Common Cause Blog :: Make a Call for a Paper Trail Resolution

Make a Call for a Paper Trail Resolution

By Barb Burt
Posted on Thu Jul 21, 2005 at 10:13:23 AM EST

Update (3:39 pm EST) - One of our members pointed out that our search page still lists the old California Secretary of State Kevin Shelley. The contact information for the new California Sec. of State, Bruce McPherson is (916) 653-8814. Apologies for the oversight. We will update the search page to reflect the new info. Thanks so much again for making the calls! - Murshed

Thanks to our activists' efforts, the drumbeat for a requirement that all voting systems in the U.S. employ or incorporate a voter verified paper audit trail grows stronger.

This weekend, the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) is meeting in St. Paul. Not yet on the agenda but certainly in the strong rumor stage is a resolution calling for such a requirement for all newly purchased systems. This would force newly purchased DREs to come with a paper ballot printout, but optical scan machines and even hand-counted paper ballots would also fit the requirement. Such a move by NASS would be huge -- two thirds of the country's secretaries of state are their state's top election official.

We need to let all the members of NASS know that the voters are watching their proceedings. If we can get hundreds of calls to their offices today (the conference starts tomorrow), we can force them to pay attention and deal with this issue. Call them and get them to go on the record as either for the resolution, against the resolution, or undecided. They need to know that the latter two options may have painful political consequences.

To get contact information about your secretary of state, go to the following link or click on the image to your right:

www.commoncause.org/FindElectedOfficials

Then call today, and ask your secretary of state to support a NASS resolution calling for voter verified paper audit trails. Let them know how important this is for restoring voter confidence in our elections. Please also forward this information to anyone else you think would be interested in making a call for VVPAT.

I'll be at the meeting, along with Jenny Flanagan, election specialist from our Colorado office. We'll try to keep you informed as the resolution progresses. Check back for more info during the weekend; the meeting ends on Monday afternoon.

Tags: Action for Elections (all tags)

Make a Call for a Paper Trail Resolution :: 23 Comments

Paper Voting

I contacted Kathy Dopp of the U.S.CountVotes organization, a very well-informed group on these issues, about the iniative you want me to support. I suggest that Comm,on Cause ask for their input.
[See below for Kathy's response to my query.]
They sponsored the multi-author statistical analysis of the Mitofsky exit poll study, among other efforts

Best, Sheila Leavitt
Newton, Mass.

Sheila Leavitt wrote:

> Kathy: Is this Common Cause initiative (see below) one that is endorsed by u.s. count votes (www.uscountvotes.org)? Should I be contacting her with information from you guys, or are you all on the same page?
Best, Sheila
>
Dear Sheila:
Well that bill is better than nothing, but Common Cause never seems to consult with any computer scientists who are voting system experts when
it introduces anything, so that the worst DRE machines with paper rolls satisfy the definitions in the bill that they're supporting. Common
Cause could do a lot less damage and a lot more to productively help if it would consult with the experts rather than thinking that they are the
experts. The HAVA that Common Cause passed in 2002 that caused a huge acceleration in voting system problems in America should have alerted
them to the fact that they are not experts and need expert advice when they formulate "solutions", but they never seem to figure out that they need expert help.

The bill is better than currently, and if it passes, when perhaps a better bill could not pass, then it will have a positive effect. I would
not come out publicly in support of such a weak bill, but at least it requires that the paper record be "hand countable" but the definition of
"hand countable" is so open to interpretation that the DRE paper rolls meet this condition.

Best,
Kathy

by Anonymous Citizen on Thu Jul 21, 2005 at 12:04:50 PM EST

Re: Paper Voting

I don't know exactly what Kathy Dopp was referring to. This is not a bill that we're asking members of NASS (National Association of Secretaries of State) to support. This is a currently HYPOTHETICAL resolution that we have heard rumors of, and that we think/hope will be introduced at the NASS meeting in St. Paul this coming weekend.

As for Kathy's comment that we never consult any computer scientists, I'd like to point out that we're working with Verified Voting and Vote Trust USA on this -- I called them yesterday as soon as I got wind of this possible resolution. We continually consult with a wide variety of experts and are always grateful for their advice.

I applaud the work that Kathy and US Count Votes does, and have mentioned their work in this forum and others in the past.

