Expert says Palm Beach's new voting machines are flawed

The Palm Beach Sun-Sentinel ^ | Aug. 21, 2002 | Jill Barton (AP)

[seamus]

Expert says Palm Beach's new voting machines are flawed

By Jill Barton

The Associated Press

August 20, 2002, 6:23 PM EDT

WEST PALM BEACH --

An elections systems expert hired by a man who lost a city election inspected Palm Beach County's new voting machines Tuesday and pronounced them flawed.

(snip)...
Mercuri, who has asked to take apart a machine and examine the programming, grew frustrated over the limitations. She was warned by LePore's attorney, Leon St. John, to control her anger.

``I'm not trying to be hostile or anything. It's just really confusing,'' Mercuri said.

Mercuri says the machines should provide paper receipts so voters can be sure their ballots are cast. LePore said receipts invite even more trouble and would need to be carefully stored and hand-counted if questions arise about an election.

LePore said her staff needs to be preparing the new machines for the Sept. 10 primary election, which will be the first statewide test of Florida's new voting technology. She said she complied with a circuit judge's order to allow a walkthrough and inspection.

She also agreed with Mercuri and Danciu to sequester one machine used in the March election for future tests.

``We're not saying that the machine itself malfunctioned but that there were glitches,'' said Charlotte Danciu, Emil Danciu's daughter and attorney. ``The bigger picture is we're looking for accuracy in the electoral system.''

Copyright © 2002, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

[seamus]

And to think these geniuses almost foisted an Al Gore presidency upon this nation in a time of grave crisis.

There is a God, and he is good (and smart).

[1Old Pro]

We're not saying that the machine itself malfunctioned but that there were glitches.....

Like what? Palm Beach voters can't read?

[jdege]

They think a paper record is a bad idea?

I think anything else is absurd.

I want a permanent physical record of every vote. And I want that vote counted in public at each precinct.

There's far too much room for chicanery, if you do anything else.

[dinasour]

[Constitution Day]

Expert says Palm Beach's new voting machines are flawed

Why? Because they don't allow for enough Democratic FRAUD?

[I still care]

I am with you. I have felt for a long time that you needed a physical record of your voting. That is the only way you can insure against fraud.

[wannabpoolshark]

``I'm not trying to be hostile or anything. It's just really confusing,'' Mercuri said. I need to know, if these people are confused by voting machines, how do they perform the day to day tasks of relieving themselves and driving to work. These are equally as complicated, if not more so. How can these people survive on a daily basis? Just push the button for the person you want!

[toenail]

A plexiglass box is cheaper than a computer system.

[anymouse]

The sad part is that they do have a point about the new electronic voting machines not inspiring voter confidence and not allowing paper audits.

I predict that these electronic voting machines will eventually get tossed out in most locations as both sides will find excuses to complain about them.

[Sacajaweau]

Let's see, it didn't malfunction...so where's the problem??

Can't read directions??

Of course,there's more things that can go wrong with a computer system than a mechanical system and there are also more ways a computer system can be manipulated than a mechanical system.

Go back to a data card PENCIL IN THE DOT system before we get into deep poop in a future election.

Sac

[princess leah]

These are the same people who want the world to go "paperless" to save the trees...

[Dog Gone]

I am with you. I have felt for a long time that you needed a physical record of your voting. That is the only way you can insure against fraud.

That is the one way to guarantee that votes will be bought, and that intimidation becomes the norm.

I'm your union boss. Show me your voting receipt to prove you voted for Al Gore. Or else.

[1Old Pro]

lol

[Digger]

Accuracy in the electoral system. What a joke. Nobody is allowed to do a check & balance on these machines to determine accuracy. This is as big of a fraud as Leiberman being called credibile.

[lelio]

LePore said receipts invite even more trouble and would need to be carefully stored and hand-counted if questions arise about an election.
Sounds like a red herring to me. Isn't that what is done now?
Two receipts should be given: one to the voter and one stored for later hand counting. Both have a unique random number on it so that if there is a question on voting the results of each ballot can be printed w/ that code and no one would know who voted for who, and you can see that your vote was accurately counted.

[steve50]

I'm your union boss. Show me your voting receipt to prove you voted for Al Gore. Or else.

I think the other option is far more dangerous. Here's your winner, take our word for it.

[cake_crumb]

LOL...I sent a link to this article with a request for any more information possible to some members of my Help Reelect Jeb ping list...I so rarely post articles that it never occurred to me to post it. Sheesh.

Thanks for posting it. BUMP.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

``I'm not trying to be hostile or anything. It's just really confusing,'' Mercuri said.

They don't call it "Flori-DUH" for nothing.

[Kaslin]

I was just thinking that perhaps the Election system expert is not a expert after all