[Chixla] Fw: [Lula] Please support open source resolution in CA senate.

[SMichelle]

Slashdot article on California Diebold voting machine madness. Some
impetus if you haven't written your letter to your political critter yet
:)

http://yro.slashdot.org/yro/04/07/12/2351241.shtml?tid=103&tid=123&tid=98&tid=99
/SMichelle 
> Very important issue for the health and saftey of the democratic
> voting system. 
> 
> Write your political critter of choice to urge an open voting process
> which ensures a auditable paper trail. Help stop corporate interests
> from inserting themselves into the democratic process in the interests
> of profit. It's your vote people, make sure that it counts :)
> 
> /SMichelle
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Begin forwarded message:
> 
> Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2004 22:58:53 +0000
> From: rcdawson at att.net
> To: lula at lula.org
> Subject: [Lula] Please support open source resolution in CA senate.
> 
> 
> Jackie Goldberg has managed to push Assembly Current Resolution 242
> through the assembly.  ACR 242 requests the secretary of state to
> investigate and evaluate the use of open source software in for voting
> machines.
> 
> The resolution is now up for review in the Senate.  Letters and / or
> emails to california state senators could help pass this resolution.
> 
> The resolution is only a tiny step, but at least in the right
> direction It reads as follows:
> 
> WHEREAS, The State of California has a compelling interest to
> ensure public confidence that election results are complete, honest,
> and accurate; now, therefore, be it
> 
>    Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
> thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby requests the
> Secretary of State to investigate and evaluate the use of open-source
> software in all voting machines in California and report his or her
> findings and recommendations to the Legislature by January 1, 2006;
> and be it further
> 
>    Resolved, That the Legislature is committed to exploring and
> reviewing all available programs and features, including open-source
> software, that may enhance the security of election results and
> increase voter confidence in the integrity of the voting process; and
> be it further
> 
>    Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
> this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
> 
> As I said, it's a tiny step, but certainly better than no step. 
> Voting machines are a hot topic right not, and the application of open
> source seems a no-brainer, even without considering the cost benefits.
> 
> Following is the letter I have sent to my senator, Debra Bowen, who
> was integral in getting California legislation on line.  (Thanks to
> her - and the technology - you can follow up on ACR 242 just by
> googling it.) Cut out the part about her involvement in software, and
> this letter could probably go to any senator.  Your senator can be
> found at the california legislators' website.  Just google in to it. 
> typically you need to send email through their websites.  They often
> reject email sent directly.
> 
> If you choose to respond, please let me know.
> 
> Rich Dawson    rcdawson at att.net
> 
> 
> Dear Senator Bowen:
> 
> I urge your support for Assembly Concurrent Resolution 242, a
> resolution requesting the secretary of state to investigate and
> evaluate the use of open source software in California_s voting
> machines.  Open-source voting machine software would give the state,
> and any interested citizen, the opportunity to know exactly how voting
> machines tally the vote and whether the records are suitably
> safeguarded and accurately communicated.  
> 
> Being the person most widely credited with bringing California_s
> legislature on line, I am sure that you are aware of the potential for
> electronic voting machines, and perhaps one day the internet, to more
> fully engage the population in voting.  At the same time, however, the
> technology presents a new opportunity for abuse, particularly if the
> software algorithims are proprietary and the details of data
> manipulation are not disclosed.  
> 
> The open-source software concept is quite simple: Software algorithims
> should not be secret; the software_s source code _ that is the
> human-understandable version of the software _ should be published and
> freely available.  The author_s intellectual property rights are
> protected by copyright, but what the software actually does and how it
> does it are open to inspection by anyone.  This concept seems
> particularly appropriate for voting machine software whose operation
> should be entirely transparent.
> 
> In addition to transparency, the use of open source software provides
> the user with independence from the software provider, the ability to
> customize applications for the state_s needs, and the opportunity to
> engage California companies in technological growth.  Independence
> from the software provider means both the ability to correct errors in
> the software without waiting for the provider to respond and the
> freedom to upgrade only when it is to the state_s advantage to do so.
> 
> Open source software is only a piece of the voting machine security
> puzzle.  Voter verified paper records and appropriate security
> measures are also necessary.  Open source software does not replace
> the need for a voter verified audit trail, but it can be an element of
> improved security as well as providing the direct benefits discussed
> above.
> 
> Open-source software offers significant benefits for virtually any
> state software application.  In addition to transparency, open source
> offers economy and an opportunity to bring software development home
> to California, providing California citizens with employment and
> helping to keep California at the forefront of the software industry.
> 
> Please advise me as to your position on this matter.
> 
> Sincerely......
> 
> 
> I would ask you to tell me if this is inappropriate for this list, but
> I'm sure I will be informed if that is the case!
> 
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