Thursday, December 16, 2010

NY: How To Turn Off Voters [NY Times]

NY: How To Turn Off Voters [NY Times]

In New York State, and especially in New York City, voting is a difficult and frustrating task. That may help explain why in the last three elections, New York ranked 47th out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia in average voter turnout — a miserable record. --->>>

Canada, BC: Lower voting age to 16: De Jong

Lower voting age to 16: De Jong
'Let them be full participants,' says Liberal leadership candidate

Liberal leadership candidate Mike de Jong wants to see the voting age in B.C. drop from 18 to 16.

Citing poor voter turnout in recent elections, de Jong on Wednesday said it is time to give teens the chance to become more involved in the political process.

Read more: http://www.theprovince.com/news/Lower+voting+Jong/3985142/story.html#ixzz18Hejp2yQ

Monday, December 6, 2010

Taft wins electoral appeal against province

Taft wins electoral appeal against province:

The Alberta Court of Appeal has sided with Liberal MLA Kevin Taft in his effort to pursue legal action against the province for alleged irregularities during the 2008 election.

Taft initiated court proceedings a year ago, seeking a judicial declaration to push the government to enact new election laws he believes would prevent some of the issues that occurred on voting day.

The list of complaints includes Tory-appointed returning officers, a lack of polling stations in assisted-living facilities and on reserves, people directed to the wrong polling stations and other 'infringements' on the right to vote. --->>>

Friday, December 3, 2010

New York City Board of Elections Finds 200,000 Votes a Month After Election - NYTimes.com

New York City Board of Elections Finds 200,000 Votes a Month After Election - NYTimes.com:

The board found 195,055 votes, or 17 percent more votes, than were originally reported. --->>>

India: Now, click on cellphone to cast vote - Mumbai - DNA

Now, click on cellphone to cast vote - Mumbai - DNA:

Citizens will no longer have to queue up at polling booths to cast their votes. If the Maharashtra State Election Commission (MSEC) has its way then exercising one’s right to franchise would be just a
click away.

Gripped with low-voter turnout at every election, the MSEC has given its nod to introduce e-voting across the state. In a first-of-its-kind attempt, the next-in-line Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections will not only have Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) as ballot but also cellphones and computers. --->>>

Thursday, December 2, 2010

eVOTZ: Mobilizing Voters | Inside GNSS

eVOTZ: Mobilizing Voters | Inside GNSS:

According to eVOTZ founder Elliot Klein, the winning application in the North American portion of the European Satellite Navigation Competition (ESNC) is designed to solve the problems of authentication and verification that have stalled previous attempts to create a secure and trustworthy e-voting solution.

By combining GNSS, cell-ID triangulation and social-media integration, eVOTZ brings business opportunities while promoting the common good by putting elections technology literally into the palms of voters. --->>>

eVOTZ Website

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

New Delhi urged to initiate online voting for expats: Gulf Times

New Delhi urged to initiate online voting for expats

Expatriate forum All India Cultural Congress (AICC) has appealed to the Indian federal government to initiate steps to make online voting in elections feasible for non-resident Indians.

At its sixth annual gathering held recently, the organisation said online voting, as is being efficiently introduced and managed by other countries, would help expatriates vote in their India’s general and provincial elections.
--->>>

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Non-resident Indians criticise voting change

Non-resident Indians criticise voting change:

Community leaders have described as unrealistic India's decision to permit non-resident Indians (NRIs) to vote in national elections, saying it was impractical to travel home to cast a ballot.

Acting on a long-standing demand by NRIs for voting rights, the Indian government said last week it had issued an official notification giving them the right to vote in the country's elections. The move did not include a provision for absentee ballots and any prospective voter would have to be at the polling station in person. --->>>

Swiss say electronic voting working well

GenevaLunch » Swiss say electronic voting working well: "Bern, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Fifteen percent of Swiss citizens authorized to vote electronically took up the option in the 28 November federal, cantonal and communal votes. Electronic voting is gradually becoming more widely available but on a long-term test basis, with 12 cantons now making it available to at least some of their voters. The total number of people who can vote electronically, including several voter abroad, is now 193,236. --->>>

Monday, November 29, 2010

'Vote rigging' mars Egypt election - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

'Vote rigging' mars Egypt election - Middle East - Al Jazeera English: "Slow voting, isolated protests, clashes and claims of vote rigging have marked Egypt's parliamentary election, the result of which is expected to strengthen the ruling National Democratic Party's (NDP) grip on power and further weaken the opposition. --->>>

CBC News - World - Haiti election a 'massive fraud'

CBC News - World - Haiti election a 'massive fraud': "Haiti's immediate future appears unclear after a dozen presidential candidates called for the annulment of Sunday's general election, citing widespread fraud.

Michel Joseph Martelly, Mirlande Manigat, Charles-Henri Baker and Jean Henry Ceant were among the candidates who attended an afternoon news conference to denounce what they called 'this massive fraud.' --->>>

India : Govt. issues notification for NRI voting rights - The Hindu : News / National

The Hindu : News / National : Govt. issues notification for NRI voting rights: "A longstanding wish of millions of NRIs for voting rights in India has come true with the Centre issuing a notification to this effect to enable them to exercise their franchise.

Parliament had in the monsoon session passed the Representation of People (Amendment) Bill, 2010 to allow NRIs to vote in Indian elections and now government has issued a gazette notification in this regard.

“Gazette notification has been issued giving voting rights to Non-Resident Indians,” Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi told the Lok Sabha.

An estimated 11 million NRIs are living in various countries across the world. --->>>

See also: Punjab minister wants email ballot facility for NRI's

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Editorial: Electronic voting should be the goal in New York - Canandaigua, NY - MPNnow

Editorial: Electronic voting should be the goal in New York - Canandaigua, NY - MPNnow:

If billion-dollar banking transactions can be securely processed electronically, why not ballots? It is time for voting systems to catch up with technology, and for online voting through a secure Internet connection. --->>>

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Elections Canada Tests Assistive Voting Device in Winnipeg North By-election

Elections Canada Tests Assistive Voting Device in Winnipeg North By-election:

Having received the approval of Parliament, Elections Canada is piloting an assistive voting device during the federal by-election currently under way in Winnipeg North (Manitoba).

The device allows electors with disabilities to mark their ballots independently and in secrecy. It is especially useful for electors who have visual impairments or limited dexterity. --->>>

Equation: Calculating Ballot Bungles Is All About the P-Value | Magazine

Equation: Calculating Ballot Bungles Is All About the P-Value | Magazine:

Election auditors already calculate the number of errors in any given precinct; the P-value helps them determine whether that error rate means the results are wrong. A low P-value means everything is copacetic: The purported winner is probably the one who indeed got the most votes. If you get a high value? Maybe hold off on those balloon drops. --->>>

Monday, November 15, 2010

Election Trust Migrates Bar Association Off Paper & Online

Election Trust Migrates Bar Association Off Paper & Online:

The Northern Kentucky Bar Association (NKBA) was in the market to move its annual Officers and Board of Directors election from a traditional mail-in paper voting platform to secure internet balloting.