Barbara Burt, Common Cause Election Reform Team Leader

by Barb Burt on Thu Jul 21, 2005 at 01:53:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Paper Voting

Barb, I think Kathy was referring to HR 550, which was mentioned in the first paragraph of your email today "Make a Phone Call for a Paper Trail Resolution." I think that bill was mentioned as background for today's appeal.

I wish Kathy had used more compassionate language since I think all groups are doing great work. It's a huge challenge and I'm sure she was expressing frustration.

Keep up the good work!

- Jody

by JodyFerguson on Thu Jul 21, 2005 at 08:19:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

The Paper Trail

I called my Sec of State's office and spoke to a young woman who assured methat she woould convey my request for a "Yes" vote on The Paper Trail Ammendment to Sec. Sam Reed.

by Anonymous Citizen on Thu Jul 21, 2005 at 03:13:57 PM EST

paper trail voting resolution

I left a message for Sec. of State Bill Bradbury in OR to support the resolution. I'm sure he will, even without prompting.

by areder on Thu Jul 21, 2005 at 03:17:59 PM EST

Called Hood of FL

Left a message that I wanted umitigating proof that my vote counts. Her staff seemed in the dark about her travel plans, wherein I expressed that I hoped she was going and representing FLorida. I will keep at it though here locally as well as statewide.

by Anonymous Citizen on Thu Jul 21, 2005 at 03:19:26 PM EST

vote on paper trail

I called my Secretary of State's office and informed the person answering the phone that I felt it was critical that Sec. Cortes support the paper trail verification. After spending a hot afterneeon by going on the net and rereading news reports from election 2004 and becoming angry all over again, I can assure you that I needed NO encouragement to make my call!!!

by Anonymous Citizen on Thu Jul 21, 2005 at 03:24:06 PM EST

illinois

I called Jesse White's office and they didn't seem to know anything about elections, just transfered me from office to office till I gave up.

by astrid on Thu Jul 21, 2005 at 03:25:19 PM EST

Randy Daniels, Sec. of State, NY

I called Sec. Daniels' office and left a message encouraging him to vote "YES" on the paper trail resolution, and was assured the message would be conveyed to him.
Judy in Putnam Valley, NY

by Anonymous Citizen on Thu Jul 21, 2005 at 03:53:05 PM EST

Call for phone calls to Sec'ys of State

Dear Barbara,

I agree we need a paper trail and took action to call my Secretary of State as your email requested.

But, I was embarrassed because I used the information on your site which says Kevin Shelley is the Secretary of State, but he was replaced by Bruce McPherson in the last election!

I think my call would have gone better if I had the Secretary's name correct. Also, I think I would have approached the call differently, knowing that I would probably be speaking with a Republican.

As it is, I was redirected to the "Executive office" and spoke with Judy, who did not give me a confident feeling my request (to encourage Secretary McPherson to vote for the paper trail resolution) will be passed along.

Please update your website! (The phone number was correct though!)

Thank you for pursuing the paper trail equirement.

The U.S.A. needs a paper trail for every voter!

Sincerely,

Jody Ferguson, Santa Cruz CA

by JodyFerguson on Thu Jul 21, 2005 at 04:03:10 PM EST

Re: Call for phone calls to Sec'ys of State

Jody we are working on fixing it. Our apologies for the oversight. And we have posted the info. of California Sec. of State at the very top of this blog post. Thanks so much again for your efforts. We really appreciate it.

by Murshed Zaheed on Thu Jul 21, 2005 at 04:05:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Call to Secretary of State re: paper AUDIT

Sam Reed my WA state guy, whom I have contacted many many times about this urgent matter, makes great sounds, and doesn't do what is required.

I spoke to someone in his office today, in a very friendly way, she did not know which way he is leaning, and when I queried her further, it was obvious she was on OUR side, but as she works for him, she said she could not comment on his attitude towards this. I know Bev Harris who is based in Renton, WA has had numnerous problems with him over the years, and last year despite his having mentioned paper ballots, it appeared to her he was not for actual PAPER AUDITS, and it can be tricky, as they now seem to have methods or plans, to subvert our desired result for fairness.
As I pointed out to his office, I vote by absentee ballot, and though I make a copy of my vote, it is not valid, and I do not know who and how they tabulate my vote. Washington state may go to absentee voting completely, so this is also an important question, as Bev Harris noted criminal elements were involved in vote counting, and this is often outsourced, and may go to convicted felons. Slippery Slope department.

