> Date: Tue, 12 Aug 2008 01:16:29 -0400 > From: Dave Ketchum <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: [EM] Why We Shouldn't Count Votes with Machines
> Responses concentrate on fact that present DREs and paper > ballots have problems, and do not consider fixing the DREs. As virtually all (all I know) independent computer scientists (who do not profit from certifying or working for VVV's - vulture voting vendors) agree, it is *not* possible to "fix" DREs because their fundamental design is flawed. I.e. Any machine cast or machine printed record of ballots is not going to work. The flaws of DRE paper roll ballot printers include (there is a much longer list): Studies show that fewer than 30% of voters check machine-printed paper ballot roll records and fewer than 30% of voters who check (or about 10% of all voters) accurately proofread their machine-printed paper ballot roll records to detect any errors, so that a programmer can switch up to 90% of available target votes in a way that no audit can detect. Also there is a "two strikes and you are out" rule that prevents the most diligent voter from having a machine-printed paper ballot record that matches the voter's choices. A voter can only cancel ballot casting twice due to an incorrect printed paper roll record. On the third try, the voter receives an error message on the screen warning that the voter has only one more chance to cast their ballot. On the third try, the paper roll ballot record whizzes quickly inside the canister WITHOUT GIVING THE VOTER A CHANCE TO SEE THE PAPER RECORD! -- Any machine-printed paper ballot record will have the same flaws, and electronic video, audio, or pictorial verification systems are even worse. Shamos is considered a rogue among computer scientists and I am fairly certain that Shamos does not have any degree in computer science, as is true of most "experts" who support DREs. The persons who rebutted Shamos' articles *do* have formal training and degrees in computer science. Cheers, Kathy ---- Election-Methods mailing list - see http://electorama.com/em for list info