To accomplish this evolution to greener, more efficient governance the NKBA settled on the Third Party Authority balloting management services of Seattle's Election Trust. --->>>

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Modern times, ancient system - Winnipeg Free Press

Modern times, ancient system - Winnipeg Free Press:

A Free Press breakdown of where voters failed to show up to mark their Xs on civic election ballots last week shows interesting, if not surprising, characteristics of voting patterns in the city. The analysis by reporter Mary Agnes Welch is fodder for those who seek to halt the decline of interest in elections among voters. --->>>

Monday, October 25, 2010

Voting Early, but Not So Often - NYTimes.com

Voting Early, but Not So Often - NYTimes.com:

"Early voting offers convenience and additional opportunities to cast a ballot. Common sense tells us that this should mean higher turnout. But a thorough look at the data shows that the opposite is true: early voting depresses turnout by several percentage points."

full article

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Boosting voter turnout a challenge

In 2006, Mayor Hazel McCallion was elected by 91.4 per cent of voters who cast a ballot for the mayoral race.

Or to put it another way: McCallion was elected by just 22 per cent of the 445,964 registered voters in Canada’s sixth-largest city.

The low voter turnout in that race — dramatically lower than Toronto or suburban cities with more dynamic politics, such as Vaughan — reflects the truism that a strong mayoral race is the best way to draw voters to the polls.

“It depends on the nature of the competition,” says Professor Jon Pammett of Carleton University, an expert in voting behavior, pointing to research he has been doing with PhD student Nicole Goodman.


Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Maharashtra still not equipped for e-voting: SEC - Hindustan Times

Maharashtra still not equipped for e-voting: SEC - Hindustan Times:

Election Commissioner Neela Satyanarayan has dubbed e-voting as a distant dream for Maharashtra saying it involves huge technical support and the state was not equipped for it yet. Satyanarayan was speaking to reporters after reviewing the civic poll preparations for the Kalyan-Dombivili Muncipal Corporation elections scheduled for the end of this month. --->>>

Friday, October 15, 2010

No. 1 candidate on ballot gets five-point election edge: Study

No. 1 candidate on ballot gets five-point election edge: Study:

"Researchers found the person listed first on a ballot was 4.8 points likelier to win his or her seat than predicted by chance (the number of winners listed in first position were calculated and compared to the number statistically expected to win in that position)."

--->>>

Online Voting Is Becoming More Common, But Is It Safe? - TIME

Online Voting Is Becoming More Common, But Is It Safe? - TIME:

Will Online Voting Turn Into an Election Day Debacle?
By Alex Altman

A little more than 24 hours after online ballots started pouring into the Washington, D.C., Board of Elections and Ethics in late September, it became apparent that something was amiss. Washington's newly elected U.S. Representative went by the name of Colossus. A villainous computer from science-fiction lore captured the city-council chairmanship. And 15 seconds after voters cast their ballots, they were serenaded by the University of Michigan fight song. The system had been hacked.

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,2025696,00.html#ixzz12SuA3oIK

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Scotland awards vote counting deal to Logica | Kable

Scotland awards vote counting deal to Logica | Kable:

The Scottish government has awarded Logica a contract worth £5.2m for the provision of an e-counting system. The technology firm and its partner Opt2vote will provide electronic counting services for the 2012 Scottish local government elections. --->>>

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Thousands left off voter's list - Woodstock Sentinel Review - Ontario, CA

Thousands left off voter's list - Woodstock Sentinel Review - Ontario, CA:

Local residents are being encouraged to check the voter's list before the upcoming municipal election on Oct. 25 to make sure they are a registered voter.

'It's my advice that they come in and see if they are on the voter's list or call. If they are there, great. If they're not, they need to sign a form,' Woodstock city clerk Louise Gartshore said.

According to Gartshore, about 3,800 people have been left off the enumeration rolls in part due to instructions given to the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC).

Residents who recently purchased property for the first time are among those who will likely not make the voter's list, she said. --->>>

Hacking Into Washington’s Online Voting Experiment - NYTimes.com

Hacking Into Washington’s Online Voting Experiment - NYTimes.com:

Hackers infiltrated the District of Columbia’s online voting system last week. They changed all votes for mayor to Master Control Pro and elected HAL 9000 the council chairman. The blaring University of Michigan fight song played whenever a new ballot was successfully cast. --->>>

One e-vote to cost Gujarat govt Rs 20 lakh - The Times of India

One e-vote to cost Gujarat govt Rs 20 lakh - The Times of India:

Each e-vote that will be cast on Sunday will cost nearly Rs 20 lakh to the state exchequer. The online voting in municipal polls, a first of its kind in the country, has cost the state election commission Rs 34 crore, but proved to be a damp squib. Only around 300 persons registered for it of which only 182 qualified, which makes each vote worth Rs 18.65 lakh. That too, only if all of them decide to exercise their franchise. --->>>

Online vote safe from hackers, city says - Peterborough Examiner - Ontario, CA

Online vote safe from hackers, city says - Peterborough Examiner - Ontario, CA:

Nancy Wright-Laking, also the city clerk, said the online voting system was put to the test, with professional 'hackers' called in to try to penetrate its defences.

'This firm was invited to 'break' the system,' she said. 'They couldn't do it.' --->>>

Only 124 try hand at e-voting in Gujarat Civic polls

Only 124 try hand at e-voting in Gujarat Civic polls:

Among the e-voters in the six municipal corporations that went to polls - the highest e-votes were cast in Surat where 59 voters opted for e-voting followed by 40 in Ahmedabad. Jamnagar and Rajkot saw 10 and 9 people vote through e-voting. --->>>

Friday, October 1, 2010

Alberta troops can't vote in civic election | Canada | News | Toronto Sun

Alberta troops can't vote in civic election | Canada | News | Toronto Sun:

They're supplied with the bullets and rifles to defend democracy, but not the ballots to take part in elections back home.

If anyone should be marking an 'X' on Oct.18, it's the hundreds of Alberta soldiers serving in Afghanistan, risking snipers and bombs to establish democracy for citizens of a former dictatorship.

People in that war-torn country can cast ballots because Canadian soldiers are there to protect their fragile democracy. But somehow, those wearing the Maple Leaf have no such privilege.

Alberta, with two weeks to go before voting day, has failed to offer municipal ballot provisions for soldiers serving around Kandahar and Kabul.

Simply put, Alberta's troops can't vote. --->>>

Internet voting seen as wave of the future

Internet voting seen as wave of the future:

Technology may soon change the face of elections

Essex County residents still trying to get their minds around vote-by-mail may be picking their politicians over the Internet in the next municipal election.

Election results could be made public within minutes of the deadline for voting, and participation rates are expected to be even higher than vote-by-mail.

The Internet may even lure back younger, computer-savvy voters who traditionally shun municipal elections.

"I think Internet voting is the way of the future," says Leamington clerk Brian Sweet. "It's a super idea."

He predicts the Internet will dominate voting at the municipal level in Ontario within a decade.


