Discussion of all things related to Public Domain

[tom poe <tompoe AT amihost.com>]

Hi, Mr. Mullen:  Not sure what the department, "investigations/general
assignment" means, but you might see if this is of interest, or know who
might find it interesting.

There are no guidelines and regulations that are required for Direct
Recording Election (DRE) voting systems, federal, state, or local from
my understanding of the situation.  However, there are voluntary
guidelines and regulations? for voting systems that date to 1990 that
all states abide by.  The Help America Vote Act of 2002, lays out the
"Plan" to implement new guidelines and regulations that must be
followed, in order to comply with the Act.  Any state that does not
follow either the 1990 guidelines and regulations, or the 2002
guidelines and regulations (not existant at the moment), should be held
up to the bright light of day, and admit such.

My discussions with Dan Burk, Registrar for Nevada, leads me to believe
that we are as far removed from "legitimizing" the voting systems in use
in Nevada, and specifically, in Washoe county as you can get.  For
example, the only "certification" that seems to be available for the
Diebold voting system used, is one that comes from a company that
"certifies" hardware only.  They do not do software testing, auditing,
or "certification".  Nichols Labs, which was referenced specifically by
Dan Burk, closed their doors a couple three years ago.  I doubt whether
the voting systems provided by Diebold are up to date with regard to
even the 1990 guidelines and regulations.

Seems like we should be looking at this very serious problem, and soon. 
What do you think?
Thanks,
Tom Poe
Open Studios
Reno, NV
http://www.studioforrecording.org/

-----Forwarded Message-----

> From: tom poe <tompoe AT amihost.com>
> To: Lynn Landes <lynnlandes AT earthlink.net>
> Cc: Community Studios <community_studios AT lists.ibiblio.org>
> Subject: [Fwd: RE:  NV Cert. Reports]
> Date: 12 Sep 2003 18:07:42 -0700
> 
> Hi, Lynn:  Well, if we make some assumptions, here.  First, is that it
> appears there's no certification report for Diebold voting systems used
> in Nevada elections addressing the software, eh?  What do you think the
> next step should be?
> Thanks, Tom
> 
> -----Forwarded Message-----
> 
> > From: Lindy Johnson <lindyj AT sosmail.state.nv.us>
> > To: tompoe AT amihost.com
> > Subject: RE:  NV Cert. Reports
> > Date: 12 Sep 2003 16:52:13 -0700
> > 
> > Hi Mr. Poe,
> > Washoe County is the only Nevada County that has purchased and used a 
> > Diebold (f/k/a Global Election Systems) election system.  The test report 
> > that this office has on file is for voting system Accuvote- Touchscreen 
> > R6 from Wyle Laboritories .  This report is 204 pages, doublesided, for a 
> > total charge of $51.00.  To obtain a copy of this report, you may submit 
> > payment via credit card or send a check to the following address:
> > 
> > Nevada Secretary of State 
> > Attention:  Elections Division
> > 101 North Carson Street, Suite 3
> > Carson City, Nevada  89701-4786 
> > 
> > Below I have provided Diebold's contact information, in case you would 
> > like to contact them for their fees for copies:
> > 
> > Diebold Election Systems
> > 1611 Wilmeth Road
> > McKinney, TX  75069
> > Phone:  (972) 542-6000
> > 
> > If you have any questions (or would like to pay via telephone), please 
> > contact me at (775) 684-7126.  Unfortunately, I am only in the office 
> > part-time, the best time to reach me is in the afternoons.
> > 
> > Sincerely,
> > Lindy Johnson, Archive Officer
> > Nevada Secretary of State Elections Division
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > >>> tom poe <tompoe AT amihost.com> 09/11/03 09:11PM >>>
> > Hi, Ms. Johnson:  My request is for reports for DRE systems that are
> > used by Nevada in elections.  I specifically am interested in obtaining
> > a copy of certification reports for Diebold systems that are actively
> > used in Nevada elections.  The reports may be from ITA Nichols
> > Laboratories or from some other ITA that attests to the certification of
> > the software used in the voting systems purchased by the State of Nevada
> > in elections.  Mr. Dan Burk, Registrar of Nevada, indicates that Nichols
> > Laboratories certifies the DRE systems for Diebold.  Is there a report
> > from your office that matches his claim?
> > Thanks,
> > Tom Poe
> > 
> > On Wed, 2003-09-10 at 14:17, Lindy Johnson wrote:
> > > Hello again Mr. Poe,
> > > The attached document contains a full list of the voting systems that 
> > > have been certified in Nevada.  Please be aware, however, that not all 
> > > of these systems have been purchased and used by the Election Officials.
> > > 
> > > I thought this document might help you in determining which ITA reports 
> > > you would like a copy of.  
> > > 
> > > Please feel free to contact me at (775) 684-7126 if you have any 
> > > questions, or need further information.
> > > 
> > > Sincerely,
> > > Lindy Johnson, Archive Officer
> > > Nevada Secretary of State Elections Division
> > > 
> > 
> > 
>