by Anonymous Citizen on Thu Jul 21, 2005 at 04:03:25 PM EST

Phone call to Sec. of State

I called the office of the Secretary of State for Virginia and was informed that she was already at the meeting by her assistant. I urged a vote for supporting the paper trail and the assistant said she would convey the message. I should have asked whether the message would be conveyed before the vote. The assistant asked for my name and number - I hope this indicates there will be some response.
Sue in Virginia

Sue

by pegasus on Thu Jul 21, 2005 at 04:33:22 PM EST

paper trail

I telephoned Randy Daniels, Sec'y of State for N.Y. and left a message requesting that he vote "yes" on the paper trail resolution. When I asked for his stand on the issue I was transferred to NY City & requested that he call me back regarding his stand.

by Anonymous Citizen on Thu Jul 21, 2005 at 04:41:45 PM EST

another list for sec's of state

I couldn't find secretaries of state for two states so I did a search and found this page:

http://www.rockthevote.com/rtv_sos_contacts.php

Has them all listed. Might want to verify name before starting the discussion.

Cher

by Anonymous Citizen on Thu Jul 21, 2005 at 04:54:50 PM EST

You Are So Great!

I am thrilled with all the calls you have been making to your Secretaries of State. We will make the correction to the CA site as soon as possible -- thanks for pointing that out; it slipped by.

I can't wait to get to St. Paul tomorrow and hear the buzz! Jenny and I will keep you posted as things develop. Check back here on the blog for news. There may be something to report by Saturday.

Barbara Burt, Common Cause Election Reform Team Leader

by Barb Burt on Thu Jul 21, 2005 at 05:14:03 PM EST

Paper trail comment to Sec. of State, colorado

Your email requesting my call came at 12:59 pm today, but I did not open my emails untile 4:15. I then tried to place a call to Sec. of State, Donetta Davidson, in Colorado. There was only a recording and no way for me to leave a message. I will try again in the morning and ask whoever answers the phone to let her know my concern.

I receive common Cause alerts. why do I also have to have a use name and password? Virginia Cowles

ginnycowles@ao.com

by Anonymous Citizen on Thu Jul 21, 2005 at 07:07:54 PM EST

Ill Sec State Jesse White

I called the Illinois Sec State Jesse White's office but they did not even know that there was a conference. They said that his office was "not informed" I guess not.

Ralph

by Anonymous Citizen on Fri Jul 22, 2005 at 10:52:23 AM EST

voting

I called the Secretary of State's office and told them that I wanted to have Daniels vote for the paper trail at the conference.

by Anonymous Citizen on Fri Jul 22, 2005 at 11:48:55 AM EST

paper trail, NASS

I called the Wisconsin Secretary of State's office & actually got to speak with Doug LaFollette. He said that he's been working for a paper trail for a couple of years. He's not sure what the NASS will do since the majority of them are Republicans (I think) & "they tend to play a little bit of politics"

by Anonymous Citizen on Fri Jul 22, 2005 at 12:56:33 PM EST

Voter verifiable paper ballots

Here in New Mexico, the election reform grassroots worked with the legislature this spring to get voter verifiable and auditable paper ballots included in election law. I have called our Secretary of State to vote for the resolution, and on the basis of our own law, I would expect her to do so. I have also notified our extensive network to make similar calls based on your alert.

by Anonymous Citizen on Fri Jul 22, 2005 at 03:58:39 PM EST

Voter Verified Paper Trail

I have just called my Secretary of State of Office and left a message with one of his staff and they do agree with me.

Russell Novkov
Madison, WI

by Anonymous Citizen on Fri Jul 22, 2005 at 05:43:11 PM EST

Voter Verified Paper Trail

I do believe that we need a paper trail, because I do not trust those computerized DieBold Machines, they are flawed, with a paper trail there is a better chance of being able to recount all the votes. I have just called my Secretary of State Office and have left a message with one of his staff, and wanted to know who was giving me that information.

Russell Novkov
Madison, WI

by rnovkov on Fri Jul 22, 2005 at 05:55:41 PM EST

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Make a Call for a Paper Trail Resolution

By Barb BurtPosted on Thu Jul 21, 2005 at 10:13:23 AM EST

By Barb Burt
Posted on Thu Jul 21, 2005 at 10:13:23 AM EST