparable time voting (12 machines were in use over the 45 minutes I could view voters using the machines. Most voters spent 3 minutes or less voting.

VOTE DEMOCRATIC SLATE AT YOUR OWN RISK!

[EFerrari]

33. Thanks, Kip! Excellent run down!

[gkhouston]

34. Bottom line: it takes less time to vote race-by-race, because you only have to

scroll up and check your ballot once. I voted the same (or nearly the same) ballot Kip did in 2004, and it took less than 5 minutes to vote, including a careful review of my selections, because I didn't have to correct anything after I'd reviewed it.