BBV: League of Women Voters issue another report...

[althecat]

HAven't analysed this.. I expect it involves some more backsliding but we might be surprised...


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kelly Ceballos
July 21, 2004
www.lwv.org
[e-mail]

SOUND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES RECOMMENDED FOR 2004
Safeguards for Voters and Voting Systems Outlined

WASHINGTON, DC- The League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS)
today issued a new report to help safeguard the votes of all Americans
in the 2004 election. Helping America Vote: Safeguarding the Vote
outlines a set of recommended operational and management practices for
state and local election officials to enhance voting system security,
protect eligible voters and ensure that valid votes are counted.

"Every community should have safeguards for voting systems so that they
operate properly and accurately record the voter's intent," stated Kay
J. Maxwell, LWVUS president. "In this report, the League has put
together a list of common-sense practices that have proven effective in
states that have already put them into use," Maxwell said.

"Many people don't realize that most voters coming to the polls this
fall will cast their votes on the same type of voting machines they used
in the 2000 elections," said Maxwell. "Checklist for Voting Systems - an
easy-to-read supplement in Safeguarding - is a handy starting place for
election officials and voters to ensure that all voting machines are
ready for Election Day. This resource includes a simple list that
applies to all voting machines and a specific checklist for each type of
machine," Maxwell stated.

"No matter the voting machine being used - punch card or optical scan,
lever or touchscreen - there are universal steps to be followed in
preparing for Election Day," noted Maxwell. "All voting machines, for
instance, should meet federal qualifications and state certification
standards, and these should not be bypassed on Election Day. Ballot
design for each type of machine is vitally important in making sure that
voters properly cast their votes. And aggressive education efforts are
essential to show voters how to use their voting machines," according to
Maxwell. "The Checklist also provides basic measures for each
particular type of machine so officials can tailor protections to their
precinct or county," Maxwell stated.

"The League's report provides the tools - the nuts and bolts - to assist
election officials in improving voting system security, ensuring that
machines operate properly, and setting up voter registration systems
that enfranchise, not disenfranchise voters," Maxwell said. For
example, the report recommends "tracking and documentation of all
procedures, from the testing of machines to the handling of ballots," to
ensure that such practices are actually carried out and that audits are
possible if problems occur.

"The League is known for working closely with election officials to make
the system function better, and this report is part of our ongoing
efforts. Safeguarding builds on the recommendations we provided
officials in the first Helping America Vote monograph, A Guide to
Implementing the New Federal Provisional Ballot Requirement (
http://www.lwv.org/elibrary/pub/voting_help-vote.pdf) in August 2003,"
said Maxwell.

"From now until well beyond Election Day, League members in communities
nationwide will continue fighting for changes that protect eligible
voters. Sound management practices will strengthen the election process
and protect the fundamental right to vote," concluded Maxwell.

The Safeguarding the Vote report is available at
http://www.lwv.org/elibrary/pub/voting_safeguarding_color.pdf

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The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization,
encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in
government, works to increase understanding of major public policy
issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.