Read more: http://www.windsorstar.com/news/Internet+voting+seen+wave+future/3600226/story.html#ixzz116kItif2

Friday, September 3, 2010

Blind voter lashes out over mail-in ballots | Canada | News | Toronto Sun

Blind voter lashes out over mail-in ballots | Canada | News | Toronto Sun:

A blind voter has lashed out at politicians who chose mail-in ballots for an Oct. 25 Ontario city's municipal election.

Geof Collis said he is 'appalled' by the decision in Kawartha Lakes, in southeastern Ontario, which he says has 'effectively discriminated against me and others, ensuring that my right to vote is neither private nor independent.

Faced with a mail-in ballot, he say: "How would it be possible to vote if you were blind without help from someone in one form or another?"

He would have preferred the city follow Coboug's suit and allow telephone and internet voting, which would have allowed him to vote from home. --->>>

Should Toronto introduce online voting? - blogTO

Should Toronto introduce online voting?:

Mayoral candidate Rocco Rossi digressed from his much-important 'pool reform' agenda to talk about voter turnout and term limits today.

Rossi vowed to implement phone and Internet voting by the next municipal election to take on voter apathy. --->>>

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Gujarat: Govt to reintroduce compulsory voting Bill - Ahmedabad - City - The Times of India

Govt to reintroduce compulsory voting Bill - Ahmedabad - City - The Times of India:

The state government on Wednesday declared it would reintroduce the compulsory voting Bill, called Gujarat Local Authorities Law (Amendment) Bill, 2009. It was earlier rejected by Gujarat governor Dr Kamala as it violates' Article 19 of the Indian Constitution guaranteeing freedom of speech and expression. --->>>

Bulgaria to Launch Pilot Online Voting: Bulgaria to Launch Pilot Online Voting - Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency

Bulgaria to Launch Pilot Online Voting - Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency:

Amendments to the Election Act will include pilot online voting for the next year's presidential and local elections, the Bulgarian TV channel bTV reported Tuesday.

The pilot project is to involve only several election polls in the country to be decided later by the Central Election Commission (CEK). Those selecting to vote online will receive their own, unique PIN. The system will allow each person to vote on the internet twice in case they make a mistake the first time. --->>>

Electoral system must go to where voters are -- online

Electoral system must go to where voters are -- online:

Letter by G.A. Teske to Edmonton Journal --->>>

Delhi University goes to poll Friday amidst tight security

Delhi University goes to poll Friday amidst tight security:

Fifty-one colleges of both the north and south campuses of Delhi University (DU) will go to polls Friday amidst elaborate security arrangements.

...

Over one lakh students are expected to use 875 electronic voting machines to cast their votes. Around 350 vote totalling machines will be used in the polls.

Established in 1922, Delhi University is a premier varsity of India. It has 14 faculties, 86 academic departments and 79 colleges with over 200,000 students from within and outside the country. --->>>

Online Voting For Military Serving Overseas | Foxnews.com

Online Voting For Military Serving Overseas | Foxnews.com:

What would happen if all of our active duty members of the military serving overseas could vote in local and national elections with the click of a button? --->>>

Lengthy form deters voters from e-voting in Gujarat civic polls - India - DNA

Lengthy form deters voters from e-voting in Gujarat civic polls - India - DNA:

It was chief minister Narendra Modi's pet project, but the final figures for e-voting and online voting registration in the upcoming Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation elections suggest that the citizens have not warmed up to the idea.

Even after the deadline to enroll for e-voting and online voting was extended twice, Amdavadis have given thumbs down to the concept with only 274 people coming forward to register under e-voting (from e-booths) and 88 people opting for online voting (from home). --->>>

See also: Mayor, wife among 3 opt for e-voting

India: Overseas Internet Voting an Option - Gulf Times

Internet voting an option, says Ravi

The Election Commission will explore ways to implement a new law adopted by the parliament this week giving voting rights to non-resident Indians, a senior minister said yesterday.

“We have crossed a milestone by adopting the Representation of People (Amendment) Bill 2010. Now the Election Commission will look into ways to implement it effectively, including Internet voting,” Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said. --->>>

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Board Announces New Timeline for Digital Vote-by-Mail Project for Overseas Voters | Business Wire

Board Announces New Timeline for Digital Vote-by-Mail Project for Overseas Voters | Business Wire:

“Digital Vote-by-Mail” - a software application that will allow overseas voters to receive their blank ballot digitally and, at their option, digitally return their marked ballot using a more secure method than e-mail or fax - will be tested in a mock election environment during the second half of September. --->>>

Gujarat: E-voting? Good idea, but it'll cost the earth! - India - DNA

E-voting? Good idea, but it'll cost the earth! - India - DNA:

Sometimes super ideas, which sound good to the ears, might not be as effective and successful as they seem to be.

Introducing E-voting in local body elections, an ambitious project of the state election commission, has all the possibilities of becoming a white elephant for the government.

--->>>

Gujarat: Why the lukewarm response to e-voting in Gujarat? - India - DNA

Why the lukewarm response to e-voting in Gujarat? - India - DNA:

Analyzing the many reasons for the very poor response to the e-voting registration, despite the deadline for the same being extended twice, sources in the state secretariat said that it is both political and administrative. --->>>

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Australia: GetUp! Wins Court Case

GetUp! Wins Court Case :

Australians will be able to enrol online after the Federal Court ruled in favour of GetUp!'s case against the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). GetUp! had taken the AEC to the court, challenging electoral laws that prevented voters from enrolling online. Previously, the High Court also ruled the Howard government's changes that closed the electoral rolls on the day writs were issued were unconstitutional.

As a result, about 100,000 additional people were entitled to vote last Saturday. --->>>

Military Absentee Voting Pilot Program Downed By Expensive Payout

Military Absentee Voting Pilot Program Downed By Expensive Payout:

Military voters from at least six states will be unable to participate fully in a Defense Department pilot program -- substantially reducing their opportunity to vote in November -- because a private election software company is dragging its feet and demanding exorbitant fees to supply states with their own voting data, some state officials participating in the program tell FoxNews.com. --->>>

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Australia: Long days ahead when every vote counts

Long days ahead when every vote counts:

IN AN era of instant online gratification, it is tempting to ask ''Why are we waiting?'' for the votes to be counted from Saturday's election. ...

... The simple answer is because the Commonwealth Electoral Act requires every House of Representatives vote to be counted manually and allows voters who can't make it to a polling place on election day to cast ''declaration votes''.

