Daily Voting News For March 5, 2007

There are many good provisions in the new election reform bill (HR 811 introduced by Congressman Rush Holt D-NJ), called the “Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2007.” There is significant momentum in the U.S. House to pass the bill as written; and it is on a "fast-track".

BUT, the bill allows the continued use of electronic "ballots" -- invisible data on a computer -- as the ballots of record. Democracy demands that voters can know the selections on their own ballots. This means all ballots must be cast on paper and only paper – no electronic ballots, which keep the ballot secret from the voter.

The members must hear from us - NOW - that the bill urgently needs an amendment to ban electronic ballots. We are not seeking to "kill" the bill, but to gain support for an amendment banning electronic ballots and the use of Direct Record Electronic (DRE) voting machines, which create them. We believe we have a chance!

Here's what you can do: Go to VotersUnite .Org and take part in the action to ask Congress to support an amendment to ban DRE voting machines....

• NAtional: Conyers, Emanuel, Holt, Becerra, Honda, Ellison Fight to End Vote Suppression LINK
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• National: Diebold Mulls Role of Voting Business LINK
• National: Diebold may leave e-voting business LINK
• National: Major New Investigation of Electronic Voting Machines LINK
• National: Obama Introduces Bill to Rank State Election Practices and Performance LINK
• California: Orange County - Election recount could provoke legal challenge LINK
• Florida: Even with optical scan, will seeing be believing? LINK
• Florida: Exclusive Interview: Clint Curtis Documents Evidence of Widespread 2006 Florida Election Fraud LINK
• Florida: Case Clear For Paper Trail LINK
• Florida: Sarasota County - Touchscreen voting: vote of no confidence? LINK
• Illinois: Advancing primary day could cue election difficulties LINK
• New York: Dutchess County - Grants will improve accessibility at polling places LINK
• Ohio: Editorial - Paper trail for voting machines should be required LINK
• Pennsylvania: Northampton County – Opinion - Cautious steps for accurate elections LINK
• Texas: Clay County - Streamlined elections Legislature votes to combine process with city, state/county races LINK

**"Daily Voting News" is meant as a comprehensive listing of reports each day concerning issues related to election and voting news around the country regardless of quality or political slant. Therefore, items listed in "Daily Voting News" may not reflect the opinions of VotersUnite.Org or Scoop.**

John Gideon
Executive Director www.votersunite.org and
Member www.votetrustusa.org

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