Reply #4: MD: Maryland About to Get Real Election Transparency

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http://baltimorechronicle.com/2006/021306Schade.shtml

STATE NEWS:
<3>Maryland Moving Toward Reliable Voting System
Legislature and Civic Groups United for Voter Verified Paper Ballot Legislation SB713 filed, with 23 co-sponsors Coalition for paper ballot increases to 23 statewide organizations

SOURCE: Linda Schade, Executive Director http://TrueVoteMD.org

02/13/06

Maryland is on the verge of enacting legislation that will ensure transparent elections that voters can trust. When HB 244/SB713 becomes law Maryland will move from a state with the least secure and least transparent election system to a state with one of the most secure and transparent systems

Today, the Senate version of the ‘paper trail’ bill (SB713) was filed with 23 co-sponsors of both parties, with 24 needed for a majority vote. All members of the Senate Committee responsible for election issues support the bill. On the House side, Delegates are expressing confidence that HB244 will pass in a near unanimous vote. Civic organizations covering a wide range of interests support voter verified paper ballot legislation.

“Maryland is on the verge of enacting legislation that will ensure transparent elections that voters can trust. When HB 244/SB713 becomes law Maryland will move from a state with the least secure and least transparent election system to a state with one of the most secure and transparent systems,” said Bob Ferraro of TrueVoteMD.org.

Linda Schade of TrueVoteMD.org added “The widespread support for this bill in Maryland – inside the legislature and out – shows the state has come together in support of the basic proposition that voters should be able to trust that their votes are counted as case. We applaud Delegate Hixson and Senator Hollinger for showing leadership on this issue.”

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(Here’s a list ofi organizations supporting the Maryland initiative. Pretty impressive coalition! Congratulations! TrueVote.Org, you rock.}

American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland
American Council of the Blind of Maryland (ACBM)
Anne Arundel Peace Action
Baltimore Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance
Common Cause Maryland
Democracy for Maryland
League of Women Voters of Maryland
Maryland Area Guide Dog Users, Inc.
Maryland Business Leaders for Sensible Priorities
Maryland Christians for Justice and Peace
Maryland Green Party
Maryland National Organization of Women (NOW)
Maryland Public Interest Research Group (MaryPIRG)
Maryland Populist Party
Montgomery County Progressive Alliance
NAACP – all Maryland branches and chapters
Prince George’s County Civic Federation
Progressive Democrats of America – Maryland chapter
Progressive Maryland
Republican Women of Anne Arundel County
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1199
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Maryland and DC State Council
Sierra Club – Maryland chapter
Southern Maryland Council of the Blind, and
TrueVoteMD.org