QUOTE
Beaver resident pleads case for hand-counting of ballots
By Anna Mathews, Carroll County News
Thursday, April 13, 2006 12:45 PM CDT
BERRYVILLE - “The future of this nation is why I'm here. We can't allow a third national election to be stolen.”
Those were the words of Ron Horton who met with the Carroll County Election Commission last Thursday to request paper ballots and hand-counting procedures.
Horton, a Beaver resident and member of the Progressive Democratic Party of Northwest Arkansas, claims new touch-screen voting machines are vulnerable to hackers with a moderate knowledge of computers.
He said the machine's internal modem can be manipulated by computers located inside or outside the precinct.
He also noted his concerns regarding two companies that produce the machines, Diabold and Election Systems & Software, saying they have close ties to top Republican leaders - and suggested there is a conspiracy to steal the national election with use of the machines.
On behalf of the Progressive Party, Horton requested the commission double check votes with a hand count and delay the implementation of new touchscreens.
He asked the commissioners to carefully examine wording in the federal mandate requiring touchscreens.
“Does the mandate say the machines have to be plugged in,” he asked. “What would happen if you didn't follow the mandate?”
Election Commissioner Levi Phillips said it was unlikely the commission would go back to hand counting ballots.
The commission would continue to use the optical scanning machine to count paper ballots, he said, because of the amount of time it takes to hand count.
Horton said he was aware of a problem in a past race, in which the scanning machine incorrectly tabulated a justice of the peace race.
In that instance, Rocky Whitely failed to receive any votes in his precinct, not even his own, because of a programming misalignment. The error was discovered and the commission hand-counted ballots to make the correction.
With Phillips reluctant to hand count races, Horton asked if the commission would “at least” hand count the national races.
“Let's wait and see,” Phillips responded.
As for the use of touch screen machines, Phillips said, “I was happy with the system we had. I'm not going to go against the federal mandate and state election board. My feeling is to give the voters the option and meet federal guidelines. Will people use the machines? I don't know.
“I think with the primary there are going to be problems and it may affect the November election. We'll have enough ballots for everyone to vote paper.”
Horton also asked if signs could be placed on the voting machines to relay concerns to the voting public.
Phillips said that wasn't possible, but did say people could stand with signs outside precincts, as long as they were 100 feet away from the primary entrance.
As for poll watching, Phillips said anyone can be a poll watcher. They need to check in first the day of the election.
“You can observe the process,” he explained. “You can stand inside, but don't discuss or wear pins.”
Phillips said the commission is always needing volunteers for poll worker duties and suggested Horton consider that option.
Horton said he would, and asked the commissioners to research the use of touch screen voting machines.
“Please spend some time researching these machines,” Horton requested. “We need fair elections that are incorruptible.”
By Anna Mathews, Carroll County News
Thursday, April 13, 2006 12:45 PM CDT
BERRYVILLE - “The future of this nation is why I'm here. We can't allow a third national election to be stolen.”
Those were the words of Ron Horton who met with the Carroll County Election Commission last Thursday to request paper ballots and hand-counting procedures.
Horton, a Beaver resident and member of the Progressive Democratic Party of Northwest Arkansas, claims new touch-screen voting machines are vulnerable to hackers with a moderate knowledge of computers.
He said the machine's internal modem can be manipulated by computers located inside or outside the precinct.
He also noted his concerns regarding two companies that produce the machines, Diabold and Election Systems & Software, saying they have close ties to top Republican leaders - and suggested there is a conspiracy to steal the national election with use of the machines.
On behalf of the Progressive Party, Horton requested the commission double check votes with a hand count and delay the implementation of new touchscreens.
He asked the commissioners to carefully examine wording in the federal mandate requiring touchscreens.
“Does the mandate say the machines have to be plugged in,” he asked. “What would happen if you didn't follow the mandate?”
Election Commissioner Levi Phillips said it was unlikely the commission would go back to hand counting ballots.
The commission would continue to use the optical scanning machine to count paper ballots, he said, because of the amount of time it takes to hand count.
Horton said he was aware of a problem in a past race, in which the scanning machine incorrectly tabulated a justice of the peace race.
In that instance, Rocky Whitely failed to receive any votes in his precinct, not even his own, because of a programming misalignment. The error was discovered and the commission hand-counted ballots to make the correction.
With Phillips reluctant to hand count races, Horton asked if the commission would “at least” hand count the national races.
“Let's wait and see,” Phillips responded.
As for the use of touch screen machines, Phillips said, “I was happy with the system we had. I'm not going to go against the federal mandate and state election board. My feeling is to give the voters the option and meet federal guidelines. Will people use the machines? I don't know.
“I think with the primary there are going to be problems and it may affect the November election. We'll have enough ballots for everyone to vote paper.”
Horton also asked if signs could be placed on the voting machines to relay concerns to the voting public.
Phillips said that wasn't possible, but did say people could stand with signs outside precincts, as long as they were 100 feet away from the primary entrance.
As for poll watching, Phillips said anyone can be a poll watcher. They need to check in first the day of the election.
“You can observe the process,” he explained. “You can stand inside, but don't discuss or wear pins.”
Phillips said the commission is always needing volunteers for poll worker duties and suggested Horton consider that option.
Horton said he would, and asked the commissioners to research the use of touch screen voting machines.
“Please spend some time researching these machines,” Horton requested. “We need fair elections that are incorruptible.”