According to the Australian Electoral Commission's spokesman, Phil Diak, there have been about 13 million votes cast in this election and roughly 2 million of these are so-called ''declaration'' votes. --->>>

Sunday, August 22, 2010

PR-CANADA.net - Vote iQ Revolutionizes the Way Citizens and Politicians Communicate

sPR-CANADA.net - Vote iQ Revolutionizes the Way Citizens and Politicians Communicate:

Vote iQ, America's first major social networking site built for politics, today announced that it is making its platform available for free to all politicians and groups. Any politician or advocacy group can now set up a free page on Vote iQ, giving them the ability to leverage the amazing power of social media to draw followers and promote their cause. Vote iQ is already free for voters. --->>>

Friday, August 20, 2010

Conduct mock e-voting exercise before actual poll: HC directs govt - Ahmedabad - City - The Times of India

Conduct mock e-voting exercise before actual poll: HC directs govt - Ahmedabad - City - The Times of India:

AHMEDABAD: In connection with introduction of e-voting or online voting system during coming civic body elections, Gujarat High Court has advised the state government to go for a trial mock election before actual election to ensure that the process of online voting is 100 per cent full-proof. --->>>

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Civic polls: e-voting fails to register with voters - Surat - City - The Times of India

Civic polls: e-voting fails to register with voters - Surat - City - The Times of India:

VADODARA/SURAT/ RAJKOT/AHMEDABAD: In just two months, Gujarat will be all set for the nation's first e-voting option in the upcoming civic elections across six municipal corporations in the state. But, ironically the number of voters who would be interested in the process is dismally low.

A cumbersome registration process, low awareness levels of the voting facility and absence of toll free help desk services have been pointed out as the main reason for the low level of interest. --->>>

Swiss abroad from cantons Fribourg, St Gallen and Solothurn to vote electronically from September. - swissinfo

Swiss abroad from cantons Fribourg, St Gallen and Solothurn to vote electronically from September. - swissinfo:

More and more cantons are making it possible for Swiss expatriates to vote electronically. In September, expats registered in St Gallen, Fribourg and Solothurn can do so.

The occasion will be a referendum on changes to Switzerland’s unemployment insurance law.

Several cantons have taken advantage of a change in the law that came into force on January 1, 2008 which obliges cantons to introduce e-voting for Swiss living abroad. --->>>

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Wandsworth Council introduces voter text service (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Wandsworth Council introduces voter text service (From Wandsworth Guardian):

Eligible voters can send the town hall a text message to guarantee themselves a vote in any elections or referenda held next year. --->>>

Alabama expands options for military, overseas voters to comply with new law | montgomeryadvertiser.com | Montgomery Advertiser

Alabama expands options for military, overseas voters to comply with new law | montgomeryadvertiser.com | Montgomery Advertiser:

The state is moving forward with ex­panded voting options for military and over­seas voters to comply with a new federal law.

Secretary of State Beth Chapman an­nounced a contract with Scytl USA that will allow for the electronic transmission of ab­sentee ballots to military and overseas vot­ers. The ballot request and completed bal­lots still have to be sent through the U.S. Postal Service. --->>>

Friday, August 13, 2010

Australia: GetUp! has another court victory

GetUp! has another court victory:

Australians will be able to enrol online in future elections after the activist group GetUp won a landmark case in the Federal Court.

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) was taken to court by GetUp, which challenged electoral laws preventing voters from enrolling online. --->>>

Also see video interview: GetUp! wins again in online vote case
ABC Online: GetUp! wins case for online voter registration

Thursday, August 12, 2010

BOWE BELL + HOWELL Processes Vote by Mail Envelopes With Parascript's Technology

BOWE BELL + HOWELL Processes Vote by Mail Envelopes With Parascript's Technology During... -- BOULDER, Colo., Aug. 12 /PRNewswire/ --:

Parascript, LLC, the image analysis and pattern recognition technology provider, today announced that its signature verification technology was used during the 2010 primary elections to process incoming Vote by Mail (VBM) envelopes in two counties in California. Between the two counties, over 100,000 envelopes were handled on industry-leading Criterion sorting systems from BOWE BELL + HOWELL (BBH) that utilize Parascript's SignatureXpert software for signature verification. This greatly reduced the manual effort required for processing these envelopes.

The vote-by-mail solution from BBH was first used in 2007 and has been used by BBH clients in every election since 2007, including the 2008 presidential election. --->>>

Barcode scanners improve voting convenience in Missouri county - Press Release Distribution - PR Agency

Barcode scanners improve voting convenience in Missouri county | Media-Newswire.com - Press Release Distribution - PR Agency:

In Missouri, a new electronic voting system compromised of laptops and barcode scanners helped make voting during Tuesday’s primary elections easier and more efficient, the Missourian reports. --->>>

Electronic voting a win for disability groups - northumberlandnews.com / indynews.ca

Electronic voting a win for disability groups:

Disability groups are praising the lack of barriers in this year's all-electronic election.

'Committees across the province have been watching this very closely,' said Don Ubell, past chairman of the Cobourg Access Committee, of electronic voting.

'What it means for the handicapped community is that you solved the blind problem, you solved the problem that I couldn't get in to the polling station, you've solved all those barriers.'

Mr. Ubell was addressing Stephen Beamish, vice-president of Intelivote Systems Inc, during a presentation on electronic voting in the Cobourg council chambers on Monday, Aug. 9. Intelivote provided electronic voting capabilities for the town in 2006, which were offered along with a paper ballot option, and will once again be offering their services for the upcoming municipal election, which will offer only electronic voting via internet or telephone. --->>>

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Press Release: Crowdsourcing company hosts 2010 Australian Election on Facebook

Press Release: Crowdsourcing company hosts 2010 Australian Election on Facebook: "Design crowdsourcing company DesignCrowd have just launched The Australian Election 2010 on Facebook - a crowdsourcing application on Facebook that allows people to nominate and vote any Australian as Australia's 'Honorary Prime Minister on Facebook'. --->>>

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Independent Party sees few voters cast ballots in Oregon primary | statesmanjournal.com | Statesman Journal

Independent Party sees few voters cast ballots in Oregon primary | statesmanjournal.com | Statesman Journal:
The results are in from Oregon’s first online primary election: Fewer than 2,300 of the 57,000 members of the Independent Party voted. That’s turnout of 4 percent, far less than the two major parties get in their primaries.
Independent Party leaders said Friday that’s also far more people than usually participate in conventions for other minor parties. --->>>

Also see:
Oregon Independent Party Releases Results of its Private Primary
Independent Party primary offered interesting look at online elections

PR-USA.net - NLRB Sets Date for Biggest Union Election in 70 Years

PR-USA.net - NLRB Sets Date for Biggest Union Election in 70 Years:

The National Labor Relations Board has scheduled a government-protected mail ballot election beginning Sept. 13 for nearly 44,000 Kaiser Permanente workers to join the National Union of Healthcare Workers and kick out the incumbent union SEIU. --->>>

Friday, July 30, 2010

Gujarat | E-Voters registration begins from 2nd August in Gujarat

Gujarat | DeshGujarat.Com » Archives » E-Voters registration begins from 2nd August in Gujarat

"Arrangements are already made at Civic-Centres so that the voter may give his application for E-Voting options. Municipal Commissioners are instructed to make wide publicity of E-Voting option, which is being explored for the first time in India. State Election Commission has appealed voters to seek the benefit of On-Line Voting Facility." --->>>

The Philippines’ e-election miracle | Articles | FutureGov - Transforming Government | Education | Healthcare

The Philippines’ e-election miracle | Articles | FutureGov - Transforming Government | Education | Healthcare

The critics said the whole thing was a disaster waiting to happen. But once the dust had settled on May 11th 2010, observers were hailing the Philippines’ first e-election as a ‘miracle’.

