Today, at long last, the marathon of a presidential election race is finally almost over. Today…finally…the finally final votes are made for U.S. president. Did I mention finally? The race has been going on for two years here in Iowa.
I voted absentee ballot around 3 – 4 weeks ago; I’m so glad I don’t need to deal with the long lines. But it is *GOOD* for once to see those long lines! More people need to get involved with voting.
Here are a few interesting headlines about voting related (directly or indirectly) with security and/or privacy…
Vote security nightmare as Hillsborough voter records found along I-4
“Thousands of pages that contain information about Hillsborough County voters were found along a stretch of I-4 early this morning.”
Election 2008: E-voting concerns persist
“Is electronic voting on its way out? For the first time in nearly three decades, there will be a decline in the number of people casting their ballots electronically, reports Election Data Services, Inc. (EDS). The Manassas, Va.-based political consulting firm reports that, compared with the 2006 election, nearly 10 million fewer voters will use e-voting machines Tuesday.”
So Little Time, So Much Damage
“President Bush’s aides have been scrambling to change rules and regulations on the environment, civil liberties and abortion rights, among others — few for the good. Most presidents put on a last-minute policy stamp, but in Mr. Bush’s case it is more like a wrecking ball. We fear it could take months, or years, for the next president to identify and then undo all of the damage.”
Could Mobile Voting Happen in 2012? or 2016?
“With long lines expected at polling places for today’s U.S. election, many young American voters may be wondering today “Couldn’t I have voted via my iPhone, Blackberry or other smartphone?” Wouldn’t that have been easier than taking time-off from work and fighting the crowds? After all, the younger generation is already used to shopping online, paying their bills and banking electronically, and even voting via SMS for “American Idol”. So why not mobile voting? Could a mobile voting system be developed by 2012 or 2016 that truly ensures a fair election?”
“Every election cycle, our nation argues about voter fraud and purging voters. Universal voter registration is the solution to both of these problems. It eliminates voter fraud. It makes unlawful purging of voters impossible. It’s also more simple to administrate than our current system, therefore costing less and easier to validate.”
“As the US heads into a historic and contentious presidential election, concerns over electronic voting technology could be about to stir up controversy over the legitimacy of some results.”
How to hack an election in seven minutes
“Numerous problems beset e-voting machines being used to count ballots in today’s U.S. elections. Experts say some can be hacked in a matter of minutes. Many are left unguarded. In certain cases, touching the screen to cast a vote for one candidate has displayed a result favouring the other candidate.”
Voting errors in US presidential election
“Doubts over the security and accuracy of electronic voting machines have surfaced once again, as several US states report ballot mistakes in the final and most crucial leg of the presidential election.”
US elections may face voting problems
“Lawsuits alleging voter suppression surfaced in the hotly contested state of Virginia. A judge refused late Monday to extend poll hours and to add voting machines to black precincts in some areas. Civil rights group the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, in a federal lawsuit, demanded those changes, saying minority neighbourhoods would experience overwhelming turnout and there weren’t enough electronic machines.”
Tags: U.S. president, vote, voting privacy, voting security