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Galef Asks That Uncertified Electronic Voting Machines Not be Used in 2008 Elections
Dear Editor:
I am alarmed that the New York State Board of Elections (BOE) is developing a Request for Proposal (RFP) process with specifications that significantly changes the voting machine certification process. These changed specifications pose considerable risk to our future voting systems throughout the state.
New York, like all other states, is changing the way elections are administered to comply with the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). Some of the changes include the replacement of our voting machines, currently lever machines, with ones that would allow independent access for voters with disabilities or other special needs. In 2006, the state legislature enacted legislation that set forth a meticulous voting machine certification process to ensure that each and every vote is counted accurately, and can be verified by each and every voter.
As proposed, voting machine vendors would be able to disable the machine vote counting function of direct electronic recording machines (DREs) and allow the Voter Verified paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) to be considered as the official ballot. These machines would then be used by voters with special needs for the 2008 Election. In other words, voters with special needs will vote on improperly tested and, for all practical purposes, uncertified electronic voting machines.
This purported 'solution' also raises additional problems. The DRE VVPAT can only be verified by the direct visual observation of the voter so those who have limited or no vision cannot verify their ballot.
I believe that the BOE Commissioners are well-intentioned. They are contemplating this action because they believe that it grants New York voters with special needs full polling place accessibility. While I sympathize with, and understand the BOE Commissioners' good intentions, this is not the correct course of action.
All of us state legislators voted for legislation that detailed a rigorous voting machine certification process so that all voters can be confident that their vote counts. We are risking the voting public's confidence when we start to shortcircuit a process, no matter how pure the motives.
I hope that you will join me and write a letter to the NY State Board of Elections Commissioners, 40 Steuben Street, Albany, New York 12207 stating that uncertified electronic voting machines must not be used in the 2008 Election.
Assemblywoman Sandy
Galef Ossining
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