The doomsayers were very nearly right. Just six days before the first automated election in Filipino history, the Commission on Elections (COMLEC) had to recall 76,000 compact flash cards from every precinct count optical scan (PCOS) voting machine that was to be used on election day. --->>>

Nigeria 2011: Jega rules out electronic voting

2011: Jega rules out electronic voting

Chairman Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, has ruled out the use of electronic voting machine during the 2011 general election. --->>>

Gujurat: TCS chosen for experimental' e-voting - Ahmedabad - City - The Times of India

TCS chosen for experimental' e-voting - Ahmedabad - City - The Times of India

The State Election Commission (SEC) has selected Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) as total service provider for online or e-voting in Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) elections in October this year. The experiment will continue in five other municipal corporations Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Bhavnagar and Jamnagar late in 2010. --->>>

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

e-Voting and e-Democracy Links



e-Voting and e-Democracy Links
canivote.org A nonpartisan web site created by US state election officials to help eligible voters figure out how and where to go vote.
Competence Center for Electronic Voting and Participation (E-Voting.CC) International organization promoting use of e-voting technology.
Delib A digital democracy company helping organisations use the internet to connect people with decision-making.
Everyone Counts Secure Internet and Telephone Voting and Election Management Solutions
Intelivote Secure Internet and Telephone Voting and Election Management Solutions

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

PDA, Internet voting raises legal questions in California

PDA, Internet voting raises legal questions in California

A San Diego-based company poised to become the primary vendor for providing Internet and PDA voting capabilities to troops overseas is also seeking to provide the software for California voters. --->>>

Monday, July 26, 2010

Large mailout of vote by mail ballots

CityNews Ohio - Shaker Heights, OH : Mon Jul 26 2010 08:32:03 GMT-0300 (Atlantic Daylight Time)

The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections is conducting a county-wide mailing of 691,970 Vote by Mail ballot applications for the September 7th Primary Election. The mailing marks the debut of a new ballot application that is designed to make it easier for voters to complete the required information needed to receive a ballot. The application includes a return, postage-paid envelope. The mailing will begin on July 21st. --->>>

NUHW wins agreement for workers' right to vote by mail

NUHW wins agreement for workers' right to vote by mail

On a conference call held Wednesday by the National Labor Relations Board, the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW) won an agreement that ensures workers' right to vote by mail in the privacy of their homes, in a government-protected election to join NUHW.

Until Wednesday's call, the embattled incumbent union SEIU had insisted that all employees should be forced to vote in the workplace, where Kaiser managers and SEIU staff have exclusive access and have worked to prevent voters from hearing both sides. --->>>

Friday, July 23, 2010

California: The New Phenomenon of Voting By Mail | The Rose Report

The New Phenomenon of Voting By Mail | The Rose Report

There is no question but that Californians like to vote by mail, making their decisions leisurely over the kitchen table rather than in a polling booth. ... --->>>

The need to rebuild identity integrity and democratic accountability - When IT Meets Politics

The need to rebuild identity integrity and democratic accountability - When IT Meets Politics
A blog about UK politics and the information society


"I have just read the report of the Association of Electoral Administrators on the future of electoral administration in the UK. We may be about to have a long overdue referendum on the choice between "first past the post" and casting our votes in order of preference (the alternative vote). But it is far more important to cleanse the UK election system, from the initial register to the processes for exposing and prosecuting malpractice and fraud (as in the stealing of local government elections). " --->>>

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Voting reform question for May referendum unveiled | Politics | The Guardian

Voting reform question for May referendum unveiled | Politics | The Guardian

The parliamentary voting system and constituencies bill published today revealed voters will be asked: "Do you want the United Kingdom to adopt the 'alternative vote' system instead of the current 'first past the post' system for electing members of parliament to the House of Commons?" --->>>

Gujarat: VMC zeroes in on 4 wards for online voting - Vadodara - City - The Times of India

VMC zeroes in on 4 wards for online voting - Vadodara - City - The Times of India

Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has finalised four election wards in the city to introduce the proposed e-voting on an experimental basis. Those wishing to vote on the internet in these wards will be able to do so after getting themselves registered for the process.

The move by the civic body follows a plan by the state government to introduce voting over internet in the civic body polls. --->>>

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Capita and Opt2Vote partner to provide NHS trust membership management system

Capita and Opt2Vote partner to provide NHS trust membership management system

Capita Membership Services is partnering with Opt2Vote to provide a membership management system for NHS foundation trusts to engage with the public, staff and patients — a statutory requirement of foundation trusts.

The specially tailored system will give NHS trusts access to a greater choice of services and will facilitate the open and fair election of trust governors. --->>>

Monday, July 19, 2010

State to opt for e-voting, News - City - Mumbai Mirror

State to opt for e-voting, News - City - Mumbai Mirror

In its bid to increase voting percentage in Maharashtra, the State Election Commission (EC) is preparing to introduce e-voting.

The existing practice apart, this option will allow citizens to cast their votes through Internet or a cellphone. Currently, Gujarat is the only state in the country which is in the process of implementing e-voting. --->>>

Friday, July 16, 2010

Mediacaster Magazine - Broadband & Content - Toronto Gets New Voice as Social Media Integration Website Launches

Mediacaster Magazine - Broadband & Content - Toronto Gets New Voice as Social Media Integration Website Launches

The current focus of VO4TO is to help Torontonians gain further insight about the upcoming municipal elections by linking opinion to the opinions of the candidates that are regularly posted on their respective social media channels. The team believes that such an initiative will help create further awareness about core election issues and help in influencing a higher voter turnout on election-day. --->>>

Voting: Is Your Ballot Really Secret? - TIME NewsFeed

Voting: Is Your Ballot Really Secret? - TIME NewsFeed

An investigation by the Associated Press found that if you live in New Mexico and a few other states, your election data could be compromised.

Ballot secrecy is a central principle of American democracy, and yet, according to the report, gerrymandering and political campaigning have compromised this for hundreds of voters. --->>>

MinnPost - D.C. Dispatches: GOP demands probe of alleged voter fraud in Franken-Coleman election

MinnPost - D.C. Dispatches: GOP demands probe of alleged voter fraud in Franken-Coleman election

A top House Republican is wading into the emerging controversy over voting fraud in the 2008 Minnesota Senate election, as Republicans on the state level called for investigations into voter fraud. --->>>

Australian Election in the works - ABC

FACTBOX-How an Australian election works | Reuters

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard is likely to call an election on Saturday for August 28, public broadcaster ABC reported on Friday, quoting sources from the ruling Labor party. --->>>

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Rival unions trade charges on election to represent 45,000 Kaiser workers - San Francisco Business Times

Rival unions trade charges on election to represent 45,000 Kaiser workers - San Francisco Business Times

Two unions battling to represent 45,000 Kaiser Permanente workers statewide traded barbs Wednesday, the latest twist in a long-running feud with no end in sight. --->>>

Federal government overturns Manitoba First Nation's election

Federal government overturns Manitoba First Nation's election

The federal government has overturned election results for Lake St. Martin First Nation, north of Winnipeg, for the second time in five years.

The election was held Sept. 10, 2009, and, after an appeal and independent investigation, the federal cabinet ordered the election's results overturned June 3, citing violations of Indian band election regulations.

"The chief and the six councillors were advised on June 7," said Indian and Northern Affairs Canada spokeswoman Margot Geduld. "This is after careful examination and an independent investigation. This decision isn't taken lightly."

Geduld said the violations included failing to maintain control of the ballot process, opening mail-in ballots and depositing them into the ballot box, failing to maintain adequate records of mail-in ballots and allowing individual electors to vote more than once. --->>>

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Greater access to voting, democracy needed for coastal communities | Wawatay Online

Greater access to voting, democracy needed for coastal communities | Wawatay Online

Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus is calling for remedies to what he calls "voting problems" in the coastal communities of northern Ontario.

While the date of the next election remains unknown, Angus said now is the time to get prepared so First Nations members can take part in their democratic right to vote.

Angus has written to Canada's Chief Electoral Officer Marc Mayrand, to extend advance polling opportunities for James Bay communities. --->>>

Registrar of Voters to purchase $650K in equipment to speed up ballot counts :: The Valley News

Registrar of Voters to purchase $650K in equipment to speed up ballot counts :: The Valley News

Riverside County supervisors today authorized the purchase of roughly $650,000 in equipment to speed up election ballot counts and stressed the need for better communication and protocols in the Registrar of Voters' Office to prevent a repeat of the problems that cropped up during the June 8 primary. --->>>

See also:
Funds OK'd to fix election mishap;
County supervisors approve election report, keep registrar

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Elections Saskatchewan remains in limbo

Elections Saskatchewan remains in limbo

Uncertainty and frustration are mounting within Elections Saskatchewan as the organization remains in limbo with the next provincial election less than a year and a half away. --->>>

Online Voting Company Scytl Raises $9.2 Million

peHUB » Online Voting Company Scytl Raises $9.2 Million

Scytl, a Barcelona-based provider of Internet voting technology, has raised $9.2 million in new VC funding. Balderton Capital led the round, and was joined by return backer Nauta Capital. --->>>

See also:
Balderton Leads $9.2M Financing In Tech Voting Company Scytl - Wall Street Journal
Digital Democracy: Scytl, MySociety Secure Funding (includes video)

Monday, July 12, 2010

AFP: Old style ballot box facing electronic poll threat

AFP: Old style ballot box facing electronic poll threat

They held elections within days of each other: The Philippines, a lively democracy where politicians get shot dead in the street and Britain, the rock solid 'mother of all parliaments'.

But the Asian state's quick-fire digital vote made the European nation look more like a grandmother as its citizens stuck to the old style of dropping bits of paper in battered old boxes. --->>>

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Ballot papers back for T-byelections - Hyderabad - City - The Times of India

Ballot papers back for T-byelections - Hyderabad - City - The Times of India:

HYDERABAD: The Election Commission has decided to use ballot papers for the coming bypolls in the state instead of electronic voting machines since the number of candidates in 10 out of 12 constituencies exceeds 70. Nizamabad urban is the only constituency where EVMs will be used.

According to officials of the Election Commission, each EVM can have names of 16 candidates and it cannot install more than four units per constituency. This means that the EVMs cannot be used if the number of candidates was more than 64. --->>>

Friday, July 9, 2010

Instant Runoff Voting Is Under Review - WSJ.com

Instant Runoff Voting Is Under Review - WSJ.com:

The Charter Revision Commission, the panel appointed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg to consider changes to the city constitution, plans to take a serious look at a proposal that would eliminate the need for voters to make a second trip to the polls for runoff elections.

The proposal, known as instant runoff voting, would allow voters to rank candidates in order of preference. If a candidate fails to reach 40%, the threshold in New York City for winning a party's nomination in citywide races, the ballots would be counted again, with voters' rankings used to simulate a runoff.

Supporters say the proposal would increase voter participation and save taxpayers millions of dollars. --->>>

B.C. to implement new municipal election rules - The Globe and Mail

B.C. to implement new municipal election rules - The Globe and Mail: "The B.C. government says it will implement all 31 recommendations of a task force on municipal election rules, including setting expense limits on campaigns and increasing council terms from three years to four.

Community and Rural Development Minister Ben Stewart says the government will introduce legislation next Spring so the changes can be in place for municipal elections in November of 2011. --->>>

OPB News · Voting Kicks Off In Independent Party's Online Primary

OPB News · Voting Kicks Off In Independent Party's Online Primary:

Voting gets underway Thursday in Oregon's first-ever internet primary. The statewide contest is only open to registered members of the Independent Party. Chris Lehman reports.

Each of the roughly 55,000 members of the Independent Party will receive a unique code to enter at a secure online voting site. --->>>

See also: Independents begin online vote Thursday

Notices to govt, SEC on e-voting - Ahmedabad - City - The Times of India

Notices to govt, SEC on e-voting - Ahmedabad - City - The Times of India:

AHMEDABAD: The future of e-voting or online voting system, to be introduced during coming AMC elections, appears to hang in balance with Congress leaders challenging the process in Gujarat High Court claiming the system will violate the fundamental rights of a citizen. --->>>

See also: Congmen press delete over online voting plan

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

CBC News - Calgary - Mail-in ballots reinstated for Calgary vote

CBC News - Calgary - Mail-in ballots reinstated for Calgary vote

Calgarians can again vote via mail-in ballots which now require proof of ID after irregularities were found in the 2004 municipal election. --->>>

Epoch Times - Mexican Vote Quiet Against Backdrop of Unprecedented Violence

Epoch Times - Mexican Vote Quiet Against Backdrop of Unprecedented Violence

Mexico’s Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) emerged largely victorious winning 9 out 12 governor seats in regional elections on Sunday, according to Mexican newspaper, El Universel.

However, fear of drug violence kept voter turnout low in some areas across the country according to the Christian Science Monitor.

Some candidates came to vote wearing bullet proof vests according to the report. --->>>

Bogus voters: Election Commission of India team to visit Gujarat - dnaindia.com

Bogus voters: Election Commission of India team to visit Gujarat - dnaindia.com

Ahmedabad: The Election Commission of India (ECI) seems to have taken a serious note of the reports brought out by Gujarat Congress alleging that Gujarat's electoral list has over 30 lakh fake voters.

A five-member team of ECI is likely to visit the state in the next fortnight to meet senior government officials, including chief secretary AK Joti, to seek investigation into the loopholes pointed out by Congress, and rectify the rolls before the nagarpalika and corporation polls in October this year. --->>>

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Referendum on voting reform will be held in May - UK Politics, UK - The Independent

Referendum on voting reform will be held in May - UK Politics, UK - The Independent

Referendum on voting reform will be held in May

A referendum on whether to change Britain's first-past-the-post electoral system will be held next May, Nick Clegg will announce next week.

The Liberal Democrats secured the promise of an historic public vote as part of their coalition agreement with the Conservatives when the May election resulted in a hung parliament.

Since then, the two parties have been negotiating the timing of the referendum. Mr Clegg has been pressing for an early vote next May to coincide with elections to the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and English councils. --->>>

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Large-Scale Irregularities in Guj Electoral Rolls: news.outlookindia.com

news.outlookindia.com | Large-Scale Irregularities in Guj Electoral Rolls: Cong

The Gujarat Congress today alleged large-scale irregularities in the electoral rolls prepared by the State Election Commission (SEC).

As many as 25 lakh "bogus" voters have found their way in the electoral rolls, party leaders said here.

--->>>

See also: Gujarat voters list full of bogus voters

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Legal Aid Foundation Files Comments Opposing NLRB “Electronic Voting” Scheme for Union Organizing Drives | National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation

Legal Aid Foundation Files Comments Opposing NLRB “Electronic Voting” Scheme for Union Organizing Drives | National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation

The National Right to Work Foundation, a charitable organization that provides free legal aid to employees across the country, has submitted comments to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) opposing any attempt to implement “electronic voting” in union organizing drives. --->>>

Electronic Signatures Come of Age: From Elections to Commerce and Beyond : Info Law Group

Electronic Signatures Come of Age: From Elections to Commerce and Beyond : Info Law Group

Yesterday, the Utah Supreme Court, interpreting Utah's version of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA) held that electronic "signatures" gathered through the website of an independent candidate for Utah state governor are valid to put the candidate's name on Utah's November ballot. Court's Opinion. The court's decision is a huge step forward in recognizing the legal efficacy of electronic signatures that may reverberate around the nation. --->>>

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

D.C. launches test of open-source online voting

D.C. Wire - D.C. launches test of open-source online voting

According to Rob Pegoraro at the Faster Forward blog, the District "will let overseas voters cast ballots online using open-source, standards-based software, not the closed, proprietary mechanisms that have dominated electronic voting throughout its troubled history in the United States."

A Palo Alto, Calif., developer of election software, Open Source Digital Voting Foundation, will provide the new system. According to company representatives, starting with September's primary election, D.C. residents serving overseas and others far out of town won't have to choose between voting by mailed-in paper ballot or a faxed or e-mailed ballot. --->>>

Monday, June 21, 2010

Electoral Events Calendars

Wikipedia National electoral calendar 2011

Wikipedia Local electoral calendar 2011

Bahamas: Possibility of electronic voting in 2012

The Nassau Guardian Online Guide

Possibility of electronic voting in 2012

The Parliamentary Registration Department is looking at the possibility of electronic voting for the 2012 general election.

Yesterday Parliamentary Commissioner Errol Bethel said discussions in that regard are at a preliminary stage, but electronic voting is definitely a recommendation he could make. --->>>

UK: Calls for online voting to end discrimination against disabled - politics.co.uk

Calls for online voting to end discrimination against disabled - politics.co.uk

A charity is urging the government to introduce online voting after disabled people experienced difficulties casting their ballot at the recent general election.

Disability charity Scope described reform of the voting system as "critical" to ensure disabled people are able to exercise their electoral rights. --->>>

See also:

BBC: Polling stations 'fail disabled' through lack of access

Independent: Polling stations are 'failing disabled voters'

The Scotsman: Disabled access to polling stations criticised

Australia: NSW to adopt e-voting - i-vote, government, e-voting, election - Computerworld

NSW to adopt e-voting - i-vote, government, e-voting, election - Computerworld

The NSW Electoral Commission (NSWEC) is to implement an electronic voting system, iVote, for the next State Government election due in early 2010.

iVote will allow blind, vision impaired, and disabled voters, as well as those living in remote areas, to cast a secret and unassisted vote from home and other locations using an interactive voice recognition-based phone number or an Internet-enabled PC. --->>>

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Don't blame voting machines - The Post and Courier - Charleston SC - postandcourier.com

The Post and Courier - Don't blame voting machines - Charleston SC - postandcourier.com

South Carolina Democrats who nominated a candidate for a U.S. Senate seat knowing almost nothing about him -- for example, that he faces a felony obscenity charge -- deserve the national ridicule that his primary victory has invited.

But South Carolina citizens do not deserve to be misled by those who would overturn this odd election by discrediting the state's electronic voting system with anecdotal information and unrelated data.

--->>>

Friday, June 18, 2010

The Associated Press: Vote system that elected NY Hispanic could expand

The Associated Press: Vote system that elected NY Hispanic could expand

The court-ordered election that allowed residents of one New York town to flip the lever six times for one candidate — and produced a Hispanic winner — could expand to other towns where minorities complain their voices aren't being heard. --->>>

E-voting: Seven IT majors vie to provide online solution

E-voting: Seven IT majors vie to provide online solution

As many as seven IT companies, national as well as multinational, have participated in the bid to provide total solution for online voting in October 2010 municipal elections in the state. The bidders include Microsoft, IBM, TCS, Wipro, CMC, HCL and ILNFS. The tenders will be opened on June 22. --->>>

Was E-Voting Technology to Blame in S.C.? - Newsweek

Was E-Voting Technology to Blame in S.C.? - Newsweek

Theories of how Alvin Greene won South Carolina’s Democratic Senate primary include fraud and fortunate ballot placement. Here’s a new one: pushy technology.

The Palmetto State uses machines that prompt voters with a red-lettered warning if they pass on any particular contest. On paper, at least, Americans tend to abstain from races with candidates they’ve never heard of; fewer votes get cast farther down the ballot—a pattern called “roll-off.” The Greene race came after the one for education superintendent, but the roll-off was just 10 percent—low, say political analysts, for a race in which the better-known candidate had a 4 percent favorable rating. So voters who were “techno--cajoled” into reconsidering the Greene race might have voted for him just to finish the process, and because he was first on the ballot, helping explain his 18-point margin of victory.

With a quarter of the U.S. voting digitally, the prompt effect has likely happened before—and will again. It just took the prominence of a U.S. Senate contest to get our attention.

Riverside County, CA: Want to know if your vote was counted? Check website | mydesert.com | The Desert Sun

Want to know if your vote was counted? Check website | mydesert.com | The Desert Sun

Because of a yet-to-be explained glitch, more than 12,000 vote-by-mail ballots in Riverside County will not be counted because they were held at a post office until after the close of polls. --->>>

Union e-vote exploration sets off card-check, business - TheHill.com

Union e-vote exploration sets off card-check, business - TheHill.com

Business groups are criticizing the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for exploring electronic union balloting, charging that workers would be subject to the same kind of intimidation as if card-check legislation were approved.

At issue is a “request for information” released by NLRB that asks federal contractors how they would administer a union electronic voting system. The notice asks contractors to provide information on how they would implement a system, such as how much it would cost. --->>>

State Party in S. Carolina Rejects Bid for New Vote - NYTimes.com

State Party in S. Carolina Rejects Bid for New Vote - NYTimes.com

In this age of candidate Twitter accounts and robocalls, the surprising victory in a South Carolina Democratic primary by Alvin M. Greene, 32, an unknown candidate without so much as a Web site, harks back to another era.

But the state’s Democrats rejected a request by Mr. Greene’s opponent for the Senate nomination, Vic Rawl, to turn back the clock in another way. Though members of the executive committee of the state’s Democratic Party called the election “flawed,” they voted overwhelmingly Thursday to reject Mr. Rawl’s request for a new primary. --->>>

Can Anyone Explain How Alvin Greene Actually Won? - Newsweek

Can Anyone Explain How Alvin Greene Actually Won? - Newsweek

Academics call it “low-information voting”: the psychology of what goes through our heads when confronted with a ballot full of names or issues we know very little about. Long established in political-science circles, the topic is newly relevant with the surprise election last week of Democrat Alvin Greene in the South Carolina Senate primary. It was a baffling 18-point victory for an unknown, unemployed, inarticulate Army veteran who gave no speeches, distributed no literature, and won no endorsements in a noncampaign against experienced pol Victor Rawl. How did it happen? How did 59 percent of 169,542 South Carolinians decide to cast a vote for a man they’d never heard of? --->>>

Gujarat ready to click, take first step in e-voting

Gujarat ready to click, take first step in e-voting

In November this year, when Gujarat holds municipal polls, the country will have its first brush with online voting. So the State Election Commission is working overtime, thinking of scenarios, countering threats, both cyber and logistic, to take the first step towards the next big step — from EVMs to e-voting. --->>>

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Voters Are Entitled To Know Their Votes Are Properly Counted, Says ACLU In Letter To South Carolina State Election Commission | Canada Views

Voters Are Entitled To Know Their Votes Are Properly Counted, Says ACLU In Letter To South Carolina State Election Commission | Canada Views

The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of South Carolina sent a letter today to the South Carolina State Election Commission asking the commission to require South Carolina counties to copy or preserve the flash memory cards from voting machines used in the June 8 South Carolina primary elections for the U.S. Senate so that the information on the cards can be audited. --->>>

Senators call for digital policy minister | Canada | News | Toronto Sun

Senators call for digital policy minister | Canada | News | Toronto Sun

Senators are calling on the federal government to create a minister of digital policy to spend billions of dollars expanding broadband access and create digital identification for every Canadian.

The Senate’s report, Plan for A Digital Canada, began as an investigation into the wireless industry but ended up with a call to roll out a digital development plan for the whole country.

... The report also calls on Elections Canada to swiftly start testing e-registration and e-voting technology, and for the feds to seriously look into building a digital ID system so Canada could “have a viable, comprehensive and secure digital society.” --->>>

See also: Canada must open internet networks: Senate [CBC]

Napa Valley, CA: 13,000 ballots still uncounted | St. Helena Star

13,000 ballots still uncounted | St. Helena Star

The Napa County elections office is still counting about 13,600 ballots — or 42 percent of the votes cast in last Tuesday’s election — and is not expected to release official results until June 24, Napa County Registrar of Voters John Tuteur reports.

The remaining ballots come from a surge in last-minute votes last week, nearly all of which are from vote-by-mail voters who waited to drop off their ballots in-person, Tuteur said. --->>>

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

South Carolina: Did Voting Machines Play a Role in Alvin Greene's Win? - Politics - The Atlantic

Did Voting Machines Play a Role in Alvin Greene's Win? - Politics - The Atlantic

It's an explanation that's been proposed by some: that South Carolina's electronic touch-screen voting machines had something to do with Alvin Greene's victory in the state's Democratic Senate primary. --->>>

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Thousands of mailed ballots too late to be counted in California - Sacramento Politics - California Politics | Sacramento Bee

Thousands of mailed ballots too late to be counted in California - Sacramento Politics - California Politics | Sacramento Bee

As the number of people voting by mail balloons in California, another trend is growing, too: Thousands of California ballots went uncounted in last Tuesday's election because they arrived too late – after polls closed at 8 p.m.

National Labor Relations Board Explores Electronic Voting - WSJ.com

National Labor Relations Board Explores Electronic Voting - WSJ.com

The National Labor Relations Board is exploring electronic-voting methods for unionization elections, which employer advocates fear could be used to circumvent the current secret-ballot process and favor unions.

On Thursday, the NLRB put out a request for information to contractors who can provide "secure electronic voting systems" for remote and on-site elections. The board also asked for information about safeguards to ensure "that votes cast remotely were free from distractions or other interferences, including undue intimidation or coercion."

--->>>

Monday, June 14, 2010

Bill Kelleher on Internet Voting

Bill Kelleher on Internet Voting

Bill Kelleher, Ph.D., discusses the value of, and the path towards, Internet voting, in this remotely-recorded video interview from La Canada, California, on June 13, 2010. Read excerpts from his book at: http://ssrn.com/author=1053589. e-mail him at: internetvoting@gmail.com.

--->>>

South Carolina Democratic Primary (US Senate) - Dirty Politics or eVoting fiasco?

South Carolina Democratic Primary (US Senate) - Dirty Politics or eVoting fiasco?

The fiasco verison:
by Brad Blog

The dirty politics version:
S.C Strikes Again
by Gail Collins, NY Times

Everyone Counts | San Diego Business Journal

Everyone Counts | San Diego Business Journal

Everyone Counts: Firm Provides Secure Systems for Telephone, Computer and PDA Voting --->>>


Thursday, June 10, 2010

Chief electoral officer says voters should be able to register online - Winnipeg Free Press

Chief electoral officer says voters should be able to register online - Winnipeg Free Press

OTTAWA - The chief electoral officer says voters should be able to register online.

Marc Mayrand says allowing people to register or to update information online would be especially attractive to younger voters.

This is one of 55 recommendations Mayrand makes in a report on lessons learned in the wake of the last election.

Most of the changes are minor tweaks to the wording of the Elections Act or proposals to streamline campaign finance rules.

Mayrand does recommend, though, that his people at Elections Canada be banned from striking.

He says he and his staff have to be ready for an election at any time and elections can't be held hostage by a strike.

Report at: http://www.elections.ca/content.asp?section=gen&dir=rep/re2/r40&document=index&lang=e&textonly=false

Opinion Former Briefing: Electoral Reform - politics.co.uk

Opinion Former Briefing: Electoral Reform - politics.co.uk

A large majority of voters would back a move to proportional representation (PR) a poll revealed earlier today.

The poll, commissioned from ComRes by the Independent shows that 78% of voters believe the current electoral system should be replaced by a "system that reflects more accurately the proportion of votes cast for each party". --->>>

Calif. voters overhaul primary election system: The Associated Press

The Associated Press: Calif. voters overhaul primary election system

The passage of Proposition 14 on Tuesday gave the nation's most populous state an open primary in which voters can cast ballots for any candidate. --->>>